Page 17 of Angel Boy (Pack It In #2)

I feel the Alpha's bark, the command in his voice, but unlike a few days ago, it has no effect on me. I'm a mated Omega now, and an Alpha's bark only works if it's from my Alpha, Xavier. A sassy, defiant grin splits across my lips as I shake my head.

"You can't control me anymore. Scent match, my ass. Biology can suck my dick."

Ryker's expression darkens further as he takes a step back, his eyes narrowing while he assesses the situation.

"If you want to break that fucking contract, you'll have to give up that penthouse and all of the luxuries that come with it.

Is that what you want, Angel? To give up everything and live like a commoner? "

If he thought that was going to deter me, he’s fucking stupid. "Done. You know what? I got one better."

Ryker freezes as a mix of confusion and anger spreads through his expression. "What do you mean?"

I don’t answer him as I strip off my shirt, making sure Ryker gets a good look at the scene before him.

It's the first time I've ever been completely naked in front of Ryker.

Rage sparks in his eyes as he takes in the evidence of Xavier's claiming scattered across my skin, marks that tell the story of a night spent being cherished instead of used.

I park my ass back on Xavier's lap with theatrical flair, leaning back against his chest and arching my neck to display the fresh bite mark on my shoulder.

The claiming bite that legally and biologically makes me Xavier's mate, severing any bond Ryker thought he had over me.

Xavier's hands automatically come up to support me, one settling possessively on my hip while the other splays across my chest.

"Beautiful view, isn't it?" I say sweetly, enjoying the way Ryker's composed mask is starting to crack around the edges.

But I'm not done yet. I drag Xavier's left hand, the one wearing his college ring, down to rest on my stomach, positioning it so the metal is clearly visible. Then I pull out my phone and snap a picture of us just like this.

Me naked and marked and Xavier's claiming bite on full display.

I quickly type up a caption and post it to my backup account, making sure to tag my main. Everyone will start dissecting my personal life and think they know what’s going on. After all, Ryker has been teasing the public about our mating since the company revealed he was my scent match.

Finally mated to Alpha Morrison. Angel-Boy is retired. This is just Angel now, and I've never been happier. #MatedAndFree #RealLove #ChosenNotAssigned

The account @angelxoxo doesn't have many followers yet, but it will after this stunt.

Xavier's voice is warm with amusement as he pulls me a little closer, covering me with the shirt I discarded so my cock isn’t on full display. "Babe, did you just—"

"I did." I grin up at him over my shoulder. "I told the entire fucking world that I just got mated to a Morrison."

Ryker's face goes through several interesting color changes before he manages to speak. "But they'll know that's not me."

"That's the fucking point." I turn back to face him, not bothering to cover myself any further.

Let him see exactly what he lost through his own arrogance and neglect.

"Everyone's going to know that you had a scent-matched Omega who chose someone else.

Everyone's going to know that being the 'perfect biological match' means absolutely nothing if you treat your supposed mate like property. "

I climb off Xavier’s lap again and slip the shirt on before tucking my Alpha back into his pants.

"I'm so sorry I was such an inconvenience for you," I continue, aiming my words at Ryker, my voice dripping with false sweetness, "but I don't have to be anymore. I quit. Send me a bill for whatever contractual obligations you think I'm breaking."

I move to walk past Ryker toward the door, but his hand shoots out to grab my arm. The contact makes my skin crawl, and I'm about to jerk away when suddenly Xavier is there, moving faster than I've ever seen him move.

Xavier thrusts his brother against the wall with enough force to rattle the picture frames, one hand wrapped around Ryker's throat while his other arm blocks any potential retaliation. The civilized businessman facade drops completely as Xavier snarls into his brother's face.

"I've put up with a lot of fucking shit from you over the years," Xavier growls. "I'll apologize for breaking my contract and touching Angel, but I won't apologize for protecting him, for giving him what he needs, for loving him. He deserves absolutely everything."

Ryker struggles against Xavier's grip, but Xavier's bigger and angrier, and there's no contest between them.

"Even if he wasn't officially mine," Xavier continues, his grip tightening slightly, "I would protect him to my dying breath. Now, excuse me. I have an Omega to spend time with—an Omega who is my entire fucking world because he's more than just a fucking product."

Xavier releases Ryker and moves toward me, dragging me into a thorough kiss that is 100% as claiming as it looks. His hand settles on my neck just the way it had with his brother, but I feel loved, not threatened. When we break apart, Xavier turns back to his brother with a satisfied smirk.

"By the way," he muses, "I'll be calling the authorities and sending them those videos from Angel's last performance, letting them know you used your bark to force him to perform while in pre-heat. Good luck trying to explain your way out of that."

The color drains from Ryker's face. Coercing an Omega during pre-heat is a serious crime, and there's video evidence of exactly what happened on that stage. All I have to say is that I didn’t want to be up there, and Ryker will suffer for it.

His image, his wealth… everything just like that down the drain.

"You're not going to fucking win," Ryker snarls, but there's desperation creeping into his voice now.

Xavier chuckles as he tugs me into his chest, the delicious sound rumbling through me. "Ryker, are you dumb? There is no winning. This isn't a game. Angel's heart isn't a prize to be won, but even if it was, I made the winning move before you ever even sat down to the goddamn table."

I tug him toward the door, wanting to leave before Ryker tries to fumble his way through a comeback, when I notice the splintered wood and broken lock.

My eyes grow wide as I take in the destruction, a nervous giggle starting up in my throat.

It bubbles out into genuine, unrestrained laughter, Xavier just looking on amused.

"Ryker," I call over my shoulder, barely able to get the words out between giggles, "put the door on my tab. Fuck, Xavier, you broke down a door for me?"

Without warning, Xavier sweeps me up into his arms, carrying me bridal-style toward the destroyed entrance. I wrap my arms around his neck and beam up at him, feeling lighter than I have in months.

"Yeah, and I’d do it again."