My heart starts to race, my hands balling into fists.
Breathe, Beckham. He’s not going to do anything. You’re not the same young omega. He can’t touch you. Not anymore.
Shame fills me because amongst my freak out after finding out about my scent matches, I started taking suppressants. The idea of me going into heat and craving my alphas terrified me at the time.
Now, I’m starting to think it’s a good idea if I’m going to be living under the same roof as Ralph.
It’s something I should have done as soon as I moved here rather than avoiding my father’s home all together.
I’ve always prided myself on embracing every aspect of being an omega. I’ll never stop being proud of my designation but if taking suppressants can help protect me, then it’s something I need to do.
As Ralph follows after me, I’m so damn glad I’m on them because I know being with Jamie the way I was, being so close to my scent matched alpha like that for the first time could have sent me into heat.
And there’s no fucking way I’d let Ralph catch me vulnerable like that ever again.
I manage to get to the top of the stairs and halfway down the hall before he reaches me. “Don’t fucking run away from me, Omega.” Ralph growls as he grabs my arm, yanking me back and pushing me up against the wall.
“Get off me.” I shove him, making him stumble back.
His angry glare shoots daggers at me.
“Look who finally grew a pair of balls.” Ralph chuckles as I push myself off the wall.
“Leave me alone,” I warn him.
“Or what?” he taunts, cocking his head to the side. “You gonna go tell daddy?” He laughs. “No. Because you and I both damn well know your father wouldn’t believe you. I’m his best friend, his second in command. I’ve been by his side while you ran away for ten fucking years.”
My stomach turns, hating how his words are getting to me.
“We’re both grown men.” I spit. “Just move on with your life okay? I have.” I turn around and walk towards my room.
“Moved on? You mean with those pathetic little punk alphas?” He snorts. “Guess we have something in common, huh? We both like them young.”
Bile fills my throat as anger rises. I spin around and storm over, getting in his face. “Fuck you.” I spit. “We are not the same. Not even fucking close. You are a monster. An alpha who gets a power trip by making others feel weak. Forcing themselves on people who don’t fucking want it. I would never. At least they want me. Want my touch.”
Ralph’s nostrils flare.
“Watch what you say, Beckham. Your mouth is going to get you in trouble.”
“I’m not afraid of you.” I laugh, not believing a single word I’m saying but letting my adrenaline and anger fuel me right now. “And if you don’t fuck off and leave me alone, I’ll tell them what you’re really like. Something tells me my scent matchedalphas wouldn’t like the idea of someone hurting what belongs to them.”
What the fuck am I even saying right now? I don’t belong to them. I don’t belong to anyone. If anything, they are my fucking alphas. They belong to me. Mine.
“Once a whore, always a fucking whore.” Ralph spits. “Watch yourself, Beckham. You might be a fun toy for them now, but eventually men like them will get bored with you and find someone new.”
Before our scent bonds kicked into place, I might have believed him. Jamie, Tatum, and Alaric come off as fuck boys, rich alphas who love to live on the edge, to get their fun any way they can.
But now? I know I’ll never lose them. They are the kind of men that when they want something nothing will stop them until they have it. And that something is me.
“Maybe they will, maybe they won’t. But it’s my life, and that's a chance I’m going to take. Leave me alone Ralph. This house is big enough for the two of us to never run into one another. Let’s keep it that way.”
Throwing open my door, I rush inside and slam it shut. Quickly, I flick the number of locks I put into place and turn the alarm system on.
Despite being a little shaken up from the encounter, I feel good. I stood up to Ralph. I took back some of my power. And while it might not be everything I want, it’s something.
Bitting my lip, I can’t help but smile as I strip out of my suit.
I’m under the hot shower spray when I’m hit with the urge to go back down to the party. I want to see them again, to smell them. To have their hands on me.
