“We’re bonded, but Adler doesn’t make decisions for me.” I stand and brush myself down before Adler gets a chance to answer on my behalf. Being in his presence again has completely recharged me, my usual confidence back in full force. “Lead the way, Luca.”
“You better do as she asks, dude.” Adler chuckles fondly. “Sabs can be pretty persuasive, and you don’t want to see how competitive she gets.”
“Not unless you want to be cheering at my next volleyball game dressed as a fairy with Adler.”
Luca frowns in confusion. “A fairy?”
Adler hits his forehead, groaning. “You can’t be serious.”
“A bet’s a bet,” I reply brightly, tapping my chin. “I’m already imagining what your teammates will say when they see you dressed as Tinker Bell.”
THIRTEEN
Luca
Her fruity scent follows me as we climb the stairs. Adler is right by her side, his palm never leaving the small of her back. He’s like her shadow. I noticed it when we were on the sofa—how he seemed to move in time with her, like she’s now the center of his universe. And the way he looks at her… Well, I’ve never seen Adler look at a woman with that puppy dog expression, and I’d rip him for it if I wasn’t so damn jealous.
Adler’s never been interested in a serious relationship before. Due to his position, he’s never short on options for casual fun, and it’s been hard keeping him grounded when girls are constantly throwing themselves at him. Like any young alpha, he made the most of the situation, but Sabs… Well, she’s different from other girls.
Admittedly, I had my concerns when Adler first told me what happened, but after seeing them together, I’m starting to think that she may be the best thing to ever happen to him. And maybe she’ll be good for me too.
“It’s right through here.” My palms tingle with nerves as we trek down the corridor to the door at the end.
Drax and I did our best with what we had at our disposal. Without him, I’m sure I’d have gotten everything totally wrong, but there’s still no guarantee that she’ll like it.
Drax looms in the doorway to the spare-room-turned-trophy-room like a black cloud.
“We’re just showing Sabs her nest.” I motion for him to move. “Would you like to?—”
“Sorry to intrude on the special moment.” His voice drips with sarcasm.
Although he’s obviously bitter, the guy is clearly hurting. From his reaction to Adler and how he looks at Sabs like he’s ready to jump in front of a bullet for her, it’s obvious that he has feelings for her. How would it feel to see the omega you love in the arms of another alpha? An alpha who bonded her by accident? I vow to check on him later. Adler can act like a dick, but I don’t have to.
“Dra—” Before Sabs can even get out his full name, Drax slams the door with a bang. Her face falls in disappointment.
“Asshole,” Adler mutters under his breath. “Forget about him. He shouldn’t even be here.”
“Go easy on him, man,” I mutter.
Despite Adler’s obvious disdain for him, I can’t help liking the guy. While I don’t know him well yet, being around him earlier felt effortless, like we’ve known each other for years. When we were getting the nest ready, he told me that Orin was doing him a favor by helping him through a rough spot but didn’t elaborate any more than that.
“Why? He’s being a jerk to my omega.” Adler’s hackles rise. “We’ve taken in a stray. The least he can do is be grateful.”
If Orin thinks it’s best for Drax to stay here, especially at a time like this, there has to be a good reason for it. Still, it’s unprecedented for him to invite another alpha into our space,and I’ve never met anyone he works with before now, so I can’t help wondering what makes Drax so special.
“The only one acting like a jerk right now is you.” Sabs prods her finger into Adler’s chest. “You can leave all your alpha-hole energy out here because I don’t want any negative juju in my nest. Drax is—was—my…” She tilts her head back, eyes scanning the ceiling. “Friend. I want you to be nice to him.”
“Sorry, I… just…” Adler scrubs his face, at least having the decency to look a little guilty. Yep, this is exactly who Adler needs. Sabs is a force to be reckoned with. “I’m antsy.”
“Well, you can at least try to be civil,” she replies. “For my sake.”
“I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try.” He grins. “For you.”
“And what are you doing here?” Sabs turns her attention to Orin, who must’ve snuck up behind us, leaning against the wall, watching the scene unfold. “I thought you had to get ready for work?”
“I want to be sure everything is to your liking.” He lifts up a shoulder.
Our disciplined leader is not easily rattled, but Sabs seems to get under his skin. Maybe there’s truth to what Adler said about them being scent matches.
