Page 12 of Lethal Alpha

Now Mathew is upset with Jorge for keeping such a big secret, which seems to have gotten Riley into ‘protective Alpha’ mode.

Which is very unfortunate because the way Mathew is leaning in her direction —while always making sure I’m between them— and the way his pheromones spike every time she looks at him, he’s feeling it just as much as I am.

That connection, that pulling sensation when you first meet a new scent match, especially when that match is an Alpha.

Only, since everyone here thinks Mathew is an Alpha himself, he can’t do or say anything about it right now.

Before we left the house, Derrick insisted that —since Mathew’s pheromones are so unstable right now— we always make sure there’s at least one of us between him and anyone not part of the pack or not part of his organisation and that he can’t touch anyone in case his pheromones accidentally stick to them.

It’s all to keep up the profile that Mathew has had for the last decade, as a strong and resolute Alpha leader.

It made sense when Derrick gave us the instructions, but we didn’t really plan for a situation where Mathew might want to get close to someone new…

Mathew’s pheromones slip out again and I lean against him, rubbing my head on his shoulder, trying to get as much of my pheromones on him as possible, while making it look like I’m simply a needy Omega.

He slides his arm around my shoulders, nearly pulling me into his lap as he nuzzles the top of my head.“Are you feeling cuddly, my sweet Omega?”

I nod excitedly, sending out extra pheromones, so he’ll be covered in them.Though, as I do it, I notice a floral scent, it’s different from Mathew’s sharp wisteria scent, this scent is deeper, rounder, like sitting in the sun on a warm summer day surrounded by large dark red roses.

As I glance up, Riley is staring at us, her eyes lightly hazy, her cheeks darkening.

Oh, fuck.Not what I was going for.I was trying to hide Mathew’s scent, not turn on Riley.

With a surprisingly loud sound, Caleb pushes his chair back as he stands up.“I’m going for a smoke, who’s joining me?”

I look at him, trying to decide what he’s up to, but the look he’s giving Mathew makes it clear.This is for Mathew’s sake.Neither of them normally smoke, but it’s one of the few ways to hide the scent of pheromones in something repulsive and that won’t make people question things too much.

Mathew lets out a soft hum and kisses the top of my head, but not before giving me a tight hug.“I could use one too.”He slowly stands up, making sure I’m safely sitting in my chair again and then kisses my cheek.“I’ll be right back.”

I angle my head so he can give me a proper kiss and when he covers my lips with his, I can feel him smile.“I’ll be lonely, you know.”I pout playfully, laying on the ‘needy Omega’ persona I’m playing.

He laughs and then gives me another quick kiss.“I’m sure these two can keep you entertained for a while.”He turns around to go outside as I meet Caleb’s gaze, trying not to show my worry.

There’s only so much we can do to help Mathew hide his pheromones, and it seems that Riley is spiking them quite a lot.It doesn’t help that they’ve been unstable since he went into heat, which can have many reasons, and his anger with Jorge probably makes them worse too.

I know that I could make up some excuse so we can all go home, but that’s not going to solve any of the issues.I guess we’ll just have to learn how to deal with them, or we’ll be locked up in that house forever…

Instead of following Mathew, Caleb comes over to me and kneels next to my chair, his hand on my leg as he surrounds me in his calming dark wood scent.The way his and Riley’s scents mix makes me feel comforted and cosy.

“We’ll be right outside.We won’t be long.”He puts his hand to the side of my head and as I lean into it, he gives me a long slow kiss, easing more of my nerves.

He’s right.They won’t go far, and with Mathew out there, at least we won’t have to worry about his pheromones for a few minutes.

Then Caleb gets up and, with a nod to Jorge and Riley, he follows Mathew, quickly catching up to him and jovially putting his arm around his shoulder as he navigates the two of them out of the restaurant.

I smile.I guess we’re lucky that people don’t seem to question why Caleb and I are so touchy with Mathew.

Though, Mathew’s pretty good at playing a ‘reluctantly accepting Alpha’, since I know that he’s very, very, very much into being touched all the time.It’s like he’s been touch-starved for years and is trying to make up for it now.

“Have you been with Caleb for long?”Riley’s question pulls me from my thoughts and I look at her, not able to stop my smile.

“Yeah.We’ve been together for six years.”Talking about Caleb is easy, since there’s nothing in our past that could be a danger to us right now.

“Wow.And you still look at each other like that.Must be a good bond.”Her voice goes soft, together with her gaze.

I nod slowly.“He’s a very good Alpha, and a good person in general.”

“I can attest to that.”Jorge laughs and breaks the odd mood, lightening it.“Of course, I’ve only known him for a few weeks, but from what I’ve learned about him, he’s very good attaking careof his Omega.”

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