I was so focused on Taryn that I missed a familiar scent in the air and my blood ran cold when she spoke.
"Ash and Holt, just the two handsome men that I wanted to see," Sadie stated as we both stopped dead in our tracks. What, were we omega magnets today?
Just when I was the happiest in my life, I was thrown into the depths of Hell once again.
“Sadie,” I said with a sigh. “Now isn’t a good time.”
She gave an overly exaggerated pout with her red lips as she fluttered her fake eyelashes at us. I never realized before how much makeup she wore. It was flawless, but definitely prominent as my eyes tracked over the darker shades of her contour and red cheeks and nose where she dusted blush.
It was the complete opposite of my omega who preferred natural looks. I wasn’t judging Sadie, I always thought she was beautiful, but now that I had my girl, I couldn’t imagine anything other than her flawless beauty.
“Don’t be like that, Ash,” she said, leaning in and wrapping her hand around my arm, her red claws digging into my bicep where she couldn’t quite reach.
I shrugged out of her touch and stepped back, her jaw dropping at the reaction. Anger flashed in her eyes and she crossed her arms. The action pushed her tits up and her scent was stronger now, the cherry blossom holding a sour note now.
“You can’t just push me away after all of our history,” she huffed.
“Sadie. We’re a pack,” I said, gesturing to Holt. “I’m not going to keep dating you. Plus, we found a scent-match.”
She took a step back like I had slapped her.
“What?” Her eyes darted around, a desperate edge to her as she moved closer again after spotting no one. “Was this what that call was about? I knew you sounded weird.”
“What, his lack of interest had you suddenly ready to have him in your clutches again?” Holt asked. If she thought this would be a happy reunion she was fucking wrong. We were both annoyed and frustrated.
I handed over the coffee to Holt and faced off with my ex.
“It is. Taryn is our mate,” I said. “And I would suggest you keep any and all misguided bullshit opinions to yourself.”
“That would be wise,” Holt said, eyes murderous and making her swallow hard.
She moved fast enough I couldn’t hold her back as she latched onto me, pressing her lips to mine. It felt sloppy and wet and I nearly gagged at the contact. Before I could shove her off she was ripped away and thrown to the ground.
Taryn’s angry face was looming over her and I swiped a hand over my mouth, prepared to beg for forgiveness as a weight settled in my gut.
“Princess, I swear I didn’t know she was going to do that.”
She gave me a smile that was full of malice. “Oh, I know. I heard you guys tell her you had a mate and yet she still felt it was alright to try and take what is mine.”
“You bitch!” Sadie bellowed as she moved to her feet and lunged for Taryn. Our girl met her with a fist to the face, knocking her down before Mathias shoved between them.
“Back the fuck up, Sadie!” Mathias growled.
“She hit me, I’m pressing charges!” Sadie screeched loud enough I winced.
“Go ahead, and I will tell them how you were rejected, then you assaulted this alpha, and triggered his omega’s possessive instincts,” a calm voice said from behind us. Dani had stepped out of the bookstore and was glaring at the offending omega.
Sadie let out another frustrated screech, turning her fury on me. “Really, Ash? You’re going to let them do this? You know I’m the better choice. I’m prettier, smarter, sexier, and so much better for you than she could ever be.”
Taryn laughed, a slightly unhinged one that had Mathias putting his arms around her.
“What’s his favorite color?” she asked Sadie, serious now.
Sadie turned toward her and rolled her eyes, but I could see doubt creeping in.
“How about his favorite food? His favorite shirt?” Taryn continued, crossing her arms now and raising her brows. She was the picture of confidence and fire. It was hot as hell.
Then doubt was hitting me. Did Taryn know those answers? And if she did, what excuse did I have for not knowing her coffee order?