Page 43 of Waiting for Fate
“We could just kick their asses.”
“I’ll do anything you need me to.” I chuckle. “But I don’t think getting their asses whooped is going to fix things. Only time and the truth can do that.”
Bea is quiet for several long minutes, her body so still I think she’s fallen asleep. Then she speaks again, the words packed with emotion and whispered against my heart. “I love you, Ridley. Thank you for not letting me brush you off.”
My chest explodes with the intensity of my feelings for her, swelling with love and affection until I feel like a vessel whose purpose is to devote his life to caring for the sassy, sweet omega in my arms.
“I love you too, Bea. You’re mine. Until death do us part. Even then, I don’t think I could give you up.”
“I have a question for you.”
Bea glances at me from her spot in the passenger’s seat. We’re back on the bus after a show in Las Vegas, the third stop on the West Coast portion of the Primordial Covenant tour. After the fallout of Pack Graves learning Omen’s birth identity, my omega had wanted to drop out of the tour in the name of solidarity, but the other omega refused to allow her to give up on her dream.
I’m grateful Omen made her see sense. Bea can be bitchy toward Pack Graves while kicking ass in her manager-in-training role. Even Brady, the band’s regular manager, seemed pissier than usual during the last two days’ worth of shows.
I won’t lie, hearing Brady snap at Pack Graves over every slight mistake has made me happy. Bea’s viciousness must be rubbing off on me.
“Ask away,” she says with a wave of her hand.
“Aside from Lex, have you met anyone else you think might belong in our pack?”
I know she feels the pull to Lex. That much has been obvious since we met six weeks ago. There may be others she feels the same connection to, but hasn’t mentioned. I want to make sure she knows I am going to encourage her to spend time with any potential mates.
As much as I’d love to keep her to myself, I’m not dumb enough to believe I could handle her in heat alone.
She stretches out her long legs before curling them underneath her. Dainty, blush pink toes sparkle in the sun as they peek between her thigh and the seat. She does this weird cupping motion with her hands, shaking them up back and forth. Mesmerizing blue eyes turn to me, one dark brow raised. “Outlook not so good.”
I choke out a wheezing laugh as it sinks in. “Did you just consult an invisible Magic 8 ball?!”
“Yep!” She grins and shrugs.
I’m so damn in love with this silly, wonderful woman.
“That wasn’t a no,” I comment after our laughter fades.
Her head lolls towards me where she’s resting it against the back of her seat, studying my body language. “There is someone I felt a similar pull to, but I doubt it will go anywhere. Right now, it is you and me.”
“And Lex.”
From the corner of my eye, I watch her lips purse and she turns to look out the window. “A pull between potential mates isn’t always enough to form a bond,” she admits, her tone sad. “Lex doesn’t want me. He actively resists being in my presence as much as possible. There is little doubt he has no plan to claim me.”
I sigh, silently cursing my roommate for his boneheaded stubbornness. “He’s… complicated. I can’t share his story. He’ll kick my ass, literally. Just know his issues aren’t because of you. Staying away is his foolish attempt to protect you.”
My omega hums, clearly not convinced. There isn’t anything I can do to ease the ache in her heart. It’s Lex’s responsibility to overcome his past trauma and be the alpha she needs.
Moving to the back of the bus, I check in with Hendrix, the alpha who joined us to help with the long drive from New York. When he’s assured me he isn’t ready to call it a night, I find Bea curled up on the couch in a silky pink sleep short set. I slip in beside her, letting her weight settle against my chest as I flip to a streaming service and turn on one of the supernatural dramas she loves.
We’re only minutes into the first episode when her breathing evens out. I tuck stray curls behind her ear, sighing in relief at the peaceful look on her face. Last night she had tossed and turned, finally giving up and shuffling out of her nest at seven this morning.
Yesterday, the Montgomery family doxxed Omen’s identity. A tactic they are using to force her to flee and make reckless mistakes, making it easier for them to capture her. Lex won’t let that happen. As soon as the DAU’s informant told them about the Pastor’s plans for media exposure, he had taken Omen and gone dark. They’re holed up in one of the many safe houses our organization holds around the country.
I tried to convince Bea they were as safe as they can be, but she’s restless knowing her Fate matched mate and her best friend are in danger. The distance between her and Lex is enough to make her instincts go haywire, resulting in loss of sleep and a quick temper. She needs her rest if she is going to make it through the rest of the tour without burning herself out.
Turning down the volume on the TV, I edge over far enough to reach my phone where I sat it on the coffee table. Moving, I shift Bea to sprawl across my chest instead of being tucked into my side. While my omega sleeps, I plan. She needs a distraction, and I believe our first date is long overdue.
Bea is buried beneath a pile of blankets when I knock on her nest door the next afternoon. She grumbles, turning onto her side and burrowing deeper. I chuckle as I step inside and dig through the mess to find her ankle.
“Rise and shine, beautiful!” She kicks at my hand when I dance my fingers over the bottom of her foot, tickling her with my light touch.
