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I’m pretty sure I make it abundantly clear just how exactly River and Syn are so-called courting me, and I don’t feel an ounce of shame, either. Even though Syn is, in fact, not courting me, as unfortunate as it is. How dare this creep of an alpha try to judge me? He’s lucky I don’t spit in his face, the bastard.
Nico laughs and I immediately look at him. I can’t look away from his pretty eyes as they twinkle, the corners crinkling as he grins. He makes me feel a sense of safety, like he’ll protect me without hesitation. He’s so colorful and pretty to look at, but he has that alpha vibe of ‘don’t fuck with me and mine’. It feels good to feel like I’m being included in the ‘mine’ category.
Yes, please. I can just picture myself between him and River. Ooh. A River and Nico sandwich with me on top? That’s a... yeah, that’s a delightful image. I’ll be bringing that one up to River later.
“Woo, girl. I could cut through your perfume and this sexual tension with a knife right now. Shit. Got me feeling some type of way-ow, babe. What the fuck?” Hunt growls in pain.
When I finally tear my eyes from Nico’s, Hunt’s glaring at Sage. Sage’s blonde eyebrow is raised as he stares her down. “Mine.”
She rolls her eyes and mutters, “Fucking caveman,” under her breath. I snort. When I glance around, I realize Victor is gone. Finally. I didn’t even notice him leaving.
“I see he finally left,” I say, a sigh of relief escaping me.
“Oh yeah. Stormed away like a toddler throwing one hell of a tantrum. Only silently, but you could so tell he wanted to stomp and scream in toddler rage. He was not happy about this River and female alpha situation. He sure doesn’t seem to like her. That the guy from the ceremony?” Hunt responds.
“Unfortunately. I had hoped I wouldn’t ever run into him again. Let’s just hope that was the last time. He gives me the creeps.” I scrunch up my nose.
“I’d listen to your gut on this one, Rip. Victor Travis is not a good man. I don’t know how the hell he was let into the OC with his background and the rumors surrounding him about his last two omegas. It seems incredibly shady. Frankly, I’m a little concerned for your safety if he’s sniffing around you,” Sage says, his brow furrowing in concern.
“Don’t worry. I am absolutely listening to my instincts on that one.”
We hang out for a little while longer, with Huntleigh making plans to throw a get-together at their place within the next couple of weeks. Sage has to practically drag her away when he’s ready to go. She continues talking to me the entire time he drags her out of the diner, finally shouting her last words at me as the door shuts behind them. Nico talked very little while they were here, but his presence was still welcome.
After Hunt and Sage are gone, it’s just me and him, and I almost don’t know what to say or do. He makes me nervous, but in a good way. Nervous, like talking to your first crush when they finally ask you out.
“Thank you. For earlier. You didn’t have to lie, but I appreciate it,” I finally say after the silence gets to me.
“Was it?”
My brow furrows. “Was what?”
“Was it a lie?”
My eyes widen. “I-I don’t know. I mean, I know River and I are seeing each other, and he’s said he is okay with me pursuing relationships with you guys, if that’s what we wanted. It’s just... Look, I know you guys weren’t looking for another omega, and I know mine and River’s attraction to one another is unconventional, to say the least. It makes no sense. But there’s just something about him, and honestly, after three years of not finding a single scent match and then suddenly getting a hit of River and going crazy for it? It feels like he’s meant for me, too. I just don’t want any of you thinking I’m expecting anything from you guys just because I’m with him.”
I look down when I say the last part. It’s true. River is meant for me just as much as he was meant for them. Maybe I’m meant for them, too. Only time will tell, but I’m not expecting them to want to be with me because of River and I’s relationship.
Nico’s finger tips my face back up, forcing me to look at him. His eyes roam over my face, like he’s memorizing every line and angle.
“River is a very special omega, Ripley. We expect the unexpected from him all the time. Were we a little surprised when he decided he wanted to get involved with another omega? Just a little. But seeing you two together these last few weeks has shown me that, even if it’s unconventional, there’s something there. He clearly makes you happy, and the same could be said for him. You’re all he’s talked about since he met you. We would never step in the way of his happiness.” He pauses for a beat before continuing. “There’s a pull here for me as well. Having River’s blessing to explore that has had me thinking long and hard about it, and I’d really like to get to know you for myself.”
Am I drooling right now? I feel I should check, but don’t want to embarrass myself further. This giant, sexy, tattooed hunk of an alpha wants to get to know me. Me! Dreams really do come true.
“I think I’d really like that, Nico.” I give him a smile.
He smiles back, a genuine smile, and it’s just as beautiful as him. A slightly crooked front tooth that overlaps the other, perfectly imperfect. I hope it’s the first of many.
Fourteen
Nico
River and Ripley walk ahead of us, hands locked and leaning their heads together, giggling like two little kids with a secret. I feel my lips creep up at how adorable they are together, despite my initial reluctance to give in to him when he asked about potentially dating the female omega. His acceptance of the omega’s affection toward him is interesting. An omega pairing. Certainly nothing I’ve heard of happening, but I suppose there’s always a first for everything.
We all have our concerns about this and have voiced them, and he’s listened to us, but none of it deterred him. None of us want to see either of them hurt emotionally. Our reactions to Ripley also shouldn’t be possible, and yet every one of us is drawn to her in some unexplainable way. River wanting something with her is one thing, but all of us, including Kian desiring her, is something else entirely, and yet River says he’s okay with it. That he wants to see her as loved as he is.
I’ve caved. Seeing her in that diner, not cowing down in fear even when I know she felt uncomfortable, made me feel something. And when she stood up for River and Syn to him, that just solidified things for me. She stuck up for not only the person she’s in a relationship with but also his alpha even though she didn’t have to.
Victor Travis is not a good man and an even worse alpha. He’s a danger to all women, but omegas especially. Syn has been trying to help nail him to the wall for years, especially after he killed his last omega a couple of years back. But he still found a way to get off for that one. We all knew, though. The fact that he was at the Center’s ceremony is worrisome, as it’s not like his reputation is much of a secret. And now he’s set his sights on Ripley, which means he must be hunting for a new omega. Well, he can’t have her. Not her.
