Page 144 of Dream Mates
“I do.” I stood. There was a special service for omegas that only had beta drivers.
“Maybe you should use my car and take her,” Verity said to Creed.
“I’m fine. Thanks. And good luck on your finals, they’re soon, too?”
“That they are. Though Hale and I aren’t graduating. Oh, I wish we had more time. You could see my greenhouse,” Verity added.
“You’re really small. Wait, you’re herealone?” Hale frowned.
I rolled my eyes. “Will you pushy alphasstop?”
It seemed like here in the South they took that wholeomegas should stick close to their alphasmore seriously than in Rockland.
Hale grinned. “Spoken like someone in desperate need of a whole pile of alpha siblings.”
“If any of the little ones are omegas I feel so sorry for them,” I laughed. Little Hope was going to have a time of it.
Creed tapped on his chin. “None of your brothers are alphas.”
“While they acted like alphaholes, nope. My mom didn’t like alphas.” I don’t know why I said that, though it was part of my backstory and true. Shehadreacted viscerally to me mentioning that Wes was an alpha.
“Oh. But you do have thatsmall midwestern mostly beta townvibe,” Verity said.
“That’s about right. While it’s been nice meeting everyone, I should go.” I grabbed my phone and purse.
“Oh fuck,” Hale said, looking behind me. “Sorry, I… I didn’t know you were here, or I wouldn’t have told Mom and Dad that Creed was at the coffee shop.”
“Creed, what a nice surprise! Everything’s okay? Shouldn’t you be studying?” a man’s voice said from behind me. He didn’t have the drawl the others did. His accent reminded me a bit of my recent visit to Seaside with Wes.
“Everything's great. I took a study break to visit Ina and thought that I’d pop by,” Creed replied.
“You were visiting Ina?” a woman added, voice dripping with disapproval in a way that reminded me of my mom, and I suppressed a shudder.
“Shepresented her researchat the PIIP symposium. I took the train down to support her because it’s a big deal for her,” Creed explained. “Don’t worry, I’m studying and getting my work done.”
My back was still to those new people, and I didn’t want to turn around. But I couldn’t leave without doing so.
“Who’s your friend?” the man asked. “Are you a student here? I’m Professor Thorne, and this is Dr. Thorne.”
I am so sorry,Creed mouthed.It will be okay.
With a sigh, Creed turned to his dad. “This is Dr. Ellington. She’s friends with Ina and was on a tour of the visualizer over at Marquess. She needs to leave so I’m just going to walk her out.”
He’s not your dad. He’s not your dad.My heart raced and I turned around, even though I didn’t want to for so many reasons.
“It’s so nice to meet you.” My heart lodged in my throat. Professor Thornelooked like Creed, but his features were more angular like Hale’s. He was taller than me, but shorter and slighter than his children–or the woman with a protective arm around his waist.
The man smelled of apricots and custard. His suspenders had chemical symbols on them. His blue eyes–not my eyes but very much Creed and Hale’s–went wide.
“Dr. Ellington, it’s a pleasure to meet you. You… you can’t stay? I’ve got a class soon, but I’d love to… hear your thoughts on the visualizer.” The professor’s voice shook as he gripped his alpha.
Dr. Thorne’s brown eyes narrowed as she turned her sharp gaze on me. She was as tall as Hale, and had his hair, which was up in a sharp knot, which gave her a hawkish look. “I don’t know what you think you’re doing but you need to leave. Now.”
It had that oily tinge. That bitch was trying to alpha bark at me.
I met her gaze even though I wanted to punch her in the tits for her highhandedness. Because she wasn’t my mom.
“Excuse me, but Iamleaving now. I need to meet someone else. I was here touring the visualizer with Dr. Mariano and a group of students.” Turning to Creed, I said, “Thanks, but I’ll find my own way.”
