Page 12 of Beta and the Beast
Henry and Romulus aren't in tandem about wanting me. Romulus wants a new conquest, and Henry's working with my brother. That's it. They're not stalking me like Scott did to his omega. They're not trying to court me with gifts to prove they can provide for me. Whatever this is, it's one-sided, and not even a full one-sided. It's one-third-sided since only Romulus is interested in anything.
I grab my phone off the counter and call Sam because I'm sure he's not busy right now. If he is, I'll call Scott and Fenrir next. The phone rings twice before Sam answers.
"Hey, everything good?" he asks, worried.
I eye my phone skeptically, trying to figure out why my brother would think there's anything wrong. We text and call all the time, so it's not like this is one of those situations where I only ever call if I need something.
"Yeah, everything's fine," I tell him. "Henry needs to install the new filtration system, and I had plans with Hazel. Do you think you could watch him and then lock up?"
"Uh, yeah, sure, what time do you need me over there?" There's a sound of papers rustling on the other side, and then I hear Janie's sweet voice asking if everything is okay. "Yeah, baby, I just need to go to the coffee shop for a bit."
"Anytime is good," I tell him, unsure if he's even listening to me now that he's talking to Janie.
"Yeah, I'll be home for dinner. I doubt it'll take that long." Then he seems to remember that I'm still on the phone. "Do you want him to go ahead and do the one in your apartment while you're out?"
"Ew." My reaction is immediate and a little embarrassing. It does have Sam barking out a short laugh, which is nice. "I mean, I guess since he already has the guys out here to do it, but you'll be there, right? They're not going to like go through my things?"
"I can guarantee you no one is going through your things if Henry is there," Sam tells me, his voice serious despite the laughter he just had.
I don't tell Sam that it's Henry's beast I'm worried about going through my things, leaving his scent in my home, and making sure I know he was there. I don't know how obsessive beasts can get since I only have Fenrir to compare everyone else to, but he kept himself away from his obsession until she wanted him back. Lilah knew immediately that she wanted my brother, though. They're scent matches, perfect for each other in every way.
"Thank you. I'll let Henry know that you're coming over." We exchange goodbyes, and I head outside.
Henry and his contractors are already back in the bakery, so I don't have to worry about them stinking up the sidewalk outside my store when I go to talk to Henry.
Hazel wants to follow me, and no amount of telling her to stay will make her stay. And before I even get the nerve to knock on the bakery door, she's shoving it open and stepping inside.
"Hot alpha, who helped Henry spray down the coffee shop," she cheerily calls into the small bakery waiting area. There's growling from the back, but it all silences when they hear Hazel. Then there's scrambling. Hazel looks over at me and shoots me a wink. "Alphas are so fucking easy."
"Beta," the alpha who helped Henry get the others in line acknowledges her when he comes through the back door, followed by the other two contractors. Henry takes up the rear, his dark eyes narrowing on me. The alpha that took up space outside my shop looks upset, but that's probably because Hazel set her sights on a different one.
"Alpha," Hazel flutters her lashes and steps toward him. "My friend needs to speak to her alpha, but I wanted to talk to you."
I roll my eyes at her calling Henry my alpha, but she's playing into the whole submissive thing for the man currently salivating over her. I'm sure she'd be going home with him right this second if we weren't going out tonight.
"What did you need?" Henry grabs my attention, his hand wrapping around my elbow to guide me to a more secluded corner of the bakery. Hazel flirts while the other two watch.
"Sam is coming over to let you into the shop to install the new filtration system, and he'll let you into my apartment afterward to install the one up there," I tell him, keeping my voice low.
"Where will you be?" His brows knit closer together, his voice taking on a sharp edge.
I frown up at him, about to ask him why it matters. The softness in his eyes makes me want to tell him, though. "I'm going out with Hazel. Nothing bad is happening."
Henry lets out a long breath and gives me a short nod. "We'll get it all taken care of then."
"Thanks, and sorry for my friend." I chuckle when I see Hazel typing her number into the alpha's phone. "She likes alphas."
Henry keeps his eyes on me, his nostrils flaring slightly. "What about you?"
His question catches me so off guard that I only open my mouth in disbelief. Thankfully, Hazel is done flirting and skips over to me, all happy with herself. "You ready to go?"
"Yeah, yes, yeah, let's go." I let her tug me back out of the bakery, ignoring the warning growl Henry lets out when I'm pulled away from him.
I will not think about the warmth growing in my belly or the way I kind of want to know if he wants me to be interested in him. No, that's dangerous thinking. I need to let loose tonight, and it'll help me forget all about the alpha next door.
6
Henry
