Page 41 of Consider The Lilies

“Asthma?” I ask in a cool tone before letting out a bitter laugh. “Wow. Bear really knows how to fucking pick them.”

“Keep your voice down.” Stanley rinses off. The soapy water travels down his impressive form, slipping around each gorgeous muscle. “I don’t want Stefan to overhear.”

“Why?” I snip. “He knows he’s flawed.”

“Stop being a bitch.” Stanley gives me a pointed look as he turns off the water. He grabs a towel off a nearby rack, drying his chest and arms. “He’s sensitive, and I don’t want him to be self-conscious about the things he can’t control.”

I’m stunned by the alpha’s sudden bout of compassion. “Are you kidding me?” I ask a little forcefully. “Since when do you care about sensitive omegas?”

“Since now,” he growls softly. “Let it go.”

I glare at him, not bothering to hide my frustration with the alpha. “Well, I’m sure Bear will be thrilled about your newfound feelings for the boy.”

“Feelings?” Stanley says the word like it’s poison. “I don’t havefeelingsfor him.” He steps through the archway into his closet.

“Please,” I snap, done with his stoic-alpha game. “You like that boy, and you know it.” I cross my arms and grumble, “Goddamn male alphas. Can’t think with anything other than their dicks. Falling in love at the drop of a damn hat.”

“I’m enjoying my time with the omega.” Stanley pops back into view, buttoning his crisp white shirt. He has on a classic pair of black slacks and expensive black dress shoes. “It’s my right as the pack alpha to indulge in him. Nothing more.” He’s full of shit. I’ve known this alpha for ten fucking years, and he’s downplaying the entire situation. “Why are you being such an ass about this? I thought you didn’t care what I did with Stefan.”

“You ran off in the middle of a very important business meeting yesterday,” I challenge him. “That’s more than just anindulgence. It’s a problem.”

Stanley glares before responding to my very valid point, “And I returned to work once I saw that Stefan was okay.” He slips a dark green tie around his neck.

“We both know you’ll keep the boy.” I push away from the sink, still pissed. “You like how powerful his submissive little body makes you feel.”

“He’s not a kid,” Stanley says forcefully, disappearing back into his closet. “He’s eighteen. He’s a man.”

“He’s a child who doesn’t even know how his own body works, let alone how the real world works.” I cross my arms, refusing to back down.

Stanley steps back into the bathroom. He slowly buttons his suit jacket, looking me up and down. “You were only a year older than him when you pursued me,” he reminds me. “Should I have turned you away?” He moves to me, his big body radiating so much power. “Should I have accused you of being too young to know your own body or emotions?”

“Alphas and omegas are two very different beasts,” I say matter-of-factly. “Have you even told him he’s a temporary fucktoy? Or does he think this is his permanent home? That we’re his pack?”

“Cut the fucking attitude, Yuki,” Stanley snaps, looking down at me with so much intensity. “What happened that made you suddenly hate him?”

“I don’t hate him,” I say simply. “He’s actually kind of cute.” I’m telling the truth, but it’s clear from the look on Stanley’s face that he doesn’t believe me. “I don’t think you've thought this through.” I keep my voice light, trying to sound like I’m giving the alpha advice and not criticizing him. “An omega is a big commitment.”

“I know that,” he snarls, adjusting his cuffs.

“Look.” I rest my hands on his chest, trying to calm him back down. “We have dedicated a lot of time and money to our business.” I look deep into his brown eyes, trying to explain myself. “If you want to keep the boy, that’s fine. But I’m not willing to sacrifice what we’ve built together.” I place a soft kiss on his lips, but he doesn’t move. He just glares at me like he’s waiting for me to get to the point. “If you’re really serious about Stefan, then we need a beta to care for him.”

Stanley opens his mouth to speak.

“Andnota maid,” I say before he can get a word in. “I adore Lucy. She’s been with us for areallylong time, but omegas need a deep connection with their betas. They need anemotionalconnection.”

Stanley continues to glare like I’m not making any sense.

I lick my lips, trying to make him understand. “Having our personal assistant watch over him won’t do. Stefan will need more. His kind requires it.” I let out a heavy sigh before saying, “Unless you’re okay with him falling for a member of the staff, we need to seriously consider adding a beta to our pack.”

Stanley tilts his head to one side, and I can see the gears working in his head. “Why do you give a shit who takes care of Stefan?”

“Because.” I smooth my hands down his silk tie, admiring the perfect knot. “If he’s well taken care of, then you won’t have to run out of our goddamn meetings just to give the kid his fucking inhaler.” I give him my sweetest smile.

One corner of Stanley’s mouth lifts into a smirk. “I hope you never change, Yuki.” He smiles wider. “All this bitching just to tell me you don’t want our relationship with Stefan to hurt our business.”

“I’m not great with words,” I give him a flirty smile. “I’m better with my fists.”

Stanley laughs, the deep sound vibrating all around me. “I’ll figure out the situation with Stefan, and until then,” he pinches my chin, looking deep into my eyes, “I promise it won’t interfere with work.”