Chapter 8 #3
Is this what she was like before she joined the Hale pack? Her scent is bright, as inviting as a cup of tea on a rainy day. I almost want to cage her in between my arms, hide her away from every other alpha here, stop her from going back.
But she’s not my omega. She’s already bonded into another pack. They’re even her scent matches. The scarlet mating mark sits against her skin like red light, a constant reminder not to overstep.
I study her closely instead, the curve of her nose, the corner of her lips where the gloss has smudged. I breathe in her perfume as deeply as I subtly can, trying to commit every bit of her to memory.
When Nico comes over for a turn to dance with her, I weave past every person trying to talk to me. I even ignore Jason and Evan, laser focused on watching her.
Nico returns with his pistachio fragrance soaring high. He meets my gaze and mouths ‘wow’ as Evan takes his chance to dance with her. She dances with the four of us, until Jason leads her back for a break.
The air over our table is filled with exhilaration. Pride surges into me. As pack lead, this is what I want for my pack. This type of contentment, satisfaction. It feels right.
Jason plucks a business card from his pocket, shaking it back and forth near Ariana’s face.
She lowers the hand she’d been using to fan herself, closing her eyes to relish the feeble breeze.
Nico and I stand, flourishing our own cards to add to Jason’s.
Evan disappears, then emerges with a glass of water filled with ice for her.
“And a straw, so you don’t ruin your lip gloss.” He adds with a flourish, before joining in on our fanning her with his handkerchief.
We must look ridiculous. I think my mom would lose her mind if she saw us. Four grown alphas, each over six feet, dressed to the nines, flapping away in front of an omega’s face. Her laugh makes it worth it.
“Okay, stop, stop, I’m cold now!” Ariana pushes our hands away. I’m pulling off my blazer immediately, but she stops me. “Then I’ll get hot,” she points out.
“Then we’ll fan you again,” Evan nods sagely, taking his blazer off too.
“What? No!” She titters again. “I just need to catch my breath for a second. Let’s all sit down for a moment.”
We plant into our chairs like she’s barked at us. I should have taken her frame into consideration. She’s taller than your average omega, but concerningly skinny. Of course she got tired after dancing so much. I make a mental note, reminding myself omegas tire quickly.
Our table falls into a comfortable silence, the five of us watching the dance floor. Two of Evan’s dads are here too, trying to dance together. Both alphas look like they’re demanding to be lead, making them appear more like they’re fencing. The blond’s determinedly facing the other way.
I’m internally debating whether to wave them over and ask them to dance with him too when Ariana’s perfume begins to dim.
I follow her gaze, tracing it to where the second musketeer’s making his way over with purpose.
The rest of my pack seems to spot him as well, their scents growing tense or stiff.
I understand we’re not fans of him, but Ariana’s his scent match. Why is his presence bringing the anxiety back to hers? It should be the opposite way around. Being in proximity to him should give her inherent comfort.
She rises before he’s reached the table, and he wraps an arm around her. “Thank you for keeping my omega company,” Liam says stiffly to us, sounding almost robotic. “It’s time for us to go now.”
“That’s early,” Evan moves a leg from side to side, hands clasped together in his lap. “Leaving so soon?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Pack business.” The unwelcome alpha smiles at us tightly. “Have a good night.”
“Bye,” Ariana says quickly, voice small again. Does she realize how brief she keeps her words when they’re around?
“Take care.” Jason keeps it just as short.
“Drive safe.” Nico adds.
“Later.” Evan looks Liam up and down.
“I’ll be in touch,” I add, concluding our farewells. “With all of you.”
I don’t give a damn about the app, but I’m somewhat tempted to invest just to keep in touch with Ariana. And maybe keep an eye on the Hale pack. I don’t trust this second omega business. Not when an omega’s stressing at the sight of her scent match. It’s unnatural.
Something possessive tugs in me again, wants me to stop her from leaving. It must be the inherent protectiveness in me as an alpha. It’s not my business to worry about an omega that has a pack. They’re essentially her soulmates at the end of the day. Maybe they’re just in a rough patch right now.
I don’t know.
What I do know is I’m thirty two years old. I’ve been going to these balls since I was twelve. For the first time in twenty years, I’ve enjoyed myself at one of them. Because of an omega. And she’s just left with someone else.
I press a hand against the left side of my chest, but don’t feel anything except the smooth fabric of my suit against my skin. Nothing seems to amiss either when I look down. That’s strange. There must not be a bruise there like I had thought.
What did that throb of ache come from then?