Page 17 of Love in Excess (Beta Accepted #9)

CELESTE

Crepes? Eaten.

House? Cleaned.

Well, sort of. I started mopping the kitchen out of boredom and then started in on my nest before counting all of the pillows and realizing there were an odd number.

Mentally, I made a list of everything I’d need from the nesting store before then pouring over takeout flyers to figure out where I wanted to take Lincoln for dinner.

He thought he was going to be asking me out on a date but no, not this time. Maybe next time. Probably not. I finally settle on a cute little place with outdoor seating, perfect for Jasmine, and I can already picture his shy smile when I drag him there.

I was gonna text him the details but I decide to give it a few more hours before I bother him again. Hunter said slow and while last night was anything but, I’m trying. However, that means at least two more hours of boredom before I bully Hunter into having lunch with me.

I can’t even waste my time with Jasmine, my heart hurting a little that she’s alone just like I am. We’ll have to rectify that, I tell myself. Tonight, at dinner, I’m going to let Lincoln know that Jasmine can stay with me. Then we can both keep each other company until our Daddies get home.

I grimace at the awful joke and quickly shake it away, reminding myself never to say something so disgusting again. Instead of just sitting here, twiddling my thumbs, I grab my list and head for the nesting store. A few pillows and then lunch with my Alpha, what could be a better morning?

Lunch with both my Alpha and Beta would be better.

I smirk at the thought of sharing a meal outside with both of them, Lincoln shooting us shy glances until he’s comfortable enough to show off those expressions he made last night.

I shudder at the thought of him being all growly and dominant like Hunter does before trying to think of spiders.

If the wrong person catches my heat scent, I’m going to be fucked.

The bell jingles as I step inside, and I’m hit with the warm, clean scent of cotton and lavender.

My shoulders relax as I wander the aisles, my fingers trailing over soft velvets and fluffy wools.

I’m eyeing a deep purple throw, imagining it draped over my nest. Needing a picture to make sure it matches the ones in my nest, I pull out my phone and hold the blanket up to capture the rich color.

Perfect.

I’m just about to put it down when a voice cuts through the quiet. “Fancy seeing you here,” Carter muses, his tone slick with something that makes my skin crawl. “I would’ve thought Hunter did absolutely everything for you.”

My heart lurches into my stomach as I turn around, absolutely horrified to find Carter standing a few feet away.

He’s got a healthy black eye and a split lip, no doubt from my Alpha and Beta defending me two days ago.

I have no idea how I didn’t catch his scent before now but it hits me all at once, sour citrus and stale beer.

I swallow nervously, trying not to show him my discomfort. “I do things myself,” I say, keeping my voice steady, though my fingers tighten on the blanket. “But I like when he does them too. Why does that bother you?”

Carter laughs, the harsh sound setting my nerves on edge. “Because he and some other fucking beta tried to hand me my ass for not treating you right,” he says, stepping closer. “Come to find out, you just use people. Already got another Beta, huh? That’s what I heard.”

My blood runs cold because no one should know that.

Which means Carter is just angry that he got beat up.

“What are you talking about? Are you keeping tabs on me?” The thought of him sniffing around my life, digging into what’s mine, makes my skin prickle.

He knows where we live which means he could have been watching last night and when Lincoln didn’t leave…

He cackles as he reaches for me but I swipe out of his reach. “Don’t touch me! You have no right to touch me.” The handprint on my arm is no longer visible but the memory from that moment is still there, fear kicking up in my chest.

Carter’s smirk doesn’t falter. “Stop playing hard to get, Celeste. I took you out to a fancy dinner and you ate your fill just to reject me? Is Hunter low on funds or some bullshit? Does he not feed you?”

“And I don’t owe you anything ,” I snap back at him, clutching the blanket to my chest.

He reaches for me again, his fingers grazing my arm.

Fuck that. I drop the blanket and bolt, pushing past displays and the bell jangling as I shove through the door.

Darting down the sidewalk, I make a beeline for my house, weaving through trees and grassy lawns only to see Carter’s vehicle parked in the driveway.

Just the thought of that man anywhere near me has bile sitting at the back of my throat.

I don’t even know where he is but going home is no longer an option.

I rush back the way I came, digging my hand into my pocket for my phone when I remember I had been holding it with the blanket.

Which means it’s at the store and I have no way of contacting anyone.

I don’t think. I just run. My heart in my throat, fear taking over my thoughts as I hope and pray one of mates is near enough to catch me.

Tears stream down my cheeks as I push myself harder, my legs burning as cars screech and someone yells ‘watch it!’ None of that matters as I dart around another corner, only to find Carter’s car zooming toward me from the other direction.

“Why the fuck is he chasing me?” I scream out, turning on my heel and making a sharp left.

It takes me away from the main streets and through more wooded area.

However, at this point, I have absolutely no idea where I’m going, tears running down my face as I trip up on a crack in the path.

Pain shoots through my foot but I push on anyway, unsure of what Carter truly wants with me.

I choke on a sob before darting into a tall building off to my right, stumbling to my knees as someone from the reception comes to my aid.

“What’s wrong, hon?” She gently pulls me into her chest, my sobs softening slightly until Carter’s voice rings through the entrance.

“My omega’s having a panic attack.” He sounds like he’s laughing, enjoying my terror

“I’m not his!” I shout, my voice breaking as I spin to face him, my vision blurred with tears.

“I’m not his. Please don’t. I’m not his.

” My body is shaking so hard I can’t stand still, my breathing so ragged I’m gulping at air but not finding relief.

“ Please ,” I plead with the woman, the Alpha slowly drawing me away from Carter and further into the building.

Security intercepts the Beta as I’m sat down in a chair, a calm hand placed on my knee. “You said that he’s not your Beta. Is there someone we can call for you? Do you want us to call the police?”

I shake my head, trying to get out that I need to call my mates but it comes out as a garbled mess, my shaky hands doing nothing to explain my situation.

Carter’s voice rises as he argues with the guard, my heart in my throat as I realize there’s a very real possibility that the Beta gets past the puny guy trying to stop him.

The lady scurries back to her desk and produces a phone, my shaky fingers making it take longer to dial a number.

I’m just about to press dial when the rich scent of hazelnut coffee skids around the corner, Lincoln barreling toward me like he’s been summoned.

He seems frazzled and strung out, his gaze wildly searching the open area before those hazel eyes fall on me.

Once again, I don’t think. I just move, darting into his arms, my face pressed against his chest.

He hoists me up against him, my legs wrapping tight around his waist as I cling to him, my tears soaking his shirt.

“Sweetie,” he purrs, “How did you know where I lived? I didn’t think we’d be seeing each other until dinner.

” I can’t find the energy to say anything but when he tenses against me, I know he sees Carter.

“I thought we were very clear you weren’t to touch Celeste again. ”

“She’s gonna spit you out like she does everyone else,” he laughs from the entrance. “You’ll see.”

“And that’s her choice. This is also a private residence and you don’t live here as far as I know. So kindly please leave. Martha, she’s with me, okay? If he doesn’t leave, call the police.”

Lincoln doesn’t wait for an answer as he carries me down a hallway and into an elevator.

No words are shared between us as he keeps his lips pressed to my forehead, the lighting changing and dimming.

It only settles once he steps off the elevator and into a room down the hall, the lights off.

He sits into one of the armchairs by the window before tightening his arms around me a little bit.

Everything in here smells like him, the happy pant of a puppy telling me that we’re in his apartment. I somehow ran right into one of the safest places on earth–into my Beta’s arms.

“What happened, sweetie?”

“I don’t know. He was there and said I was being a tease.

I just…” I don’t know what else to add. I just know that I need my mates, surrounding me, holding me, assuring me that the world isn’t closing in on me again.

Hunter’s definitely going to kill Carter this time and if not, the steady growl rumbling through Lincoln’s chest tells me that he will.

“You’re safe with me. I got you. I’m just going to call Hunter so he knows where we are, okay?”

Fuck, he’s probably freaking out, no doubt feeling my terror through the bond. I manage a small nod, placing my lips against his neck so that I can drink in more of his scent, my Omega calming as I’m smothered in it. “I didn’t know where to go. He parked at the house,” I murmur.

“You did so well, Celeste. You’re a fighter, you know that?”

He tilts my head back just a little before dipping his chin to kiss my cheek. I drag him in for more, needing his taste. The sobs soften until I’m just trembling against him, Lincoln letting me direct the embrace until we’re just sipping from each other.

“I got you, sweetie. I promise,” he whispers, the terror in my chest muted beneath his touch. I knew he would help protect me but I hadn’t expected it to feel like home.