Page 32 of Love in Excess

What are you gonna do?

I’m not keen on meeting the parents, but if she’s not gonna listen to you, maybe she’ll listen if you have someone to claim.

I hadn’t thought about it that way. I was just hoping Hunter would give me an excuse or show up and I could let my mother know I had a prior appointment. Never in a million years did I think he’d offer to waltz into breakfast and let me show off.

I’ve never claimed anyone, never brought someone home to my mother, never even acknowledged most of my relationships, either.

I get to claim him.

A happy sigh falls from my lips as I quickly dry off and get dressed, giving Jasmine a few more pats before heading downstairs. Mom begrudgingly gives me the name of the restaurant when I tell her I want to look up the menu, an address I quickly shoot over to Hunter.

On my way.

I don’t know whether to be excited or nervous as I pile into my mother’s car, the quaint little place putting the rest of the city to shame. The place screams money—dark wood paneling, gold accents, and a chandelier that probably costs more than my ambulance. We’re seated quickly, the waitress bringing a pitcher of orange juice and two bottles of champagne to start off with.

She rumbles through the menu and then leaves, my hands stuffed between my thighs as I wait for the inevitable introduction. That’s when an Alpha who looks like he walked off a goddamn football field slides in the booth across me, sitting next to my mother. He offers my mother a hug before throwing his hand out over the table to greet me.

“Victor Pallington.”

His voice is rather deep, almost scratchy in a way that might have my heart rate kicking up if I didn’t have Hunter. Not even those dark brown eyes are doing anything for me.

My mother leans forward, absolutely enraptured with the Alpha. “He’s a partner at a law firm downtown. Very successful.”

Victor leans forward, his eyes raking over me. “So, Lincoln, your mother tells me you’re a paramedic. That’s noble work. Ever think about something… bigger? More stable?”

I force a smile, promising myself that I’m not going to be an asshole. He’s not the first Alpha to ask that. “I like the rush.” I manage a shrug with it, tempted to pour myself a glass of champagne and chug it but that’s just asking for trouble.

He chuckles, like I’m some kid with a cute hobby. “Sure, sure. But a Beta like you, with your looks? You could do better. Something with prestige.”

My mother nods, her earrings glinting as she gestures to the glasses. Victor pops the cork on the champagne and pours her a healthy serving before adding a little orange juice. She faintly taps his arm in thanks before taking a sip. “Lincoln’s always been stubborn, but he’s got potential. He just needs the right push. Before all of this nonsense, he was a doctor at Star Medical. A good one!”

It’s always fun trying to figure out how fast that part is going to come out. My mother was furious when I changed positions but it wasn’t her choice. It was mine and I was way more comfortable running through the city than I was in the emergency room. “I’mgood where I’m at,” I say, dropping my eyes to the menu to keep them from seeing how ticked off I am. “Got someone already, actually. I’m not looking.”

Victor lets out a small growl, dragging my attention back to him. Even if I was looking, that temper would be a red flag. “That so?” He glances at my mother and then back at me.

My mother just pats his arm again. “Oh, Lincoln, don’t be ridiculous. You’re not seeing anyone. I’d know.”

But she wouldn’t. We don’t talk. I dodge her calls until she gets antsy and drives the few hours to my city to badger me with another blind date. When I brush her off, she turns tail and runs before the cycle starts again. This is the first time I’ve actually seen my mother in a while and it’s been even longer since I’ve actually gone on one of these dates.

I fumble for the right thing to say, saved by a familiar voice cutting through this awkward moment. “Doc, you called?”

It sounds like a cheesy pick up line but Hunter makes it sound seductive as he strolls up to my side of the booth. He’s dressed in all black, a thin shirt and dress pants making him look like he’s definitely in charge. The aura he brings is so much different than Victor’s—stronger, more consuming.

The short sleeves showcase the tattoos curling down his arms, ones I still haven’t had the time to explore but will at some point. His scent curls around me, letting me settle as I meet his amused gaze. He tugs his bottom lip between his teeth, offering me the floor and the opportunity to claim my Alpha.

I push out of the booth, blushing as Hunter slides an arm around my waist and tugs me into his side. “Mom, this is my Alpha. I told you he existed, but you were disrespectful enough not to listen.”

Hunter tightens his hand on my hip. “Yeah you are,” he purrs, my eyes widening as he drags me into a kiss right there in front of the other two. My body doesn’t care though, melting into myAlpha, responding to a man who’s told me he’s going to show me how important I am. My hands find his chest, the fabric of his shirt rough under my fingers, and for a second, the restaurant fades away.

He pulls back, one of his hands sliding down to intertwine with mine. “I was mildly nervous to meet whoever gave birth to you, Lincoln,” he says, his gaze flicking to my mother. “Not anymore. A mother who doesn’t respect her son isn’t a mother in my book. Now, excuse us. I need my Beta. Our Omega’s going into heat soon and she needs her mates.”

My mother’s mouth drops open, her mimosa frozen halfway to her lips. “Mates?” she sputters, her face flushing red. “Lincoln, you’re just going to let him talk to me like that?”

I can’t believe that even now she would try to play the victim. “I’ve been trying to get you to stop smothering me for years. I’m angrier that all it’s going to take is you being humiliated and my Alpha telling you I’m already spoken for. Excuse us.” I manage a pert nod to Victor, sorry that he got caught up in all this. However, I know that if Hunter hadn’t shown up, Victor would have trudged forward as well.

He seems like the type to ignore someone’s ‘no’.

Hunter’s grip on my hand tightens as he leads me out to the car, neither of us speaking until we’re both inside. I twist around to look at my Alpha, the man incredibly proud of my public claim. As much as I want to bask in that moment, we now have another problem. “Celeste’s heat is that soon?”

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