Page 20 of Welcome to Bone Town
Bear lets go of my shoulders, stepping back, leaving me suddenly cold and shaking. He’s retreated, but his posture is powerful, firm. “I agree with Dr. Slate.You shouldn’t be on your own.”
“Fine, then I’ll—” I’m about to say I’ll bunk up with one of the female betas, when Bear holds up his hand.
“You need to be with someone who can protect you if this person,” he holds out the bandana, “comes back.” Once more, I reach for the fabric before jerking away. Bear’s forehead creases. “You need an alpha with you.”
“Then I’m staying with you.” My certainty falters as I look up at the security lead. His eyes burn with an intensity I haven’t seen from him before. “Um… if that’s okay.”
Posture softening, his lips quirk in a half smile. “Not a problem with me.” He tilts his head and looks at Roman, who scowls and walks off without another word.
18
To say I was thrilled when Dr. Whitlock asked to bunk with me is an understatement. Shocked, but thrilled nonetheless. Of course, it was only because she and Roman hate each other and she doesn’t know any of the other alphas working security with me. I’m sure she would have chosen nearlyanyalpha over him, and I was just the best choice of the options at hand.
That logic doesn’t stop the excitement that’s been running through me all day. Apart from my little slip up with Archer, I’ve been keeping things professional on the clock—I’m not an idiot willing to risk my job—but the draw I feel toward the two of them is like a live wire in my chest. Cora’s a knockout. If the scale is one to ten, she's at least a one hundred.
Not just her looks either, her attitude is refreshing. Most omegas want to stay at home and be pampered. Nothing wrong with that. But this little hurricane is out here every day, under the beating hot sun, because of herpassion for archeology. Smart as a whip, too. She’s always going a mile a minute, though, I wonder what it would be like to make her slow down and enjoy the moment. Would she listen? Or would she fight me? Thinking about either outcome has my cock waking up.
Before my little soldier can stand at full attention, I shift my focus away from the sweet omega and back to my tent. After working all day, Cora went off to shower, claiming she was sweaty and gross. Sweaty I can attest to. I couldn’t help but notice the liquid beading on her skin, rolling down between her cleavage. All I can imagine is chasing the droplet with my tongue after making the gorgeous omega sweaty for a much more fun reason. Even better if I do it while Archer’s between her thighs.
Fuck. No, Bear. Bad.I already slipped up once. I don’t need it happening again. And I definitely don’t want to make an unbonded omega uncomfortable.Think of something else. Baseball. Great Grandma Beatrix. That bunion she was always showing off.The bandana in Cora’s tent.That last one does it, my lust receding as anger surges forward, reminding me what I’m doing here in the first place.
I spent all day interrogating the twenty-two people at the dig site, and they all said they’d never seen the bandana before. Course they could be lying, especially since I can’t scent them due to their blockers, but hell, I’m pretty good at reading people, and I’d bet good money they were telling the truth. I don’t think anyone here is trying to scare or hurt her. But that has me even more concerned. If it’s not anyone on the dig, who is it?
Until I figure that out, I’m more than happy to have the little omega bunk up with me.
Opting to forgo a shower, I tidy up my tent and set up an extra cot for her. Not that my tent is messy by any means, the military trained that bad habit right out of me. My corners may not be as tight as when I was in the service, but the bed is made and nothing is strewn across the floor.
Just as I’m fluffing a pillow on Cora’s cot, a voice calls out from outside my tent. “Hey, Bear?”
Striding over to open the flap, I find Roman standing awkwardly outside. The guy is kind of a dick, so I’m tempted to let him stew in silence until he tells me why he’s here, but I’m tired, and expecting Cora any minute now, so I throw him a bone.
“Hey Dr. Slate, come on in. Did you need something?” I move aside and gesture for him to walk past me. He does, and takes a seat at the small card table set up in the corner.
“No. I mean, yes, but no,” he hedges. “I wanted to thank you for offering to let Cora sleep here tonight.”
Thank me?Buddy, this is the best thing that’s happened to me since I rolled into this sandy town. A pretty omega relying on me to protect her? Yeah, that strokes my alpha’s ego pretty nicely.
Raising a brow, I reply. “It’s no hardship. I’m sure you’d have done the same.”
He groans. “Yeah, I would have, if she didn’t hate me.”
I chuckle at that. “Seems to me like you’re doing most of the antagonizing.” Strolling over, I sit in the other chair across from him.
“Listen,” he says, his tone a little defensive. “I know I’m not the nicest guy?—”
My scoff interrupts him, I can’t help it. Not the nicest guy? That’s an understatement. Though, something in my gut tells me the prof is using his alphahole demeanor like a crutch. He’s a scared animal, lashing out. Regardless, I nod at him to continue.
“I know I’m not the nicest guy, especially to Dr. Whitlock. It’s nothing against her personally. I have no problem with her. In fact, I think she’s as smart as they come. I just… avoid omegas as a whole.” He rubs the back of his neck. “But I want her to be safe, so I’m glad she agreed to stay here with you.”
Ah, so he's aself-awarejerk. “Why do you avoid omegas?” I’m genuinely curious.
He studies me with a look that reminds me of this dog I used to have back on the farm. Mean as shit. Always biting and snapping, but every now and then the little guy would ease his way slowly over to me and let me pet him.
I get the impression the stoic professor doesn’t let people in often.
Leaning back, I kick my feet up on the table, happy to wait him out. He might not open up much, but people tend to tell me things. Guess I just have one of those faces.
He sighs and drops his gaze. “My brother’s omega ran out on him. He… didn’t take it well.”
