27. Maceo

27

Maceo

I can't believe Luther motherfucking Keller left me in this room with two Omegas a door away. He trusts me? How is that fucking possible? I know he can sense my interest and my arousal. Luca smells like a wet dream but it's Blake's distressed scent that has me wired right now. I've always been attracted to the lean Omega that owns a fucking gaming company but his scent has never done more than tickle my nose.

Now? The sour scent of distress is fucking with my senses. I'm torn between wanting to soothe his emotions and finding a way to bury Hudson in a hole. The whiplash is annoying and even more so, Luther's watchful eye across the hallway.

I settle in Blake's chair, trying really hard not to lean over the desk and take in more of Blake's scent—a scent from a time when he was happy and thriving. I didn't see the Omega before he made it into his nest and I can't imagine the absolute terror he's feeling from being approached by Hudson. That Alpha is not a pretty individual and he gives off vibes I don't want to be anywhere near.

Needing a distraction, I search through my briefcase and retrieve another file to begin working through. While most of my work revolves around keeping Starlight Falls and this company running, I pick up a few odd jobs here and there to keep my portfolio diverse. Most of the extra cases I end up getting are unfaithful spouses or family members cheating one another out of money. Annoying stuff, basically.

Time passes as Luther, Grayson, and the detective across the hallway speak about the order of protection. I know for a fact that they're discussing more than just that and the way Luther launches out of his chair tells me that it isn't going well. Grayson has to play mediator and I'm suddenly glad I didn't offer to be in that room.

A creaking door steals my attention, glassy eyes and a mop of curls peering out into the office from the bedroom. Luca looks around for several minutes before catching my attention. "Hi." His voice is adorably small as he moves to open the door a little wider to slip through. I bite my tongue before a growl makes its way to the surface, both of their scents hitting me full force.

"Your Alphas are tied up right now. They should be done soon." Keep it professional, Maceo.

"Okay."

I expect him to slip back into the room but he just stands there, looking around and then at me before he starts looking around again. "Luca, do you need something?"

"No."

"Is Blake okay?"

His nose wrinkles and he bites his bottom lip, his brows furrowing in concentration. "No."

"Let me go get one of your Alphas, okay?"

"No."

I don't know what to do but my instincts are telling me to fix it. Just as I'm about to ask another question, Luca approaches and holds his hand out. I stare at the offending limb for several seconds before the Omega lets out a little frustrated growl, digs his fingers into my arm, and drags me to the bedroom. Uncertainty takes over my rational mind as Blake comes into view, sitting against the far side of the nest.

The nest isn't anything elegant, mostly just bedding and blankets that an Omega would find comfortable but void of the colors and personality I would have expected.

"Why am I in here?" I whisper.

"Because he could smell you but he couldn't see you. He said he needed to see you."

That makes sense. Omegas are highly territorial of their space and adding my scent to the mix must be confusing for Blake. He's staring at me, observing me, his scent strengthening slightly as he meets my eyes. I feel frozen beneath his attention, forbidden feelings rushing through me as I stand at the edge of a nest I should never fantasize about falling into.

I'm already loving the fierce grip on my arm from Luca and the delicate ocean notes of his scent wrapping around me. When Luca tries to pull me forward, I hold my ground. "I can't go in there. I'm not part of your pack."

Luca doesn't listen, trying to dislodge me from where I stand with no success. "Alpha."

" Beta, " I correct him, mildly concerned that this is the start of a heat spike and that it has nothing to do with Blake. Luca might be my Omega— might —but I can't say the same for Blake. I don't know. I haven't let myself try to figure it out because I've always believed and accepted that I would go this road alone. It's never been a problem until now.

Panicked, I send Luther and Grayson a joint text.

SOS. Luca is trying to pull me into the nest.

Grayson

How is Blake?

I frown. These Alphas should be furious that I'm this close to their Omegas unattended.

His color is returning but Luca is trying to get me into the nest.

Luther

What does Blake want?

What?

Luther

Whatever you're comfortable with, give them what they want.

Permission from their Alpha. From both of them.

This time when Luca tugs, I don't pull away. He settles me in the middle of the nest, Blake making room for my arrival. He doesn't speak, just slowly lays his head on my shoulder and closes his eyes. His body relaxes, Luca curling up to my other side. For several moments, I don't breathe. I'm not sure what I thought having an Omega was like but this wasn't it.

This feeling of completeness, of belonging, of needing to make everything right.

I lean into the instinct, wrapping a gentle arm around Blake's shoulder to pull him farther into my chest. When he lets out a purr of contentment, I respond, making a wholly Alpha sound that has never come from my mouth. Blake tenses and then relaxes again, Luca vibrating with acceptance on the other side.

"See? You're perfect," Luca whispers and I'm not sure if he's referring to this moment or in general.

I'm also still not sure that their Alphas won't have my head for being in this nest.

Mates were never part of my life plan. So much for plans.