I watch as his eyes light up. “Okay, now this sounds like a good date.”
“Yeah?” I ask with a hopeful grin. “This is something you’d be into?”
“Oh yeah.” He grabs my hand and pulls me towards the building. “Come on, let’s go.”
I chuckle at his eagerness, happy I chose this as our date. With the change in plans, I wasn’t sure what we could do at the last minute.
“Hey,” I greet Tom, the owner.
“Hey, Atlas. Good to see you back. Who do we have here?”
Wrapping my arm around Jude, I kiss the top of his head and smile proudly. “This is Jude, my omega.”
His smile drops. “Your omega?” He raises a brow. “Does Briar know?”
“Yes.” I feel Jude stiffen under my hold and I give his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “She’s actually on a date with Jude’s other alpha right now.”
“Oh.” Tom’s smile comes back. “That sounds like fun. What did the two of you feel like doing today?”
“An hour on the axes please.”
Tom nods, “You got it.”
After I pay, I lead Jude to a free space.
“What's wrong?” I ask when I realize he’s quiet.
“Are people going to be upset?” he asks, wrapping his arms around himself. “Briar is a big deal in this town. And I’m guessing people know about the two of you?”
I let out a little huff. “It’s been a running joke for a while that even though Briar and I never made things official, I was her alpha because it was obvious to everyone else how we felt for one another yet said nothing about it. But the thing about Widows Peak is, even though they look out for their own, they’re also very welcoming as long as your intentions are good. They’re good people, they’re just extra protective of Briar and her friends. They’re the reason we have Widows Peak and some feel like they owe them their lives.”
“I understand. I just hope they know Willow and I would never do anything to hurt Briar.”
“I’m sure once they get to know you, see you with her, they will. Now, stop worrying,” I chuckle. “Today is about me and you.”
“You’re right,” he nods. “Let’s throw some axes.”
“Okay.” I walk towards the axes placed on the table. “Do you need me to demonstrate what to do?”
“Looks pretty simple to me.” Jude steps up, takes one of the axes and goes to the line. I lean against the fence and watch, waiting to step in if needed. He pulls the axe back over his head and with a grunt, he lets it fly.
My lips part in shock as I watch it sail through the air and hit right into the middle of the target.
“Holy fuck,” I blink at him. “You're good. Are you sure you’ve never done this before?”
“I don’t recall saying I haven’t.” He gives me a smug grin.
“You sneaky little shit,” I chuckle. “There's a lot I need to learn about you.”
“Just because I look small and delicate doesn’t mean I don’t know how to use these.” He flexes his muscles. “How else do you think I can hold myself up on that pole? It’s not easy work.”
“No, it’s not,” I growl, my eyes growing lidded as arousal floods through me. “That was fucking hot.”
He bites his lip, arousal in his own eyes shining brightly back at me. “Thanks. It's your turn.”
Flexing my hands, I resist the urge to grab him and shove him against the fence, to kiss him until he’s nothing but a puddle of slick.
This whole being good thing and taking things slow is going to be hard. But, as much as I want to go all alpha on Jude, I’m going to respect what I have with Briar, and what Jude has with Willow. Until everyone is comfortable with our arrangement, I’m going to keep my hands to myself.
