Not liking the noticeable change in my usually confident and commanding omega, I move behind a column in the room, my eyes staying on Beckham as the alpha moves closer to him. I don’t want to show my hand too soon, but I need more information before I decide I need to begin breaking bones.
While Tatum and Jamie are the hot heads in our pack, I try to remain the voice of reason. That’s becoming increasingly more difficult as I struggle to see through the veil of red descending my gaze.
Calm. Breathe. Don’t fuck this up.The words force me to take a quiet gulp of air, while attempting to listen to the quiet words Beckham is saying.
“…Ralph,” I hear. “I’m just making my rounds to ensure I speak to everyone. Just like Dad asked me to.”
I memorize the name, determined to find out more about this alpha.
“That’s admirable after you took off for a week,” Ralph growls. Beckham’s scent sours slightly, making my lips pull back into a snarl. He’s clearly uncomfortable, and dare I say, maybe scared? “You haven’t spared more than a glance in my direction, though. Why is that?”
I swallow hard as Beckham’s back straightens and his ass clenches, deciding I’m definitely going to need to figure out what the fuck this is about. However, I’m going to save my omega now. I’ve seen quite enough.
“Beckham,” I say, walking toward him. It’s a short walk, and I jovially throw my arm over his shoulder.
Beckham’s eyes grow wide with surprise, and dare I say it arousal? Whatever it is, I’m officially acting as a knight in motherfucking armor tonight, and I don’t hate it. “Will you come with me to find another glass of champagne? I haven’t had a chance to say hello yet.”
“Hello, Alaric,” he says, his voice deepening. “If you’ll excuse me, Ralph, I need to get going.”
“Are you staying at home tonight?” he asks.
I want to fucking kill him. Why is he asking that? This must be one of Eddy’s men if he lives in the compound. Either way, I don’t fucking like it.
“Yeah,” Beckham rasps, before I pull him away.
“What the fuck was that about?” I ask slowly. I have a lot to cover with my scared omega, but it can wait. What just happened behind me? That bullshit absolutely can’t stand.
“Just my father’s right-hand man,” he sighs tiredly. “It’s fine.” He tries to put some distance between us, turning his back to me. No, that won’t do. He’s run from us for long enough. I’m not letting him go again that easily. I grip his hip, stepping up to place my front to his back, and he stiffens at the contact.
“I doubt that’s true, little liar,” I growl, dragging my nose up the back of his neck before kissing him behind his ear.
I love the way his whole body shivers, not seeming to be able to help himself, as he relaxes into my touch.That's my good boy.
We’re in a section of the room where everyone has their backs to us, and I plan to take full advantage. “I want to hear the truth when you’re ready.” I inhale, needing a hit of his honey andvanilla when there’s a hint of something else. A smell I’m all too familiar with. “Why do you smell differently?”
There’s a distinct smell of pumpkin marshmallow on his skin. Fuck…
“What did Tate do?” I ask.
Beckham turns around, his eyes narrowed. “What didn’t he do?” Beckham grumbles, plucking my half empty glass of champagne away from me, deftly replacing it with a fresh one. The waiter takes the used glass from Beckham, continuing on like magic.
I don’t go to many fancy parties, so I just gaze on with a small shake of my head at the well choreographed witchcraft.
“I need a little more context,” I murmur, directing him out onto an outdoor patio. No one else is out here, and it’ll allow me to speak to him easier.
His eyes dart around the room. “We’re not talking about it here," he says, a slight tinge of pink blooming onto his cheeks. Aww, is my omega embarrassed? Whatever for, I wonder?
“Have you seen him?” I ask, my eyes narrowing.
“No, I haven’t,” he denies.
“Okay,” I drawl. Clearly something happened that I’m not aware of and my alpha is keeping things from me. I’m going to have to have a chat with Tatum about keeping things from us regarding our omega. “Then are you wearing something of his?”
He licks his lips, looking away. “Ah, you could say that,” he grumbles under his breath. “Seriously, what is wrong with that man?” he groans.
My lip twitches, because my pack is a bit unhinged.
“The only thing about him that smells that strongly of his scent is his cum or his spit,” I murmur. “Which is it?”
