Page 7

Chapter 7

Malric

S omething about Ollie brought out my dragon. That was a lie. Everything about Ollie did.

I found myself utterly unable to stay away. I tried to distract myself with work and the mile-long to-do list I had for both my personal life and the clan. Nothing worked. The man was etched into my every thought.

It was so bad that I nearly kissed him when he thanked me for helping with the kids. And worse than that, I couldn’t stop thinking about the look of disappointment on his face when I didn’t. Had I read him correctly or was I interpreting things the way I wanted them to be instead of the way they actually were? Probably the latter. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder what would’ve happened if I’d leaned in just a tiny bit more.

The next morning—despite the mountain of paperwork I had waiting for me and the long list of plans to finalize for upcoming clan events—I drove over to my son’s home instead. Most of the list could wait, I added on there in my feeble attempt at restraint.

It took all I had to wait that long and not show up in the middle of the night—or for that matter, to leave in the first place. I’d nearly turned around the second I was out the door, feigned losing something or offering to let Ollie take a break or possibly tasting those tantalizing lips. Yeah, it was better I went home.

I lied to myself, saying I was heading there to see my grandchildren. And it was true, I did love spending time with them, but I wanted to see Ollie just as much. Perhaps more. That should’ve been the sign for me to turn around.

His smile had me captivated in a way I hadn’t felt before. And that was only one of his attributes that called to me. He was trouble, in the very best of ways. If he knew what he did to me, he wouldn’t have been so open to having me around, that was for sure.

The drive was short, and when I arrived, Ollie had all three kids in a stroller, walking down the sidewalk. I’d arrived just on time, by the look of things.

His face lit up with a broad smile the moment he saw me. Was that because he needed help or was that smile for me? Mine was for him, that was for sure.

“Lord Malric! I didn’t know you were coming today.”

I wished he would skip the whole Lord thing. Being respected for my title was great and expected from most, but with Ollie, it was like there was an invisible wall erected between us when he used it. I didn’t want him to see me as my position, not as the clan leader and not as a grandfather for the children he mannied for. I wanted him to see me as a man… an alpha.

“Yeah, I’m avoiding work.” I left off the part about longing to see his sexy smile. “If you’re headed out somewhere, I don’t have to stay—”

“Oh, no. Come with us. We’re going to the park. I thought the fresh air would be good for the three of them.” He leaned closer to me and lowered his voice. “I’m also hoping it’ll help them sleep well tonight.”

“Fresh air is great for that.”

He leaned away, and I missed him being close to me instantly. It was ridiculous… utter nonsense that I couldn’t seem to get enough of this omega. Yet, I wasn’t going to run away. I couldn’t. I fell into step beside him as we made our way down the sidewalk, wishing I were beside him, our fingers woven together.

It was already mid-afternoon, and the day was warm, though the light breeze made it bearable and kept the bugs at bay. Some light clouds were rolling in, but no rain ones in sight. It was the perfect day for a stroll.

“I trust they napped well?” I asked, trying to steer the conversation away from my wandering thoughts. The children were still on a two-a-day nap schedule, although they were getting to the stage where it would soon morph into one.

“They did. And they slept well last night, too. All three woke up exactly at eight. They were a little sad that their dads weren’t here, but we had a FaceTime call, which helped.” Technology was such a wonder like that. It wasn’t the same as having them home, but it was far better than not seeing them at all.

“We had a slow morning—some jungle gym play, a too-short nap, a lunch they were very unimpressed with, and then a proper nap this afternoon.”

“Good to hear,” I said, then hesitated continuing. I wasn’t one of his bosses, and this conversation was heading into boss/employee territory and I didn’t want that.

“You’re welcome to stay for dinner, Lord Malric,” Ollie said. “I have a chicken dish in the crock pot.”

“That sounds delightful. Thank you.” He could’ve told me he was making dry toast and I’d have agreed with a smile on.

He glanced over at me, smiling.

“And you don’t have to keep calling me Lord Malric. Just Mal is fine.” My heart gave a painful little pang even as I said it. No one had called me Mal in… years. Not since my omega. He would have no idea it was reserved for so few, and I originally meant to say Malric, but that smile… that smile wanted him to be more than everyone else.

Something about the nickname felt right, and I couldn’t wait to hear it from Ollie’s lips—from his gentle voice, his warmth.

“All right, Mal.”

Once we reached the park, Ollie laid out a blanket, tossed a few toys onto it, and let the kids roam. They were still too small for most of the playground equipment, but the fresh air was nice, as was the change of scenery and having the other young children playing nearby of varying ages.

One little one toddled over, his father trailing behind him. The kid was adorable. The alpha? He was conventionally attractive. Why couldn’t he be old and gross? Not old like me old, but human old.

The man held out a hand to Ollie.

“Hi there, I’m Bryan. I’ve seen you here before. Are you new to the area?”

Ollie smiled back politely, and I had to fight back a growl. Who was this man to flirt with my omega?

My omega? Where did that come from? He wasn’t mine.

Apparently, I didn’t hold back my dragon well enough.

My grandson, who had been climbing into my lap, let out a small wail and looked at me with big, sad eyes. Tears welled around his long lashes. He must’ve sensed my dragon’s distress, for this wasn’t fear. It was empathy. He was such an amazing child.

Ollie immediately held out his hands, and the little one went to him after looking into my eyes, which were far more dragon than human. Was he able to communicate with my beast like this? It wasn’t the first time he had shown signs of a connection.

“Not new, no,” Ollie said, still smiling, though now more tightly. “I’m the manny for these three. This is their grandfather.”

The human looked at me, eyes widening.

He was probably wondering how I could possibly be a grandfather .

By human standards, he’d be right. I didn’t look the part. I gave him my best stern look that I used in the boardroom. I told myself it was to make me look older, smiling would make me look too young, but in reality, I didn’t want this human feeling like he was allowed to talk with my Ollie.

“Nice to meet you,” I lied. There was nothing nice about it.

“You too. It’s a great day to get the kids out, isn’t it?” His grin was too wide, his eyes too flashy with the way they sparkled in the sun. Was he so oblivious to my not-so-subtle warning? “My omega’s a doctor and unfortunately on call this weekend, but maybe we’ll see you all around again? It’s great to have other kids of this age in the area.”

“Absolutely.” Ollie shot me a pleading look. As an omega, even if he wasn’t a part of my clan, he must sense my dragon’s domineering personality rearing its ugly head.

I pasted on a grin. A mostly real one this time. The man was mated, which meant he probably wasn’t trying to hit on Ollie the way it first appeared, and if he was, Ollie would want no part of that. He wasn’t the type. “Agreed. The children need playmates.”

Bryan didn’t leave as I hoped, but my dragon settled a bit, which was good. He didn’t need to push his way out in a park full of humans all because he was jealous. That was no way for clan leader to behave.

The children all toddled around one another and took turns picking at the grass and tossing it at one another. Meanwhile, Ollie and Bryan compared notes on what it was like to deal with one-year-olds. Ollie even went so far as to take Bryan’s number and promised to share it with Kier and Tavian, so they could meet Bryan and his omega. It made sense. Knowing your neighbors was important. But I still didn’t like Bryan having any access to Ollie.

I spent the whole conversation brooding like a freaking teenager. My dragon sat just below the surface, my scales hidden underneath my long sleeves. I needed to get a grip.

Finally, it came time for us to leave. I was not sad to see Bryan go.

“He was nice,” Ollie said once we had started the trek back to the house.

“Yes, a perfectly adequate human.” It was as close as I could come to a compliment.

Ollie laughed and tucked his arm through mine while we worked in tandem to push the stroller. My dragon instantly settled. This was more like it, the two of us touching as we walked.

“Humans can be good friends too, you know.” I didn’t need to see his eyes to know they were rolling, and it was fair, I deserved it.

My issues with Bryan had nothing to do with his being human and everything to do with whatever these feelings were growing between Ollie and me.

“I know. I just…” I had no reason not to like the man. He had been very pleasant. Plus, he was mated. He had a child. I just didn’t like him being around my ma— Ollie. My Ollie.