Page 25 of Gold Rush
“I —” I flush even more, clearing my throat as I look down at my outfit, catching Seth looking between Bennett and I.
The alpha makes a strangled noise, turning. “We should go, so we don’t miss the reservation.”
“Hm.” Seth slides his arm around me, bending his head and inhaling again. “I’m going to have fun breaking the two of you. How do you feel about Italian food?”
“I like it.”
“Good, because that’s where we’re headed.”
Bennett looks back at us, his eyes soft as he takes in Seth’s arm around me, opening the door for us with one hand, and holding my myriad of shopping bags in the other — like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
CHAPTER TWELVE
JUNE
Seth orderedus all lunch in flawless Italian, and I found myself sitting between him and Bennett at a table outside, enjoying the soft breeze as they chatted about the liquor business they apparently share.
And for the first time in my entire life, I felt like Ibelonged.
Bennett left us after lunch. Seth spent the rest of the afternoon dragging me around London to stores I’ve never even heard of, like a furniture store with ahugecomfy leather chair that caught my eye.
By the time we made it back to the townhouse, I could feel myself dragging. I rallied my energy to shower, but now that I’m in my — suddenly clean — pajamas, I’m wide awake, staring at the ceiling of the guest bedroom.
The lingering happiness from earlier has soured. My parents still haven’t contacted me, and I don’t think they care. Janet said to take time off in her last email, that we’d iron out the details after the heat is over — but with nothing to occupy my mind, it’s spiraling.
Seth and I walked in earlier as Theo was disappearing up the stairs. My eyes snagged on the large alpha immediately, his backramrod straight, stalking away from us. I think he hates me — he wouldn’t even look back even when Seth called his name.
What he said this morning was cruel, especially since I’m only trying to navigate this as best as I can without putting myself at risk — but maybe there’s a kernel of truth to it. Maybe I’m taking advantage, maybe I should have told Seth no today, maybe I shouldn’t be looking at Bennett so much.
But I don’t have the luxury to pack my things and leave.
My phone lies discarded beside me as my mind spins, tabs still open from the research I did ten minutes ago about omegas and heats and emerging. Most of the forum posts are from omegas, barely eighteen, navigating it with other teenagers. There’s nothing from adults suddenly thrust into this — raging emotions, symptoms that make a period look positivelyfun— the sheer thought of the heat I’m racing toward makes my throat close.
There’s really only two options: go through it alone, or be okay with Seth… and maybe Bennett’s help.
Someone posted a list of recommended toys, including knotted vibrators and thrusting dildos. I’d thrown my phone down after reading someone saying that shestillcouldn’t do it without an alpha next to her, the pheromones and the alpha’s scent helping ease the anxiety and panic attacks from feeling unwanted.
Seth and Bennett are in a loving and committed relationship. Who am I to get between them? How much of this is just hormones and biology?
Scrubbing a hand over my face, I sit up, my stomach rising to my throat as I crawl out of the bed and slip out of the bedroom, the hallway and the stairs quiet. I make it to the kitchen and drink a glass of water before I hear movement down the hall and freeze. I shouldn’t be out again — Theo could come aroundthe corner and bark at me. I shouldn’t be awake or making a nuisance of myself.
Hurrying to put the glass up, I slip into the foyer and stop short, seeing a pair of loafers near the front door, and a light on at the end of the hall, just past the living room. There’s a door open too — one that Seth didn’t show me on his brief tour, and I take a step toward it, hesitating.
I don’twantit to be Theo, because he’ll snap at me. It’s stressful, on a biological level, like my body is rejecting itself because I’ve disappointed an alpha with garbage opinions.
I ease forward, lingering just outside view of the partially open door, waffling. Before I can make a decision, an accented voice barks from inside. “Bloody hell, Theo,just come in.”
I jolt, stumbling forward. Grabbing onto the frame to steady myself, I stare wide-eyed at the man behind a desk.
His head jerks, black hair a tangle of ruffled curls as it flops over his forehead. Deep brown eyes dart up to me, just as wide as I’m sure mine are, his mouth opening amongst a scattering of a light beard. A tanned hand raises, adjusting his glasses on his broad nose, his features distinctly Indian as he freezes.
“You’re not Theo —”
“I’m sorry —”
We talk over each other and I immediately go quiet. My heartbeat pounds in my ears, my mind working overtime to catch up with what I already know — this is the other alpha and the last member of Seth’s pack.
His nostrils flare, his hand dropping away from his glasses. “The omega.” It’s barely a whisper, and I don’t think he means for me to hear it as I skitter back.
