Page 75 of Waiting for Fate
I have to fight back a flinch when emotionless blue eyes flit to me before turning back to Manny. My instincts try to demand I fix it, a purr already starting to vibrate my chest. Pushing my biological reactions to my omega’s pain aside is extremely difficult. Alphas and omegas aren’t built to fight the connection to their Fate matched mates.
The DAU needs to capture the man who tried to break into her apartment quickly. Otherwise, the forced proximity may ruin us both.
“Sure,” she finally replies. Even her tone is cool and aloof. She grabs her purse, stuffing her cell phone inside, and steps closer to Manny’s seat. Watching her hug him, a sweet smile on her face, makes me insanely jealous. No one else should be touching my omega.
I turn on my heel and head back to the elevator before I do something stupid. Like rip her from his arms and sink my teeth into her throat so he knows who she belongs to.
In the parking garage, I step outside of the elevator and extend an arm to help her out. She ignores my offered hand and brushes past me. Her shoulder slides across my chest and I allow myself another moment of torture by inhaling her pineapple coconut scent.
Bea may physically hide her feelings, but her scent tells the truth. She is distraught by my refusal to give her pack a chance.
This is what is best for us both. I will not put myself in a situation where I may harm one of her other mates. Neither of us would be able to forgive me if I did.
“Friday evening there is a charity gala in the city that I am required to attend as label executive,” I tell her as I open the car door for her. “I have made arrangements for you to attend with me.”
Outrage covers her face as I close the door. I can hear her cursing as I round the back of the car. My mouthy mate certainly has a temper. Though I will gladly take her fire over the indifference she has been feigning around me.
“I’m not going.”
Starting my car, I carefully back us out of my parking spot and leave the parking garage. “This is non-negotiable, Sabine. As secure as my apartment building is, you cannot stay there alone overnight. Not with the Montgomery cult still searching for you and Omen.”
Technically, the DAU believes the attempted break in at the omega duo’s apartment was only targeting Omen. I will not put Bea’s life at risk without confirmation. She is stuck with my possessive brand of protectiveness until the threats against her roommate have been dealt with.
“I can stay with my parents for the weekend,” she protests, crossing her arms over her chest.
“They are still on call assisting with issues in New Hampshire,” I remind her.
We ride in silence for several minutes. She stares out the window, her eyes filled with pain where they reflect in the glass. Soon her other mates will return and she’ll be able to escape the hurt my presence causes her.
“I don’t even have anything to wear to that type of event,” she finally mutters.
Smirking, I put the car in park and turn to face her. “I’ll make sure you have everything you need for the evening, Omega.”
She shivers, eyes slipping closed. Creamy, citrusy perfume fills the air between us, making my already hard cock ache. Her eyes fly open, lips thinning as she cuts off her delicious response to my voice. “Fine.”
Bea is out of the car and stomping toward the lobby before I can climb out of my seat. The way her lavender pencil skirt stretches around her curvy hips and ass has arousal burning down my spine. A cold shower is going to be necessary to survive the night without laying her out on the counter and drowning in her pussy.
I’m adjusting my cuff links when the bathroom door clicks open. The sight that awaits me steals the breath from my lungs, leaving my jaw gaping and my tongue speechless.
Bea looks stunning in the blush pink satin gown. The material clings to her waist and hips before sliding down her long legs to the floor. Beaded pink fabric cuts a deep v along her sternum, crossing under silky straps to rest on her shoulders. With the way the dress flows down her body like water over smooth stones, I know she is bare beneath it.
A thought that tests every ounce of control I possess. Especially with her hair straightened and twisted in a low bun at the base of her neck, leaving her unmarked neck on display.
Fates give me strength so I do not attack every alpha who dares to look at her tonight.
“Miss Powell. You look as radiant as a lone star in a darkened sky.”
Color covers her cheeks with my compliment. She takes a moment to look me over, noting the matching pink pocket square in my jacket with a flash of heat. It dissipates quickly, cooled by the distance I’ve put between us.
“You look handsome as well, Mr. Acherley,” she replies evenly.
Slipping her arm through mine, she allows me to guide her from our room and into the elevator. Only when other guests join us does she step close enough for her body to press against mine. I take advantage of the crowd and scent mark her cheek.
I tell myself I am doing so to protect her, but we both recognize the act for what it is—possession.
The elevator doors open and we follow the fray of well-dressed packs and couples toward the event room where the gala is being held. This year, the label chose to donate the funds we raise in our silent auction to a non-profit that builds omega-only communities. With the horrific treatment of omegas in New Hampshire being broadcast for the nation to see, we want to help contribute to finding survivors safe places to live.
Bea sucks in a sharp breath when we step into the elaborately decorated ballroom. Strings of tiny white lights hang from the ceiling, making appear as if stars are raining down around us. Round tables covered in black cloth are scattered throughout the room. Each is topped with a golden moon shaped vase holding a bouquet of roses in shades of blue, purple, and white.
