Page 40 of Dream Mates (Into The Parallel Omegaverse #2)

“Shit went down when I was seventeen. That might have been it.” It was the truth. If anything was bad enough to stop a genetic process, it was wilderness camp. Though given I was from a different world, I still had no idea how this all worked.

The doc made some more notes. “The reason why I was asking was because the earlier it happens, the closer a body is to being a beta–the later, the more omega-like you can be. It just aids us in helping us figure out what is or should be normal for you.” She eyed my shirt, which was the Rockland Raiders shirt Riley had made me for my birthday. “You like skate smash?”

“Evan’s sister and I are going to a game tonight.” I was excited.

“Then let’s get finished up so that you can go have a good time.”

Rubbing my arm from another shot, I found Evan in the center rec room, having a talk with a sad-looking Rose as they made bracelets. Riley had me help her make a lot of beaded bracelets in preparation for tonight. Apparently, bracelet trading was a big part of professional skate smash.

She waved and I joined them. “Am I interrupting?”

“Iris is bugging me again.” Rose sighed as she strung another bead.

“Again?” I gave her a little hug. Her older sister was still giving her crap about staying in Rockland and attending Finchley instead of going home and getting a job–even though her mom and step-dad continued to tell her to stay.

“Yeah.” She sighed.

Evan’s look told me there was a whole lot more to it.

“I’ll just take a car and get Riley and go to the game,” I suggested.

“It’s fine, Grace,” Evan brushed off. “Rose, I want you to stay on campus as much as you can, okay? If you leave, make sure it’s in a group–and call me if you need me.”

“Okay.” Rose rolled her eyes in that teenage way that meant us adults were overreacting. “Grace, have fun.”

Evan and I left and got into his 4x4.

“Is everything okay?” I asked him.

He frowned, probably trying to determine what he could tell me. “Disconcerting alphas are interested in Rose. I’m not sure if it’s just a pack being a little inappropriate, or if there’s something more here.”

“Oh. More? Like having to do with her uncle and whatever money problems he’s having?” I frowned.

“Yeah. I need to call Detective Esposito.” He sighed. “How’d the doctor's appointment go?”

“They said I can keep off the brace and walking cast. Of course, she also says that I should wait a few weeks before riding my motorcycle. But apparently they’re healing well because my alphas take good care of me?

I don’t know what that means.” I rolled my eyes as we plodded through traffic to get to Riley’s school.

“Well, that’s good news. It’s also fast, isn’t it?” Evan grinned. “So… alpha cum has many properties.”

“Yes, they’re full of happy juice. Spencer explained it.” I nodded.

“Yes. However, accelerated alpha healing properties can be passed on through alpha cum.” His grin widened.

“Wow, they really do have magic dicks,” I laughed.

Evan nodded. “They do. Though, you said you ended up in the infirmary at the Temporal Authority. Maybe they healed you, too.”

“Huh. I never thought about that.” I frowned. They had given me different casts. “Um, the Center doctor and I also had a super interesting talk about having kids.”

“Did you now?” His lemonade scent flared with lust.

“Yes, sir. Apparently I should try with you first, because you’re a walking fertility treatment. When I’m ready, you get dibs on my pussy during your heat.” I grinned, running my hand up his leg.

“Watch it, Peaches, or I’ll be teaching you to give head in the car.” His voice went rough.

I looked at the roof of the car and grinned.

“You’ve been holding out on me.” He grinned. “No wonder Wes is so relaxed when you come home from work. He gets traffic blowjobs?”

“Only sometimes,” I laughed. Then there was the whole cock warming thing with Spencer.

“So, I get a kid first? If you decide on them?” He grinned. “We’ll have to try so much. Such a hardship.”

“I’m not ready, but I thought you’d find that funny,” I responded.

“I know. Your career is just starting, but that doesn’t mean I can’t fantasize.” He squeezed my hand. “Just the fact you were talking about it is fucking hot. I wish I could take you home and practice .”

Heat flared in my core and his nose twitched.

“I’m looking forward to seeing a professional skate smash game. Though Riley is going to be annoyed that you guys have seats two rows behind us.” The overprotective dudes in the house didn’t think Riley and I should go by ourselves.

“It’s just me, Bren, and Jett–and we’ll buy you food. Fuck, you smell extra good today.”

“Is that a problem? Now that I have a job and stuff, should I take scent blockers? The doctor offered them to me.” I chewed on my lower lip.

Apparently there were different sorts. The one she recommended to me just dulled your scent, there were also ones that blocked your perfume and pheromones, and ones that made you appear beta.

“Only if you want to. You can use my scent-nulling body wash and shampoo though, and see if that makes you feel more comfortable. I also have some spray. If someone is being weird, tell Wes or Spencer. I wasn’t trying to make you self-conscious.

It was a compliment.” He gave my knee another squeeze.

“I know. I’m still trying to figure all this out. No one’s being weird. It just struck me as strange since I’m not an omega.”

“That’s what makes people look twice. Because you don’t smell like a beta–and it’s all mine.” He tried to lick my temple.

“Eww, keep your eyes on the road.” I laughed.

We finally pulled into Riley’s school, where she waited in a matching shirt. She also wore a black kilt, fishnets, and combat boots.

“Fuck of the morning, bitches.” Riley climbed into the back of the car.

“Your brother tried to lick me,” I tattled.

“Unsanitary.” She made a face. “This is why I live at school.”

Evan drove us to the arena and parked in the underground lot.

“See you later, be safe,” he told us, giving me a kiss, then leaning against his car and checking his phone.

Riley led me toward the entrance. “Where are they sitting?”

“Two rows behind. He promised us food, though.”

“Good. I’m going to make them buy me all the snacks,” she replied.

We went inside the giant arena, which was full of fans wearing Raiders gear. There were also a lot of banners for Rockland’s hockey team, which shared the arena.

Riley and I had come early so we could go to a bracelet-trading meet-up which was fun. Some of the bracelets were so pretty.

“Let’s find our seats.” Riley dragged me into the arena, and we found our seats. We were near the center of the rink, one section up from the ice. It was high energy, with electronic dance music playing.

Skate smash had sort of a rave theme going on–with dance breaks. It was a big-deal professional sport here. The pro teams were mostly alpha females, but there were a few betas and dudes.

“How are tryouts going?” I asked her. Her school skate smash tryouts for next year’s team were this week and next.

“Good. Really good. I think I have a chance,” she told me. “I’m going for swing, though. Not crusher.”

“I’m so glad it’s going well. I can’t wait to go to your games next year.” Swing was essentially the pivot in roller derby–they could switch between the other two positions. Crusher was the blocker, only this was pretty much full-contact and on ice skates.

“Maybe next year we’ll win more. The season ended so early this year. Oh, Hiro and I submitted our intern applications today–complete with teacher recommendations.” She beamed, looking pleased.

“I’m so glad. I’m proud of the both of you for getting them done.” They’d started them over the weekend.

“Oh, I can’t wait to work with you. Even Hiro’s mom thinks it’s a good idea, and nothing impresses her.” Riley rolled her eyes.

True. My phone buzzed. A text from Kilroy’s mom.

“Do I want to join Kilroy’s mom’s book club?” I asked. Generally, book clubs were an excuse to drink wine and gossip. It might be fun to meet more omegas.

“I’ll check.” She frowned and texted someone.

I felt someone behind us. Pine filled my nostrils, and I leaned backwards, and looked up into Brennan’s blue eyes.

“Hey fucker, where’s my food?” Riley asked. “I want a lime whirl, fried potato balls, and pizza nuggets.”

“Beer me–and nacho me.” I grinned. Two foods that I was glad this world had.

“Evan’s in the food line, Jett’s in the drink line. Text your requests.” Brennan raked his hand through my hair, nails lightly grazing my scalp in a way that felt nice. Ever since our motorcycle ride he’d been more affectionate with me. Not like Evan and Wes, but it was nice.

I texted them both for us.

Bren still stood there. “We’re right here if you need us.”

“Sweet baby cheeses, back off, you overprotective fuck. We will be fine. ” Riley rolled her eyes.

“Love you too, Ri.” Bren laughed, then left to find his actual seat.

Riley looked at her phone. “Kil says yes , because, and I quote, They have good snacks .”

“Great.” I texted Kilroy’s mom that I’d love to. She texted me the book title and I looked it up. It was a super smutty boss romance. Oooh.

Both teams came out on the ice to warm up.

The Rockland Raiders were in black and silver, the Capitol Crushers in blue and red.

They wore jerseys with their nicknames on the back–which were a lot like roller derby names but without the pop culture references.

Many wore fishnets, tights, or long socks with their shorts.

Some of the helmets were a different color, which designated the bullet, the person who scored, which was pretty much a jammer.

It was the position I’d played back when getting my PhD, because I was small, fast, and really didn’t understand the rules.

Evan and Jett brought us our food, and I dug into my nachos. Yeah, this was the best part of a sporting event. However, it was cold. I texted Evan asking if he had a sweatshirt.

The teams had left, and the mascots were throwing things at the crowd. Riley stuffed a dinosaur-shaped pizza nugget in her mouth.

“Thanks for sharing this with me. Best birthday present ever.” I grinned. “And I can’t wait to see you play.”

Riley leaned her head on my shoulder. “Thanks for giving a shit about me.”

“How could I not?” I grinned, putting an arm around her. Just the idea she thought I might not, tugged on my heart.

While I loved Wes, Evan, and Spencer, getting a Riley was the best thing about coming here. Who knew I needed a teenager in my life?

“Hey, will you back me with my sisters?” She stole one of my chips.

“Of course. On what?” I tried to think of what issue her sisters might have now.

“I…” She sat up. “I want to change my last name when the pack does, and Sasha’s going to shit a cactus .

I… I barely remember my parents. I’m not tied to my last name like they are.

But she’ll be mad–and make some comment about me just using it for the opportunities.

I mean, I will use those, but it’s not the only reason.

You’re my pack, my family. Why wouldn’t I?

Sonja’s going to take a different name when she marries her wife.

I think they’re merging their names and making something cute. ”

Oh, my heart. I put my arm around her. “I’ve got your back. Always.”

“Thanks Dr. Thanukos. That is so dope .” She grinned.

It hit me. “I have consented to eventually being Dr. Thanukos.”

Riley nodded. “Yep.”

“Grace.” Evan stood at the end of the row holding a sweatshirt. I held out my hands and he threw it at me. I caught it and pulled it on, then blew him a kiss. He blew one back and went to sit back down with the guys.

“You two. Fuck me with a pineapple.” Riley rolled her eyes.

“Thanks for sharing your brother.” I sent a picture to Brennan of me in Evan’s hoodie. I still wasn’t sure why it bugged him so much, since I’d been told over and over that stealing your mate’s clothes was a perfectly normal thing.

“You and Evan have fun this weekend,” I added. They were going to do something special while Wes and I went away.

“Why are we being sappy fucks?” She took a chip. The lights started to blink. “Oh good, the intros are going to start. This is gonna be so much fun.”

“I’m excited.” From what I’d seen online it was just as violent as ice hockey–only with dance breaks–as in the teams dance-battled and did synchronized routines to dance music, complete with lights and lasers.

The arena grew dark, except for blacklights, and some low light on the rink, as fog filled the ice.

Music blasted, as lights and lasers flashed and the Capitol Crushers skated out, one after the other, doing spins, flips, and other fancy tricks as they made their way around the rink.

Everyone out, they assembled in the middle of the rink and began to dance, in unison, on ice skates.

After they finished, someone announced the night’s lineup, their pictures flashing up on giant screens as they skated one by one to the bench.

“That’s a good intro. But the Raiders’ is better. Just you watch,” she nodded.

The Raiders did their intro routine and took their seats. The ref came out and the starting six for each team assumed their place on the ice. The music started and lights flashed as the first two minute round, called a succession, started.

The main objective was for the ‘bullet’ of each team to try to make as many laps around the ice as possible without being impeded by the other team’s ‘crushers’ whose job was to stop them.

This was pretty much by any means possible, since this was full-contact, with fist fights, commentary, and penalty boxes.

I looked over at Riley, who was beaming , as she yelled and cheered for various players, and predicting moves. I’d found my family. And for that, I was grateful.