CHAPTER 9 JARED
Present day
When I hear the name, I can hardly believe it. I know it.
Veyron… that's the former detective's assistant Storm wanted to set me up with as a companion for this trip.
So Alex and Storm got worried about me and sent him out to find me?
"Veyron?!" I blurt out, barely getting the word past my lips, but it's enough. As an alpha, Veyron hears me even from that distance.
A second later, I hear hurried footsteps; apparently, the new guest slips inside without waiting for Emilio to invite him in. Then he's suddenly in the living room, a very tall dude, with a red-auburn mop of hair and a handsome, youthful face.
"Jared? I've been looking all over town for you since yesterday! What the hell happened to you? Did these people kidna—" He cuts himself off, his eyes darting warily around everyone in the room.
"No, they didn't kidnap me," I assure him, swallowing hard, painfully aware of just how worried poor Alex must've been. And the fact that Veyron came all the way here only proves how badly I screwed up by staying in that cabin instead of leaving sooner.
"I literally got here just a few minutes before you. I came to ask if I could borrow a phone. Other than that, everything's okay. I spent the last three days in a little cabin out in the forest because…" I clear my throat. "…I went into heat."
Veyron blinks, and silence settles over the room.
That's when I notice something strange. Renato's ridiculously hot nephew is glaring at innocent Veyron with open hostility, radiating the classic territorial alpha energy.
I have no idea how I know it, but I'm absolutely certain he doesn't want Veyron anywhere near this house. And especially not around me.
Naturally, Veyron turns toward him at once. Every alpha is tuned in to that kind of combative energy.
A low, warning AO growl rumbles out of Mauro's chest, the one that says, Stay away.
Veyron, however, doesn't look the least bit intimidated. He tilts his head slightly, and a cocky little smile curls across his lips.
"Well… this is quite the atmosphere you've got going here. Jared, I think it'd be safer if we got out of here. Alex's been waiting for the update on your whereabouts. Impatiently, may I add!"
A strange wave of panic seizes me at the thought of leaving already.
"It's okay, Veyron. I only asked these kind people if I could use a phone to call Alex, but then I got dizzy. Mauro helped me get to the couch. I'm in heat recovery right now, and I can barely walk."
The older beta turns toward Veyron, introduces himself, and asks, "Mr. Nolan, am I correct in assuming you're Jared's partner?"
"No! No, we don't even know each other." Veyron waves both hands immediately.
"I'm Bay's cousin. Bay used to date Alex, who's Jared's cousin.
" He stops halfway through and makes a helpless gesture.
"Never mind. It's complicated. I used to work as a detective's assistant, though, so friends and relatives sometimes ask me to use my contacts to help them take care of…
certain situations." He lets out an awkward chuckle.
"I understand. Even so, I'd like to assure you that Jared is perfectly safe here," Renato says.
"And in his current condition, he shouldn't be traveling.
Heat recovery requires rest and as little stress as possible.
I would strongly recommend that Jared stay here for the next three days before making any decisions. "
I blink in surprise at Renato's unexpected suggestion, but for some reason it immediately feels like the perfect solution.
My first thought is that maybe I could try to find that green fae again…
Then the opposite thought hits me.
Why? He can’t possibly be my True Mate.
And what would I do, ask him to be my boyfriend? The guy lives naked in the forest, and I have a toddler.
Tommy!
My poor son, who’s now far away and has no idea what’s going on with his dad.
I should keep looking around here for my real True Mate. That's why I came all this way in the first place, and my search isn't over yet.
I glance at the handsome alpha.
Sadly, it probably isn't Mauro. We never experienced First Touch, so maybe there's someone else?
I've traveled halfway across the States to find him. Perhaps I shouldn't give up and spend a few more days looking?
But my heart clenches painfully at the thought of Tommy. What a horrible dad I am!
I open my mouth to protest, but Renato's eyes settle on me, those distinctive eyes that are strangely calming. What to do now?
I cough softly to buy myself a bit more time to think. "Veyron, I really appreciate you coming all the way out here for me, and I'm grateful to Alex for arranging all of this. I'm sorry I worried him so much, but my phone got soaked, so there was no way for me to call anyone."
Veyron steps closer, immediately drawing another deep, vibrating warning rumble from somewhere in Mauro's chest. But their guest ignores it completely and sits down on the couch, taking the spot on my other side, opposite Renato.
"Jared, I still think we should get going. I know it's a twelve-hour drive, but—"
Renato cuts him off in a firm, authoritative voice.
"It really would be much safer if Jared stayed here for those three days before traveling.
And please, don't hesitate to stay as well.
You're more than welcome in my home. You can remain here and keep an eye on Jared yourself if that'll put your mind at ease.
My estate is large, I have plenty of empty rooms, and I'd be delighted to have guests. The more, the merrier."
"But—"
Renato's voice seems to have a naturally commanding quality to it, the kind that makes people instinctively listen when he speaks.
It's all the more surprising because betas rarely have an aura like this. It's usually a characteristic of mature alphas, yet he seems to dominate the room energetically.
"It isn't worth risking a young omega's health. Failing to provide proper rest during heat recovery can lead to fertility issues later in life, as well as shortened heats," he adds, and there's weight behind every word.
To my own surprise, I find myself completely agreeing with him. Not exactly because of the medical reasons, though. I just really need to untangle the mess that's somehow started swirling around me.
"But wouldn't I just be imposing? Maybe I'd be better off staying at a hotel—" I have to say it. Basic manners demand it.
"Nonsense!" Renato replies at once. "My house is large and far too empty. It'll be a pleasure to have guests. You're both welcome to stay."
Veyron still looks uncertain, but then he glances at me, silently asking what I want to do.
"If it really isn't a problem… I'd like to stay. I feel absolutely awful. My head won't stop spinning. Earlier I thought I was going to throw up, so there's no way I'm fit for a twelve-hour drive. But I do need to call Alex. My son is with him, and I have to know if everything's okay."
Without hesitation, Veyron hands me his phone.
The instant he does, another low, vibrating growl rumbles deep from Mauro's chest.
What's going on here? We literally met fifteen minutes ago, and he's already reacting with instinctive jealousy toward another alpha, acting possessive of me…
Strangely enough, I don't mind it. I hated Mark's jealousy, but whatever's driving Mauro feels entirely different.
Veyron shoots Mauro a look, one eyebrow raised, but doesn't comment on it.
I take the phone and say, "If you don't mind, I'll step out onto the patio for a minute."
The moment I try to stand, though, a violent wave of dizziness crashes over me. My legs nearly give out beneath me, and I almost collapse, but Veyron, who's sitting closest, catches me around the waist.
That turns out to be a mistake.
Mauro is on him in an instant, shoving him back so hard that Veyron's hands lose contact with my waist.
"What the fuck is your problem?" Veyron growls, stepping forward with the classic alpha posture that says he's ready for a fight.
Mauro doesn't give an inch. A heartbeat later, they're standing chest to chest, low, vibrating growls rumbling from both their throats in an open alpha-only challenge.
Before either of them can do anything, Renato Santoro intervenes.
He slips into the narrow space separating them, pressing one hand against each man's chest, and something fascinating happens.
The instant he touches them, the aggression drains out of both alphas, and with it, the tension filling the room eases.
They take a step back, leaving Renato standing between them like a mediator.
"Gentlemen," he says calmly, "I understand that Jared is an exceptionally beautiful omega, but I'm sure you're both aware that this kind of behavior won't lead anywhere good. Control your instincts. This is a respectable home, and we behave accordingly."
Really, I should be the one saying something, putting an end to this. For some reason, though, I don't want to. Maybe it's because, in a strange way, Mauro's behavior is kind of… sexy. Wild, yes. Intense, yes. Maybe even unnecessarily so. Simply hot!
As far as appearances go, both Mauro and Veyron are ridiculously attractive young alphas.
Veyron has a cuter, boyish kind of handsomeness, with striking light copper eyes and copper curls, while Mauro's look is darker, more classically masculine.
They both have incredible bodies, too. I'm almost certain they train regularly.
I don't know what sport either of them plays, but neither physique comes from sitting around all day.
Renato glances toward me before saying, "Why don't we step out onto the patio and give Jared a chance to talk to his cousin in peace?"
I instantly feel guilty that everyone has to leave the room just so one person can make a phone call. Before I can even protest, though, they're already heading outside.
Through the glass doors I watch Renato say something quietly to Veyron while Mauro stands beside them, calm on the surface, though his eyes never leave Veyron for a second.
Dear Fate… this is so weird.