Page 53 of The Heat of Us

He was still talking. “Are you single? My name’s Damien. I’d love to take you out. Spoiling’s not only reserved for omegas, you know.” He winked and I felt my intestines turn themselves inside out. Being asked out by strangers was not a new experience for me. I knew I couldn’t risk saying how I actually felt because they didn’t always react to rejection well.

Just do what you always do — be polite but firm and then get the fuck out of here.

“That’s very flattering,” I lied. “But I’m already seeing someone.”

“Ah well, can’t blame a man for trying now, can you?” Damien smiled.

“Excuse me,” I said hastily, wanting to wrap the conversation up. “I’m running late.”

I moved to push past him just as he swung his arm out in a gallant sort of go ahead gesture. I was thankful he took being turned down in stride but was less thankful when my bag was knocked off my shoulder.

“Shit. That’s on me, sweet thing. Let me—”

“It’s fine, you don’t have to.”

He ignored me of course. I suppose he thought he was being chivalrous but it was just annoying. I was very grateful my packages were safe in a separate tied up bag as he helped me pick up the scattered contents of my tote.

“Enjoy the rest of your day,” Damien said. He moved the strap up my arm and I tried not to recoil in case it offended him.

“You too,” I replied automatically.

I didn’t properly exhale until I was through the doors of the post office. I’d gotten really lucky that I’d passed as a beta and he didn’t realise I was a close-to-heat omega. My arms folded in on myself instinctively, trying to make myself small and unassuming as I waited in line. The oblivious postal worker took all my panties and I paid the exorbitant shipping fees without incident.

I was not expecting to see Aleks when I stepped back inside 101 Riverside. Standing in the lobby, clearly having just arrived to start his shift. When Jesse said Aleks was scheduled to work later, I didn’t realise that meant in twenty minutes. A bit more of a heads up would’ve been nice.

Aleks looked just as stunned as I was. Our eyes met and my entire body felt electric, the earlier encounter with the alpha forgotten.

We spoke over each other in a flurry of nerves.

“Hazel, h-hi.”

“How are you? How’s your grandma? How’s St. Elizabeth’s?” I blabbered like a fool.

Jesse looked between us and did a terrible job of hiding his amusement.

Aleks threw him a scathing glare and guided us both outside. I was very aware of his hand on the small of my back.

I don’t think he’d ever touched me like that before.

“How’ve you been?” he asked me softly once we didn’t have an audience.

I deflected immediately. “Me? Doesn’t matter about me, I want to know how everything with you is going.”

Aleks’ eyes narrowed slightly but to my relief he offered me an update. “My grandma got offered a place at a care facility. Came at the right time too because…” he drifted off, wincing slightly. “Anyway. With me working two jobs now it’s doable.”

I knew he would do nothing less for someone he cared for but I hated hearing that he was stretching himself thin this way. He needed people around him to support him, not just to ease the financial burden but to get rid of that hollow look in his eyes.

Like a pack.

Where the fuck did that conclusion come from?

“Now are you going to tell me how you really are?”

I blinked as his question cut through my thoughts.

“I’m ok,” I began slowly before averting my gaze. “I’m…going into heat soon.”

“Oh.” His Adam’s apple shifted as he swallowed. “I didn’t realise you weren’t on, er—”

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