The Inspector’s mouth opened and closed several times, but Oliver didn’t give him a chance to reply before he walked out the door. It truly was an alpha’s world, and he was just living in it.
Thankfully the staff bathroom was empty when he stormed in and splashed water across his face, and as he gripped the edge of the sink, he stared at himself in the mirror. Oliver did, for all intents and purposes, look more like an alpha than ever before. Albeit, a short one with finer features. As he peeled back his top lip to look at the fangs, he couldn’t decide if they were a blessing or a curse.
Skulking back to the office, he found Matteus sitting at his desk with a strawberry milkshake in his hand. “Ollie!” he said, springing to his feet.
Oliver sighed as Matteus threw open his arms and pulled him into a tight embrace, the tiny swell of his stomach pressing into him. He smelled different. More earthy. The sensation made him want to wrap his arms around his brother and never let him go. A natural reaction to a pregnant litter-mate, he supposed.
“Welcome back,” Matteus said, releasing him from the hug. His eyes scanned Oliver’s face, falling on the fangs protruding from his slightly open mouth. “Well, they’re nice. Very nice, actually.”
“Not you too,” Oliver replied, rolling his eyes.
“Mhm. I think your reappearance has sent the betas into a bit of a tail-spin. It’s honestly been quite comical, listening to them speak about you.”
Oliver wrinkled his nose, “Please. Say no more.”
“Embrace it, I say. Use it to your advantage.”
“Matty, that’s wrong on so many levels.”
“Why? The alphas do it every damned day. Bossing people around, using that easy-going sex appeal to get what they want.”
Oliver looked at his brother, amused by how the pregnancy hormones were making him short-tempered and loose-lipped.“Is everything okay?” He asked, leading Matteus over to the window. He opened it, letting the fresh air and mid-morning sun drift in.
“Yeah. Sorry. I just had an awful night. I don’t know why they call it morning sickness. It’s twenty-four-seven sickness. And heartburn. And acid reflux. Fuck, how am I going to last nine months, Ollie?”
Chuckling, Oliver squeezed his brother’s shoulder. “Yoga?”
“Yeah right. Can you imagine me doing the downward dog? I’d break my fucking back.”
Then they were both laughing, which surprised Oliver, given the morning he’d had. However, his laughter quickly faded as he looked out the window. Matteus followed his gaze and gasped, because standing by the entrance to the front counter was Patrick. All long lines and easy-going posture as he appeared to be embroiled in deep conversation with another, smaller male. Oliver watched the exchange with narrowed eyes, stomach dropping when he saw Patrick hand the other male a small slip of paper.
Then, as the male turned, Oliver realised with utter horror that it was Pember.
SIXTEEN
BOYFRIEND MATERIAL
Oliver growled as he snapped the window shut. “No, Ollie. Don’t you fucking dare go down there,” Matteus said, gripping his arm.
“I have to. Can’t you see what he’s doing?” Yanking his arm free, he strode across the office and towards the door.
“Don’t be a fucking idiot,” Matteus said, creating a barrier between Oliver and the door.
“Matty, calm down. This isn’t good for?—”
“Stop it. If you go down there and intervene, that piece of shit will just play it off as you being a crazy, jealous ex. He’ll do something, or say something to get your back up. Don’t jeopardise your job for that fucking tool.”
“But the omega… it’s the guy I told you about, from the Cock and Bull. Patrick will eat him alive.”
Matteus sighed. “I know. But there are other ways to handle this. You’ve got the omega’s number, right? Call him later, tell him to stay away.”
It made sense, and hereallywanted to keep Patrick at arm’s length wherever possible. “Fine. But if anything happens to Pember, I’ll never forgive myself.”
“Good God, this is delicious,”Oliver groaned, tucking into the lamb curry.
Lucas nodded, placing a plate of poppadoms on the table and taking a seat opposite him. “An afternoon in the slow cooker really brings out the flavours.”
Oliver cocked a brow. “I have a slow cooker?” The alpha gave him a quizzical look and pointed towards a piece of equipment in the corner of the kitchen. “Oh, that thing? Matty dropped it round a couple of years ago. I thought it was some kind of ice-cream maker.”
