Page 36 of Unbonded
He waits for me to lead the way, and the back of my neck prickles as we enter the building and cross a gleaming foyer to the elevator. Katie and her omega are waiting for us, and I make sure I’m wedged on her other side as the doors slide shut. “Kate said you’re an athlete,” Dash says, his gaze skimming my body. “College football, right?”
“Quarterback.” I return his appraisal. “And you’re a dancer?”
“Lead principal. That’s kind of like the QB of the ballet company.”
I ignore his little smirk, and nudge Bram, who’s standing in front of me. “What about you, Webber? Did you wrestle in college, or are ubers banned from competitive sports due to unfair advantage?”
The omegas both stiffen at my aggressive tone, but Bram just glances at me over his massive shoulder. “I was captain of the Math Club.”
I stare at him, but Dash makes a swoony sound and clutches his chest. “Oof. Nerd muscle. It’s the best of both worlds.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to mention my 4.0 GPA, but I hate being the guy who peaked in college. Besides, I’m not here to win their approval. All I care about is making sure Katie isn’t getting into another shitty situation like the one with her asshole ex.
When the elevator stops, we step into a room straight out of a luxury magazine. Katie’s the expert on design, and I catch the way she looks around, soaking up all the details. From my perspective, there’s a lot of furniture that’s way out of my price range, and massive glass doors that open onto a million-dollar view. They’re shut right now, but a lap pool glimmers enticinglyon a paved terrace, and I’m quietly stunned that real people actually get to live like this.
Paragon diamonds, I remind myself as another alpha approaches. This one was definitely plucked from the top of the gene pool, with ice-blue eyes, platinum hair, and the kind of easy confidence that comes from knowing you’re right at home in the city’s best zip code.
“Corbus Janssen,” he says in a light, European accent, his hand extended in greeting. Every business major worth his degree has researched Janssen’s empire, which has been one of the premier brands in precious gems for five generations. He inherited his wealth, but he’s managed to double it with clever investments, while also giving away a substantial amount to worthy causes. I’d normally admire him and envy him in equal measure, but right now I’m leaning towards disliking him, especially given the polite way he greets Kate.
I’ll take possessive ubers and flamboyant dancers over his cool indifference any day.
“Katie told me about this pack companion bullshit,” I say as we’re ushered towards a sunken lounge. Katie and her ballet crush are already seated together on a chocolate leather sofa, and I quickly insert myself on her other side. The two alphas are in the process of settling into matching armchairs, but I don’t miss the look they shoot each other. “You want her to help you out, fine. Employ her, even give her a place to stay, but don’t take advantage of her.”
The dancer – Dash – makes an unhappy sound, but it’s Katie who squeezes my arm. “That’s not how it is, Lachlan. I’d want to be here even if I wasn’t going to be paid.”
“Which you are,” Bram cuts in, giving me a warning look. “We don’t cheat anyone who works for us.”
“You hear that, Katie?” I ask, still glaring at the alphas. “They’re going to treat you exactly like every other employee.”
She shoots me a wounded glance, but the dancer is suddenly on his feet, his hands planted on his hips as he frowns down at me. “Hold up. What’s going on here? Because I get that the companion thing is insulting, which is why Bram is rewriting her contract. But I can promise we only have the best intentions. I like Kate alot, and I don’t think of this as a business transaction.” He gives her a steamy look through his thick black lashes. “We’retogether, right, sweetheart?”
Katie answers him by pulling him back down into her arms, and I’m suddenly drenched in an orange blossom and sweet tea cloud of arousal. They kiss with abandon, and while it’s blisteringly hot, that nagging feeling is back. Katie was always shy with her affection in college - probably because Lee hoarded and warped it, like every other good thing she gave him – and I’m shocked to watch her make out so passionately in front of an audience. Yeah, I’m envious as hell that she and this guy are so into each other, but I’m worried, too. I’ve read enough about unbonded omegas to know that Katie’s hormones might be out of her control right now.
I turn to glare at the alphas, but Bram is watchingme, his brow furrowed. “You’re worried. This is about more than the job, or Dash.”
I shrug, but Katie must hear him because she breaks off the kiss, touching my arm more carefully this time. “Sorry,” she murmurs as she presses a hand to her swollen mouth. “That was rude. I got carried away.”
“In the best way possible,” the dancer adds, flopping back on his own corner of the couch and giving her a sultry smile. “Blame me, if you want. I’m besotted, if that’s not obvious.”
“No, Lachlan’s right to worry.” Katie sits up straighter, her face a picture of regret. “I should have said something before, but I didn’t want the bubble to burst. I’m besotted, too,” she says with a small smile in Dash’s direction, “but there’s some thingsI should have discussed with you. A nasty side-effect of being unbonded is that my next heat is going to be my last. And that’s triggered some… extreme behavior on my part.”
“Your last?” Dash makes a low, hurt sound as he slides forward and puts an arm around her waist. There’s no mistaking the pain in his eyes. “How can that be right? Are you sure?”
Katie’s hand feathers over his cheek. “I’ve done all the tests and seen the results myself. My hormonal production is too low and it’s causing a lot of chemical imbalances. There’s no cure, and even replacement therapies don’t work on cases like mine.”
Dash’s face hardens, his dark eyes glittering. “Because your alpha left you.”
“It’s a side-effect,” she repeats, and when her hand inches up to touch the Band-Aid on her throat, Dash grabs it, squeezing it tightly. “According to my doctor, I get one more heat, and it’s going to be a really difficult one.”
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”
Dash looks distraught as he cuddles Katie, but her focus is on Bram. I don’t know what she’s thinking, but her scent is right on the edge of sour. “I think it’s why I reacted to you like that outside the club. My doctor said I’ll act a little crazy for a while, especially around dominant alphas.” Her mouth twists unhappily. “My hormones’ last-ditch effort to find a mate before I’m an omega in name only.”
Fucking hell.
I knew the basics of her case through Dr. Green’s referral, but it hurts to hear Katie put her condition into words. “We won’t let it get to that,” I reassure her. “You’ve got options, including Safe Haven. I’ll do everything I can to make sure you’re in the best hands.”
She gives me a grateful look, but Corbus chooses that moment to speak up. He’s sitting straight-backed in his armchair, buthis fingers are drawing quick, jerky circles on his knee. “Safe Haven? What are you talking about?”
