Page 60 of Talk About… Rivalry

But the moment she called me a name, two alphas and a beta were facing her, fury on their faces.

“You know nothing about this situation,” Maverick said, tone ice cold now. “But you will not disrespect her in front of me.”

“At least we agree on that.”

“If you were packed up, why the hell did you agree to go out with me?” she asked, her tone hurt as much as furious. I couldn’t help but feel a bit bad for her until she opened her mouth again. “This was supposed to be something I could share, now I’ll have to pretend it never happened.”

My eyes shifted to Maverick. He nodded once, face set in stone but I saw the flicker of recognition and pain in his eyes, like he expected this.

“I’m truly sorry about the date and I am not with an omega or pack,” he clarified.

She rolled her eyes and gestured to all of us.

“Oh really, I hadn’t pegged you as a liar,” she said, stomping one heel-clad foot as she spoke. “Looks pretty cozy to me.”

“I wish,” was all I could mutter, hoping no one heard me, but Taylor let out a little chuckle, his breath warm against my ear.

“Say the word, sunshine, and you know I’m yours,” he reminded me.

I closed my eyes for a second, letting those words sink in.

“Now isn’t the time to argue packs or semantics on lounges versus small-town bars,” Bennett reminded us. I heard footsteps and a second later a warm hand was gently lifting my chin. He said nothing until my eyelashes fluttered open to take in his small, warm smile. “Did you eat?”

I shook my head. We never got that far.

“Then I’d love to take my omegas to dinner while these boys duke it out,” he said, tossing a look over his shoulder.

“Omegas?” I whispered, stomach clenching as his eyes flickered to Taylor behind me.

“Stop,” Taylor pleaded him but I was already pulling away, a sinking, yet hot, feeling washing over me. Tears burned behind my eyes as I put distance between us.

“I’m fine. I’ll head home. If you’re mates, you should explore it,” I said.

This time I didn’t hesitate as I ran across the lot to my car. My hands shook as I slid the key into the lock but right as I opened it the door was slammed shut again and a voice was low in my ear as a warm body pressed against me.

If I was a normal omega I’d know who by scent alone. I stared at the alpha behind me in the glass of my dirty car window, swallowing as he leaned in, meeting my gaze in the reflection.

“Stop running from me, omega. I like the chase,” Bennett promised.

“Why do you care? You’re leaving and you have an omega apparently,” I argued, turning to glare up at him defiantly.

Why couldn’t they just let me leave? A tear finally escaped and his sharp, gray eyes tracked the movement before catching it.

I half-expected pity in his expression, instead it was empathy. His body relaxed and his touch gentle as he ran his fingers down my cheek in a featherlight touch.

“Scent isn’t everything. It seems you like the omega as much as I do. However, I just met him right now,” he admitted.

That explained the frozen stances and deep breaths they each took.

“So, why did Taylor tell you no?”

“Because he had his omega in his arms already, I assume,” Bennett answered the question clearly written on my face. “Are you going to run from everyone who cares about you, angel?”

“It’s better than the mates I choose realizing that fate has someone better for them,” I admitted my deepest fear out loud. “Then I’ll be left in the dust, more broken than I already am.”

“You’re not broken.” It was Leo’s voice who chimed in. “I did always wonder at your lack of scent. Bennett is right, though, scent isn’t everything. I’m realizing that more and more every second I spend with you.”

I laughed, the sound hollow and laced in anguish.

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