Page 92 of Patiently Yours
“Well—”
“It’s my fault, Stacia. I apologize.” Sam keeps his hands clasped in front of him. “And… if we’re being completely transparent. The snakes aren’t just for display. This tent is for the reptile exhibit. Around 3 pm, these four are supposed to… present them to the audience.”
I feel my eye twitch, but before I can snap at them again, Uriah rubs his cheek on my shoulder to get my attention.
He’s breathing easier. “It’s for a good cause. I can try to face my fear.”
I look over my shoulder and glare at my other scent matches. “You just got lucky.”
They gulp slightly before Sam announces his friend is here with the rest of the exhibit. They march out together, Rory included, leaving me alone with my anxious alpha as he prepares himself.
“Are you okay with doing this?” I ask.
He looks back at where the snake is, the fear still there but less catastrophic, before his gaze returns to me. “I’m fine. I have a bit of a phobia for reptiles. Something about their skin, theripples…” He shivers. “But I want to make today fun for the people who come here. They paid good money for a show. I think they also took that into account when they signed us up for this.”
I nod. “We could hold it together?”
He looks satisfied by that. “You’d do that for me?”
“Of course.” He tries to hide it, but an appreciative smile takes over his face. “And… we can always get them back. Do you know any of their fears?”
Uriah laughs. “Maybe. Kendall is difficult though. He’s mainly fearful that one of his desserts will taste like shit.”
“Then I guess we can switch the sugar out for salt, right?”
His shoulders relax, and his expression morphs into something that looks a lot like love. “You are literally perfect for me. Did you know that?”
Not at first, but I’m starting to believe it.
FORTY-FOUR
There’s nothing better than having a scent match in your arms.
As Stacia and I lounge together, her relaxing between my legs with a bowl of popcorn, I can’t help but be thankful that the other three play hockey. They’re all gone and I get to bask in the feeling of being isolated with our omega in the comfiest position in the world.
“I can’t believe you’re a horror movie fanatic,” she grumbles at me, and I laugh.
“You act like I’m not completely wrapped around your finger. Say the word, and I’ll put on whatever you want. I’m just happy we get some time together without the meatheads.”
She places more popcorn in her mouth and chews demurely. “Do they know that you refer to them as ‘meatheads’?”
I hide a smirk in her hair. I don’t miss how she doesn’t ask me to change the movie, which makes me giddy.
“Don’t let them fool you. They may be alphas, but they’re just as self-conscious about their biological impulses as betas and omegas are. They let me poke fun because they know their alphas can be ridiculous. They won’t take it personally, least of all from me. And now you, if you choose to.”
She shrugs casually. “I’m not sure. I’ve never really dipped my toe into designation humor.”
“That’s understandable, there’s so many different types of humor to try out,” I chuckle, stealing a few pieces from her bowl and popping them in my mouth. She jokingly growls at me, but then lets out a giggle.
“Have you ever felt less-than secure being a beta?” Her serious tone makes me grin. She turns her head to see me in her periphery.
I think for a second, wondering if I should mention it. I’ve held back from telling her because it’s not really her problem to deal with. I also didn’t want her to think it diminishes our meet-cute at the party. But it is something that I had to take into account those first few weeks, even after I realized I was just having normal insecurities.
“Not usually. I love being a beta and have always been proud of it. My parents and siblings are all betas. There’s obviously jerks out there with their prejudices, like how Derek used to take digs at me. That wasn’t the first time and it certainly won’t be the last, but I’ve never minded it. I always thought it was funny actually.” I give a sad chuckle before looking at the back of her head.Here goes nothing. “I’ve only ever felt insecure being a beta after you met my pack brothers.”
Her head whips to me, my confession leaving her stunned. She gently places the popcorn down and turns around in my lap, now straddling my thighs.
“What do you mean?” she asks, her head tilts and her confusion is apparent. I rub my thumb against her cheek, her concerned eyes glazing with that softness of hers that I’ve started to cherish. I may be a bit more feminine and jolly, but I wouldn’t say I’ve had much experience with softness. It’s refreshing, and makes me love her that much more.
