“Savvy, could you maybe take table sixteen their order?” Helen - the chef - startles me from my thoughts.
Fucking FUCK. That’s Oliver’s table, but I know I can’t say no. I grab their plates, a cheeseburger, and an overpriced seafood platter, and head out into the dining area.
I’m met with the sight of Oliver yelling at Valerie. He’s standing, gripping the table so hard his knuckles are turning white. Valerie looks pissed off at something he says to her, but her face goes pale when a guy I hadn’t noticed steps up next to Oliver. He’s fucking huge, and recognition hits me when he runs his hand through his icy blonde hair, short at the sides and a little longer at the top. I had my hands in his hair that night at Ferality when he carried me towards the stage.
He says something to Valerie, who now looks pissed off, before turning around and marching out the door, Oliver right on his heels.
What the fuck is going on?
Oliver
“Oliver!” I do a double-take when I spot Hale rushing over to our table. He was supposed to message me when everything was done, so seeing my friend rushing towards our table is a bit concerning.
“What’s going on Hale?” I’m on my feet by the time he reaches us, and I notice the look of concern in his eyes.
He opens his mouth to respond, but movement catches both of our attention as Valerie slides out of her chair, coming to stand right in the middle of us.
“Hi, I’m so glad you could join us.” She says in a husky voice, fluttering her fake lashes at my friend. She looks fucking ridiculous. “Oliver was trying to keep me to himself, but I’m so happy you made it. Is the other coming?”
Hale snarls at her, and she’s at least smart enough to take a step back. Unfortunate. He grabs me by the shoulder and pulls me away from the table, out of earshot of Valerie.
“Dude,” he runs his hand through his hair, something I’ve noticed he does when he’s nervous. “FUCK! I was almost at the diner when Jack called. He and Gray got there before me and wanted to get this shit over with. They went in and - fuck, I’m so sorry, Ollie.”
“Spit it out, Hale!”
“About ten cops showed up at the diner just after we left. The two security guards I had keeping an eye on her were detained while some of them went to talk to Jane. They roughed her up a bit, but she’s okay. She’s at the hospital now with Jack and Gray.” He glares over at thetable where Valerie is sitting again. “One of the guards heard some of them talking; he said you needed to be taught a lesson about falling in line.”
“Jane is okay?”
“She has a couple of bruises and a fractured wrist, but she’s okay. Jack says she’s pissed off more than anything. I haven’t seen her, I just turned around to come get you.”
This should never have fucking happened, but I’m so relieved she’s okay. Relief quickly fades to anger as I start connecting the dots. I march over to Valerie, gripping the table so hard that my knuckles start going white.
“What the fuck did you do Valerie?” I ask her through clenched teeth, trying to remain somewhat calm. My alpha is going mental, and if I give him what he wants, Valerie would be leaving in a body bag.
“Sit down Oliver, you’re making a scene,” She hisses at me, then looks at Hale. “You’re going to allow him to talk to me like that?”
“Shut the fuck up and answer him,” Hale says from behind me, sounding as pissed as I do.
“I didn’t do anything-”
“Bullshit, Valerie! Jane is in the hospital right now because a bunch of fucking cops showed up at the diner and hurt her because she is connected to me. You don’t even have to admit anything; I already know you’re the reason Jane got hurt. Was your chat with my dad nice? What did he promise you?”
Her face pales, but she continues glaring at me. “He said he would make you bond with me. He called you weak and pathetic, claiming you would do anything he said. I had to confront him when I noticedthe two security guards following Jane, while you were trying to weasel your way out of our deal.”
“We didn’t have a deal Valerie,” I remind her, done with this conversation. “You blackmailed me into all of this. I might be weak and pathetic, but I would never even consider being with someone as disgusting as you.”
“If you try to come near Oliver or his pack again, I will make you disappear,” Hale says next to me before turning around and striding toward the exit. I follow without another word.
Only once we are outside does Hale turn around to talk to me. “Valerie is my scent match,” he says in a strained voice. “Holy fuck, my alpha is going insane. You said she wasn’t an omega.”
“She’s fucking not!”
“The smell is faint, but it’s all over you.” He snaps at me, his alpha starting to come to the surface. “How can someone that smells so sweet be such a cunt?”
“What does she smell like?” I ask, even though I already know the answer.
“Toasted marshmallows.”
