Page 38 of Why Cruise

Noise like twittering birds erupted in the gallery. The tour had finally caught up to us.

“And you walked right by it?”

“Well, Justice Twill, tech mogul and former fuck boy, is very distracting,” I said softly.

Justice searched my face, almost like he was angry. And then he turned and stalked across the polished wood floors. He held his hand out to the docent. “Justice Twill. What can you tell us about Genevieve Toile’s work?” The weight of his name pulled the docent away from the tour group.

The docent practically tripped over herself to explain the piece and the acquisition process. Justice stood slightly behind me, creating a little bubble that excluded Rose and the rest of the tour group. He used his body and smart questions to make this feel intimate and private, an experience just for me. I leaned back a little to selfishly feel more of his aura and he put his hand on my hip, like it belonged there.

Ren

I wanted to tear that hat to shreds. It hid her face. She had the opposite of “resting bitch face”. Every thought and feeling flashed across it if you looked hard enough.

“Of course, Little One, it’s not about the money.” Lawrence said.

Of course, it was about the money. It was always about the money. Rich people were so fucking cheap.

Mackenzie had a three-ring binder on her lap, making notes and checking things off. I’d tear that to shreds too, for the crime of hiding her legs.

“Alpha,” the omega across from me purred, “we want to be prepared this time, don’t we?”

I scanned the pool area. The sharks were inching closer to her. The ship was almost deserted, with everyone on tours and beach adventures. But every alpha left on the boat was circling Mackenzie. With effort the gods would be proud of, I pulled my attention back to the couple at the table with me.

Lawrence was every wealthy alpha cliché packed into pastel resort wear. He probably thought the salt-and-pepper at his temples made him look distinguished, but it just emphasized how he was circling the drain of sixty while his omega hadn’t even hit twenty-five. Willow was a testament to what unlimited credit cards and a good plastic surgeon could accomplish. She was all honey-blonde hair and calculated curves. Her bite was closer to her shoulder, easier to hide.

This alpha was fucked. Not only was his bonded omega more attractive than he deserved, she also probably had 50 IQ points on him. She knew exactly what she was doing.

I dragged a French fry through the puddle of blue cheese dressing on my plate and watched her watch me bring it to my mouth. She wasn’t just any trophy omega. She was playing the long game, tolerating Lawrence’s possessive pawing until his heart gave out or his portfolio matured, whichever came first.

“The last thing I want is for my little omega to be distressed, like last time.”

I leaned back in my chair, sweeping aside my open shirt. I spread my legs wider and adjusted myself. It was subtle and vulgar at the same time, putting both their attention on my stiffening cock. The ‘goods’ as it were. They didn’t need to know that this was all Mackenzie.

Willow shifted in her chair, crossing and uncrossing her legs. I raised my eyebrow at her. We both knew she was dripping in slick.

“Let’s be direct,” I said, resting a hand on my thigh and drumming my fingers. “Heat isn’t about sex. It’s biology. Raw need. Three to four days of constant demands that would exhaust even a young alpha in their prime.” I let my eyes drift meaningfully to Lawrence’s gut. “An omega needs consistent attention during heat, or it becomes painful, dangerous even. That’s why nature designed us for packs.”

Lawerence’s feathers were ruffled, but he knew the truth. Her last heat probably put him in the hospital. The next one could kill him.

“With that gorgeous bite mark, you two are bonded,” I continued, “and adding pack members isn’t what you’re looking for. Is it Lawrence? No sharing of the wealth, right?”

“Well, of course we’d be willing to expand the pack…” he started, but we all knew that was a lie.

“That’s where heat helpers come in. It’s a professional service.” I emphasized the word professional while holding Lawrence’s gaze. “No pack bonds, no emotional complications. Just making sure your omega gets through her heat safely and comfortably.”

Lawrence’s jaw clenched. “I can take care of my own omega.”

“Can you?” I kept my voice neutral. “Four days. Minimal sleep. Constant physical demands. Even with supplements and stamina aids, even drugs like Disco, it’s risky to attempt alone at your age.”

“But ten thousand?” Lawerence hedged.

“A day.” I nodded.

“That’s highway robbery.”

A flurry of movement caught my attention. The breeze had blown Mackenzie’s hat off. She bounded down the pool edge, chasing it. My heart skipped an actual fucking beat when she bent at the waist to pick up the hat, her ass on display, perfectly round and luscious.

Mackenzie, hot to the touch and dripping as a heat spike raged through her. On a huge bed in her nest. Her ass high in the air, shaking with need. Her scent would go honey and rich, making Theo’s nuttier and perfect. He’d ground her through the desperation, taking her deeper into her omega need. Tangled together, almost offering her to their… alphas.

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