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Scarlett practically cackles, relaxing when I park my bike. She grips my shoulders and gives me a shake, the gesture feeling like she’s trying to mount me from behind with her excitement. I laugh and slide off my bike, helping her to her feet. She looks ready to smack her helmet to mine for a kiss. I quickly unfasten it and pull it off her, setting it on her seat. She attacks my neck with her mouth, kissing and nipping me, her adrenaline running hot and seductive. I get a second to inhale a breath when I remove my helmet, and she steals it right from me, molding her lips to mine as she climbs up my body, making me hold her.
“Lettie, keep this up and we’re going for another ride. Somewhere secluded,” I mumble against her mouth, biting her lip between my teeth teasingly.
She groans and stretches back, waiting for me to release her. “Then let’s do it. I have time. It’ll be worth it.”
I grin. “You know I’ll never deny you. Let’s get that helmet back—”
“Before I surprise you, I just wanted to make my presence known.” Paul’s annoyingly familiar voice sounds from behind us, and I tense, my muscles rippling. “I wasn’t sure you had received my messages, Scarlett.”
Rage rushes through me, and I break away from Scarlett to face Paul, ready to swing and punch him in the face. He knows better than to approach Scarlett, especially because he knows she’s my omega. Yet here he fucking is.
Scarlett snatches my hand and tucks herself into my side, preventing me from starting a fight. “I did, and I already replied. I just don’t think it’s going to work out.”
I blink a few times, wishing I had taken a moment to talk to Scarlett about Paul. I got so caught up in her presence that I forgot to mention he had approached me. No wonder he wanted me to tell her it was a good opportunity. The fucking bastard.
“I’d like you to reconsider. I’ve already doubled my offer for the commission. There will be many important people attending my daughter’s wedding, including Pack Clearwater’s head pack. You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity.” Paul repeats to her what he already told me, and he gets under my skin that he’s refusing to take no for an answer.
“I’m sorry. I’ve made my decision. Maybe if there’s something else next year. But for this November? I’m going to have to politely decline.” Scarlett steps even closer to me, her body begging for me to step in front to hide her.
Paul growls and scrubs his fingers to the back of his neck. “I hate that I have to do this, but if you don’t reconsider, I might have to pass on this little unannounced claim to the dean. My nephew told me that you were passing as a beta, Scarlett. He also said that you were engaged, but now that I realize who it’s to... What do you say? Agree to this and make my daughter happy or I guess you’ll find out. It’s a shame you couldn’t find some alphas your own age. My nephew would have been excellent for you. He has recently left my pack to start his own. Once he gets his inheritance, you’ll all be well off. He just needs an omega my pack won’t arrange for him.”
My chest tightens with his comment. With his blackmail. I don’t understand what’s going on or who his nephew is, but this is utter and complete bullshit.
“What? Chaz is your nephew? What do you mean starting his own pack? He’s a beta.” Scarlett’s voice shocks sense into me, and I put all the pieces together.
Now I know exactly what’s in it for Paul. He’s spoken about his wayward nephew getting expelled from the most prestigious Alpha Academy in the area. Because of it, his pack leader denied him the chance to move up ranks and claim an omega. He’d been disowned and renounced from Pack Miller’s wealth.
“A beta? How funny.” Paul smirks, training his eyes on Scarlett as if I’m not standing here. “You two have a lot in common. Chaz was a little bit of an embarrassment to the family, which is why he took on a new name and identity. Getting thrown out of the Alpha Academy doesn’t bode well. Kind of like your inability to meet Pack Carlisle’s stipulation. I looked into you, and I know you’re one of the Steele omegas. I also know that you need to be married soon. I don’t know if that will happen if word gets out. But I guess there’s always Pack Broderik. Your parents would be quite happy, I think.”
Scarlett screams and rushes forward, her fury triggering mine. I snatch her by the back of her jacket and yank her away only to jab Paul in the solar plexus, winding him. I might be known as a math geek or a shy artist, but Leo ensured we all know how to fight. And fight dirty.
I shove Paul again, knocking his feet out from under him until he lands on his back. I jam my knee into his gut, twist the front of his dress shirt between my fingers, and strike him in the nose. I bow to snarl in his face. “You don’t blackmail Pack Hart without consequence. I think you underestimate our power and think too goddamn highly of yourself. Have you forgotten your true place? A reject. Only given a position of power to shut up your whining. You’re nothing, and if you think you can hurt my omega or my pack, you’re wrong. I can make your life fucking hell. Don’t think we don’t have records of your indiscretions. My teaching position means nothing to me. I can always find a new job. But you? This sort of behavior will get you thrown from office. So get the fuck out of here. Threaten me again and see what truly happens. I will never back down from a fucking challenge.”
I growl and spit in his face, slamming my palms against him to get back to my feet. Paul lies in shock for only a second before getting his bearings together and dusting himself off. He wipes his bloody nose on his sleeve and glowers at me, but he doesn’t attempt to threaten me again. All he does is jog away. If he had a tail, it would be tucked between his legs.
Scarlett whimpers, and I turn around, spotting tears glassing over her eyes. “I’m just going to drop out. Finishing my degree isn’t worth it. It’s not important. You and my alphas are important. Our pack is important.”
My heart aches at her pain, and I scoop her up and carry her closer to the side of the building, wanting nothing more than to drown her in my affection. “Scarlett, if you do that, then they’ll win. They’ll see that they can push us around. Please, don’t let someone like Paul or Chaz try to defeat you. Your passion is important. They’re pieces of shit that will never amount to something. They’ll never have what we do.”
“Oh, Dom.” Scarlett cups my face. “A degree doesn’t change my passion. I just...I don’t want to be in this position. The worrying and stress I see you guys going through because of me isn’t what I want. Let’s just elope. It’ll make everyone happy.” Scarlett’s mouth quivers.
I kiss her tenderly, stopping the shivers from controlling her muscles. “Give things another week. If you still feel the same way, then I support you in whatever decision you make. Just let things settle. They’re trying to see what they can get away with.”
Scarlett rests her forehead on my shoulder, breathing softly against my jacket. “Just a week. I can handle it.”
I hug her close, petting my fingers through her hair. “Of course, you can handle it. You’re my omega. You can handle anything.”
I hope she believes me.
It’s what I want most in the world.
I sit at a table, babying a latte as I watch Scarlett add in the finishing shadows on the collection of skulls mimicking the portraits of long-dead artists. Her talent never ceases to amaze me. I’ve seen her sketches with charcoal and pen, but now that I see what she can do with paint? I can’t get enough. The world will soon see what I do. What she has kept hidden her whole life due to her omega order and the expectations our society thrust upon her.
“Goddamn. That is mind-blowing. I can’t wrap my mind around how someone can paint like that.” Leo’s voice sounds through the empty coffeeshop, and I turn to see him enter through the back with Ms. Sandy leading the way.
Jonah, Ezra, and Adrian trail behind him, sneaking in so Scarlett doesn’t know they’re here. Ms. Sandy thought it would be a fantastic idea to throw a small gathering with us to celebrate the beauty Scarlett created just for her, which will surely bring in even more business and get recognition in the city.
“How much to purchase the windows after Halloween?” Ezra asks, staring at Scarlett’s shadow as she pulls the masking tape away from the windowsill, unable to see us inside. We can see her silhouette because of the bright lights she uses.
