With a sigh, I dropped my head back against a locker and tried to exhale away the tension of the day. Hopefully, once I finished shadowing Bradley, I’d be able to mind my business and do the job without constant harassment.
Today had me questioning my capabilities in ways I never had before.
From this angle I noticed that my name on the locker had been changed toEmelime, with the previousEmelinecrossed out. Fucking Bradley, even though that one was almost funny. Thereweretwo m’s now, and I was sure he’d make it my fault somehow.
I was distracted when the phone beeped in my hand, and I glanced down to read the message.
Alpha Hunter: Are you okay, Emme?
The stalker struck again.
Glancing around the ceiling, I found the camera in the corner with its red light flashing.
Pretty Girl: Spying on me again, Alpha Stalker?
Golden Boy: That’s Daddy Alpha Stalker to you.
Alpha Hunter: Answer the question, little omega.
Iheardthat question even though it was a text. Hunter’s voice always lowered into a deeper drawl when he called melittle omega,and it was starting to drive my beast crazy.
Pretty Girl: Totally fine. It’s just a lot to try and learn everything in a single shift. Hopefully I’ll get the hang of it when I’m out on the floor. Bradley is… intense.
Kellan messaged back, even as his scent grew stronger, indicating he was entering the restaurant.
Golden Boy: Fire him, Daddy Alpha. Now! Or I’ll rip his guts out and use his intestines as fish bait out the back.
It wasn’t always easy to tell if Kellan was joking or not, but that text sent a shiver down my spine. It was intrigue rather than fear, though, and I was tempted to poke at his beast until it emerged.
Kellan burst into the locker room a second later, at the same time that both of our phones chimed. He hauled me up into his chest, and my gasp was loud and echoing as he wrapped his arms around me in a hug so secure that there was no space between us.
Holy goddess.
The world stopped spinning, gravity ceased, and life as I knew it shifted topsy-turvy. I was held in the firmest, warmest embrace I’d ever experienced. I’d never been held until it felt like all my ragged, broken pieces were dragged together, and through his strength alone he might make me whole.
“Kellan!” I choked out, scraping against his grip, while my breath caught in my lungs. At first, I thought it was a panic attack, which I hadn’t experienced since IfoundMom. But then I realized I couldn’t breathe because I choked on unshed tears and unwanted emotions.
“Pretty girl,” he rasped, the turmoil in his voice unmistakable as he buried his face in the crook of my neck. “What’s wrong? What happened? I wasn’t kidding. I’m going to fucking kill him.”
My wolf started to whine, and if he didn’t let me go in two seconds, I would embarrass us both by bawling all over him. “Kellan,” I whispered through a throat so tight that I barely managed words. “Please.”
He didn’t react to my weak, pathetic shove. His wolf had taken over as he held me, and with an audible whoosh of air, I finally gave up fighting and sank into his heat, freefalling into the hug.Just a few minutes.
A few minutes to experience the beauty in his comfort. Tears flowed silently down my cheeks, and I turned my head to the side, hoping he wouldn’t feel their damp heat against his skin. Our phones beeped again and again, before Kellan’s started to ring.
Over and over.
No doubt Hunter was glued to the camera wondering what was happening.
Without releasing me, Kellan reached down and answered his phone, hitting the speaker button. “What the fuck is happening with our omega?” Hunter’s cold rage poured down the line.
I was busy trying to sniffle without making a sound, but as I lifted my head, I realized the camera was pointed right at my face.
“She’s crying, Kellan. Bring her to me. Right. Now.”
The line went dead, and Kellan finally got his beast under control, gently releasing me back to my own feet. I frantically swiped at my tears, but they weren’t fading as quickly as I’d hoped.
Kellan’s thumb brushed across my cheeks as he said, “I’ve got you, pretty girl. You’re never coming back here again, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Hunter burned the building down tonight.”
