“Alpha Saint-James senior?” I ask slowly. “Except he’s not an Alpha at all, is he?” I was planning to use more tact to approachthe subject, but then he made a veiled threat, and my Omega instincts took offense.
Hudson’s eyes are locked on mine in an instant, the rest of the room forgotten. He keeps his expression blank, his body stock-still. I can see the way his heart rate makes his pulse race, but he’s still scent-free.
“He’s an Omega, just like your mother. It's why you were able to hide your scent at will. You don’t need blockers, do you, Hudson?” I take slow steps toward him with every question until we’re face-to-face, only an arm's length apart.
Maybe next time he won’t threaten my people so carelessly. I’m toxic enough to retaliate.
Mr. Calm and Cool pops like a balloon. Outraged and on the defensive. I cross my arms over my chest while he snaps.
“How the fuck could you possibly know any of that?” he growls low so only I can hear him, but he glances at the others behind me. “Who the fuck are you? Who sent you?” When he grabs my arm, pulling me in closer, I hear Apollo growl.
I should let him give you a little stab, just for doubting me. I would have been happy to provide proof while we waited for his dad to reach out. Maybe my reaction was a bit excessive. I’m sensitive and dramatic; now he knows.
“Dream Daniels, and no one sent me. I’m here for Beau.”
I think I like the way he’s looking at me as if I’m dangerous. That’s right, hot stuff, I’m smallanddeadly. Like a pocket rocket that detonates a bomb on impact. A fun-sized weapon of destruction, if you will.
“You might be hard to read, but you are not good at guarding certain weak spots. You react when you shouldn’t, showing your hand. If you hadn’t revealed your scent in my bed and then hidden it when Apollo barged in, I might not have figured it out,” I tell him honestly.
“You want me to believe that you fucking guessed?” Hudson scoffs. “How the fuck could you just guess my family's most well-guarded secret because of my scent?”
“I don’t like the way you keep growling at her,” Apollo warns from behind me, and I glance at him for a second, finding Thor’s large frame blocking my view. Good call. Murder is a little too heavy in the air at the moment, and despite my indignation, I want the man alive still.
“He saves Omegas, Apollo. He doesn’t hurt us. Am I right? Is what Easton said true, Hudson? Or was I wrong about you?” I show him the weak spot at the front of my neck, a sign of submission.
A good man, a goodAlpha, would probably retreat to a safe distance away from the wild Omega. Someone like Hawthorne. Controlled, protective. Depending on the Omega offering up their neck, he might even be turned on by the show. Someone like Scott, however? He would lunge. To bite, or to rip my throat out while I’m weak. Scott likes causing pain and devastation.
What kind of Alpha is Hudson, really?
“Do you want to hurt me, Alpha?” I whisper, tipping up further.
Hudson takes a step away from me, heat and horror fighting for control in his eyes. Poor guy can’t tell if I’m trying to fuck him or get him killed after all. Look at you, horny and confused about it. He’s a good boy, acting all big and bad. I should give him some pets as a reward.
Maybe later, once he’s not so skittish.
“You are a confusing and terrifying woman. Anyone want to grab their feral Omega, please, before she eats—” His mouth snaps shut with the sound of vibrations.
Hudson’s head jerks down to the phone in his hand, and the screen is lit up with a call from an unknown number. I know, because I’m nosey and leaning in to get a look.
“No fucking way,” he hisses, meeting my eyes as he answers. “Old fuck?” he asks, and I snort.
His dad's code name is "old fuck"? Actually, that’s kind of cute.
His eyes go wide for a second, and then he frowns. “You sure?” There's a short pause. “But—fuck, okay.” When he pulls the phone away from his ear and taps the screen, I’m the one that's temporarily shocked.
“Am I on speaker?” the voice on the other side of the call grunts, and we all nod. When Hudson realizes no one actually spoke, he clears his throat.
“Yes, everyone can hear you. Thor, Apollo, Beau, and Dream.”
“Good. Listen, Scott has eyes on me, so I have to make this quick. I spoke with the Hayes Pack. We’re all working toward the same goal. You can trust each other. They’re your new go-to while I figure out who the rat close to me is. They’ll reach out to me when it’s time to act. Do not make the mistake of working side by side without working hand in hand. Trust each other,” he pleads, like he’s worried none of us will listen. “I sent you there to take Scott down, but Hayes sent in Dream to save Beaumont. He needs your protection, son. I know you won’t let me down.”
“Yes, sir,” Hudson grunts.
“Scott is worse than we realized and stronger than we anticipated. Do not underestimate his reach or his depravity. You have each other; do not forget that. I love you, son. Keep each other safe, and destroy this phone.” The line goes silent as his father hangs up.
“Well, apparently I don’t know shit about shit.” Hudson huffs, immediately taking apart the phone in his hands.
“You do now,” I huff. “We’re all on the same side. With you reporting to Scott, I think that will give us time to make a plan.”
