Chapter 6
Three months later
I should not be bored to tears right now, but I am. Smoothing back my blonde curls, so it’s not in my face, I take a small sip of water. Somehow, it continues to be magically filled, but it doesn’t taste or smell any differently.
The staff at this restaurant are very attentive, which is what I’m going to chalk this up to. I need to make sure I tip them well. I’ve been incredibly busy the last few months, partially because I’ve been working at Omega’s Haven with Wren as we accept new omegas.
It’s rewarding and exhausting work to set everything up from scratch, but I’d rather be filling out paperwork or having my eyelashes removed one by one than be sitting here right now.
“You look like you’re a little skinny for kids,” the alpha across from me says as my eyes widen.
This is Pack Dayton, and we’re meeting for dinner at an Italian restaurant just outside of Minneapolis. It’s a small town, one of the concessions my dad asked for safety purposes. He’s not sure this is the best path, but he’s willing to let me see it through.
The doctor said I have two more months until he’s going to have to cut me off the medication. I’ve been having medicated heats for almost a year, and started having headaches recently.
I know I’m running out of time, but I swear, each one of these dates is worse than the last.
Every date I’ve been on has been at this restaurant. I don’t need a guard for these, but I text my father when I arrive and leave. I secretly think the staff is also realizing this is my date place, which is why they’re so attentive.
I don’t know if I should feel embarrassed or flattered that they’re watching out for me.
“Ah, I think you’re misunderstanding the point of my dating,” I tell Fredrick. “I want a pack willing to help me through my heats. I don’t want to go through them alone, I can’t actually, and this may be the best option for me.”
“So you’re fucking a different pack every month,” Fredrick asks, appalled as his pack listens to every word.
Harold, Fredrick, and Taylor seem like nice alphas, even though they are incredibly beige as far as personalities go. They have good jobs, a nice house, but all I’m interested in is what those knots do. God, maybe I really am a virgin whore.
“No,” I say slowly, intent on being heard. This is the fourth pack I’ve met with in as many weeks, and I’m getting tired of explaining it. “I would like one pack who wants to play heat fucking buddies once a month. A heat is a biological function that I can’t get around. If that pack becomes a forever pack, then so much the better.”
I gave up my precious alpha pheromone blocking gel for this, and the peppery, pickle, and sweet pea scents are overwhelming to the point that my stomach turns. Ugh, this is going to ruin dinner for sure.
Our food is taking forever to arrive, and at this point I may simply leave. I’m trying to be polite, for science’s sake. I don’t think I could be intimate with any of these men though, even while blind with need.
“I don’t like it,” Taylor mutters. “It makes this feel transactional, and we want a relationship with an omega, Aisling. We’re approaching our late twenties. It’s time for us to settle down now that we have good jobs. You just barely turned nineteen, maybe you’re simply too young to appreciate where we’re coming from.”
The fuck I am. I would love to find a scent match on the one hand, but on the other, what if they’re complete assholes? Alphas hold so much power over omegas. It hardly seems fair.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.
“I don’t think my age has anything to do with this,” I say, standing. “I do think we have very different interests. I’m sorry I wasted your time.”
“Wait,” Harold says, but I’m already walking away. My profile specifically mentions what I’m looking for, and when I looked through the website, I’m not the only omega dating for this reason.
Shaking my head, I push open the door to the restaurant, my dress swirling around my calves. The late November breeze ruffles my hair, and I take a deep breath as I enjoy the way it clears my sinuses.
Reaching into my purse, I apply a little gel under my nose, intent not to fuck with my growing headache. Dropping the container into my bag, I stride out into the fading sunlight, only to run into a broad chest.
It was really dark in the restaurant, and my eyes are having a hard time adjusting.
“Woah, where’s the fire?” a deep voice asks with a chuckle.
Looking up, I see pale blue eyes behind a set of glasses, sparkling with mirth and a bit of concern.
“Are you hurt?” he asks.
“No, I’m okay, thank you,” I say with a sad smile. I’m sad because I can only wish for an alpha this beautiful. His blond streaked brown hair is tousled perfectly, and my fingers itch to play with it.
I’m tired. Exhausted, really, of my entire existence, and I recently turned nineteen. I’m texting Wren when I get home that I need to find a sex toy shop willing to donate to the Haven for omegas going through their heat.
The rooms will have everything they could ever want or need. Maybe I can reach out to the local university too, see if they have a host club willing to service our omegas.
All of these things will take time, and I’m rapidly running out of it. Why don’t these things already exist?
“Do I need to fuck someone up?” the alpha asks, his hands on my shoulders squeezing me. “You look like you’re dressed for a date, did it not go well?”
“It didn’t, but neither did the others,” I mutter. “You do not need to hear about this. I’m sorry I ran into you.”
“Please, feel free to run into me more. If you’re dating, would you mind exchanging numbers? My pack and I would love to take you out,” he says, his voice deepening.
I can feel my body responding, my pussy slicking, and I inhale sharply. I didn’t have much hope for this date, so I threw every practical thought out the window. Panties that I can’t soak through were one of them. His nostrils flare as he groans, his eyes heating.
“Please?” he asks, sounding like he’s in pain.
“I have a feeling you’re too good for me,” I say, throwing myself a pity party for one as I sigh. “It’s really sweet of you to ask, though.”
Pulling away from his arms is difficult, because it’s clear he doesn’t let go. Just as it gets awkward and tears threaten to well, he does, and I walk as fast as I dare to my car.
He seems like the type of alpha who’d chase you if you ran.
Caelin
The sad blonde omega rushes away and my thigh muscles tense to follow her. Every fiber of my body screams mine. Her sugar cookie scent smells like home, and she’s my scent match.
I want to kill whoever hurt her, because I can smell the way her scent is changing into something that warrants ice cream and frosting as sadness overwhelms her.
Frowning, I’m torn between defending her and following her. She didn’t show any signs that she’s my scent match. My mother always told me it would be instantaneous between matches, yet this omega couldn’t get away from me fast enough. She didn’t look sick, maybe her nose was stopped up?
Can sinus issues cause problems with this? I need to talk to Aiden about this. But first…
Grabbing the door handle, I throw it open and stalk inside. I appear nerdy but well muscled, and I’m typically the one my pack sends in for jobs that need an undercover aspect to it.
I’m wearing a long-sleeved soft gray shirt with dark trousers, and have a preppy look, despite the swirling ink hidden beneath my sleeves. I know my nice gray designer shoes also give me an air of confidence and aloofness, but I hope it didn’t scare off the pretty little omega I just met.
Don’t worry if I did, poppet. I’ll find you again. You can’t hide from me.
Smiling pleasantly at the hostess who is staring at me with stars in her eyes, I ask, “Do you know where the blonde girl who just left was sitting? I’d like a table near there, please.”
If she wasn’t practically drooling, I’m sure the question would have taken her aback, but instead she nods slowly.
“She was sitting with Pack Dayton,” she says before wrinkling her nose. “If you ask me, that girl is too good for them. Are you her brother?”
Enjoying a reason to be protective without being an asshole, I nod. “Yes, I am. I worry about her, and she just lit out of here like her hair was on fire.”
I want her name, but know I have to be patient and careful not to reveal my cards too soon. I can wait, even if I don’t want to.
Picking up a menu for appearance sake, the hostess sighs. “She’s been in here four times in the last month with different packs,” she says. “It’s clear that she’s vetting and searching for the right one. Unfortunately, I think she’s playing it too safe.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, following her through the tables. It’s busy enough that no one gives us a second glance, and I need all the intel possible before I sit down next to Pack Dayton to eavesdrop.
After all, information is power, and I plan to hold all the cards.
“They’re all boring, judgemental, and treat her like shit,” the hostess says before coloring in embarrassment. “I may have snuck by a few times, and the waitresses have all been as well. I swear we didn’t mean anything by it, it’s just—”
“Just what?” I ask, uncertain if I should be amused or irritated on my poppet’s behalf.
I fucking hate catty bitches.
“Omegas take care of their own, or should,” she mutters. “My boss is an alpha and checks on the table personally whenever she comes in. Her drinks are taken away often with a new cup given, so she never notices. The world isn’t a safe place, and I commend her for what she’s doing. Here’s your table, Sir.”
“Thank you,” I say sincerely with a nod as I sit down. The girl practically curtsies as she leaves, making me smirk. Clearly, everyone has my little omega’s best interests in mind in this restaurant.
“Well, she’s clearly an easy lay if we’re looking for something like that,” an alpha from Pack Dayton says, bored.
Well, everyone but the twatcicles next to me.
“Eh, we aren’t. I’m sure Ophelia wouldn’t mind hooking her up with a life long indenture though,” another one says, snickering.
Fuck no. I don’t know what it is, but not even the boring hedge fund guys are safe anymore. That’s what they look like to me, anyway. Madam Ophelia runs an auction, and her favorite form of inventory is omegas. There’s no way in hell I’ll allow my omega to end up there.
I’m not a good alpha, and I have to admit that my obsession is going to become unhealthy and depraved, but if anyone is going to have her it will be me.
“Taylor, I think that’s taking your whole transactional approach too far,” another alpha with them says. They all have the same perfect short hair and shit brown colored eyes. They look like cookie cutter alphas, and I can feel my blood pressure beginning to rise as I take a deep breath.
Ugh, they even smell terrible. No wonder she left. It’s turning my stomach, and I toss aside my menu, already over my ruse.
Just say her name, or give me a reason to fuck you all up. Either way, I win.
“What am I supposed to think? Aisling said she wanted someone to fuck during her heats, but not to keep? It makes me feel cheap,” Taylor mumbles.
“So you feel like she needs to be sold to stroke your poor little ego?” the alpha says with a snort. They’re quiet while their food arrives, and I notice a man in a dress suit with rolled up sleeves and jeans is standing behind the waitress.
“Did your date leave? Is she sick?” the man asks, and I realize this is the manager who checks in on her.
There really are good people in the world.
“She wasn’t a good match,” Taylor says with a shrug. “We aren’t interested in whores.”
Anger banks in the manager’s gaze but he nods. “Have a good meal,” he grunts before beginning to walk away.
Having all the information I need from these douchebags, I lurch onto my feet, following the manager.
“Hey man, can I talk to you for a minute?” I ask, just as he reaches the hostess station. Fuck, this guy is booking it.
“Yeah, but I have to admit I’m in a shit mood,” he grunts, turning.
“He’s the date girl’s brother,” the hostess says helpfully. “Did you hear anything about their date?”
“Other than wanting to sell her?” I growl, seeing their eyes grow wide.
“Not in my restaurant,” the guy mutters. Pulling out his phone, his fingers fly across the screen. “Did they say to who?”
“Madam Ophelia,” I mutter softly.
Her name is one that’s well known in the auction networks, yet no one stops her. The law enforcement agencies ignore her, people do everything possible to stay out of her way.
Omegas still disappear regularly.
“I’m throwing them out and texting a buddy to let him know. We don’t want anything to do with people who traffick people, especially your sister, who is just a doll,” he says. “I’m Nico, and I try to watch out for her. In fact, they’re about to get the shits very soon. As soon as I saw your sister walk out the door, I had the chef doctor their food.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I watch as the alphas start to rub their stomachs, and ask for their check. They may have joked about selling an omega in a restaurant, but the last thing they want to do is shit themselves in one or make a scene. The double standard these alphas have is laughable and disgusting.
“Thanks, Nico,” I say, keeping an eye on them. “I don’t mind getting my hands dirty for my sister.”
The words taste like ash, but I need to keep the rouse until I can find her.
“Do you know how she’s been meeting these idiots?” I ask. “Aisling hasn’t wanted to tell me much about it.”
“So you’re being a good brother and stalking her?” the hostess asks with a smirk. At my shrug, she snorts in amusement. “Alphas, I swear. She’s using a dating app from Cupid‘s Call. They have a high rate of matching omegas and packs successfully, but there could be a chance that your sister wasn’t truthful about what she wants.”
“Every pack whom she’s come in on a date with has been wrong for her,” Nico grunts. “I get the feeling she has a situation that she’s trying to solve this way, but I won’t go into further details because no one wants to hear about their little sister and her heats.”
I chuckle with a nod, keeping up the charade as the alphas fly out the door, and I raise my brow. “Did they pay for their meals?” I ask.
“They threw cash down and ran,” a waitress says as she passes us by, money in hand.
“Thank you for the information,” I tell them, business almost complete. “May I ask what your plans are for Pack Dayton?”
Gazing at me for a moment, he nods. “One of my buddies runs with a crew. They’re going to follow them home and then teach them how to treat a lady.”
“Keeps me from having to do it. Thanks,” I grunt. “Listen, I appreciate you watching out for my sister. Think I could trouble you for a text if she comes back in? Like you said, she’s being cagey about her dating life. I want her to stay safe.”
“If it were me, I’d want the same,” Nico says with a shrug. Rattling off his number to me, I input it into my phone and send him a text.
“Much obliged,” I murmur, keeping my phone in my hand and heading out.
The sun has set by this point, and I can’t smell my sweet little poppet’s scent anymore. It makes me irrationally upset as I clench my fist and growl, stalking to my black Mustang. I barely notice that I’m calling Aiden before it connects.
“You good?” he grunts, and I can tell that he’s walking somewhere.
“Are you working right now?” I ask, though what I’m really wondering if he’s doing shit for the boss. Aiden is always working.
“Nah, I’m headed to get grub and then home. You hungry?”
Considering I didn’t eat anything, I am. “Yeah, I’m starving.”
Getting into the car, I turn it on, making sure the radio is off as I pull out of my parking spot and onto the road.
“Something odd happened today,” I say slowly. “I think we need a pack meeting with everyone.”
“Well don’t keep me guessing, asshole,” Aiden groans. “Do tell.”
“I met my scent match while walking past a restaurant on my way back from doing some tech work for the boss,” I blurt out.
“Are you calling me to tell me you kidnapped her?” Aiden asks, sighing.
“No,” I say with a laugh. Although, I am the most likely of us all to do that. While still waters run deep and all that shit, so does my insanity. I keep to the background for the most part, but I don’t have any trouble getting my hands dirty when needed.
“She ran into me, and smells like sugar cookies. God, my dick is still hard whenever I think about it.”
Palming my dick in my pants, I groan loudly as I blow through a yellow light. No one is pulling me over today, and I can handle any camera tickets when I get home.
“Sugar cookies?” Aiden asks, sounding weird. Almost, as if he’s being strangled. I know the sound well, just not typically from him unless we’re blowing off steam and roughhousing.
“Aiden, what’s wrong with you?” I ask. “We have a serious issue here, I need you to get on my level.”
“I am,” he grunts. “I just need more information. Do you know her name, or are we stalking a ghost?”
“We’re stalking a pretty little blonde poppet,” I say with a grin. “God, she looks like a fucking doll with those full lips, gorgeous blonde hair and button nose. I bet she could suck my soul right out of my goddamned body.”
“Caelin, could you focus, please?” Aiden groans. I imagine that he’s also adjusting his dick and chuckle. He’s been my best friend since we were ten, and we’ve been working for the boss since we were eighteen. “Does the poppet have a name?”
I love when he uses my nicknames to get me to focus.
“Will you suck my dick if I tell you?” I ask. I’m a psychotic brat for Daddy, and he knows it. I can imagine how pissed off I’m making him.
“At this rate I’m going to shove you onto your knees as soon as I see you and make you choke on my dick,” he growls. “Now, be a good boy for me and tell me her name.”
“Fine, but do I get to come if I suck your dick?” I whine teasingly. I’m pushing him hard, and it’s because I’m so keyed up right now. My knee is bouncing as I drive, too. I need my computer right fucking now.
I’ve been using other people’s hardware all day to fix their issues, mostly money laundering shit, and my fingers are itching for a challenge.
“Absolutely fucking not,” Aiden growls. “You’ll swallow my cum before eating your dinner, and no one is allowed to touch your dick. Not even you! Now spill it, for the love of God.”
Oops. I pissed him off.
“Fine, Daddy,” I complain, smirking as his deep growl fills my ears. “I may blow my load just from hearing your voice at this point. I went into the restaurant she was leaving, from a date I may add, and found out her name is Aisling.”
“She’s dating?” Aiden asks, sounding possessive.
“Do you know her?” I ask. He meets more people than I do, but I didn’t even give him a last name. Fuck, I’m not even in Minneapolis, but some tiny fucking town.
At least I’m not far from home.
“I only know one Aisling, Caelin, and that’s the boss’ daughter. I’ll show you a photo when you get home,” he says.
Cian Sullivan is incredible as an employer, but few people outside of his inner circle have met his daughter.
“She didn’t have a guard with her,” I hiss, finding my foot pressing harder on the gas pedal. “What the fuck, Aiden? Why doesn’t she? Anyone could have taken her. If you knew what that pack was saying… maybe I should go back and beat their asses, after all?”
“You’re going to go home, and I’m going to call the guys. I need to tell you something too,” he says.
“What do you mean? We tell each other everything,” I say, dumbfounded.
“We do, but look, it’s a long story. Get home,” he grunts, hanging up.
I still want to turn around, but I’m ten minutes from home at this point. I’m owed some answers.
Aiden can forget about getting his dick sucked until I get them.