Page 30 of His Pretty Omega
“You heard me. How many?”
Seth looked down at the ground, scuffing his shoe against the concrete of the walk. “Um..let me think.”
“That many?” I inquired, my lips quivering, fighting not to smile.
“One.” He held up one lone finger.
Staring at him hard, I said, “I’m the first?”
He huffed, “You don’t need to make a big deal about it. It doesn’t mean you’re special or anything.”
“It sure as fuck does.” I cackled. “I’mnúmero uno.”
“You know I don’t speak Spanish.Stop showing off.”
The door flew open, and an exasperated female alpha filled the doorway. She was tall, with long, sandy brown hair. She was pretty in a girl next door sorta way, and if it wasn’t for her bright blue eyes I would never peg them as brother and sister. They looked nothing alike.
“Oh my Goddess, I can’t deal with this! Bring him in already, for fuck’s sake!”
“Gillian!” A woman’s voice called sharply from somewhere in the house, her displeasure clear in her tone.
“Hello to you too, Gillian,” Seth put extra emphasis on using her full name, and the woman’s eyes narrowed, her lips pursing together tightly.
“Did I not tell you to wait?” A short omega woman shook her head at Seth’s baby sister. “I’m so sorry that no one in this family knows how to behave.” She held out her hand as Seth shut the door behind us. “Besides Toby and me, of course. I’m Regina, this one’s keeper.” She tossed her thumb Gilly’s way. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
She was beautiful, her skin and eyes dark, her smile bright. Her hair was wrapped around her head in ornate braids that swished as she moved. I could see why Seth liked her. There was a warmness about her, a friendly aura she put off.
“Alex,” I introduced myself, taking her hand. Then I turned my attention to the tall alpha next to her. “And you’re Gilly? I’ve heard a lot about you.”
I made sure to put extra emphasis on the last word just to needle her. Mostly for fun, but I hadn’t missed the way Seth had tensed when she had opened the door. It was barely noticeable; his shoulders stiffening the barest amount, his smile just a tad strained. More than that, it was a feeling thrumming along my insides, our bond growing stronger with each day.
Regina snorted. “It’s all probably true. Especially if you heard it from Seth. These two are like oil and water. Great on their own, but get them together, and…” She left the sentence unfinished, just shook her head.
Gilly playfully pouted at her partner, who rolled her eyes back at her. It was clear they had been together for a while and had that ability to speak to each other without using words. I’d seen my parents do it many times.
“Ah, my long lost middle child has returned,” a petite woman moved towards us, drying her hands on a dishtowel.
She was stunning, despite being in her late fifties at least. Her black hair had just a few strands of gray mixed in, her blue eyes identical to Seth’s, though lacking the eyeliner he loved so much. Seth was the spitting image of his mother, which made me conclude that Gilly must take after their father in looks.
The tension eased from him as he accepted his mom’s hug. “I missed one dinner, Mama. Don’tbe so dramatic.”
She snorted, “Wonder where I learned it from? Now, introduce me to your fella.”
“Good Goddess, who replaced you with a fifties house omega?” Seth snarked, but he pulled her over to me. “Mama, Alex. Alex, my mama, Rachel. She bites, so mind yourself.”
She held out her hand, giving me the same mischievous grin her son had used to win my heart, and winked. “I only bite when it’s needed, Alex. It’s lovely to meet you. Welcome to our home.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Brown.” I liked her immediately. She exuded a warmth, along with a silent strength, that reminded me of mymadre.
“Oof, Goddess, Just Rachel, please,” she smiled widely. “Now what can I get you to drink? We have beer, wine, water, milk, juice, pop. You name it, we probably have it.”
“I wouldn’t say no to a beer.”
“Sethy, you want a glass of red?”
“Um…I think I’ll just have water tonight,” he stammered, throwing slightly panicked eyes my way. Moving closer to him, I ran my hand down his back, hoping to calm him. “I was on the go all day and didn’t stay hydrated enough.”
Rachel stopped her walk back to the kitchen to turn to stare at her son for a good minute.
