Page 8 of Honeysuckle and Rum

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“Apparently the Omega, Trinity, followed the Alpha pack here trying to get them to court her. She is something else.” Viola whispered her lips curling up at the words, “She is persistent even when the Alpha, Oliver, said he wasn’t interested...and no one in his pack is interested either.”

“I just wanted to talk, Oliver. About us. About you. About the pack.,” she said, her voice shifting into something far more intimate than the situation called for. “I know we’ve been through some stuff, but I think you’re finally starting to get it, right? We all belong together.” the omega, Trinity said pleading trying to give him the best sad eyes as she bit her lip.

I curled my lip up at this, omega like her gave all of us a bad name. Not to mention it sounded like she was stalking Oliver, Garrett and whoever else was in their pack. I stood there, half-hidden behind the fountain, feeling the heat of embarrassment creep into my cheeks as I listened to Trinity’s eager, imploring voice. It was hard to ignore the spectacle unfolding before me, a jarring contrast to my quiet life tucked away in my garden and cabin.

Her persistence was painful to witness, and I couldn’t shake a sense of disgust. Was that truly how some Omegas operated? Throwing themselves at any Alpha who caught their fancy, regardless of the clear rejection? The whole scenario felt like a chaotic whirlwind, pulling me in despite my best intentions to remain detached.

Oliver—the Alpha—seemed to be growing increasingly uncomfortable. I could see the way he shifted his weight, crossing his arms over his broad chest as Trinity leaned closer. He wasn’t just rejecting her; he was physically making space between them. I felt a flicker of sympathy for him. Having someone cling so desperately couldn’t be easy, especially in a setting like this where the whole town seemed to be watching.

“Aren’t you tired of chasing after him?” I muttered under my breath, not even realizing I was speaking until Viola nudged me gently with her elbow.

“Careful there! You might find yourself on the wrong side of a pack if you’re not careful with your words,” she teased lightly, but the warning in her eyes was unmistakable.

I shrugged her off, unwilling to let her frivolity distract me from the scene. “She should give it a rest,” I said, my tone sharper than intended. “No one wants that kind of attention.”

Viola sighed, her gaze still fixed on the unfolding drama. “That’s the thing about Alphas and Omegas. They don’t always play by the same rules, do they? Some Omegas think they can win an Alpha over with enough persistence.”

I couldn't understand it. I had chosen solitude for a reason. I had spent years cultivating my peace, crafting a life that thrived on the quiet and the familiar. These dramatic displays felt foreign, like some bizarre performance art I had no interest in.

“What’s the worst that could happen?” I whispered, more to myself than to Viola. “Couldn’t she just find someone else,someone who actually wants to be with her? Why chase after someone who’s clearly not interested?”

“Because it’s not always that simple,” she replied, her voice softening. “Some people are willing to fight for what they want, regardless of the odds.”

I shook my head, not wanting to get wrapped up in her perspective. “But at what cost? I’d rather be alone than begging someone to want me.”

Before she could respond, Trinity let out a small, strained laugh. “Come on, Oliver! We had a thing. It’s not like you just forget about that!”

My stomach twisted again, and I caught myself rolling my eyes. I glanced sideways at Viola, who looked equally bemused. I could see the way her lips quirked up, fighting against the tide of seriousness washing over us.

“Think anyone will break them up if he really doesn’t want her?” I asked, trying to divert my thoughts.

“Not likely,” she replied. “This is a small-town drama and people like watching.” I shook my head at her, but people did like watching drama as long as they didn’t have to be in it.

“I told you I am not interested. Besides, our pack is currently courting someone.” Oliver spoke, his voice a lower timer. His blue eyes flashed over to mine as he said this, and even someone hidden behind the fountain I felt something like dread settle in my stomach. I felt a rush of heat in my cheeks as Oliver’s gaze found mine, and for a brief moment, time hung suspended in the air. My heart raced, caught between curiosity and the urge to retreat. The weight of his attention was unexpected, sending a shiver down my spine, and I quickly ducked my head, pretending to fumble with the strap of my bag.

Viola nudged me again, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Looks like you’ve caught someone’s interest, Daphne," she teased in a whisper, but I couldn't muster a response. Instead, Ishifted my weight from one foot to the other, feeling a tension knot in my stomach. This was not how I wanted to be drawn into town dynamics, especially not amidst such intimate drama.

Trinity stepped closer to Oliver, her voice laced with desperation. "But we had something special, don’t you remember? We could make it work!" Her persistence was both painful and fascinating, a cringeworthy display that made me want to look away. I could feel the crowd’s energy shift—some people leaned in closer, eager to witness the unfolding conflict while others exchanged glances filled with awkward sympathy.

I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pity for her; the way she clung to those memories was a reflection of something I didn’t want to confront in myself. How easy it would be to long for connection, to chase after someone who might never see me the way I hoped. I bit my lip, trying to shake the thought away, but it lingered like the remnants of a bad dream.

"Maybe you should let him go, Trinity," I found myself saying before I could think better of it. The words slipped out, propelled by both empathy and frustration. "There are other people out there."

The moment I spoke, I felt the collective gaze of the nearby crowd shift toward me. I hadn’t intended to get involved, but the momentum of the situation swept me up.

Trinity turned her head sharply, surprise written across her face. "And who are you to tell me that?" she shot back, her tone defensive yet shaky. "You don’t know anything about what we had!"

That wasn’t entirely true; I knew enough to recognize desperation. I was just as desperate in my own way, though I didn’t chase after anyone. “I just think,” I started, trying to ground my voice in reason rather than emotion, “that you deserve someone who truly wants to be with you. If he doesn’t?—”

A deep, rumbling laugh interrupted me, catching me off guard. Oliver chuckled softly, shaking his head as he stepped slightly toward me. "You’re right," he said, his voice low and steady. "Trinity, I appreciate your feelings, but it’s clear this isn’t going anywhere. You need to find someone who reciprocates that energy."

I felt the warmth spread through me at his support, but I also felt a pang of guilt. Was I really being helpful, or was I just meddling? I didn’t want to be another voice in this chaos, yet here I was, drawn in against my will.

Trinity’s face fell, hurt flashing in her eyes. "You don’t mean…” Her eyes narrowed for a second then glanced at me then to Oliver “Is this the bitch you and your pack is courting?”

I blinked, the heat of embarrassment rushing up my neck as Trinity's words hung in the air. My pulse quickened, and I felt the weight of the crowd's gaze, like a thousand eyes boring into me. I wanted to retreat into the safety of my solitude, but I was trapped in this moment, my heart racing with the intensity of it all.

"What?" I managed to stammer, my voice catching in my throat. I had no idea what she was talking about. I didn’t want to be part of any courting, especially not with someone like Oliver, who seemed to carry the weight of a pack on his shoulders. His gaze had felt heavy just moments ago, but now it was sharp, assessing me in a way that made me feel exposed.