Page 10 of Such a Grumpy Omega (His Alpha Desires #9)

Everly

Something was going on. I didn’t know what, but neither my wolf or I liked the tone of Fraser’s voice. He was usually warm and inviting, even talking about the most mundane of topics, but when he called and asked me to lunch, well, he was anything but warm.

In fact, he was downright cold.

I had to brush away the thoughts that I had done something wrong, even though I definitely had.

I’d tried to inhibit him and the others from doing business.

To shut down Cuffed using any means necessary, including filing all kinds of complaints, most of them with no credible foundation or proof.

I’d gone so far as to write letters to the mayor and county leaders telling them how grotesque the club was and how it ruined the neighborhood.

The more I fell for Fraser, the more those wishes for Cuffed to shut down faded, but my mind was set on having my father’s house back. Even if the effort bankrupted me.

And even if that meant losing Fraser, who I was sure now was my mate.

I gave myself a once-over in the mirror and felt my heart sink.

I had to make a decision about the war within myself.

There were two choices. Lose the house. Lose my mate.

My mate. The alpha Fate had made or picked out just for me.

My fathers were fated mates. There was no love like theirs.

At least, that was what I was told through stories and pictures and a few home videos.

They looked enamored with each other.

I was stuck, but did I have to be? Was I really going to be the omega who chose a house over my fated mate? Had I already?

Grabbing my wallet and keys, my stomach turned and a knot formed in my belly. Instead of taking my car, I walked the few blocks to the restaurant and got a table. As I sat, a text came through from Fraser, saying he was running late. He had to print out some urgent paperwork.

I took the liberty of ordering a drink and waited. And waited. Almost fifteen minutes passed before the bell above the door rang, alerting me that someone had come in. I didn’t need the bell. My wolf sensed him before he got to the door, and his salted caramel scent let me know my alpha was here.

“Hey,” I said as he sat across from me.

“Hello, Everly.” I reeled back from his terse words. He was never curt with me. Something was wrong. My wolf could feel it. Even Fraser’s scent was slightly sour.

Had I done something wrong on our date the other night? Had he changed his mind about me coming to the club? Had I gotten all of this wrong and he wasn’t my mate at all?

What if he’d met someone else?

I took a few cleansing breaths and tried like hell not to assume anything.

“Do you want something to eat? Drink?” I asked. My heart fluttered in my chest. Something was wrong.

He nailed me to the chair with a cold, calculated stare. His eyes flipped to light green and then back to black again.

Suddenly, I felt small. He’d never made me feel anything like that before.

“I’ve lost my appetite. I’m sorry to say.”

“Oh.”

The waitress came to the table, and I ordered water since my throat had completely dried up. While I did, I noticed Fraser took a pile of papers from his jacket and put them on the booth seat beside him.

He never broke eye contact with me and, when I did, he was still staring when I looked back.

I didn’t have an appetite anymore either.

Putting my hands on the table, I decided to call him out on his icy disposition. At least I would know if he didn’t want me anymore. “What’s going on, Fraser?”

He sat back, laying his arms on the back of the booth. “What do you mean?”

“Your tone is flat. You have an icy demeanor. My wolf…your scent is weird. Plus, you keep staring at me like I’m your sworn enemy. Don’t tell me I’m overreacting either. I think I know enough about you to realize something is going on.”

He blew out a breath. His features softened. “I need to show you something and, more than anything, I need you to refute what I’ve been led to think.”

That wasn’t obtuse at all. “I’ll do my best, but tell me instead of dancing around it.”

“You know what? You’re absolutely right. Let’s do that.”

The alpha reached for the stack of papers and spread them over the table. My heart slammed into my stomach.

How in the hell did he find out?

I spread the papers out some more. It was everything. My complaints to the county, the city. The health inspectors. Even the letters I’d written to the mayor and county clerk. He had it all.

There was nothing to say. Obviously, I had no standing to deny any of it.

I’d betrayed him and Cuffed. Sure, it was before I knew him and certainly before I realized he was my alpha, but the truth hung between us—unspoken.

I’d tried to ruin my alpha’s business. He probably hated me now.