Page 16 of Such a Grumpy Omega
“Everly came with me to explain. If you’ll permit that?”
Nobody objected, and I waved Everly to where I stood. “You’re still sure you want to do this?” I spoke low, but shifter hearing would mean everyone heard.
“Yes, alpha.” Tipping his chin up, he said, “I have an explanation but no excuse. My father died not long ago, and my sister sold you our family home. It came as a shock, as I’m sure you can imagine.”
To my relief, the other owners sat quietly and let him say his piece. Only I was close enough to scent his nerves, but he was magnificent in his humility and unlike the night before, never shed a tear. Still, nobody could doubt his grief when he spoke of his father and of growing up in the home that was no longer his. “I’m not asking you to sell it back to me because it’s not my home anymore. Time for a new beginning, and any expense andtrouble I’ve caused…well, send me a bill and I will do my best to pay it back. It might take some time, but I will make good.”
“There’s been no cost,” Talon said. “I think between you and your alpha, you have fixed most of the issues, and if any more come up, we’ll figure it out then. For now, do you still think we’re a sex club that has no place in the city?”
“No.” He shook his head vigorously. “I pretty much knew that when I visited, but things were already in motion and my pride stopped me from being sensible. I feel like an ass.”
“You’re anything but, omega.” I rested a hand on his shoulder. “Thank you, everyone, for being so understanding. I hope nothing that happened will preclude Everly coming again to learn more about our club.”
They all came and shook his hand, expressed condolences for his loss, and it wasn’t until we were halfway to the car that I realized someone had called me his alpha. Could everyone tell? Could he?
Chapter Sixteen
Everly
Fraser promised me that one day I would let go of the shame and guilt for what I’d put him through, but in the meantime, the owners had said they forgave me and hoped we could all move on. He agreed.
It would take some time on my part. Tonight, I had a date with my alpha.
After the meeting the night before, he’d asked me to dinner tonight, and there was no way I could turn him down. He was my focus now. I had repairs to do and an alpha to court.
I stopped by the flower shop and then my favorite bakery to pick up a Triple Chocolate Threat cake, their specialty. We hadn’t gotten to know each other yet, so I didn’t know his preferences. At the last second, I bought a lemon pound cake and a caramel apple pie, just in case he hated chocolate.
When I arrived, I rang the doorbell to his home and waited with both hands full and a heavy heart. He didn’t immediately answer, and I closed my eyes, thinking he’d reconsidered. That the events of the last couple of weeks and finding out I was the culprit had slammed into him and now he’d changed his mind.
I backed up a few steps and let out a long sigh, accepting my fate…then the door opened.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I was taking the chicken out of the oven. Everly? What’s wrong?”
Tears welled in my eyes. Goddess, what an emotional wreck. “I thought you weren’t answering the door. That maybe you’d had second thoughts.”
Fraser pulled me into his embrace and kissed the top of my head. “Not a chance, omega. You’re mine now and I’m most definitely yours. Come on inside.”
Once we were inside, I looked around the place. Despite the sleek and modern exterior of his home, the inside was warm and soothing. The furniture looked comfortable and lived in. Several throws were folded around, ready for someone to cozy up to. The smell of chicken and vegetables along with bread and seasonings filled the air. Everything was tidy, but the place felt like home—lived in.
“What’s in the bags, Everly?” He walked over to the large kitchen and rounded the island where he used a pair of tongs to mix dressing into salad.
“Oh.” I held up the flowers. “These are for you. I didn’t know what kind of dessert you liked, so I brought a few options.”
The smile he gave me was enough to forget dinner and ask him to take me to bed instead, hunger be damned. “You brought me flowers?”
I brought them over, placing the bakery boxes on the counter. They were all tied together neatly with string for easy carrying. “I did. It isn’t the first time, is it?” An alpha as hot as him must have received all kinds of gifts.
He continued what he was doing for a few moments while my jealousy bubbled up inside me. If anyone had brought him flowers before me, well, it didn’t sit well with my wolf. Then again, if anyone hadn’t treated him well, that didn’t sit well with us either.
“No. No one has ever brought me flowers. I think it’s an alpha-omega thing. Sometimes people hold on to roles. Omegas are meant to be spoiled.”
“So are alphas,” I answered.
He accepted the flowers and brought them to his nose.
“Smell good?”
“Yes, but they’re not the best thing I’ve ever smelled, not by a long shot.”
