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“Speaking of reputation." Poppy’s voice dripped venom and I tried to brace myself for another attack but her hateful gaze speared toward Ethan. “I heard you couldn’t lock in the Rothchild pack. They were willing to slum it with a male Omega but, really, you chose these two?”
Ethan’s hands tightened on mine and Theo’s growl reverberated around us. Only then did Poppy’s facade crack a little. She didn’t know Theo was an Alpha and now she wasn’t so sure of herself. A vicious snarl slipped from Ethan’s mouth as he turned his head toward her. I’d never heard an Omega growl and it brought a little more clarity back to my thoughts. My hindbrain knew that sound was for me, to protect me, to claim me. It was hard not to let my heart take off at what that sound offered even though I knew it was mostly instinct for him. Ethan spoke clearly, though I could tell he was forcing the words out through clenched teeth.
“I’ve never hit a woman before but if you don’t shut up, you might be the first.”
“You wouldn’t dare. Probably just as defective as that one." She nodded to me before continuing. “You should have just taken whatever Gavin Rothchild offered you and been grateful. Your fathers couldn’t even sell you off to a?—”
Between the crack of a fist against skin and a wail from Poppy, I barely heard the muttered curse from Daniels.
Aubrey was shaking her hand out and glaring at the sobbing Omega on the floor.
“Never talk about my brother or his pack like that again, you braindead cunt.”
The Alpha with Poppy looked like he wanted to laugh but then she let out another wail and he rolled his eyes.
“Can’t really let that stand, mate.”
The Alpha swung at Theo, halfheartedly, as security began to make its way over. Aubrey was still insulting Poppy as she cried on the floor when Daniels scooped her over his shoulder, muttering.
“For fuck’s sake, Hellcat. Just had to throw down, didn’t you?”
“Put me down, Guardzilla.” Aubrey was breathless as she squirmed against Daniels’ hold. “Shouldn’t have taught me to hit someone if you didn’t want me to.”
Daniels was chuckling to himself as he carted Aubrey off.
Theo turned to me as the other Alpha began talking to security. He tipped his head, telling me to get Ethan out of there and I moved to follow Daniels, dragging Ethan along with me.
We turned down one of the back hallways that led to a staging area for the catering. It wasn’t until the exit was in sight that Daniels dropped the fuming teenage Omega.
“I need to check where this exit leads. Do you have a vehicle here, Trevor?”
“My bike.”
The words croaked out of me and Ethan made a worried sort of noise before cuddling into my side. Even Aubrey sidled up to me, lending me her silent support. Daniels looked between me and the Omegas and sighed.
“Watch them.”
His words were stern, like a command, and Ethan stiffened. Anger wound through his scent at the tone of Daniels’ voice, but I knew the other Alpha wasn’t being a dick. He needed to know I was aware enough to protect them if it came down to it. I nodded as he moved to the exit and opened the door to clear it on both sides. His shoulders relaxed somewhat before he turned back to us.
“Come on. It’s right near the parking area. We’ll split up here since we aren’t going to the same place anyway.”
Aubrey moved to her brother and gave him a hug, whispering something to him that made him squeeze her tighter. She released him and turned to leave before worrying at her lip in a gesture that was so similar to Ethan’s, I felt a pang in my chest. The tiny Omega unexpectedly flung herself at me in a fierce hug.
“Don’t listen to a word she said, ‘kay?”
I nodded down at her, completely befuddled. Daniels made an impatient noise and she rolled her eyes, pulling on her brat persona again. Ethan and I smiled after her until Daniels raised an eyebrow at me as if to say, “you’re supposed to be moving dumbass.” I put a hand on Ethan’s lower back, guiding him out behind Daniels and his sister. Thankfully, we weren’t far from the row where I’d left my bike, and I hustled us in that direction while the others got into an SUV very similar to Theo’s.
I handed Ethan the spare helmet that I always kept on my bike in case Jade wanted to ride with me. He slipped it on but eyed the bike worriedly.
“Have you ever ridden on a motorcycle, Ethan?”
The frantic shaking of his head had me moving into his space and taking the straps that he was struggling to buckle. I tipped his chin up and the scent of gooey cinnamon rolls, fresh from the oven, filled the air. I smiled and heard his breath catch as I clipped the straps of the helmet together and ran a finger lightly down his throat.
“Just hold on tight. Don’t be shy Omega, hug me like you’re my very own backpack.”
Ethan swallowed thickly as I climbed on to the bike and he followed my lead, lifting one leg over, landing somewhat clumsily into the seat, but that only brought him flush against my back faster. I reached back for his hands and wrapped them around my waist, squeezing his hands briefly.
I could feel his chest moving rapidly against my back and I focused on that space inside of me that I so rarely needed anymore. The purr that came out was quiet and halting but it had the effect I wanted.
