Page 40 of Finding the Forward: Part One
“He’s my husband. I had questions, he had answers.”Note to self–don’t tease the little alpha.
Dabbing my face with a towel, I gave her a look. “Did you say you makesnacksfor the Maimers?”
She shrugged. “I’m Team Mom. I help with the snacks.”
“You do know that they’re hazing you, right?” I didn’t want her to be taken advantage of for one of their pranks. She seemed so kind.
“Oh, I know.” Verity grinned.
It was such a pleasant smile. One that should be selling toothpaste or lipstick. She had a cute little southern drawl, too.
“Well, I’m looking forward to trying your... snacks.” I winked. That was probably how she showed her love.
Also, alphas had a thing for feeding their omega and providing. The way to my cock was through my stomach.
And if she baked bread? I was screwed.
“I... I’m not going to steal him from you. I’m not here to disrupt your pack.” Her look was earnest as I caught the acrid tang of nerves.
There was a story here.
“I know, Little Alpha. I’m happy to share. Please, make him happy in a way only you can.” It surprised me that he was still moving forward even though she was an alpha. He always said he wasn’t interested, well, other than whatever was going onbetween him and AJ. Because he fought the omega part of him,hard.
Certainly, I wouldn’t mind having this pretty little alpha around.
I didn’t know what Jonas and AJ would think of that. Of her. Alphas could get territorial.
“I have your sweatshirt. I washed it. Grif said I could keep it, but I wanted to check with you first. I never meant to walk off with it,” she added.
“It’s fine. Please, keep it.” Last night in bed, Grif told me how worn it was. How her little sister said Verity had slept with it throughout her entire time in the hospital and rehab facility. The omega part of me liked that something of mine helped our little alpha get through something so big.
Rehab. I eyed her crutch and the way she moved. The stroke had hurt her. That’s why she usedthisroom. Injured alphas were the worst. Never wanting to get treatment in front of other alphas for fear of being seen as weak.
She bit her pink, glossy lip. “Would you like me to replace it?”
“Are you courting me? Making me food, buying me clothes?” My look went coy as the tease slipped out.
The smell of burnt wood filled the room. Fear. Shit. I wasn’t supposed to tease the little alpha.
“No, Dean. Of course not.” Her eyes widened, and she shook her head vigorously. “Not that you’re not an omega worth courting. I’d never do such a thing without having an honest conversation with everyone involved. The last thing I want is for anyone to think I’m an omega-stealer. I’m not that kind of alpha. It’s bad enough that I’m after your husband. However, I assure you that my intentions are honorable.” The words came out quickly, her knuckles white.
They also attacked me viscerally, with such ferocity that I stumbled on the pedals of the bike. My omega didn’t like herbeing so swift to tell me that she wasn’t courting me. Even with her adding that Iwasworth it. The omega also didn’t like the fear, the quickness in her words to assure me that she wasn’t being improper.
That was the sound of someone who’d been hurt.
Someone hadhurtmy little alpha. This was such a stark contrast to what Grif had told me about her last night. Which meant that she was comfortable with him, but not us.
Oh, I didn’t like that one bit.
“I wasteasing.Apologies.” I slowed my pace on the bike but didn’t stop. If I did, I’d hop off and comfort her.
Not only would that be most improper to just hug some alpha I’d barely met, I didn’t want to frighten her further.
Jonas leaned in the doorway, having heard the whole courting exchange. Didn’t she smell him? She did seem quiteflustered.
While I’d enjoy flustering her, I had to be careful. Still, did she not have siblings who teased the daylights out of her growing up? I hadn’t. But Grif’s siblings had made up for it.
“No, my apologies. I was just trying to be kind.” Her blue-green eyes pleaded with me, as fear still flooded the room.
