24. Gryphon

Chapter twenty-four

Gryphon

"W here are you going, Beta?"

The small female bows her head, avoiding my eyes at all costs, and just as I thought…

She's running away.

While I would love nothing more than for her to leave our pack forever so that things can return to the way they were, I also realize that her leaving will also break my Omega's heart.

Even though he has untethered me from the pack for the time being, Oliver is still my Omega.

And his happiness is paramount.

Anyone who shits on that happiness has to answer to me.

Mila is a threat. That, I have already established a countless number of times.

Her being here only means that Governor Frederick will get what he wants.

Plus, Governor Lily's warning still rebounds through my mind.

"Don't let your pack get too close..."

But do I put the needs of my superior before my Omega?

I really am stuck between a rock and a hard place.

One thing I know for absolutely certain: Mila's leaving frustrates me.

Not just because it will upset Oliver…

It annoys me because I don't want her to go. Having her here has been a blessing and a curse.

"Look… I was just going to stay in the shed for the next few days. At least until Oliver's heat is over."

While I agree that that cause of action would be best, I also know that Oliver will be pissed at me for even allowing her to stay in the shed.

I'm sure I am going to regret this, but I need to make it up to my Omega.

I cannot allow Mila to stay in the freaking tool shed of all things.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "You are not staying in the tool shed, Mila…"

She perks up at that, furrowing her brows, and I hate myself for thinking that she looks cute when she pulls that expression. "No?"

"Oliver would rather you stayed in the house…"

Mila blows a heavy sigh, and my dick reacts accordingly at the sight of her blushing.

Why does she have to be so beautiful?

It's like Governor Frederick is fucking with us all on purpose.

Asshole.

"I'm sorry, Gryphon. But I can't stay inside this house. Not while he…"

She trails off, and I step closer, inhaling her scent.

Just as I thought. She's aroused by the sounds and smells coming from Oliver's nest.

While any Alpha worth his salt would be incensed at the idea of anyone who is not a member of his pack being aroused by their Omega's heat, I also can't help but be excited.

Just thinking about sweet little Mila getting wet between the legs over my Omega just makes me…

Shit. My knot. It's swelling.

Can't have her noticing now.

This is wrong. I should not be interested in Mila.

She is a Beta, and I have an Omega.

Oliver is the only one for me.

I also can't allow myself to get attached for all the obvious reasons.

There is too much at stake.

What do I do? She clearly wants to leave, but Oliver will be angry at me for letting her go.

I suppose I can offer her more than the tool shed.

It's kind of like meeting in the middle.

"Here," I pull out my phone, booking her a hotel. "There's a hotel nearby. You can stay there for the next few days. I will pay."

Mila's mouth flies open. "You would really pay for my hotel?"

I clench my jaw. "Yes. I agree. I think it's best you leave for Oliver's heat too. Your presence will certainly be problematic, and Oliver doesn't need any more stress."

Her spirit deflates, and now she hangs her head yet again. "I suppose you are right. The last thing I would want to do is make Oliver's heat worse for him. He has been nothing but good to me since I arrived…"

He has. The poor sap is falling for her, and there is nothing I can do.

But if he can't sense her presence in the next four days, then he won't have to mourn for her as much.

Besides, it's not as if Mila has anything to offer him.

She is Beta. She has no knot or lock.

This is for the best. That way, Oliver's heat may just go a little smoother.

"The hotel has been booked. I've also ordered you a cab."

Mila folds her arms, gazing absentmindedly at the wall. "Okay."

I can tell that she is torn about leaving, and maybe I should cancel the cab and the hotel and ask her to stay.

But I don't. I proceed with my choice.

One day, I will probably live to regret it.

The pair of us don't speak as we wait for the cab to arrive.

It takes its damn freaking time.

Meanwhile, Oliver can be heard all the way from the nest, his deep, throaty moans echoing into my soul as I resist the urge to go in there and rut his brains out.

He hasn't once called for me, and it hurts. But it seems that Barret and Lachlan are giving him everything he needs.

Still. I am his Alpha. I have been there for all his heats.

A sweet smell wafts from Mila when Oliver groans yet again, and I whirl around and stare at her.

She hides her face behind her long blonde hair, but there was no mistaking that scent.

It smelled like… gingerbread.

And it's fucking mouthwatering.

Something sounds in my chest, and it takes me a moment to realize I am purring. At Mila.

Why the hell does she smell so good right now? I had no idea Betas could smell like this.

She's enough to rival Oliver's honeycomb…

I take stock of her features for the millionth time.

She's short, very short, and her feet and hands are small. Her mouth is little too, and her nose, but her eyes are ridiculously big, like a Japanese manga character.

Mila is contradictory in every way. Looks Omega, smells like an Omega, but is registered Beta.

The cab arrives, and Mila couldn't run out the door fast enough.

I stand and watch by the door as she tells the driver the address, and before she drives away, she meets my eyes.

There's nothing but despair inside those big eyes, and I fight every urge to run back out there, rip the car door open, and demand that she stay for Oliver's heat.

But this is for the best.

The future is still uncertain after all. I have no idea how things are going to play out.

Unfortunately, we are all stuck in a war between Governor Lily and Governor Frederick, respectfully.

The car drives off at last and now I shut the door, pressing my back to the wood.

For the best.

For the best.

If only I could believe my own bullshit.

Oliver is going to be heartbroken.