Page 10 of A Real Alpha
I slipped in with Roscoe in my arms and looked around, registering the fact that this was really his bedroom. The book he was in the middle of was left open on the bedside table. There was a pile of what was probably yesterday's clothes on the floor next to the dresser, a glass of half-finished water. I immediately felt out of place. Was it really right to take this stranger's space away from him? His comforting scent was nearly overwhelming, and I could already feel my shoulders unknotting. Still,Ishould be the one sleeping on the couch.
I turned around to say just that—and froze.
Oscar was just standing there, doing nothing intimidating, but he was blocking the doorway with his large frame.
Every hackle on my body went up at once and without even thinking, my lips curled, ready to fight my way out.
I knew it was a bad idea to challenge an alpha, but I couldn't help it.
I didn't know him.
I couldn'ttrusthim.
I wouldn’t be locked away again.
Somehow, he didn't react to my challenge.
“Let me know if you need anything. I'll be on the couch.”
He shut the door tightly behind him and I stood there shaken for so long that Roscoe started to cry.
“Shit,” I muttered. “Right. Sorry, Ros.”
I laid him on the bed and quickly changed him, then spent a few minutes to make the bed safe by removing the pillows and blanket on his side. Once done, I wrapped him in a swaddle which instantly soothed him.
Fatigue hit again, but then I’d spent months sleeping whenever Roscoe did. I was exhausted and couldn't quite wrap my head around what had happened, but I kept glancing toward the door, unable to accept that he’d really just left us be, just like that.
Oscar hadn't lied, there really was a lock on the door. It was a flimsy one, but at least it would give me warning if he tried to break through it. I locked it securely and then shut off the light before climbing into bed next to Roscoe, pulling my shirt up so that he could feed before we fell asleep.
He fell into a deep slumber while still suckling and when he released me, I pulled back, keeping a safe distance between us. Yet I couldn't sleep. Despite how comfortable Oscar's bed was and how warm and soft all the sheets, my eyes were wide open.
For a while, my mind was blank. I simply listened to the sounds from the living room. The TV played what sounded like a game show. Oscar cleared his throat and then eventually, moved around the apartment shutting off lights from the sounds of it. When I heard the telltale creaks of him easing onto the couch, I finally felt like I could relax a little bit.
I couldn't believe any part of today.
I’d finally escaped. I was free. Somehow, I was already in a new alpha's apartment, head resting on his pillow, breathing in the surprisingly comforting scent of his pheromones. His musk was like a deep maple and leather, warm, sweet, and strong.Despite myself, I turned my face into it and breathed deeply and it was like a cord snapped, releasing all my muscles.
I nearly groaned in appreciation.
At the end of the day, I supposed I was only an omega. An alpha’s scent was meant to comfort, and Oscar's did. No other alphas had given him that before, though. In fact, it released so much inside me that tears sprung to my eyes and for a long time, I couldn't hold back the waterworks as they poured from my eyes.
I didn't stop until exhaustion finally claimed me and I fell into a blissfully deep sleep.
Chapter 4
Oscar
A baby'scry startled me awake. For a split second I had no clue what was happening even though I’d been half awake thinking about Connor and Roscoe all night long.
As expected, I woke up shivering with an aching back, more uncomfortable than I'd been in ages. It was my own fault. I should’ve gone into the bedroom before Connor went to bed to grab a blanket and pajamas.Obviously,Connor wouldn't trust me going in there with him. I wanted to kick myself for being so insensitive.
In the end, I'd slept in my jeans, with no blanket, on a couch that was just shy of being long enough for me. Sighing, I pushed to a sitting position, listening to the sounds of Connor scrambling to attend to Roscoe.
Instinctively, I wanted to go help but I hadn't even so much as spoken to the baby. I had the feeling Connor was too overprotective to let anyone too close. A soft purr of approval rumbled through my chest at that thought. He was a good parent, doing whatever he needed to do for his baby. Anyone would be lucky to have him as their partner.
But I didn't think his last alpha thought as highly of him, based on their current situation. After all, he was unmated and had run away. All signs pointed to the guy being an asshole.
Lucky you, that's what drove him into your home.
