Page 51 of For What It's Worth
“You’re in a relationship with an alpha?” a beta I’d never met asked. He looked between Jen and me like he didn’t believe his own words. His tone sounded more curious than anything, and his attention was mostly on Jen, apparently waiting for the alpha to be the one to confirm our relationship.
“Koda is mine,” Jen admitted.
I didn’t mind the aggressive way he said it considering he was still in a staring contest with Knox. But the hostile scents coming from both alphas was doing more than attracting weary betas—it was making my omega scent perfume. I hadn’t realized it at first, but the tension slowly leaked from Jen’s shoulders, and the mixed scent of freshly warmed laundry and toasted marshmallows floated around me.
I was about to tell Jen we needed to get the hell out of here, when Knox decided to ignore the proper response of leaving well enough alone. “It won’t last. At least not without an omega to ground you. All you’ve done is get the poor beta’s hopes up while you think regular sex is possible for a long-term relationship. News flash, Professor, none of your other beta relationships have worked out. Maybe the common denominator is the alpha-beta portion, ever think of that?”
This conversation—hell, the whole hallway being blocked by an aggressive female alpha while several betas stared—was taking its toll on my nerves. I wanted to tell Jen to simply ignore Knox, but the words seemed stuck in my mind, refusing to be formed by my tongue. It wasn’t shame, but something dangerously close to it that had me hiding behind Jen, not wanting to be the center of attention anymore. Or maybe ever again.
“You’re going to ruin the beta with your carelessness, Professor.”
“And you’re speaking of things you don’t understand, resident advisor.”
Knox snorted. “Exactly. I’m the RA for the beta dorm which means it’s my job to take care of each beta living in my building. Koda included. Because I don’t care what you say, when you get tired of not being able to knot her, she will be forced to drag all her crap back to her dorm, a scar carved into her flesh, as you get you knot stuck in some random omega’s cunt.”
The growl that came from Jen was pure hatred. All the betas in the hallway dipped their heads in submission, and I was surprised to find Knox unwilling to bend to Jen’s will. When the familiar boring ringtone of Jen’s phone sounded from his pocket, I didn’t hesitate to reach for it, incredibly grateful when I saw Enzo’s name.
“Enzo? Jen and my RA are posturing right now, I need you to talk some sense into him.” I didn’t wait to make sure it was really Enzo and not Aidan calling from the wrong phone, or to be sure he heard me, before shoving the phone against Jen’s ear.
The barely audible mumbling confirmed someone on the other end did hear me. I wasn’t sure if the words of his packmate were getting through to him, but then Jen looked down at me tucked into his side, stared, his nostril flaring, making me realize the exact thought crossing his mind: I was perfuming. My body trying to calm my alpha.
Everyone seemed to be distracted by the aggression coming from the alphas, but the threat of exposure was there. And it seemed to have knocked some urgency into him.
“Let’s go, Koda.” Jen maneuvered all the bags to one hand—impressively—and managed to grab hold of me. He growled, the sound coming from his chest and vibrating with such potency it had me perfume stronger to calm him. That was new and definitely not good.
Surprisingly, Knox moved out of our way, but I could scent the frustration and guilt coming from her when we passed.
“Jen.” My voice cracked on the single word.
“It’s fine, Koda. But you need to try and not stress.”
That advice was not helpful at all, but I didn’t point that out. Jen told me to sit in the car while he loaded everything up and then handed me his phone—still on call with Enzo.
“Enzo?” I whispered.
“No, Koda bear, it’s Aidan. Enzo handed me the phone so he could work off some steam before you get home—not that I’d ever say no to talking with my girl. I’ve been waiting patiently all morning for you to come home.”
“I’m sorry I was gone for so long, Addie.”
“Awe, sweet girl, don’t worry about it. I’m going to get all my cuddles in when you come home—not that good sex needs any sort of advance notice.”
I jumped slightly when Jen yanked the door open, but the smile on my alpha’s face when he sat down was all confidence. His scent told a different story, his anger and possessiveness lingering around him. At least he no longer had the taint of the chemical de-scenter.
“Was that Jen?” Aidan asked.
“Yes. He just got it the car.”
“We’re on our way home now,” Jen shouted much louder than necessary.
“Okay, tell Jen to drive safely, Koda bear. You’re precious cargo, after all.” And then Aidan hung up.
It took me a moment to realize he had indeed hung up the phone without saying goodbye. When the screen showed the phone call log, I didn’t know whether to be angry or laugh.
“He just hung up,” I said. “No goodbye.”
“Aidan does that. But don’t worry, we’ll be home soon, and you can give him an ear full. He’s never listened to either me or Enzo, and it bugs the hell out of us, but I know he’ll listen to you.”
I liked that.