Page 18 of Why Cruise

I pressed closer to Theo, who just rolled his eyes.

“We’re fine, thank you,” I managed to say, but the alpha just chuckled.

“Come now, little one. Let me buy you a drink. A pretty thing like you shouldn’t be without real company.”

“I believe they said they’re fine.”

A beta in a crew uniform had appeared beside the alpha, her professional smile not quite masking the steel in her voice. “Sir, would you like to be escorted back to your chair?”

The alpha’s face darkened, but he pushed away from the pool edge. “Just trying to be friendly,” he muttered as he walked away.

I let out a shaky breath. Across the pool, the dark-haired alpha we’d been watching earlier leaned forward, saying something that made his crowd of admirers titter and preen. My stomach clenched with an odd mix of jealousy and desire. Those omegas knew exactly what they were doing, how to catch and hold an alpha’s attention. I’d never had to be good at that. Daryl had always been there.

“What kind of alpha are you looking for?” I asked Theo, mostly to distract myself from how pathetically out of practice I was at this whole thing.

“I’m not really picky,” he said, trailing his fingers through the water.

“Liar.” I adjusted the clip holding up my messy bun. “Everyone has a type. Big pack or small pack?”

He ducked his head, but not before I caught his blush. “I don’t know. Either would be fine.”

“Theo.” I bumped his shoulder.

He was quiet for a moment, chewing on his bottom lip. “Big,” he finally admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’d like a big pack.”

“Yeah?” Something in his tone made my chest ache. “Tell me why.”

“I just…” He shrugged, still not meeting my eyes. “I enjoy taking care of people. A big pack would mean more people to cook for, to fuss over. More movie nights and pack dinners and…” He trailed off, like he was embarrassed by what he wanted.

“What about other omegas?” I asked gently. “Some alphas don’t like having more than one omega in their pack.”

“That might be nice, actually.” His voice got even softer. “Having someone who understands. Someone to nest with during heats, maybe.”

He glanced at me quickly, then away, like he’d said too much.

“Someone who sees me,” he added finally. “Not just what they want me to be.”

The raw honesty in his voice made my chest ache. I attempted to pull myself up onto the edge of the pool, kicking my feet and struggling until Theo gave me a boost.. “That’s not too much to ask.”

“Isn’t it?” His laugh was hollow. “Most alphas see male omegas as convenient. Fun for heat but not pack material.”

“Those alphas are idiots.” I meant it. In less than twenty-four hours, Theo had become more precious to me than anyone since Daryl. Maybe more than Daryl. “You’re definitely pack material.”

“Yeah?” The hope in his voice broke my heart.

I slid back into the pool and wrapped my arms around him. “Absolutely,” I whispered.

Across the deck, the alpha stood up. Those thighs. He stretched, all lean muscle and casual grace. Several omegas actually whimpered, and honestly, I couldn’t blame them. Then he turned, and his eyes locked with Theo’s.

The blush that spread across Theo’s face was adorable. He turned his head, but not before I caught his pleased little smile.

“Oh, my god.” I couldn’t help giggling. “He totally caught you staring.”

“Kill me now.”

“Never.” I grabbed his arm and tugged him toward the stairs. “Drinks. We need drinks if we’re going to survive alphas with thigh tattoos.”

I glanced back, but the alpha was gone.

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