“But sharing mom?” I question, and the old man growls down the line. “See? She’s already got another Alpha wrappedaround her finger. The Beta seems fine, but how would I make that work? How could I possibly handle sharing her with someone else?”
“It’s a big decision, El. I don’t envy you. If you walked away, could you live with that decision or would you regret not trying? It’s not for nothing son, I’ve seen the way you look at her. It’s the same way I looked at your mom when I was protecting her during that tour. That’s not a feeling that comes around twice,” he says.
I rest my head between my knees, my heart thundering in my chest.
“If you love her, truly love her, Elliot, isn’t it worth finding out if you can work past what makes you uncomfortable?”
“And destroy the family if it doesn’t work out?” I vocalize my biggest fear.
“Elliot, if you think you could break up the friendship your mother and Liv have with one another, you think too highly of yourself. You, Jonah, and Axel are like Irish twins. If it doesn’t work out, it would be uncomfortable at first, sure, but it should definitely not be the thing holding you back.”
“She’s fucking perfect,” I whisper out, trying to hold back the moisture threatening my eyes.
“Then I think you have your answer.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I say softly.
“Always. Don’t forget to pick your mom up some candy while you’re traveling,” he reminds me and I laugh. “Love you.”
“I won’t. Love you too.”
I cancel my flight and sit there for a long time wondering what the fuck I’m going to say to Claire and if there’s any way she can be patient with me while we navigate this together.
The ship has emptied with people getting off the ship for St. Thomas and I assume Claire has gone off with her…whatever the fuck they are. Thinking of them as a pack pisses me off no matter how much I try to be a bigger man about it.
So I decide it’s better to sulk and think on the pool deck instead of in my windowless little room.
I’m thinking more and more about what I want to say to her. I don’t want to fuck this up. I also have to consider how to speak with the other Alpha. Something tells me I won’t have many issues with the Beta. I’m still not a huge fan of the idea of sharing Claire with either of them. It’s probably some Alpha dominance bullshit I don’t have any control over, but for Claire, I’m going to have to rein it in.
Most of the packs I know are polyamorous, or at the very least incredible friends. I’m not sure what it looks like when two pack mates merely tolerate each other for their Omega. I’m also not sure if Claire will be okay with her pack mates not particularly getting along either.
The only hope I have is that she has had feelings for me for a while. It can’t be for nothing. She’s only just met these guys, maybe…
I’m fooling myself. I’ve stalked them and seen them together. They’re legit, and I’ll have to figure out where I can squeeze my way into the equation.
There’s a pickleball tournament tomorrow, and I know she’s signed up. Probably because Megan Moyer’s name was at the top of the list. I smile when I think about how vicious Claire can be when she needs to.
Most of the time she’s sweet, maybe a little sassy and blunt. But when she’s pissed off? Fucking hot.
I shouldn’t like it as much as I do. I’m about to head over to the bar, get a beer, and do some more thinking when I scent her before I see her.
She rounds the corner of the bar in this frilly white dress that contrasts against her tan from being on the cruise. When she finally turns in my direction, she stops in her tracks.
I’m dressed for vacation, shorts and a simple summer polo. She blinks those bright blue eyes at me. Meanwhile, the Alpha at her back glares daggers.
Yeah, I bet you were wishing I would have gotten off the ship, huh asshole?
I don’t say it out loud, obviously. I’ve got to be a good, polite Alpha to this prick who’s all but sunken his teeth into my Omega.
“Elliot?” she says my name with so much shock and sweetness.
“Can we talk?”
“You’re not getting off the ship today?” she questions.
“No. I’m not.”
She looks over her shoulder at the Alpha and squeezes his hand. She’s comforting him, and I’m jealous of it. I want her comfort; I want to finally give in to every thought I’ve had about Claire.