Ash is off to the side with his phone out, snapping photos. The mountains in the distance. The boat itself. The way the water looks under morning light.
Good. At least he’s doing his job.
I focus on the clients, approaching with my hand extended. “Gentlemen. Ready to catch some fish?”
Reed shakes my hand firmly. “Absolutely. Beautiful morning for it.”
“Best time of year for striped bass,” I tell him. “Water temperature is perfect right now. They’re active and hungry.”
Rex, the associate, nods enthusiastically. “That’s what we wanted to hear. Dr. Reed here is quite the fisherman.”
“Is that right?” I keep my tone neutral, professional.
“I’ve been fishing since I was a boy,” Reed explains with that self-satisfied smile. “My father taught me. It’s one of the few purely masculine pursuits left in this world. No outside influence, just man versus nature.”
I keep smiling. “Well, you’re in good hands. Jasper here knows these waters as well as I do.”
I move toward Ash, needing a moment away from Reed’s energy. “Hey,” I say quietly.
“Hi, boss.” His voice is overly masculine, forced in a way that always sounds slightly off to me. But whatever. Not my business how people present themselves.
I clear my throat, suddenly uncomfortable. “Look, I didn’t mean to come down so hard on you earlier. I just expect my team to pull their weight, and that starts with being on time. But ten minutes isn’t the end of the world. I overreacted.”
Ash stares at me, chewing on his lower lip in a gesture that seems oddly feminine for a beat. Then he nods. “You got it, boss. I’m all over this.”
He moves toward the rear where Jasper and the clients are already gearing up for their first cast, and I watch him start photographing the rods, the setup, being careful not to include the clients in the frame.
Which I get. Privacy concerns and all that.
But we got approval from them to use their photos on our social media. I sent Ash the email yesterday with the signed release forms.
For now, I grab my own rod and join the group.
“All right, gentlemen,” Jasper says, his hands moving as he demonstrates. “You want to cast out about thirty feet. Let it sink for a count of five, then start your retrieve. Slow and steady. These fish are lazy in the cold water. They’re not going to chase anything that’s moving too fast.”
Reed nods along, clearly trying to look like he knows what he’s doing.
I cast my own line out, settling into the familiar pattern, and Ash immediately begins taking photos of me. Lots of them. Jasper notices and starts posing for his own photos, flexing slightly, grinning for the camera like the show-off he is.
I chuckle despite myself. “You’re going to break the camera.”
“Please. I’m photogenic as hell.” Jasper winks at Ash, who actually seems to be smiling behind the phone.
Reed clears his throat. “You know, this is exactly what men need more of. Time in nature. Doing what comes naturally. Testing ourselves against the elements without any…” He pauses, choosing his words carefully. “Without outside influence from Omegas clouding our judgment.”
He pats his chest, glancing my way like he’s expecting agreement.
I don’t bite. Just keep my eyes on my line, watching for any sign of movement.
Rex nods enthusiastically. “Absolutely. That’s whatThe True Bond Houris all about. Helping Alphas reconnect with their natural dominance. Reminding them that hierarchy exists for a reason. You know, we can put in a good word for your charter business with our followers, especially if you add some photos of Dr. Reed on your socials.”
Ash swings his camera angle down to the waters where fish are swimming by, and I grin because it seems like he did that on purpose.
“Hierarchy,” Jasper states flatly, his jaw visibly tightening.
“Exactly.” Reed is warming to his subject now. “See, the problem with modern society is we’ve forgotten the natural order. Alphas are meant to lead. Betas support. And Omegas…” He trails off with a patronizing smile. “Well, Omegas need structure. Guidance. They’re biologically wired to submit, tonurture, to serve. When we try to fight against that, everyone suffers.”
I feel my grip tighten on my rod. Every word out of this man’s mouth makes me want to throw him overboard.
