“Fucking finally,” I sighed, striding toward the front door to wait. As soon as the table was set and the food prepped, I’d have a reasonable excuse to go check on Tessa. She should eat while the food was freshest. She needed to remember what it was like to nourish herself properly.
Impatiently, I hovered in the open doorway growing angrier by the second when the delivery car didn’t appear. One fucking street away shouldn’t take five minutes. My natural musk shifted and soured, transforming in response to my irritation. My nose crinkled, the usual Cuban cigar top notes now rancid cigarettes crumpled into an ash tray. Middle note cinnamon was completely erased. The normally rich, bourbon base notes had gone cheap too. Our pack therapist’s voice ghosted to life in my head.Breathe deeply. Focus on filling your lungs completely, hold that life-affirming oxygen for five heartbeats, then slowly exhale until you feel empty. Now imagine the tension leaving your body. You’re taking a shower, warm and wet. It’s washing the pain and anger and anxiety away inch by inch.
Begrudgingly, I closed my eyes and went through the steps. I was always surprised when it started working. My spine relaxed. The tightness in my neck eased. My hands unclenched, falling limply to my sides.
When I parted my lashes, a transit van was pulling into the curved driveway. The bistro’s logo largely splashed on its white surface.
I jumped down the steps, eager to intercept the delivery before the driver could even get out. The van rolled to a stop, its brakes squeaking with protest so sharply that I cringed. As I rounded the front of it, the driver door opened and a Beta kid—probably no more than eighteen with hot pink hair and wide rimmed glasses—stepped out. I clocked the name tag quickly, along with the pronouns.
“Morning delivery for Hendrix?” They asked, seeming a little taken back by my hasty approach. “I could have brought it to the door. Most people like me to just leave it and ring the bell.”
Cocking a thumb at the house, I made an excuse. “My pack is terrifying when hangry.”
“Gotcha. I delivered to a literal brawl last month. One Alpha crashed through a window and scared the shit out of me.” They shivered dramatically. “All my friends want to be Alphas or Omegas and I’m just like…why?You guys smell better, but you’re also fucking crazy.” The Beta slammed their lips together, eyes popping wide. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that. Please don’t complain to the restaurant. If I get one more demerit, I’m going to lose my job.”
I grinned at them, amused. It wasn’t often I met a Beta who was content being… well…Beta. “No sweat, kid. Sometimes, I’d trade places with you.”
They guffawed. “Bullshit. The only thing more annoying than a Beta desperately wishing to be something better is an Alpha pretending they’re not cream of the crop.” The Beta whirled around, padding to the back of the van. They pulled open the double doors and then sorted through insulated bags.
“I’ve got two bags, a total of eighteen items. That sound about right?” They asked, coming back into view, holding the large totes higher. Their hair had fallen over their eyes. I’d have to tell Dixon I missed the flamingo pink streaks in his hair. He’d sported them for a few months last year before bleaching them back out.
“Yeah, that’s right.” I nodded.
“Great. You’ve ordered before, so you probably know the deal. If you return these bags next time you get delivery or come by the restaurant,you’ll get a five-buck discount.” The Beta closed the gap between us and handed me the food. “Have a great day now, Mister I don’t want to be the most respected secondary sex.”
“Maybe I should legally change my name,” I shrugged, playing along.
“You do that. I can’t wait to see it on a delivery slip.” They shoved their large glasses into place with one finger—thatfinger, hilariously enough—and slid back into the van, cranking the engine and shifting into gear.
I headed back into the house, still entertained. Not only had the Beta failed to recognize me, but they’d roasted me in a way most Betas would never dare.
When I pushed inside the mansion, still smirking, I decided that I was going to try and go with the flow. I was facing the realization of everything I’d hoped for and instead of being fucking thrilled, I kept spiraling. Turning over a new leaf always sounds so easy. I could do it though. I was even egoistical enough to think it would be a cake walk.
Yet when I turned the corner into the living room to head towards the kitchen, I came face-to-face with Tessa—hair soaking wet, donning a casual outfit, standing on tiptoes as she stared out the closed patio doors towards the pool.
God. Help. Me.
My body began to harden. My stomach clenched with need. My Alpha instincts wanted to drop the takeout bags and claim her immediately.
“Tessa,” I breathed out her name like a prayer. She turned slowly, a tentative smile spreading her lovely pink lips.
“So... the bath is the best ever.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. She tucked a damp curl behind her ear and then fiddled with the hem of the shirt nervously. “I could have stayed in it all day, but...” Her arms wrapped around her middle now, as if she were unsure what to do with her body. I understood how she felt.
“Mac picked the bath when we were renovating,” I blurted it out, then mentally kicked myself for mentioning one of the other guys.Iwanted her to think about me. Focus on me. Want me.We stared at one another, both of our tongues tied.
“I’m starving,” she finally admitted with a little up and down bob of her shoulders.
“Perfect timing,” I managed, lifting the takeout bags into view. “Food just came.”
“Perfect timing.” She nodded, eyes sparkling.
As expected,Mac had shifted all the junk out of the dining space, cleaned up, and used the better dishes. He’d done it so quickly, that I wondered where he’d shoved all the shit. If I had to guess though, opening the hidden storage behind the built-in shelves would start an avalanche. Once Tess and I had entered the sunny dining room with the food, she’d lost a little of her sparkle. She was scared but also brave enough to take a chance and slip out of her safe haven to explore. Even if she raced back into her shell now and then, the fact that she was willing to exit it at all gave me hope.
“It’s really bright in here,” she said, trying to force cheer into her voice.
“The last owner used it as a paint studio I think.” I pulled out one of the chairs and set the insulated bags down before unzipping them. The minute I did, glorious smells flooded the air. Tessa’s stomach growled loudly.
“That smells amazing.” She slipped over to me, feet soundless against the floor, and stared down into the bags.
