Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

CERENITY

M y hands are shaking so badly I almost drop the damn pan as I stare into Auggie's brilliant green eyes. I can't believe he's here, and I'm angry he's lied to me for so many years. The bouncing emotions inside of me war.

I'll beat him up later, right now I just want a damn hug.

"Move, Tommy," I growl when he stands in front of me, appearing as if he's going to attempt to keep me from Augustine. The alpha's blond hair has fallen from his high man bun, giving him an unhinged look. Unfortunately for Tommy, I've been pushed around enough by him that I'm willing to put him down if necessary.

I glance at the pan to gauge if I can throw the fucker hard enough at his head.

"Tommy, fucking move, you dolt. Your omega is two seconds away from murdering you," his sister exclaims. Her brother blushes as he actually moves aside as he mumbles something under his breath.

Tossing the pan aside as I brush past him, I mutter, "Not his omega."

Auggie's lips twist into a smile as he opens his arms and I race to him, jumping up into them. Hugging him like a spider monkey, I enjoy his warmth and familiarity as he wraps his arm around my waist and supports my ass by grabbing a handful of it.

It's definitely different behavior than normal, but I have information now that explains it. I've secretly wanted him to hold me like this, but too many things have held me back. I just wish he had told me sooner that we were scent matches. I feel so dumb for continually telling him he should date more to find his match.

"Hey Cerenity," Gabriel murmurs with a smile. My eyes meet his calm, dark eyes, which also helps me relax. Unfortunately, it also brings up some tears too and I gasp as I bury my face in Augustine's neck. I've been on guard for so long, my body needs a release.

I hate crying.

"You broke her," Auggie grunts. "Cere, I'm here. I'm so sorry it took me so long to find you."

Tears fall down my cheeks, getting my best friend all wet as I cling to him. The door is still open, and Marie doesn't bother to close it, since it automatically locks us in as she looks over at Tommy.

"So you called him? Why would you be fighting with each other if you did?" she asks.

"He didn't call me," Auggie rumbles. "I tagged his truck with a tracker and followed him home. The mafia man was playing dirty, so I decided to throw away the rule book."

His words remind me of his lies, making me take a shuddering breath as I sit up and slap him across his gorgeous face. Marie snickers at his gasp, while I push at Augustine's chest and shoulders to get him to put me down.

"You're going to have to use your words, Sweetheart, if you want to be put down," he growls.

Shivering, his words go straight to my clit, and I'm unable to keep from perfuming. God, this is so embarrassing. I have no control on my emotions or my hormones it seems. I'm trying to be pissed off, fuck I am really mad at him!

God, I really missed him too.

The alphas in the room groan, and to my surprise, Gabriel closes his eyes as he breathes in deeply.

"You smell like apple pie," he murmurs. "It's one of my favorite desserts."

His words make me shiver. I barely know him, I shouldn't be reacting to him like this. What the fuck is happening right now?

"Words, Cere," Augustine reminds me.

"You lied to me, dick cheese," I snarl, snapping my gaze back to my best friend. "For years, I've been worried about you finding your damn scent match. Imagine my surprise to find out I'm yours."

"I love that you agree that you're mine," he teases me as I flush. Damn, I didn't mean it like that. "There's a lot of reasons why I didn't tell you, and I'll grovel between your gorgeous thighs the second you let me. The number one reason though? Your choices are important to me, and I was worried you'd feel as if I was pushing you into something you weren't ready for. So, I've been waiting for a sign that you might be ready."

"You're a Boy Scout, aren't you?" Tommy groans as Jasper hides a smile. "How am I supposed to compete against the golden boy?"

"You don't, because I don't belong to you," I tell him stubbornly. "Auggie is right. I do need access to choices. I need to know that my words matter or I feel trapped. You took away my freedom shortly after attempting to give it back to me, Tommy. I traded one devil for another."

He looks stricken as he stares into my eyes. "You can't be serious right now. Yes, I handcuffed your ass to keep you safe from yourself and me. Cerenity, you weren't thinking straight and I had things to do. You were trying to hit me with a damn frying pan. Bluebell…"

"I have a name and I want to go home," I deadpan, rolling my eyes. "If work is an excuse to leave me alone when I'm panicking and losing my mind, then you're not alpha enough for me. I'm also not at all interested in a pack, scent matches, or you."

"Damn, Cere, I saw how you swung the frying pan for me. Think you'll be mad at me forever?" Auggie asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Probably not, but you'd better believe I'm going to fucking milk it. It's been really awful, and I'm ready to sleep in my bed," I sigh.

Tommy and Jasper look at each other in horror, but I honestly don't feel badly for them. I'm not a toy to be taken from them as they play tug of war. They can go fuck themselves.

"Can I come with you?" Gabriel asks, blushing. "Sorry, not into your bed. There's some things I think we should talk about."

"More secrets, huh?" I ask, tired. I'm not sure I like the way he said that. It makes me think of how many times my best friend has spent the night at Gabriel's apartment. Fuck, am I really jealous right now? Ew, that's such a gross emotion.

Who am I right now? I feel as if I'm spiraling, and need to find a way to ground myself.

Twisting Augustine's nipple hard, I wait for him to drop me, and then twist harder. Ah, yes. I think this is just what I need. Boundaries have to be established between us.

"When I say something, you listen. If I ask you to put me down, the response is ‘of course, Mistress.' It doesn't need to be those exact words, but you can follow the gist of what I expect. Is that understood?"

"Yes!" he screams. "Cerenity, fuck! Mommy, please!"

"Are you going to be a good boy for me?" I growl. Gabriel hides his smile, surprisingly adjusting his cock as he watches me.

I'm so confused by all the emotions bubbling up inside of me right now. I feel completely overwhelmed, raw, and very anxious. It's almost as if I feel too hot, and the high collar on the long-sleeved top Marie gave me is too tight along my throat. I feel as if I'm suffocating.

"Damn, Tiny. You're vicious," Jasper mutters. "He's the one you actually like, too."

"I believe in training people in how I'd like to be treated," I tell him, keeping eye contact with the alpha as I release Auggie. I can torture him some more later. "You only got away with the shit you did because I was half dead when you fished me out of the dumpster. I doubt you'll find another opportunity like that."

"Fuck, I'm going to need ice for my nipple," Auggie complains, rubbing it as he winces.

"You know what you did. Bad boys get punished," I grumble. My words turn on every man in the room, making me roll my eyes. "Marie, don't take any of their shit, alright? Your brother and Jasper are assholes. Give me your phone, please."

Marie hands it to me without hesitation, and I input my phone number before handing it back to her. She looks slightly agitated, the scent of lavender heavy in the air as she watches all of us.

I get the feeling her brother makes her nervous, and I can relate to that feeling. Her scent is relaxing despite the reason it is stronger right now. I wonder how often she does things for herself, and not because someone else is asking her for a favor.

"I need to get a new phone because I'm sure it's toast in the crash, but you have my number now," I say to Marie with a small smile. Glancing at Jasper and Tommy as their ears perk up, I wince as I add, "You may want to run now."

Realizing Jasper and Tommy are now homed in on her, she gasps as she runs out of the house to her car, grabbing her medical bag on the way.

"Bye!" she calls out, a tinge of wild laughter in her tone as she runs.

"Dammit, Marie!" Tommy roars after her, but I notice he doesn't use his alpha bark on her. That's at least something going for him. Forcing omegas to submit to him would make the alpha drop even lower in my esteem.

He's already scraping the barrel as it is as my wrists sting with the reminder of the damn handcuffs.

"Be nicer to your sister, Tommy," I tell him, moving toward the door. Gabriel and Augustine follow behind me, gazing at me as if I'm about to disappear.

I still can't believe my feet are leading me to freedom. I'm no one's kept omega. I refuse to lose myself to the whims of others. I want to create my own destiny, which is why my heats terrify me and I make sure I'm completely alone during them.

What if I'm not strong enough to deny an alpha's bite, even if it's Auggie? I don't want to use his own instincts against him. While this was before I found out that he's my scent match, my reasons are still sound.

Biology doesn't build a solid relationship. Trust, love, and respect does, and I'm woefully inexperienced in what any of those feel like.

I'm a mess.

"Bluebell… Cerenity, can you just fucking wait?" Tommy rasps. "Are you really just walking out on us?"

"We're losing you without ever being able to get to know you," Jasper adds, his fingers raking through his hair in agitation.

"You can't lose what was never yours to have," I say with a shrug, touching my nose. "My life, my choices. Fuck you for trying to force this scent match on me."

"Your last dose of alpha pheromone blocker spray was, what, forty-eight hours now?" Auggie guesses.

"Yeah, they thought they'd let it run its course while they kept me cuffed to the headboard," I mutter. "I have no idea how much time I have left before I need another dose."

"Maybe that would work for anyone else, but not you," Auggie says, rolling his eyes. The alpha may have lied to me, but he knows me better than anyone. "You'd still fight them tooth and nail for your independence."

I don't know what I'm going to do with him. I'm so angry with him, but I can't address it in the mafia boss' home. I'll figure it out when I'm rolled up like a burrito in my blankets at home. Wincing, I feel a headache building behind my eyes, and I don't feel great.

Ugh, I want a cold shower too. I hate that it's such a long drive home.

"I almost hate how well you know me," I mutter. The small smirk falls off his gorgeous face as hurt enters his eyes, and I look away.

Together, Auggie, Gabriel, and I walk out of the house without looking back as Tommy and Jasper call out to me. My heart pinches as I listen to them, but I refuse to bend. I hope they run out of toilet paper when they're home alone, and that every sweet thing they put in their mouth tastes like ash.

I'm a petty omega, and I don't take things lying down for long.

GAbrIEL

Augustine rammed the gate as he followed Tommy's vehicle onto his property earlier, effectively breaking it into several pieces so he could pass through. It's a testament to how well Auggie's truck is built that it simply shuddered a little before powering through.

"I still don't understand how you're here, or why you three were fighting when I came downstairs with Marie," Cerenity says as we walk out to the truck. "Spill."

"That's an easy story to tell. I called Wren when I tracked down the meager leads I had without any hope of finding you. I hoped Wren or her guys could help me," Auggie says as he opens the passenger side door for her.

The little omega glares at him as she brushes past him to open the back door and climb in, making my alpha sigh. Oh yeah, he's definitely in the dog house for lying to her. The titty twister she gave him was epic though. Augustine is in for a long road to forgiveness with her.

Climbing into the passenger seat, I wink at him. Augustine squeezes my knee as he rolls his eyes and closes the door, admitting that Cerenity is milking her vengeance.

"And?" Cerenity asks as Augustine walks around the truck, her gaze zeroed in on him.

Turning to face her, I take over for Auggie. "Shaw was worried, so he agreed to drive down and ask Tommy for a meeting to discuss your disappearance," I tell her. "He kept in contact with Augustine so he knew what was happening, and then Augustine put the AirTag on Tommy's truck so we could follow him back."

"Unfortunately, Tommy and Jasper had some errands to run while we followed from a distance, even going into Target to get clothes for you," Augustine grunts as he gets into the vehicle. "It took a while to get here, and when they realized I was following them through the gate, Tommy tried to shut it on me."

I snort as my lips twitch as I remember how beautiful the sound of wood shattering to pieces was.

"It was a race to the house at that point, and Augustine jumped out of the truck pretty much spoiling for a fight," I murmur.

"Tommy could have just shot you and been done with it," Cerenity growls from the back seat. She can be as angry as she'd like, it's clear she still cares about Auggie. "How could you be so dumb?"

God, we still need to tell her so much more. Fuck, this is where years of secrets are catching up with us.

"He may be a dick, but he cares about your happiness," Auggie says, surprising me. "He wouldn't shoot your scent match, though my face is a bit bruised."

His right eye is starting to swell a bit from where Jasper managed to slug him as they went crashing through the door. We're going to need to get some frozen peas for it at some point.

"I love that they knew before I did that you're my scent match. I feel like such an idiot," Cerenity grumbles. "I've been telling you for years to basically save yourself for your match, and it's been me this entire time!"

"It's almost funny," I admit, chuckling. "There's such a strong connection between you two, I'm surprised you never questioned it, Cerenity. You two need to have a long conversation. I'm more than happy to throw some headphones on for that."

"You're just as ridiculous as he is," she mutters. "I'm not even sure why you're driving all the way back with us."

"Auggie rubs off on you, brat," I say with a shrug. "I can see you glaring at me in the rear view mirror. We are long overdue to spend time together, so suck it up, buttercup. You're besties with a man I've known most of my life."

Augustine smirks as he watches her, waiting for her next move. Cerenity gets quiet for a moment, so long that I'm turning back to face her when Augustine hisses in dismay. Tommy and Jasper are walking out of the house, looking as if they want to continue the conversation Cerenity walked away from as Augustine turns over the engine.

"Cerenity!" Jasper roars, glaring at us. He was quieter in the house than I would have expected because he usually has a hot fuse. "Get out of the truck and speak to us!"

"Fuck," Augustine grunts as he throws the vehicle into reverse. "I doubt they're going to just let us go. Tommy put up enough of a fight while getting through the front door."

Cerenity rolls down the back window as she glares at the alphas. "I'm not a chew toy to be pulled between you all! I also don't want to speak to the two assholes who handcuffed me!" she yells. "I need space."

"Please stay and talk to us," Jasper begs. "We fucked up, but we can do better."

"Prove it," she says, closing up the window. "Actions speak more than your silly words. I'm ready to go home, Auggie."

Augustine drives away from them as they curse, racing for their vehicle.

"What the hell are they doing?" I mutter.

"Making sure we don't disappear. Those two are stubborn enough to follow us the entire way home," Auggie murmurs. "Looks like we're either going to talk this out with them at our place or theirs. What's it going to be, Cere?"

"Ours," she says softly. "I just want to sleep in my own bed tonight and have my things around me. I feel twitchy and overstimulated."

What are the chances that she goes into heat from the stress? Cerenity looks a little pale, her skin bruised from the shitty experience Chicago has given her. Her hands are shaking as she fidgets, and I find I'm worried about her.

While it would be an honor to help her through her heat, I think the way she feels about the monthly event is complicated.

"You've had a rough few days, babe," Augustine sighs.

A honk behind us as we drive through the gate makes me look. Tommy flicks off the truck, making me smirk and blow them a kiss. He can't do shit to me for insubordination, because I'm really Jasper's employee. My actual boss sighs, crossing his arms over his chest, blond hair wild from messing with it too often today.

I guess we're going to caravan back to Minnesota. Sounds fucking cozy.

"I can borrow your clothes until I can get to the store, babe," I grunt, turning back around. "We shouldn't stop with them behind us."

"You're going to wear Augustine's clothes," the feisty omega says slowly. "You call him by a nickname that he hates anyone else calling him but me, and you two seem really chummy. What the hell is going on? Why are you also calling him babe? I'm tired of being the last to know things."

"Cere, Gabriel is my boyfriend," Augustine says as if it's the most natural thing in the world. I almost swallow my tongue as I gape at him.

"Please don't kill me," I mutter as my heart drops. "Augustine and I have been involved off and on since we were seventeen. I've always known about you, so we've broken up more times than I can count under the guise of just being fuck buddies."

"That's what you wanted," Augustine says calmly. "I spend the weeks you have your heat with Gabriel, Cere. You and I are best friends, but we've never really talked about sex or dating, so I never mentioned it. I've never hidden Gabe from you, just kept him separated from my life in Minnesota."

"And the pet names? Am I so dense that I never realized it?" she asks, her voice thick and hurt. I never wanted to hurt her, and it's why I kept pushing Auggie away. Aside from worrying I wasn't enough and jealousy.

It's all so fucked up. I have too many feelings, because I've been quietly in love with Augustine since I was an awkward teenager.

Turning, I face Cerenity to have this conversation. There's tears running down her face, and I want to do anything in my power to comfort her.

"Six years ago, Auggie lost a bet with me. It was a really stupid thing. I bet he couldn't go a week without masturbating," I rumble, smirking at the memory. Cerenity's lips part in surprise, making me chuckle. "I told you it was dumb. He went to the mixer, met you, and came back to the apartment in a daze. We were living together as roommates at the time."

"Really?" Cerenity asks, shaking her head as she tries to remember if she knew that. I bet Auggie never told her, not because it wasn't important, but because he was preparing to upend his entire life for her without her knowledge.

It's kind of romantic in a way, despite how in the dark she was to everything.

"Mmmhmm. We still hung out when we could, talked on the phone, and he came to my fights," I say. "Auggie and I had an argument two years ago we couldn't recover from about how he needed an omega to be happy, so our relationship and communication pretty much ended. I wanted him to tell you he was your scent match."

"Except, I wanted to wait for you to be more comfortable with the idea of a scent match being out there for you," Augustine grumbles. "You didn't want to talk about it, though, and kept insisting that I date more."

"I'm such a bitch," she groans, swiping at her cheeks. "I can't be mad that you're together when I've been telling him to date more. Why the fuck do I want to scratch your eyes out, though?"

I can't help but bark out a laugh at her words. "Omegas are territorial, Cerenity," I remind her. "You're also really close to your heat?—"

"Are you fucking tracking it too?" she complains. "Can't my ovaries just ruin my life in peace?!"

"Dramatic much," I snark. "Simmer down, Peanut. Auggie is so in tune to your heats that I can't help but do the same. It's coming, and you're surrounded by alphas. You're going to have to figure it out."

"Gabe!" Auggie snarls. "Not the time."

Sighing, I shrug. "I'm calling it the way I see it. We're in this mess because we all decided we knew better than the other, or refused to tell each other things for their own good," I remind them. "I'm not going anywhere, and neither are you. I love Auggie."

"I may be pissed at him, but now that I know you're not just riding his dick, I'm glad you do," she says, swiping away another tear. "This whole time, I've felt as if I was in the way of him finding love. It's kind of fucked up that I was the roadblock."

"Cere, it wasn't like that," Augustine sighs as he drives. I can see Tommy's truck still following us, and I roll my eyes. God save me from savage and frustrating alphas.

I don't envy Cerenity at all with all of this swinging alpha dick. I'm quite happy with just the one beside me.

"I've been in love with you since you first smiled at me," Auggie confesses. "It was more than your scent hitting me like a ton of bricks and smelling like home, your fierceness has always been a factor too. While I love to protect you, I love that you're willing to stomp the shit out of some asshole that's taking advantage of another person."

Cerenity releases a cute giggle that makes my jaw drop. I wouldn't have thought her capable of making a noise like that.

"Beating people up with you and running the club are my favorite things to do," she says sweetly. "I'm going to be pissed at you for a while, though."

"Can I be exempt from your wrath, please?" I ask. "I'll call you Mistress and draw you bubble baths. I already call Auggie, Daddy."

"Traitor," Augustine says affectionately, his large hand wrapping around my throat as he stops at a light. Pulling me toward him, he kisses me hard, his tongue invading my mouth as he reminds me who I belong to.

The little omega in the back seat whimpers as she watches us, perfuming the truck with her sweet scent. Fuck, my cock is straining against my zipper. Even as a beta, Cerenity is almost irresistible.

I won't make things more difficult by voicing this right now though.

A blast from a horn behind us breaks us apart with a start, and I glance at the vehicle to see that it's grumpy Tommy. Oops, he doesn't look very happy. Too bad.

Sitting back in my seat, I can see Cerenity squeezing her thighs together.

"You're doing a shit job at pretending your pussy isn't ruining your panties," Auggie says patiently as he moves through the intersection now that the light is green. "Stop hiding, Cere. Jasper and Tommy can crawl on their knees for your light, but you've always shone so brightly. Let us show you we're worthy of you."

Cerenity nods, biting her lip as she looks out the window, her cheeks aflame with color. She's gorgeous, and it's clear that the last few days haven't broken her.

Dented maybe, but even dents can be buffed out and healed. It's what's underneath her armor that I'm interested in learning more about.