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“It’s nice to meet you, Shade. I’m Gabriel, and that’s my alpha, Rhett. Probably not such a good idea to be out and about right now. Do you need help getting back home?” I purr out, resting one of my arms above her head.
I can practically feel Rhett’s dark gaze searing into the side of my face, but I ignore him, as I’m completely mesmerized by the omega in front of me. She shouldn’t be out right now, and it has me wondering where her alphas are. Now that I think about it, maybe I should pull back a bit. I wouldn’t want to be encroaching on anyone’s territory.
I go to move away, but she grips my shirt again and drags me closer, inhaling my scent deeply and groaning.
“Has anyone ever told you that you smelldivine, Gabriel?” she asks in a low, sweet tone.
Rhett’s head whips back towards us faster than one can blink, and I’m slightly concerned he might have cracked something vital with how quickly he just turned. I’m also a little shocked the omega in front of me is so bold. It’s honestly refreshing.
I chuckle and say, “My alphas have told me a time or two, I’m sure.”
Shade glances at Rhett momentarily before sliding those mismatched eyes back to me.
She shakes her head, and her eyes clear up a little as she clears her throat. Her cheeks turn a rosy shade, but her eyes hide a mischievous gleam in them I find enticing.
“Sorry about… all that. Um… I’m actually supposed to be at work, and I’m already so freaking late…” she trails off, nibbling her lip. “I don’t think I should go in now, though. My heat must be closer than I thought it was.” Her brow furrows and her nose scrunches adorably.
“I could go let someone know if you don’t feel comfortable going back in?” I blurt out without thinking.
I really don’t want her walking back in there smelling like this, and I’m sure her boss wouldn’t appreciate the wholesale destruction it could cause. Right now, she’s not perfuming like crazy, and the fresh air seems to be helping a little, which is good because of all the people walking the sidewalk in a rush to get where they’re going.
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” she asks sheepishly.
“I really don’t. Just wait here,” I say, moving away from her and toward the door, which is a harder feat than I was expecting.
“It’s likely the manager behind the counter. Her name’s Jenna.”
I nod and then glance at Rhett, telling him with my eyes to stay with her before stepping back into the warm air of the bakery. The line has gotten longer since we escorted Shade outside, and at the person behind the counter is one very frazzled and pissed off woman. I push through to the front of the line, apologizing to everyone I cut in front of and promising I’m not ordering anything.
“You must be Jenna?”
“What gave it away? The name tag that clearly states my name is Jenna or my winning personality that totally screams ‘Jenna’?” she deadpans, rolling her eyes.
Her scent tells me she’s an omega, but her personality seems to be more of a fit for a beta or maybe even an alpha.
Ooookay then.
“Shade is outside, but she won’t be able to come in. Seems there’s a… heat issue,” I tell the overly annoyed omega in front of me, grimacing when she scowls at me.
“Fantastic. A heads up before now would have been great. Just saying,” Jenna scoffs, pinching the bridge of her nose and squeezing her eyes shut.
I shuffle my feet uncomfortably, feeling bad for the girl, but also assuming Shade figured she had more time. I don’t think she planned to walk into work and become a perfuming mess, leaving the woman shorthanded.
“Just tell her I’ll see her next week after it passes. I need to see if I can get someone else to come in to cover her shifts,” she finally says after several tense moments of silence, looking at the person behind me as she waits for their order.
I don’t linger, rushing back outside to where I left Shade and Rhett. Rhett’s back is still to her, but if I didn’t know any better, I’d say he’s a lot closer to her than he was when I’d walked in. As I look between the two, I realize that there’s no jealousy or feelings of being territorial about their proximity. In fact, I wouldn’t mind seeing Shade entangled with one—or more—of my alphas.
Huh.
“Okay, she said she’ll see you next week,” I say when I get closer to them both.
“She was pissed, huh?”
“Um…”
Shade sighs and rolls her eyes. “Can’t say I blame her. Valentine’s Day is coming up in a few days and she’s going to be slammed if she can’t find someone willing to come in and cover my shift.”
“I’m sure she’ll find someone.”
