Page 15

Chapter 15

Oliver

“Oh my God. How embarrassing.” She laughs. “I have a piercing and it always gets cold during games.”

I can’t help but laugh at her piercing comment. Most women would be embarrassed, but not Harlow. She owns it completely.

“Well, that’s one way to keep warm during games,” I say, looking at her creamy skin.

Colton always boasted at how outgoing and sometimes unfiltered Harlow was, but honestly, I never expected her to be so honest.

“You should see what I do when it’s freezing.” Her fingers grip the sheet.

Asher clears his throat. “Harlow, put your clothes back on. You have two alphas in the room.”

“Oh shit.” She lifts the sheet higher up her body. “I forgot I was naked.”

“If you were an omega, we wouldn’t be able to control ourselves,” I tease, catching Asher’s eye.

He curls his finger abruptly, then gestures for me to get up.

“Good job I’m not then.”

“We’ll wait outside while you get ready, Harlow,” Asher tells her.

“Okay, thanks.”

I stride to him. He virtually pulls me to the other side of the curtain.

“What the fuck!” he mouths.

I shrug my shoulders. “She needs to own her shit.”

“What was that?” Her voice comes muffled, probably pulling her shirt over her head.

When I exchange a look with Asher, his jaw tightens, giving me that warning stare I know too well. The one that says ‘shut up before you say something you shouldn’t.’

I get it—we can’t rush her omega status. She needs to figure it out on her own.

But sometimes I want to help to move it along.

“Though I have to say,” Harlow continues, “you two are surprisingly well-behaved for alphas. Which proves Carver is mistaken about me being an omega. If I was, you two would climb over that curtain to get to me.”

“I hate that Carver knows, and got to her first,” I mouth to him.

Asher nods and says to Harlow, “We’re professionals, Harlow.”

“Professional what? Perverts?”

I snort. “She’s got us there, Ash.”

The curtain pulls back and Harlow emerges fully dressed, her dark hair slightly messed up. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. ”

I watch her gather her things, trying not to focus on how her scent fills the small space. And like my alpha is a separate part of me, it paces, needing to be near to her.

“Come for a drink with us tonight. We’re heading to Moonlight.” I catch Asher’s subtle nod of approval. “Best cocktails in Los Angeles.”

“Can’t tonight.” Harlow zips up her bag. “Got a date.”

My chest tightens. “A date?”

She laughs, the sound light and musical. “With my housemate Freya. I was telling Asher about her earlier. She’s an omega.” Her eyes brighten. “You should meet her. You’ve struggled to find an omega, right? And she’s had trouble finding a pack.”

“We haven’t struggled,” I correct her, leaning against the wall. “We’re waiting for the right omega, that’s all. She has to be perfect.”

“She is perfect.” Her smile makes my heart skip. Those full lips curve up, and I force myself to look away.

“Have you ever thought of joining a pack, Harlow?” Asher asks, his voice careful. “For real, I mean.”

She shakes her head, hair falling over her shoulder. “God no. I would be so jealous once an omega came along and all the alphas were falling over themselves to get to her and I...” She swallows hard, fingers tightening on her bag strap. “I’d be left to myself. I could never be with another woman. Not that I’m saying there’s anything wrong with it, but...”

“It’s okay.” I want to reach for her, show her how wrong she is, but I stay still. "You're too needy and would want the alphas to yourself."

"Not like omega needy." She laughs nervously. "I'm just the jealous type."

I lean against the wall, arms crossed, trying to keep my expression casual. Harlow’s laughter dances in the air like music, but there’s something in her eyes—a flicker of vulnerability that pulls at me .

“Maybe you’d like to join Freya and me. We’re going to check out a different bar in a cheaper part of town,” she says, glancing down as if embarrassed. “We don’t have your budget.”

“Then we’ll treat you and Freya.” I chuckle softly. “Give me your address. I’ll swing by in a cab and pick you and Freya up, then we’ll meet Asher and Parker at the bar.”

Her brows lift in surprise. “Parker too? What about Jagger?”

The concern for Parker’s son warms my chest. She cares, and I admire that about her.

“It’s our regular night out. Parker’s parents look after Jagger.” I flash her a grin. “So what do you say?”

Harlow bites her lip, contemplating, then shakes her head slightly. “Don't fall in love with Freya tonight. Not while I'm there.”

“We might fall in love with you.” My tone turns teasing as I step closer.

She rolls her eyes, but there’s a flush creeping up her cheeks, the kind that tells me she’s fighting off a smile. “I’ve already been duped by one alpha; I’m not going down that road again.”

“Yeah? And Carver?” The name slips from my lips before I can stop myself.

Her face reddens further, those captivating eyes meeting mine with a mix of shock and something deeper—maybe fear or recognition. Maybe I got too close to the truth.

“What do you mean?” Her voice is low now, edged with uncertainty.

“Just wondering how far that situation goes,” I reply lightly, but there’s tension hanging between us.

“It’s...” She shifts on her feet, arms folding defensively across her chest. “It was just…complicated.”

“You don’t seem complicated,” I counter softly. “Just…real. ”

“I’m not.” A smile creeps back onto her face as she studies me like I’m some kind of puzzle she wants to solve. “Complicated, that is.”

Around us, the atmosphere thickens with words I want to ask her, answers I’m sure she’ll skate around.

“Good, so is that a date?” Asher interrupts.

“Fine,” she relents finally, breathless excitement slipping into her tone. “But if Freya gets too wild, it’s on you. She might bring a cake.”

“Cake. I’m already in love with her. Deal.”

She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

For now, I’ll let Harlow think what she wants. I’ll do anything to spend more time with her, even if it means we have to spend time with an omega who wants a pack.

When all my pack wants is the omega hidden in plain sight.

Later that night, I open the door for Harlow, holding out my hand for her to take. She hesitates for a moment, those beautiful eyes darting to my face.

Goosebumps ripple across my skin as she slides her palm against mine and I feel an electric spark at our touch.

She’s wearing wide-legged trousers and a bandeau top in a vibrant lime green that emphasizes her dark hair and the turquoise-green in her eyes.

Gorgeous doesn’t quite capture it; she’s like a fresh breath of spring, bursting with life in this summer heat .

Freya tumbles out of the backseat and glances around as if the world outside could swallow her whole, which is a stark contrast to the constant chatter that filled the car on the journey here.

Freya’s cute though—freckles dance across her nose—but tonight’s outfit leaves much to be desired: bibbed jeans and mismatched boots ill-suited for a night out in a cocktail bar.

“Ready to dazzle?” Freya nudges Harlow with a grin, and I can’t help but smile at their camaraderie.

Harlow hugs her tightly. “I’ll be right by your side all night.”

They make their way toward the entrance, and I follow closely behind. The warmth between them settles something deep inside me.

Inside, Parker and Asher wave from a booth in the corner. Harlow flashes a meek smile at Parker before sliding into the seat next to him.

“Glad you made it!” Parker grins, his presence calm yet, as always, commanding.

Asher leans back with that trademark ease of his. “Kai here is a man of few words.”

Harlow cocks her head at Coach, intrigued. “Is that your first name?”

“It is,” Parker replies, a hint of amusement in his tone.

“Interesting,” she says playfully.

He chuckles softly. “Most just call me Coach or Parker.”

“Not me,” Harlow declares, leaning closer as if sharing a secret only they can hear. “I like Kai.”

The way she says it makes something shift in the air—an unspoken connection forming around us all. And Parker’s gaze softens as he nods in appreciation at her choice.

“Guess I’m stuck with it then,” he teases lightly .

Asher watches them both closely, his expression shifting between interest and something deeper—something protective lingers behind his dark eyes.

I watch Harlow’s face light up as she remembers her manners. “Oh god, I’m so sorry. This is Freya. She’s an omega.” She emphasizes the last word, her eyes darting between us meaningfully.

My heart sinks.

Here she is, trying to set us up with another omega when she’s the one we want. The one we need.

Freya waves shyly. “Hi. I own a bakery downtown.”

“She makes the best cakes,” Harlow gushes, clearly playing matchmaker. “And she’s single. Very single. Looking for a pack, actually.”

I exchange glances with Asher and Parker. They feel it too—the sting of Harlow pushing someone else our way.

But we're not so easily deterred.

I can’t take my eyes off Harlow, even hours later as Freya dominates the conversation. The omega bakery owner certainly has a natural talent for storytelling. Her hands fly everywhere as she speaks.

“So there I am, covered in flour, and this alpha walks into my shop and he thinks he’s helping me.” Freya snorts, nearly spilling her drink. “He takes one look at me and goes ‘What happened? I can help you clean up.’ His hands are all over me, trying to clean me up and I’m swatting his hands away while trying to tell him I’m meant to be covered in flour!”

“I think you misread the signs. That alpha wanted you,” I tell Freya.

“He did—” Her eyes widened. “He didn’t.”

Harlow throws her head back, laughing, the sound of pure joy. “No wonder you’re single. You need some lessons to read the signals. ”

Harlow catches my eye across the table, lifting her glass. I raise mine and lean forward, our drinks clinking together.

Freya groans. “I wonder if he’ll come back.”

“Are you having a nice night?” I ask, leaning closer.

“The best.” Her smile reaches her eyes, making them sparkle. “Freya’s stories alone are worth the price of admission.”

“Oh, but wait, this one was definitely not there for me!” Freya interrupts, practically bouncing in her seat. “Said he was a chef, and he tried to show me how to knead bread properly. Me! I’ve been baking since I could walk!” She dissolves into giggles. “He stood behind me and grabbed the dough like he was trying to strangle it as he pressed me against the counter. That’s not—”

Freya stares at me as I nod my head.

“Oh god! Was that a sign?”

“What did you do to frighten that alpha off?” Harlow asks between laughs.

“I told him my sourdough starter was more cultured than he’d ever be and showed him the door.”

The table erupts in laughter.

Harlow wipes tears from her eyes, her cheeks flushed with happiness. She seems lighter tonight, more relaxed than I’ve ever seen her at work.

Three drinks later, Harlow’s cheeks are flushed pink as she belts out Taylor Swift’s song “Shake It Off” with Freya on the stage. The entire bar has joined in, and I can’t help but smile at her uninhibited joy.

“I go on too many dates! ” She throws her arm around Freya, swaying. “But I can’t make ‘em stay.”

“At least that’s what people say, mm-mm!” The crowd echoes. "That's what people… "

Minutes later, the song ends and Harlow plops down next to me, her eyes bright as Freya sings another song. This time solo.

“You guys are amazing, you know that? The way you take care of Jagger...” She leans in. “And I’m going to help you. All of you. That little boy deserves the world.”

“Is that right?” I ask, amused by her determination, but trying to act calm.

“Mm-hmm.” She nods seriously. “You need someone to help to keep him. And I’m very good at organizing things. I could pretend to be a good pretend mom. I think I’m too much of an alpha to be a good omega, but–”

Asher and I glance at each other, both biting our lips to stop ourselves from laughing, because seriously Harlow, you are not a good alpha.

“I can give it a good try,” she continues.

Parker raises an eyebrow. “You could, could you?”

“The best,” she declares, then hiccups. “Oh! Excuse me.” She slaps her hand on her chest. “But seriously, let me help. Please?”

The sincerity in her voice touches something deep inside me. She’s trying to take care of us all, and yet she is completely unaware that she is exactly like an omega.

And she’s exactly what we’ve been waiting for.