“Thanks,” Dash said as Mason walked towards the door.
Mason headed out. “You got it, boss.”
“Not the boss,”Dash called out, shaking his head.
“Force of habit,Partner!”Mason yelled from just outside the door.
Seconds after Mason departed, Eliott walked in with a steaming cup of coffee and an armful of papers. He quietly marched to the desk, lowered the cup, and stood waiting for Dash’s attention.
“I didn’t ask for coffee. Is that the trick? Get what ye least expect?” Dash asked jokingly.
“You didn’t call. Didn’t text. Then you just rushed on past this morning without a word,” Eliott said.
“I said ‘morning’.”
Eliott glared as he laid a stack of messages on Dash’s desk and then added a stack of opened mail. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I donotlike being kept out of the loop. Nor do I like to worry about you.”
“I’ve just had… some personal stuff going on. I’m sorry.”
Eliott searched his face, frowning. “Something’sdifferentwith you.”
Dash stiffened.“Nothing’sdifferent.”
Everythingwas different. No way he was telling Eliott that.
“Well, you’vealwaysbeen different,” Eliott said matter-of-factly. “But now… it’s even more…” Eliott waved a hand, as if he was searching for the right word. “I don’t know.Pronounced.You’re not exactly you anymore.”
“I am very much still me.”
Eliott leaned over the surface of the desk. “I know you’re not like other alphas. We’ve worked together long enough. I’ve seen things. I’vesensedthings.”
Dash clenched his jaw.
“Why in the fuck do you think I’ve put up with the chaos of this place? Yeah, you pay well enough, but it’s you, Dash.” Eliott’s expression softened. “I know I’m safe around you.”
“And how do you know that?”
“Do youreallywant me to get into the specifics?” Eliott asked.
Panic rose in Dash. What did Eliott see? Did others?
Was his mask slipping?
“It’s nothing strangers would notice,” Eliott said, as if reading his mind. “It’s just a lot of little things that added up.”
“Like?” Dash asked, feigning indifference.
“I’ve worked here for years. I’ve had dozens of heats right under your nose and you haven’t moved a muscle. And I’ve tested you. Gotten real close. It’s like you can’t even scent it.”
“You’re onHeatexandScentex, right? Iwouldn’thave scented anything.”
“See, that’s where you’re wrong. All the literature claims an alpha won’t notice, but… they do. It’s not a conscious thing, but if you pay attention, you can tell. Alphas move in a little closer. They inhale a little deeper when beside me. Sometimes they accidentally-on-purpose brush against my hand or bump my hip on the trolley home.” Eliott narrowed his eyes. “Themanmight not know, but the instinct always does. Even if it’s just a tiny, subconscious thing.”
Dash attempted not to react. How would he have known to do any of that? He’d never reacted to any omega in his life and wasn’t sure he’d go into rut if faced with an omega in full heat. He’d been more worried about his own heat, more than likely.
“You know who doesn’t react in that way? Betas… and other omegas.” Eliott stood up a little straighter. “And while it’s killing me to know which, I won’t ask. It’s none of my business. I just want you to know that I don’t care that you’re pretending to be an alpha.”
“I’m not pretending,” Dash bit out, glaring at Eliott.
