Chapter 14 #2
Arbor slaps a hand over his face and shakes his head. “This is terrible. Why are you here, Glenn?”
“Forest wanted me to tag along, and so here I am.”
“Forest?” Attie stands up so suddenly, the entire table rocks. “I have something for him.”
He grabs something from the cabinet and disappears outside, leaving me and Arbor to stare at each other.
“I wasn’t following you,” I manage to say. “I really am here for Forest. This is the pack he wanted to visit.”
“Same, I’m just here to see Attie.”
Our eyes lock, and he bites his bottom lip.
“I missed you,” he says, and my heart flutters in my chest.
“Yeah, missed you too.”
His cheeks flush, and he peers up at me. “How long are you here for?”
“We leave Sunday.”
“Same.” He lets out a long breath. “Where are you staying?”
“No clue. I think at Red’s place. Or at least that’s what I assume.”
“I’ll be staying here, or at Ten’s.”
“Who the fuck is Ten?”
Before Arbor can answer, Attie is back in the trailer, his eyes bright. “Arbor has a history here, don’t you, boo?”
Arbor scowls at his foster brother. “Attie, stop it. I mean it.”
My head cocks, that earlier flutter turning into something slightly sharp and painful.
“Been around a few times,” Attie adds, and Arbor scowls at him.
“I’m an omega, of course I have been.”
My jaw clicks, but I refuse to rise to the bait. Not in front of Attie, anyway. He seems like a shit stirrer.
“Can I speak to you outside?” Arbor asks, his voice almost pleading.
I let him lead me to the door, and his hand brushes against mine as we step out into the forest. My head knocks against a doll head hanging from one of the overhanging branches, and I scowl at it.
But I don’t touch it or bat it away. Just let Arbor lead me forward, somewhere we can speak privately.
Probably because Attie is leaning out the door and trying to eavesdrop.
When we get far enough away, Arbor turns to face me, his cheeks pink, his eyes slightly wild. I can smell a hint of cinnamon on him, but it’s muted.
“You wearing that pendant again?” I ask, and he nods.
“I only take it off for you.”
My lips turn down even if my chest swells at that. He allows himself to be vulnerable with me, and I like it. But I also hate that he thinks he needs to mask for everyone, that his scent is a bother to everyone around him.
“I get it.”
“I hope you do. I’m not always welcome here. Being part fae is something this clan doesn’t really like, but they allow it for Attie’s sake, and because I’m still part omega. So, I like to mask my scent as much as I can when I’m here.”
“Makes sense.”
He sighs in relief, but then straightens his shoulders. “About what Attie said…” His voice trails off, and he sighs. “I don’t think I owe you an explanation, but…”
Just as he’s about to speak, a body plows into him, lifting him off the ground and twirling him around. My feet carry me forward, hearing the growl that is rumbling in my throat. I don’t like anyone touching my omega. No one but me.
“Missed you,” the man holding Arbor says, causing Arbor to blush.
“Ten, seriously. Put me down.”
So, this is Ten, the man Arbor was going to stay with if Attie didn’t want him around. Doesn’t seem like they don’t take kindly to fae. Seems they like him just fine. But then again, this pack seems like they’re quick to break the rules when it suits them.
I take the man in. Wiry, but strong, restless energy radiating off him.
His hair is a little too long, beard a little unkempt, but underneath it all, I can see that he’s handsome.
In a redneck kind of way. He’s wearing scuffed boots and paint-splattered jeans.
And the way he looks at Arbor is like he wants to fall to his knees and devour him.
I don’t like that at all.
“You’ve been away for a long-ass time. Thought you didn’t like our dicks anymore,” Ten says and then turns to look at me. “Who the fuck are you? Why you starin’?” He sniffs the air, and then his grin turns wicked. “Oh, fuck, I knew I knew that smell.”
He moves toward me and holds out his hand. I don’t want to shake it. I don’t want to even talk to him, my possessiveness growing inside of me.
“You’re one of Forest’s brothers.” He snaps his fingers and then laughs. “Which one are you? I don’t think we’ve met.”
I say nothing, and Arbor moves up next to me, slipping his arm around my waist. The feeling of his touch has me settling slightly. But I’m still jealous as hell.
“This is Glenn. Now, be nice and stop airing all my dirty laundry.”
Ten smirks. “You two a thing?”
“None of your business.”
Ten laughs. “Yeah, well, you better tell him all your secrets quick. We have a hard time keeping things in around here.”
Arbor sighs and peers up at me as Ten stalks past us both, murmuring that he needs to go find Forest.
My fingers curl around his hip, and he leans into me.
“Is this going to be a hellish weekend?” I ask, and Arbor huffs.
“Feeling a certain way?”
My fingers tighten. “You want me jealous and possessive?”
His eyelashes flutter. “Maybe.”
Another growl leaves my throat. “Well, then, Omega. It seems you may get your wish.”