Page 73 of For What It's Worth
Jenson’s words shocked me. They didn’t sound aggressive, more disinterested, but of all my alphas, I assumed Jenson followed social niceties the closest. Either that didn’t qualify for Aidan’s mom or for anyone who showed up unwelcomed.
When I finished dressing, Jenson reached for my hand, heading for the front door. I took a deep breath to try and calm my nerves, but the de-scenting wash coming from Jen burnt my nostrils.
“You showered quickly,” I said.
“Your scent was stronger on Aidan and Enzo. I just needed a quick rinse, just in case.”
I listened carefully to Jenson’s words, trying to catch how he felt about the fact I’d just bonded two other alphas. Unfortunately, all I could scent was the stupid wash he’d used. It was hiding his emotions from me.
We walked down the short front hallway in silence before we reached the front door. It was a grand piece of wood, coming to a soft point at the top in a sharp oval, and heavy enough it looked like any sort of knocking would be impossible to hear from the other side. The door didn’t particularly match the aesthetic of the rest of the house, and I wondered if one of the alphas had picked it out.
When Jenson opened the door, he kept me hidden behind his back, but I could scent the anger coming from the omega female almost immediately. She smelled like a mix of sparkling water and cranberry juice, her anger taking away any sweetness from her perfume.
My own omega side took control and growled, the instinct to tell any female to back the hell up a demand I couldn’t ignore, but especially a female that had the audacity for strong emotions toward my alphas.
Wrapped around the omega scent were several alpha ones. I couldn’t pull them apart, but one in particular stood out, reminding me of sea salt chocolate.
My alpha wrapped an arm around my waist, either to comfort me or to make sure I didn’t fling myself at the offending female, I wasn’t sure.
“Hello, Catherine,” Jenson said, his tone even more stand-offish than when he was in teacher mode. “Roger. I didn’t know to expect your visit.”
“Where is my son.” It wasn’t a question, but a demand, as if being greeted by Jenson was some sort of insult.
I growled again, unable to stop the sound.
“Tell the beta female,” Aidan’s mother said, disgust filling her voice at the word beta, “that if she cannot control her primitive instincts, it is only appropriate to excuse herself.”
Jenson shut the door, cutting off the female’s raid and then turned to look at me. Without the smell of her and her mate entering my home, I felt myself immediately relax. It also helped that she started ringing to the doorbell again, and I couldn’t help but crack a smile.
“She seems…” I trailed off, trying to find the right word, but Aidan spoke up, startling me even as his presence made me smile.
“Old fashioned? Socialist? Like a grade-A bitch?”
“Did you hear her?” Jenson asked.
“No, but I assume she said something offensive,” Aidan said.
Despite the light tone, I could tell Aidan was trying to fight his hurt. It didn’t matter how much his beliefs differed from his parents—it would still hurt to not have their support. Even as an adult.
I sometimes imagined my parents finding me and apologizing for abandoning me. Sometimes I’d forgive them. Sometimes I told them to go to hell. But it was all in my head. I didn’t really know how I would react to actually facing them.
I reached for Aidan, wanting to comfort him. Just like Jenson, he smelled of the washing agents blocking his perfume. It made me want to simultaneously snarl and rub myself against him. I wanted my scent on my alphas, just not my omega one.
“Who came with her this time?” Aidan asked.
“Roger.”
My usually laid-back alpha swore.
“What do you want to do now?” Jenson asked. His hands came down to rest on my shoulders and being stuck between two of my bonded alphas had me biting down on my bottom lip to fight off the embers of arousal threatening to relight in my core. My whole body was aching from being used, but the sore muscles didn’t do anything to hinder my arousal.
“She won’t leave until she says her piece,” Aidan said. “I can go outside so you don’t have to hear it, Koda bear.”
“No. You shouldn’t have to face her alone.” I rested my chin against Aidan, looking up to the point of potentially breaking my neck. “We’re a pack. We face challenges—and mothers—together.”
****
I fully expected when we let Catherine Braker into the house that she was simply going to yell at Aidan and leave. Apparently, coming face to face with her son had her hiding her temperament. The fact she knew she had to hide her true colors should have alerted her to the fact she wasn’t acting appropriately. Not that I expected an apology. But maybe some self-awareness.