Page 45 of Pack Rivals: Part Two
“Axel Stormgate, that’s not what I’ve heard.”
I groan.
My mom might not get out these days but she still has access to a telephone. Much to my detriment, because she has her little coven of friends who supply her with an endless supply of gossip. Gossip, it sounds like, involves me this time. Not that it doesn’t always.
“What have you heard?”
Her smile twitches.
She’s not going to spill what she knows. She’s going to see what I reveal first.
“We bought a prime piece of land by the ocean that we’re going to–”
“You know I’m not interested in your wheelings and dealings.” She never was when dad was alive either. She married him for love, despite what her hoity toity parents thought. He had no connections and no money. She loved him anyway and with her devotion, with her belief, he made something of himself. He bought this house.
I rub my chin. “Not much else going on. Connor bought a new piece of art for the apartment.”
She sniffs and caves.
“What about the omega?”
My stomach sinks. The last thing I need is my mom getting all excited about a potential match on the horizon. Especially when I’ve well and truly fucked up my chances.
“What omega?” I say, stiffly.
“Don’t play dumb with me, Axel. Everyone is talking about her. Your aunt sent Molly a photo. She’s absolutely stunning.”
“You mean Bea?”
“Bea? Is that her name?” my mom says innocently like she doesn’t already know the woman’s complete family tree. “What a lovely name.”
“Yeah,” I say, my gaze dropping to our interlaced hands.
“Oh,” she says and I glance up into her silvery eyes. The whites around them are mottled and bloodshot but her irises and her pupils are as bright as ever.
“What?”
“My sources told me you are head over heels for this girl. That you were seen together at the Mackay event.” She tilts her head. “Are my sources wrong?”
I manage a half smile. “Your sources are never wrong, Mom.”
“But maybe you don’t like her as much as my sources are making out.”
“No, I like her. I like her a hell of a lot.”
“But your pack, your pack don’t like her?”
“No, they like her too.”
“Then why the long face?” She laughs. “Is Axel Stormgate nervous about the idea of settling down because I think an omega is exactly what you need and–”
I shake my head. “It’s not that.” I shuffle on my seat and squeeze her hands. “I could see us being with this girl forever but …”
“But …”
“She won’t have us.”
My mom chuckles. “Don’t be silly, Axel. What omega wouldn’t want you and your pack?”
