“Is it rude to ask how things went with Elliot earlier?” Wells asks, grabbing a piece of corn bread and putting it in his mouth.
I snort, because if there’s one thing about this Beta, he says what’s on his mind.
“I told him to either court me or get off the boat,” I say, glancing over at Forrest.
From what I gathered, Wells isn’t opposed to the idea of another Alpha in the pack. He’s got a very Omega-centric outlook on packs. His hope is that whoever else I choose to be in the pack would just have to be a good person, and that maybe he’d get a best friend out of the deal. Relationship wise, Forrest and I are enough for him.
When I glance at Forrest, he’s stoic. I can tell he isn’t keen on the idea of Elliot having anything to do with me, especially not with how their first introduction went.
“How long have you had feelings for him?” Wells asks.
I want to shove a piece of cornbread in my mouth and not answer, but that doesn’t seem fair. I’ve left the door open forElliot to court me along with Forrest and Wells. I owe everyone complete honesty.
“Longer than I’d like to admit. It was a schoolgirl crush for a long time. He’s been friends with my brothers since they were babies, and he’s always been well, beautiful. After I designated, his scent was more appealing than other Alpha scents, but I was obviously too young for him. Once I turned nineteen, it became more than infatuation for me,” I tell Wells, who gives me a soft smile.
“I had a crush on Forrest for months until he caught on.”
Forrest makes a noise, his finger tapping along the counter and I have the urge to console him, but I’m not sure what to say. I’m not sure that there’s anything I can say to make him feel better and I hate that I’m making him uncomfortable. I’ve been honest since the beginning, wanting more pack mates.
Eventually the Alpha speaks. “He would have to be a complete fucking—” He pauses himself as Wells glares at him. “To know you is to like you, Claire, is all I’m saying.”
I reach out and grab his hand, giving it a squeeze.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll be civil, but if he speaks to you like that again, I’ll throw the motherfucker overboard.”
I give him a smile and another squeeze. “As you should. But there’s a very good chance he’ll get off the ship and it won’t be an issue, anyway.”
Forrest scoffs with a shake of his head before bringing my hand to his mouth and giving it a quick kiss.
Wells wraps an arm around my chair, his thumb rubbing my shoulder. I might feel unsure, and maybe a little let down when it comes to Elliot, but with these two, I feel wholly secure in what we have.
One whole at sea day and I don’t see Elliot, not even in a stalker kind of way. I’m at the Heat suites with Andie so that she can change her preference to the Marshall pack.
Apparently Wells knew what he was doing, because Andie hit it off with them right away. I’m so thrilled for my friend. I knew once she found the right pack, it would all snap into place quickly for her. She’s kind, soft, and extremely loyal.
“Which suite did you pick?” I ask her.
“Midnight is my first choice, princess is a second. Under the Sea is dead fucking last,” she says and I laugh in agreement.
“Seriously, What the fuck were they thinking?”
“No idea. All I know is I’m so grateful that Wells introduced me to Moses, Thomas, and Terrance. They’re exactly what I’m looking for. They’ve all been so sweet. I hadn’t really thought about having a Beta in my pack before, but after meeting Moses, I can’t imagine not having him.” Andie gushes and I smile.
They all work in IT, and I think Thomas is super into Dungeons and Dragons, while Terrance collects comic books. I’m not sure what Moses is into, but Andie is all in with that pack.
“Andie Marshall. It has a ring to it,” I say.
“It really does. Plus. I’m not sure if it’s being on the ship, but I’ve felt off lately. The idea of going into heat and it being with total strangers was not ideal.”
“Definitely. I guess I should track down the gingersnap scent that I had picked for my possible heat match so we can get to know each other before the time actually comes,” I joke self-deprecatingly. I don’t really want that stranger joining Wellsand Forrest for my heat, but it’s looking more and more like a possibility.
The thought has my stomach sinking and my heart aching. I’m sure it’s not completely rational, but when you’ve had feelings as long as I’ve had for Elliot, it’s hard to just give that fantasy up.
“What about Elliot?” she asks, she’s already gotten the run down from me and Wells.
“Haven’t seen him.” I shrug and Andie hums as she signs a few documents with the heat moderator working here today.