Page 105 of Omega's Secret Guardian

“I happen to know one who needs to fill some monthly quotas,” Storm said, smiling viciously. “Best not let him catch you sniffing around. Now, if you’ll say cheese, I’ll happily send him your picture. What was your name, again?”

He pulled out his phone, swiping through his contacts to look up Varrick—Emmy’s policeman alpha. Storm didn’t know if Varrick had a monthly quota, but Dert was putting out enough red flags for Varrick to be very interested.

“I’ll be around. Watch your back,” Dert snapped, and hurriedly left.

Storm texted Varrick anyway. After their introduction at Sweet Creams, Storm had noticed Varrick visiting Emmy at the Wine Shack, whenever he was there to teach Rex how to fight.

Storm

Hey, Varrick. Remember that alpha I told you about? He’s sniffing around Linus Bentham’s home and vehicle. He was harassing us at Sweet Creams. He also hit Linus in the pastbut Linus isn’t pressing charges. Name’s Dert Waters. FYI.

Varrick

Thanks. I need to fill some quotas and it has been a quiet month. This’ll help.

Storm

Pull him over like ten times or something.

Varrick

(angel emoji)

Storm snorted and tucked away his phone. He stepped out of Sweet Creams to check that Dert had truly left. When he was satisfied, he went back in, knocking on the back room door. “It’s me. You can come out now.”

Maiz opened the door by a crack, peeking out with one wary eye. Then he opened it fully, studying the shop.

“Further in the back room, Linus frowned. “What was that about? You rushed all the way in here and made Maiz chatter my ear off...”

Maiz returned to the register. Storm slipped into the back room, closing the distance to his omega. “Do you have the ingredients?”

“Well, yes.” Linus gestured at a collection of boxes and bags on a side table. “But I’ll have to tell Mom we’re taking these.”

“Promise her we’ll give her half of it. Or a third. Whatever we’re making with that.”

“Okay.” Linus eyed him again. “Storm—”

Storm watched his omega huff grumpily, so relieved that Linus was annoyed instead of panicking. Linus had been waking up from more nightmares lately, and it hurt Storm, every time Linus trembled violently because of his memories.

“Whatarewe making, anyway?” he asked. “Fruit pudding?”

Linus gaped. “How did you end up withfruit puddingas an answer?”

As one, they turned to stare at the ingredients: graham crackers, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.

Storm huffed. “There could be cracker crumbs on top of the pudding? And vanilla in it?”

His omega shook his head exasperatedly. “It’s for a cheesecake.” He held up a hand. “Before you say anything else, Iknowwe’re missing half the ingredients. We’ll get them after this, and drop off the cheesecake in the morning before Mom wakes up.”

Gods, Storm wanted to kiss him so much. “Sounds like a sneaky fun adventure. I’m in.”

Linus grinned.

They gathered their pilfered goods and waved to Maiz, before leaving the shop. Since there was still time before Linus’ first class, they stopped by the grocery store.

Linus’ attention locked on the produce section the moment they stepped in.

“Sweetheart?” Storm asked.

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