Page 32 of The Feral Alpha

Rex was watching Olson intently, his gaze warm and open like he was just enjoying being in Olson’s presence.

Olson groaned. “If he actually understood what I was saying, I’d lose an alpha.”

Rex raised his eyebrows as though he was calling Olson out, because he did seem to understand some things. Olson winced. That just made everything so much more embarrassing.

“Awww, Big O. I’m sure your alpha will love you no matter what.”

Olson buried his face in his hands. “Please don’t start assuming things. We’ve only known each other for a few days.”

Emmy joined Olson behind the bar and wrapped his arm around Olson’s shoulders, his baby carrier bumping into Olson’s side.

Six-month-old Hunter looked up with big, innocent eyes. Emmy took Hunter’s tiny hand and patted Olson’s face with it.

“Jellyfish Hunter, don’t be all frumpy like Big Boss O,” Emmy told his son. “We are gonna be cool!”

Hunter smiled and drooled.

Fuck, why did babies have to be so adorable?

Olson tried to frown; he didn’t think he was too successful at it. When he looked up, he found Rex studying him and Hunter.

“I do not need a baby,” Olson growled. “I have my hands full running this place.”

“Mate.” Rex’s mouth pulled into a smile.

“No mating.” Olson scowled. But Rex’s smile only grew like he was amused at bringing up sex talk. Like he knew he was breaking the rules, and he didn’t care.

Why did he have to get under Olson’s skin?

More importantly, why was Olson pretending to be angry, instead of actually getting angry?

“Damn you,” Olson muttered. He turned and grasped Aaren by the arm. Both Aaren and Emmy were staring at Olson and Rex like they’d realized something big.

“You want to have his babies,” Emmy whispered loudly.

Olson spluttered. “I do not.”

But his face was burning up.

What would that be like?

He dragged Aaren back into the kitchen before more embarrassment could occur. “Aaren, make Rex a burger with some fries and veggies on the side. All condiments on the plate, none on the burger itself. Cheese on the plate, too. I don’t know if he likes any of it.”

“Aye-aye, Captain!” Aaren saluted and scribbled on a fresh order sheet.

“And please, for the love of all things holy.” Olson exhaled. “Don’t get together with the first alpha who takes you to bed.”

Even as he said it, Olson knew how hypocritical he sounded.

“Like you, right?” Emmy whispered.

“Get back to work,” Olson growled. “I had a good reason for—” He waved in Rex’s direction.

“What reason?” Aaren perked up.

Emmy was watching Olson too knowingly.

Olson sighed. Aaren and Emmy had confided in him over the years; it was time he did the same in return. “He reminds me of someone I used to know.”

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