“Never mind.” I brush past her. I’m sure as hell not going to tell her that her daughter isn’t at the gala with the asshats and instead left with two strange men. As much as I hate that she’s done that, I’m not going to tattle to her witch of a mother.
“Are you alright?” She follows after me. “You seem upset.”
“I’m fine.” I fight with my tie, trying to get the damn thing off. I give up and work on my jacket next.
“You seem worried about Addison. It’s best that you’re not.” Eloise’s voice is harsh.
I stop unbuttoning my jacket and spin to look at her. “Why wouldn’t I?”
Her pale blue eyes are hard. “Don’t think I don’t know about your little crush on my daughter. I saw how you looked at her when you were younger, and I see how you look at her now. She’snot yours, Damien. Leave her be. She’s going to be mated to a well-respected pack and make a name for herself in society. Do not get in the way. If you do, you won’t like the consequences. Just think about your reputation, your father’s, this family. You wouldn’t want to be the reason we lose everything, would you?”
This fucking bitch. Who the hell does she think she is?
“I don’t know what you’ve been smoking, but I don’t have feelings for your daughter,” I snarl. “Just because someone treats her better than you do, doesn’t mean they’re in love with her. It’s called human decency. Try it sometime.”
“Watch how you talk to me, young man,” she warns.
“Don’tyoung manme,” I snarl. “You might have my father by the knot, but you don’t own me. You’re just some bitch he married, and that’s all you’ve ever been. You don’t deserve him, or Addie, so mind your own fucking buiness or you will be the one who doesn’t like the consequences.”
She narrows her eyes, her lip peeling back in a snarl. But the woman does something smart and doesn't open her mouth. Good, I’m too fucking wound up, and god knows what I’d say or do if she pushed me.
She turns and storms out of the kitchen.
I head for the liquor cabinet and pour myself a glass of whiskey.
Glass in hand, I find myself out back, sitting on a pool lounger, waiting for Addie to get home.
Using my phone’s Bluetooth, I connect to the outdoor sound system, put on some music, and get to drinking.
By the time I’m done with the bottle, it’s been hours and no fucking Addie.
I feel numb, frozen to the spot.
I’m unable to move, my body feeling too heavy. I’m too drunk. I’ll just sleep it off. I’ll close my eyes and know that she’s with someone else tonight.
A million thoughts of Addie invade my mind. I’m consumed with the nightmare of what she’s doing, what they’re doing to her, and each thought is a stab to the heart.
It’s been three fucking days. Three days and she’s still not back.
I tried calling, no answer. If she’s not back by tomorrow, I’m calling the cops and putting out a missing persons report.
The day after the gala, I had the worst hangover. But I pulled my ass off that lounger and made my way up to her room. I didn’t bother knocking, didn’t have to, the door was open, and she wasn’t in there. No signs she came back.
Eloise found me around noon and asked if I knew where Addie was. I told her no because it was the truth. I didn’t let her see how much it was eating me alive.
She was pissed, beyond furious. I guess the pack Addie dumped called Eloise and rescinded their request to court her. They are moving onto another Omega.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Eloise’s face so red.
When she started cursing Addie, I had to leave before I did something stupid. However, not before I told Eloise that it’s a good thing because Addie deserved better than a pack of chauvinistic pigs.
My practices have been shit this week. I haven’t been able to concentrate. When my dad asked me what was wrong, I told him I was worried about Addie. He repeated the same thing he said at the gala. She’s an adult, she can take care of herself.
Last night, we had a game and we fucking lost. I was too distracted and let in more pucks in one fucking game than I have in my whole career. Eventually, Dad had to pull me out and replace me with the backup goalie.
It was too late, though; we were already too far behind to make a comeback.
Everyone is pissed at me, and rightfully so. I didn’t stay long enough to let them bitch me out. I changed out of my gear, didn’t bother to shower, and headed straight home, ignoring the look of concern on my father’s face as I left.
