Page 153 of Ashley & the A-Listers

“But I’m an alpha.”

“Okay, okay, yes. Under normal circumstances I think that would mean something, but you’re the bodyguard! Making snacks for said body isn’t weird.”

Dylan’s brow furrowed at the cabinet before him. “Justifying this is weirder than just doing it.”

“Oh, just do it!” Ashley groaned, and then melted into chuckles. “If I can bring the omega a blanket, you can organize his snacks.”

Dylan shook his head, lips twitching before he caved and laughed.

Here they were, just two alphas, overthinking a simple task for an omega.

The only difference was that Dylan didn’t want to join the other two for this heat.

They were only approaching the evening of the second day, so Dylan hadn’t seen much of River, and none of Cameron.

“Okay, okay, I’ll do it. I’mdoingit,” Dylan said, and continued to pour and arrange the snacks in their little slots before rolling all the bags up or resealing them properly. “They probably won’t even notice. Too distracted.”

“Well, it’s the thought that counts,” Ashley told him, and Dylan heard the other room go quiet in a rare moment.

Then the doorknob rattled, and Dylan paused. “Hold on, I hear stirring,” he said.

Ashley went quiet, and Dylan lowered the phone to his chest, turning toward the hallway as River appeared.

He looked a bit haggard, but that was par for the game when it came to seeing an omega through their heat.

“Hey, need some fuel?” Dylan asked, pushing the container to the edge of the bar.

River looked tired, nothing but a robe on, haphazardly tied.

He continued closer, leaning against the counter, and with just a few feet separating them, Dylan could scent Cam on him, even this close.

The desperation, the neediness, adding spice to Cam’s usually sweet scent.

“Is that Ashley you’re talking to?” he asked.

Dylan glanced down at the phone pressed to his chest. “Yeah. Why?”

“Cameron… wants an alpha,” River said quietly.

Dylan’s heart leapt.

This was it.

“What?” Dylan asked, just in case he’d misheard.

“He wants Ashley. Won’t stop begging.”

Dylan wanted to jump at this chance, but he also did not want them to rush into anything. “Are you sure?”

River ran a shaky hand through messy hair. “He wants her.”

Dylan lifted the phone to his ear. On the other end of the line, Ashley was silent.

“Ashley, did you hear that?”

“Maybe,” she said, sounding strangled. “I’ve never been around an omega in heat,” she admitted.

“I’ll give you a minute,” River said, and sat on a stool by the bar. He looked tired, and Dylan went to the fridge to get him a bottle of water. His smile was tired.

---