9. Charlie
Chapter 9
Charlie
“ I can’t believe Eli is actually on a date. I never thought I would see the day,” I said with a laugh as I looked straight ahead at the TV screen.
Storm and I were in an intense game of Mario Kart, because what better way to spend an evening? Micha was in the kitchen, grabbing drinks. We were all waiting to see Eli after his date. Despite being the oldest member of the pack, it was rare he actually went out, let alone on a date.
We were all very curious about the woman who’d piqued his attention.
“Maybe he got laid, and he’ll finally relax a bit. He could use some stress relief,” Storm said as he threw a banana at my kart, smirking as he did so.
“Shithead!” I growled, elbowing him and swerving my little car before continuing the conversation. “You know full well that Eli only has one setting, and it’s on serious. It's what we love about him.” The poor alpha was always stressing himself out with his studies, and he deserved a break.
“Maybe he’ll truly lose his mind and bring her back to his room.” Storm chuckled.
“That’s what you would do. Eli has a bit more class,” I said.
“Is it weird he’s on a date with an omega?” Storm asked, putting his controller down and turning to me, game forgotten. His lips were turned down in a frown. “We’ve only ever dated betas…”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. If it makes him happy, then who are we to complain?”
“But I thought we weren’t going to date omegas until we were ready as a pack after we graduated? Can you really see Eli being casual?” Storm asked, his tone betraying his concern.
He had a point there. I couldn’t picture Eli casually dating; he was too serious, too proper. We had agreed to stick to betas until we graduated. It wasn’t an ultra-strict rule, though…more a guideline.
Micha walked in, handing us each a bottle of beer. Having overheard us, he said, “I mean, we’re not that far off from graduating, are we? If he brings her home, I’m open to meeting her.”
Storm frowned as he took the bottle. “I’m not. Settling down means claiming and babies. We’re still young.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Out of all of us, Storm had had the most dalliances throughout our college years. His status as a star hockey player meant that there was never a shortage of young women throwing themselves at him.
“Adulthood is coming for all of us, eventually, Storm,” Micha reminded him.
“When the time is right, it will be awesome. I don't doubt that. For now, though, things are going well, aren't they?”
“I suppose.” I shrugged. “But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious about how Eli's date with the omega is going.”
We had moved on to a different game by the time Eli came home. A three-player game, so all of us could join in. Micha was sitting on the floor, his back against the sofa between where Storm and I were sitting.
Eli walked into our apartment with a huge grin across his face. His hair was pushed back and mussed, like someone had been running their hands through it.
Possibly a cute omega?
“That’s the smile of a happy man!” I laughed, throwing down my gaming controller. “How’d it go?”
He nodded, taking off his jacket as he spoke. “Really well!”
“So, what is she like?”
“Really sweet. I’m going to see her again. She’s in the second year of her master’s and is looking to get a job as soon as she graduates. She’s really driven.”
I raised my eyebrows. “She’s not looking to get packed up right out of school?” I probed. Though many omegas attended college now, they often sought packs after.
Eli shook his head. “She’s stubborn and wants to put her degree to use. She actually already has a kid.”
If I was surprised before, I was downright shocked when he said that. “A single omega with a child? Isn’t the father around? Is it an alpha? If she’s a mom, surely someone has a claim to her.”
“I’m not sure, honestly,” Eli said, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt and undoing the collar. “I think he may have been an alpha, but all I know is, he’s not in her life at all now.”
“Eli, man,” Micha said, sitting up straighter. “This doesn’t sound very casual. She’s an omega and has a child. You’ve got to be stepping on someone’s toes, dating her?”
He looked between us, then shrugged. “I want you guys to meet her, she’s…special. If you don’t like her, nothing will happen, but I’m not waiting until some arbitrary date of graduation, when she seems perfect.” He took a few steps closer to us, and that’s when the faint floral smell hit us.
Instantly, I had a boner.
“Fuck me, is that her scent?” I asked, leaning in closer.
Eli smirked. “Pretty amazing, isn’t it? I swear, she’s my scent match, which means she’s probably yours.”
Storm was frowning. “Something about that scent is weirdly familiar. I don’t know what it is, though…” He trailed off.
“Maybe you had a class with her and simply didn't realize? You're not the most observant.” I laughed at Storm, who rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, that's got to be it,” he said. “Still…a kid is a big deal.”
I shrugged. It was and it wasn’t. “We’re not rushing into anything. Let's just see how the first few dates go with Eli, then maybe we can plan to meet her. For all we know, she could turn him off by the third date by eating with her mouth open.” I laughed as Eli shuddered. That was one of his biggest pet peeves.
That, and when someone didn't close the box of cereal properly and it became stale.
Eli was the oldest out of all of us, and I couldn't blame him for being ready to start a family. If I was honest with myself, I was getting tired of the college hook-up culture. I wasn't going to date an omega without my pack, and no one had come along that fit the bill.
“I’m really happy for you, Eli. Honestly. As soon as you think the time is right, I would love to meet her.”
Eli’s grin widened. “I look forward to it.”
He was so confident after only one date. This omega had to be something special.