Page 60 of Dream Mates (Into The Parallel Omegaverse #2)
I made my voice hard, filling it with alpha authority, though it wasn’t quite a bark. Yet. While she was an alpha, I was easily more dominant than her. Part of me wanted to hit her for daring to lay a hand on my mate, but we didn’t need photos of that, either.
“Who the fuck are you?” Dr. Thorne blinked as if just truly noticing me.
“I’m Spencer Thanukos, one of Grace’s alphas. Please, leave us be, Dr. Thorne. We’ve done nothing to you,” I warned.
“Fuck. You’re not her. You can’t be.” She turned and ran into the parking lot, getting out her phone. “You didn’t tell me she was mated to Spencer Fucking Thanukos.”
I pulled Grace into my arms as the car arrived.
“Are you all right?” I asked, helping her inside.
“I have no idea what that was,” she frowned, leaning into me. “I’m so tired. It’s been a day.”
“Then rest, Darling.” As she dozed in my arms, I texted someone that I used for background checks, trying to figure out why Dr. Thorne bothered me.
If she was in chemistry, she probably wouldn't have been one of my father’s students.
Perhaps I had her as a professor or teaching assistant at some point?
I also texted Brennan to see if the genscan came back.
Brennan
Not yet. But my mom is on the rampage because the media picked up on the foundation getting rid of scholarships for vulnerable omegas.
Me
Pity if the footage of her slapping you–or being escorted out of your office made the news as well.
Brennan
Ian Murphy is being served tomorrow. So that will be interesting. I’m not sure she knows about the building yet.
Me
So far she hasn’t seemed to be bothering my business.
Brennan
Good.
Oh, there was a really nice picture of you and Grace going for a walk on the beach on the entertainment news.
Brennan attached a shot.
Me
That’s not news.
Though it was a very beautiful photo.
Brennan
You’re an eligible bachelor that now looks to be off the market. To some, it is.
Me
I was never eligible or on the market.
It made me want to growl.
Me
The farm was a nice recommendation. We had a lovely picnic and got two cases of your bourbon, along with other things.
What do you use peach bourbon for? Frozen drinks?
Brennan
That might make a nice marinade or sauce.
Thanks, man. I hope you’re having fun, and that the picture Grace sent to the group chat of you with straw on your head doesn’t hit the news.
I checked the group chat and Grace had filled it up with sweet pictures. None of which I’d be embarrassed for my mother to see.
My publicist had emailed me, asking if things were getting serious with Grace and if I wanted to address the media. My mother also texted me.
Mother
Who’s the woman?
Ah, yes, I should probably let her know that things with Grace were serious.
Me
I hope your travels went well. Grace is a mathematician, and we are quite serious. Evan and Riley both adore her. Maybe you can meet her soon.
Mother
Finally. Happy for you. Bring Evan. I miss that boy. If he likes her…
She was happy for me? I didn’t know how much I needed to hear that.
Me
Oh, he does. I hope you will, too. She bakes .
My mom did have a sweet tooth.
Mother
Should I send an omega lily? Maybe she can keep it alive.
It was a custom in my part of the world to gift newly-mated omegas a pot of omega lilies. The idea was that it helped make a peaceful home, since the smell made people happy.
She’d sent Evan one, but it got put in a box when they’d moved and died. Grace could probably keep it alive. They were quite lovely.
Me
You’ll be invited when we have our party. You can bring it yourself.
“Who are you texting?” Grace asked sleepily.
“My mother. I’m telling her about you,” I replied.
“Awww.” She grinned.
We got back to the hotel and Grace disappeared into the bedroom, coming back out in that yellow bikini before I’d even gotten situated.
“Hot tub. Now.” She tugged on my tie, pulling me to her, giving me a fierce kiss.
“As you wish, my good doctor.” I changed and found her in the balcony hot tub. She had a beer in her hand and a glass of wine for me.
I’d just gotten in when she curled onto my lap.
“I’ve got you.” I held her as she sobbed into my arms. “Apologies for not being there to protect you.”
“That’s not why I’m upset. I hope you know that. I’m just emotionally overwhelmed and confused.” She stared up at me with her big, blue-grey eyes.
“How can I help? What do you need?” I asked.
“First we’re going to enjoy our drinks, and the view, then we can go to bed and enjoy each other.” Her head rested on my shoulder. “Sounds good?”
“Perfect.” I took a sip of wine. It was a good one and I was curious if she’d chosen it herself or asked room service to pick for her.
The hot tub was relaxing and just what I needed, along with some good wine, and my delightful companion.
“Earlier, you said that you were one of my alphas.” Her voice went soft as she took a sip of beer.
“I am one of your alphas.” My tone went possessive. “I haven’t marked you yet but I’m very much yours.”
Maybe I should bond with her sooner rather than later. That way I could feel her if she was in trouble. Wes wasn’t the only one who worried that he couldn’t protect his mate.
“I know. I like hearing it.” She smiled. “I think when you bite me, I’d like it to be here.” Taking my head, she pushed it gently to the crook of her neck. “Right where everyone could see.”
My teeth ached as the thought of sinking into her creamy flesh and leaving a permanent mark.
Go for it, Wes had said.
Why wait?
“Here?” I sucked on the spot, making her gasp as my hand slid under the bottom of her yellow bikini.
A whimper escaped her lips. “Please, Alpha.”
Bite her. It’s right there. My desire to bond with her extended far beyond just wanting to protect her and be connected to her.
“I’ll bite you tonight if you wish, but not here in the hot tub.” Just in case anyone was watching us.
“No?” Her lower lip quivered a little.
“I will mark you, Darling. It will look so beautiful. When we finish our drinks, we’ll shower, go to bed, and how did you put it? Enjoy each other? ” I kissed her neck, trying to reassure her so she didn’t get upset and think she was being rejected. It happened sometimes with omegas.
“Okay.” She looked out past the balcony and sighed. “I guess we don’t need anyone to take pictures of us boning in the hot tub.”
I laughed. “No, we don’t.”