Part 51
/Abel’s POV/
The gardens were a bit of a mess, but it didn’t matter as soon as the cold gust of wind blew past us.
Seeing Allie as my potential mate threw me off guard and a jolt of electricity coursed through me. Initially, I had planned to be frank with the stranger and tell outright that I had not interested and I’m seeing someone else.
It’s Allie. My tenant, my omega’s best friend and also my best friend's mate. Can this get any more difficult? Internally I cursed at the twist of events, my fingers clenched into fists by my side. If only she knew that Edward was her mate.
However, I promised my best friend that I would keep it a secret.
I noticed vines clinging to every bit of stone around the vast garden, vast statues of wolves gone mossy without upkeep. The plants have all dried out or are overgrown with weeds that spew out of every abandoned soil bed.
I grew up gardening. My mum was very adamant about me achieving success in every prospect of the pack house. As I was the heir, she wanted me to be able to take care of everything the right way. I spent much of my childhood learning, the cravings for knowledge somehow increasing every time I successfully raised a vegetable or finally won the first duel with another Alpha. It gave me a competitive edge that my mother always said would help me as a Pack Alpha.
From the corner of my eyes, I saw that Allie had stopped by the statue, her eyes wide and mouth parted.
“Hey…” I whispered and waited patiently for a response, but when she didn’t reply after a full minute, I slowed my pace and gently tapped her arm.
She blinked. “Huh?”
“Let’s go.”
“Yeah…sorry.”
I have read tales of Alphas falling to their knees when meeting an omega as an instinct. Their scents are the sweetest perfume and voice like a siren. I never felt that way about the omega standing in front of me. No. Not like I did with Emma.
“Okay, listen, we don’t have much time to talk frankly, so I need you to listen closely.” Allie started quietly; a thin finger pointed sternly at me as we came to stand in the middle of the patio.
I stood stock-still and nodded in understanding at the sudden change, arms falling by my side.
“Did you know?” Her eyes were steely and determined, and I blinked in surprise.
“What?”
“About us.”
“No.” I blew a loud breath. “My father called me yesterday to inform me about this disaster setup. No offence to you, of course.”
“None taken.”
“My heart is taken, and I am here against my will.”
My face lit up at that, a surge of joy rushing inside. Here I was going out of my mind to figure the way to break to her. Who was this guy? I thought under my breath, secretly hoping it was Edward. Should I ask her about it?
“Look, I would apologise, but I can tell you aren’t exactly disappointed that you won’t have to mate with someone you aren’t even interested in.” Allie looked, and I suddenly felt the omega had seen right into my thoughts. I shifted on my legs uncomfortably and didn’t feel the need to protest the accusation.
“So, what do you suggest we do?”
Her shoulders sagged in defeat, “I cannot outright reject you without reason. My parents will never let me get away with it.”
“So you want me to reject you?” I supplied, narrowing my eyes at her.
“You are smart after all.”
“No.” I pressed my lips together, teeth grinding together. My parents agreed to this, a feat that they had never achieved in the last three decades. They wanted me to go through this, so my dear mother, who rarely calls, also rang me up thrice in one day.
“This is something my parents want me to go along, and I was hoping the omega, as in you, would reject me.”
“So we are fucked.”
I flinched at the brash tone despite being used to it. It shouldn’t be surprising coming from Allie.
“Not necessarily.”
“What do you mean?” She lifted her chin in the air, brows knitted together. “Do you have a plan?”
“We can come up with one.”
“Okay, Sherlock. Let’s hear it then.”
“I said we could come up with it.”
“Right now?”
I let out a sigh, a hand twisting in my hair and resisting the urge to tug on them. Today has been a lot to take in. I just wanted to go back.
“Well, if you can think in ten minutes, then sure.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be the smart one?” She made a face.
I kept quiet, staring at the dried leaves on the floor. Our breathing was the only thing echoing around. The more I thought, I realised we had no other choice but to let it continue for a while before coming up with a plan.
“Give me some time. In the meantime, we continue this charade.”
“Are you serious?”
“Why don’t you come up with a plan then?” I glowered at her.
“Did you just…” Allie spat, making a sound in the back of her throat. “I don’t know how my friend tolerates you at all.”
“She finds me delightful, actually.”
Silence settled between us as soon as those words left my mouth, a curse slipping out. No way. How could I let it happen? I watched as realisation dawned on her face, eyes widening and colour draining.
“Emma is dating you?!”
“Scream a little louder! I don’t think our parents heard us.”
Allie closed the space between us, her hand pushing at my chest. “Do not fuck with me, Abel!”
“I am not lying. You can ask her if you want.”
“Oh, I will!”
I stilled. This won’t end well. I have to warm Emma about this.
Allie bit on her lip and suppressed a groan, rolling her eyes. “Fine. I’ll give you a week to develop a plan and free us from this mess.” The omega said, with a curtsy that somehow seemed sarcastic, before disappearing without another word.
As she walked away, I turned to the bushes, falling into deep thought. Suddenly I thought of following the ritual with Emma instead, courting her instead. Once the bond was made, we will infuse our scents for another few days before the mating ceremony, when I will bite into her neck and claim the omega for life. I couldn’t help but think of how it could go after. Bringing Emma to the pack house as my mate for the first time, we claimed each other’s. Giving her everything. Jewels and the reign and pups.
I was getting far too ahead of myself, especially when I had a deal with a huge problem. I looked down at my folded hands and huffed an incredulous laugh at the situation.
***
Rolling my eyes, I sat down on one of the free chairs at the end of the table. Allie took place by my side, between my brother and me.
The Pack Alpha took it upon himself to order food for both of us, and after a few minutes, we were presented with pasta with a wine sauce. I did my best to pretend Allie wasn’t sitting right by my side, arm inches from mine, while our parents gushed quietly.
***
Emma hugged me. The moment I walked into her place, she was all over me. I almost staggered back.
“Hey…” I sank in her embrace, my eyes rolling back. “Are you…are you trying to scent me, baby?”
“May I, alpha?” Her voice was so soft and gentle that I reached to touch the arch of her lower back, eyes fluttering when her lips brushed over the curve of my jaw.
“As if I’d ever say no to that.”
A smile curved on her lips, sickly sweet, and then she ducked her head. I lifted my chin, baring my neck for the omega to nose along my skin. At my scent gland, she inhaled deeply before licking a broad stripe over the whole spot. My cock twitched in my pants immediately, and I gripped onto her with a groan.
Emma pressed closer, tongue working faster, and immediately became overwhelming.
I was already on a legendary case of sexual frustration. My body felt lightheaded with want as that scent surrounded me stronger than before, right into my pores and making all of the blood rush frantically south.
“Omega,” I said in a murmur, my hands gripping hard on her waist, throat bobbing. From up close, I could smell the moment she began to slick, the aroma like heaven, and it made me hold on tighter.
“Mm? Too much?” She asked, pulling away and breath wafting coolly on my face.
“No,” I repeated in a daze, “What bought this on?”
“Can’t I simply miss you?”
I raised my brow.
“I messed up. Big time.”
***