Page 35 of Alpha Ruined
Bree’s stomach flips.
“Huh?No,” she huffs, looking at the other Omega in disbelief. “He’snotmy Alpha, and I blocked his number. So, he’s not going to be around to protect me.”
Darlene’s rich brown eyes narrow. “You blocked him—why would you—” she shakes her head and sighs. “Okay, here’s the thing about Eugene. He’s been a nasty alcoholic foryears.Helene, his wife, who happened to be an Omega, had enough of it and tried to divorce him. Eugene got even worse after that—he drank more, and he started spewing off hatefulnonsense to everyone—he basically pickled his brain. He was constantly talking about how much he hated Omegas to anyone who would listen. Then, his wife justdisappeared. Up and gone,poof.” She gestures with her hands. “The sheriff got involved, but they found nothing. So, technically, no one can prove it, but we all know he did it.”
Bree blinks, stunned. “So, he hasn’t been arrested or anything? He’s not even a suspect?”
“I’m sure he was, but our town has like, one officer that was assigned the case, and they closed it. So, he basically got away with it. You know, it’s small-town stuff.”
Darlene must see something on Bree’s face, because her expression softens. “Look. As long as you have us, you’re fine. It would be even better if you hadn’t blocked one of the hottest men I’ve ever seen, but you’re safe with Kyle and me.”
Bree nods, continuing to pet Oscar’s fur.
It’s soothing, and she starts to wonder if maybe one day she should get a cat, too.
Her apartment is lonely. It would be nice to have someone to come home to…
“Also, if you need any extra Heat supplies, I have those, too.” Darlene interrupts her train of thought.
“Huh?”
“I have extra nesting blankets, heating pads, fuzzy socks, emergency suppressants, lube?—”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I’m notstupid,” her friend snaps. “I’m not trying to make it weird, but your scent has grown sweeter since the last time I saw you, and I’m sure it’s because of Cole. And, if you’re not going to at least give him the time of day, you’re probably going to go into an early Heat.”
Bree stares at her, opening and closing her mouth repeatedly. She doesn’t have words.
Is it normal to be this forward about Heat cycles?
She hasn’t had an Omega friend since college, and the ones she’s interacted with don’t bring up Heats and nesting out of the blue, and she certainly hasn’t been offered lube before.
“I have what I need,” she says carefully. “Thanks, though.”
“Sorry,” Darlene says quickly. “I didn’t mean to weird you out, and I’m not trying to overstep your boundaries or anything. I was just thinking, you know, the circumstances are a little weird and you’re by yourself here. So, if you need anything, just tell me, and I’ve got you.”
With the cat asleep in her lap, Bree gives her a genuine smile.
“I appreciate it,” she says. “I truly do.”
Her concern is unnecessary, though.
Her Heat isn’t coming anytime soon.
CHAPTER 12
BREE
She staysat Darlene’s place until late afternoon, enjoying a few glasses of wine and chatting with her. She heads back to her cabin just as the sun begins to set.
They didn’t talk at all about her upcoming interview or what happened at Green Woods Facility, and Bree is thankful for a day where she can relax and be herself.
She doesn’t think about her mother. She doesn’t think about her father or her job.
And she certainly doesn’t think about Cole until she fumbles with the keys to her cabin and drops them on the floor.
Shit. She’s tipsy.