Page 43 of Marigold Run

I shrug, not having a solution for the flustered beta.

“You know, if you don’t sign this, I’m going to have to call David down in Slenton, and let him know that the whole tournament will be short five machines.” Tonia rushes to keep up with me. She’s surprisingly spry for her age. “The poor beta has been going through a divorce,” she continues to babble, not giving two shits that I’m ignoring her. “Rumor has it his wife left him for an alpha promising her all kinds of things. A pack full of lovers, a delicate omega to love. Hell. I even heard he promised her a house full of babies. Poor David.” She tuts, making mewant to roll my eyes. “All he has now is work, and you won't even let him do that properly.”

“I don’t know what to tell you,” I say, praying the floor will just open up and devour one of us. “I don’t do signatures.”

While appreciating Tonia’s job—she keeps the books for our public business, fudging the numbers when needed and making us look respectable—I don’t have anything to do with that part of the company, and it’s honestly for the best. Several years ago, when Izan purchased his first casino, I mixed up a few numbers and cost my pack alpha over six figures in wasted costs. I haven’t touched a purchase order since. I learned my lesson.

“Dammit, Hutch!” Tonia grabs my forearm, pulling me to a stop. If she wasn’t a good twenty years older than me and half my size, I’d snap at the woman for being so aggressive. “I don’t know what’s going on with you boys, but I won’t let you make my job harder.” Her jaw ticks as she holds up the clipboard. “Izan has been distracted all week, and Dassy hasn’t even been here. I only need one damn signature!” She taps the paper. “Here.”

The urge to snap the fucking clipboard in half grips me, but none of this is Tonia’s fault. It’s mine and Izan’s. He should have taken Havenfield’s advice and taken a few months off from work. And I shouldn’t have encouraged him in his decision.

But there’s no helping it now.

“Don’t expect me to sign for anything ever again.” I take the pen from her, scribbling my name as quickly as I can. “If this ends up fucking us over, I don’t want to hear about it.”

Tonia lets out a long breath of relief. “Trust me. I won’t come to you again,” she says a little too forcefully. “Next time, I’ll let everything fall apart and just let you boys clean up your damn mess.” She turns on her heel, walking much slower back the way she came. She turns the corner and groans loudly, yelling at some poor employee as she disappears.

It takes everything in me not to bury my fist into the nearest wall.

I need to get laid.

It’s been almost a week since we brought Mari home. And while Everly has done a wonderful job, giving herself to me when I need it, I’m also trying to be mindful that the beta has a whole pack to tend to. It also doesn’t help that every fucking morning I have to smell Mari’s dried slick clinging to Izan’s skin. Dassy loves it. He uses it as an excuse for him and Izan to fuck like rabbits all goddamn night, but it’s starting to get to me. Having that precious omega within reach, but being unable to touch her is maddening.

And I don’t know how much longer I can wait.

I don’t bother to knock as I reach Izan’s office, pushing open the door, and making it pop against the wall. My pack alpha looks up at me from his desk, his eyes wide with surprise and a phone pressed to his ear.

Not saying a word, I drop the heavy duffle bag onto the blue couch, then I spin, eager to get the fuck out of here.

“Let me let you go,” Izan says into the receiver, then the phone clicks as he hangs it up. “Stop!” He orders me right as I get to the door, and I instantly freeze.

I'm not an omega. I don’t buckle to an alpha’s command, but I am compelled to listen to my leader. My loyalty demands it. “Yes?” I turn to face him.

Izan’s dark green eyes narrow, cutting across every inch of my face. “You look pissed.” He stands, moving around his desk. He’s wearing snug gray slacks and a fitted black shirt. He looks good. Toned and powerful.

Yup. I definitely need to fuck something.

I wonder if Everly’s busy right now.

“Did something happen?” Izan’s gaze flickers to the duffle bag.

I stand at attention, praying he’ll release me so I can go punch something.Hard. “Nothing happened. It was an easy job.”

Izan tilts his head to one side, examining my rigid posture and tense expression. I wish I could smile and make an easy joke like Dassy, but I’m not built like that. I never have been. He’s the loveable one and I’m the asshole. That’s the way people have always seen us.

“Shut that door.” Izan leans against the front of his desk, crossing his arms. “We need to talk.”

I hesitate, wanting to get out of here. I need to go for a run or hit the gym. Something to take my mind off the primed omega on the other side of the house. “What’s wrong?” I shut the door behind me, but I stay put. Not coming any closer.

“You tell me,” Izan says.

I shrug, not sure what he wants from me.

“You’ve been off, Hutch,” Izan says, narrowing his dark green eyes. “You’re even more quiet than usual and moody as fuck.”

“Moody?” I balk at his choice of words. “I’m notmoody.”

Izan doesn't say a word. He stares at me, obviously wanting me to tell him what’s really bothering me. But I can’t bring myself to whine about how jealous I am of Dassy. It would be pathetic. Alphas need to earn their omegas affection, not bitch about it.

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