Chapter 16: Elliott - Wrong Date, Right Mates

I wake up alone in our nest, head clear, heat gone, no longer a stranger to myself. I stretch one arm overhead. How long was I out?

There’s a note beside my pillow with a plate of strawberries and a chocolate croissant on a tray.

Elliott,

You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn’t want to wake you. I went to check on Tyler. Be back soon.

Oh, and I washed your clothes and placed them on the chair, along with your phone.

Yours,

Alden

Now that my heat is over, I feel claustrophobic. I climb out of bed, then part the curtains, and open the window.

This side of the house faces a small backyard shaded heavily by a large willow tree, branches dancing gently with the breeze. Three chairs form a lazy circle around a small fire pit.

Shame and regret fill me. Alden and Tyler have their own little paradise here, and I trespassed on it. I stole Tyler’s sanctuary from him when he needed it most. Poor Tyler. Listening to him suffer through his rut alone broke my heart.

I brush my teeth, and dress, then start dismantling our nest. Hazy memories of my heat haunt me as I remove the fort-building clips, fold the bed linen, and toss the dirty clothes I wedged between pillows and bedding into the laundry basket.

I nibble my lip and listen for Alden in the quiet house, trying to fight my omega instincts to take something of theirs with me. Fuck it. I reach back into the laundry basket and fish out two pairs of boxer briefs, one for each alpha, then stuff them into my small bag like a burglar.

I look around the room, no less beautiful and inviting than when I first entered, but it feels hollow without the nest, and I feel hollow too.

The door opens, and Alden dips his head in, jaw tight and tension around his eyes.

He steps inside, wearing gray sweatpants and a blue cotton tee. “You took the nest down.”

I nod. “I wanted to help clean up.”

His brow wrinkles. “You didn’t have to.”

“I know, but I’m not a helpless omega anymore, and it’s not like you were going to keep my nest up.”

He pauses. “Well, that was the plan. If you want to spend another heat here, that is.”

“Oh.” Wow. I wasn’t expecting that level of commitment from him.

I would do anything to spend another heat with Alden, but I won’t. There’s no solution that includes me. Tyler is proof of it.

He flashes playful eyes at me. “I guess that means I didn’t pass your test?”

“Please.” I roll my eyes. “You’re class vale-dick-torian. Ten out of ten best heat ever.”

He grins slowly. “Really?”

I nod. “No tutor necessary.”

He exhales a relieved sigh and wipes his forehead with the back of his hand. “Oh, thank god. I hate to imagine how expensive a tutor would be.”

“Probably about as expensive as all the stuff you bought for my heat plan.”

He scoffs. “That doesn’t count. I love to spoil, remember? I don’t keep receipts for my omegas.”

Okay, so I hate that word—omegas, as in plural.

He frowns at the stack of folded blankets. “Let me pack these for you to take.” He leaves in a flurry before I can refuse, and returns with paper shopping bags from Anthropologie and Bloomingdale’s.

My attention snags on the pink splotches on his chest and neck. “Are you having an allergic reaction?”

“Huh?” He looks down his front. “Oh, that. No. My body likes to broadcast when I’m stressed.”

“Tyler?” I ask.

He unfolds a bag before he replies. “Yes. I’m so sorry about all of this.”

Guilt curdles in my stomach. “I’m sorry. I showed up in heat and didn’t give either of you a warning.”

“You can’t apologize for your biology.”

“Tyler said something similar at the beach.”

“Sounds like him.” Alden stuffs blankets into the bag until the corner starts to rip. “I didn’t expect him to react this way. He’s never struggled like this when I’ve had omegas over. Had I known, I would have reserved a hotel room.” He blows out a long exhale until his shoulders slump.

The blotches on his neck are definitely darker, more red than pink, and growing larger.

I rub Alden’s shoulder. “I see how much you care about him. I know you wouldn’t hurt him intentionally.”

He nods, then takes my hand from his shoulder and kisses it. “Thank you.”

I don’t know the story between these two men, but I have a guess. Alden never mentioned a pack, and denied it when I asked last night. But I bet they’re a pack without the title, and too oblivious to realize it.

Typical idiot alphas.

Maybe that’s why I responded as strongly to Tyler as I did to Alden.

I move to help Alden with the next bag.

“No. Eat your breakfast, little omega.”

His command soothes me as I take a bite of the flaky croissant, but I wish I could soothe him too.

By the time I finish my breakfast, he’s stuffed three bags with linen, and another with produce.

“This is too much,” I say for the fourth time, one for each bag he filled.

“I know it seems extravagant, but it would make me feel better to know you have them. Donate them if you want, but I have no use for them.”

I smile. “Do you mind sharing the heat plan too?”

His face blanks.

“I was teasing you.”

“Well, in that case…” He taps his temple, dimples flashing as he smiles. “Sorry, but it’s all up here.”

* * *

Morning mist dews on the giant pink flowering vine we pass on the way to my car. Palm trees whisper overhead, swept by a cool breeze that smells of the ocean—the actual ocean, not Tyler. I’ll probably think of him whenever I see the Pacific.

Alden is quiet and distracted. He probably wishes he’d listened to me when I said he should stay with Tyler.

I climb inside my car while he packs the bags of luxury linen into the trunk of my fifteen-year-old Prius. The AC blasts through the vents when I turn the car on. I shiver and crank it down, staring at the path toward the stairway to hell.

Thousand Steps Beach feels like an entirely different universe, like everything that happened there was a dream.

Alden leans in through the driver’s side window. “Are you sure you’re okay to drive home?”

“I’m in better shape now than when I parked here. Thanks to you.”

“Good.” He cups my cheek gently and kisses me. “Text me when you get home.”

“I will. I’ll be fine. Go.”

“Okay.” He shoots me a strained smile and dashes across Pacific Coast Highway.

Waves rumble and fade, then I drive away. When I get home, I open the Heat Seekers app.

Hi, Alden.

I’m home.

Thank you for giving me the best heat I’ve ever had. Your heat plan meant so much to me, but I don’t deserve it. I was never looking for a regular arrangement. I was writing an article about the Heat Seekers app.

I should have been honest upfront. I never planned to fall for you, but I did. As much as I hate saying this, you have way more game than you think.

Any omega would be lucky to have you, and I wish that omega could be me. But it can’t be.

I’m so sorry for dropping into your life only to fuck it up. I’m so sorry for the pain Tyler endured over the last few days. I hope I didn’t cause problems between you two.

Thank you for your kindness. You made me feel safe. You showed me that I shouldn’t settle for the heats I’ve had in the past. I’ll never forget you.

— Elliott.

I send the message, and deactivate my account. Then I start my article.