My Omega shifts in her seat and I can feel Wells’ disapproving gaze.
Elliot adjusts himself in his seat, but he doesn’t back down, doesn’t look away from me as he speaks.
“I didn’t think I could handle pack life, and I knew that was non-negotiable for Claire,” he says.
“So then, what changed your mind? You had years to pursue her. The first night I met her, I knew she was special. You can’t blame me for questioning your motives. No sane man would let Claire pass them by,” I say and Claire grimaces between us, however she doesn’t intervene, and neither does Wells.
Elliot leans forward, steepling his fingers on the table staring at me.
“I decided that my love for Claire was more important than my discomfort of being in a pack.” The way he says it feels like a challenge.
“The power of an Omega. Should we get some garlic bread?” Wells says, trying to break the tension, giving Claire a wide smile.
“Yes. Garlic bread,” she replies happily.
“What about you? Claire’s only known you for what, a week? How do we know what your motives are?” Elliot retorts, ignoring the garlic bread conversation entirely.
I tilt my head at this man, assessing him, wondering if he wants to get a rise out of me. Likely, because I also want to see him squirm.
“We paid a premium price to come on this trip, planned for months knowing we were coming aboard to find an Omega,” I tell him.
We don’t need to mention my hesitation about coming on this trip.
“Have you met some of the Alphas on board this sailing nightmare? Booking a cruise proves nothing about your motivation, or what type of person you are. Claire has known memy whole life. She knows what kind of man I am, but what does she know about you?”
“Or maybe we should get the meatballs?” Claire squeaks. This time Wells doesn’t reply as he watches me and the other Alpha spar. Claire groans, taking a heavy sip of her drink.
“And you’ve known Claire your whole life, do you think she doesn’t have a good judge of character?”
“Ohhh kay. That’s enough chitchat about all that,” Claire says with faux happiness. “The pickleball tournament is tomorrow. Andie and I are going to kick ass. That private island cabana is going to be ours for sure.”
“I’m excited to see you in action, sweetheart,” Wells says as the server comes and takes our orders. “So, what do you do, Elliot?”
“My cousin and I have taken over our father’s security business,” Elliot tells him.
“They’ve expanded it greatly. They used to just offer personal security for whoever needed it, but they’ve added a branch of personal security where they’ll come to your home and give you an analysis on your weak points and install everything necessary,” Claire says proudly and I adjust myself uncomfortably in my chair.
Elliot gives her a soft smile and rubs her shoulder.
“I didn’t realize you were paying attention to all that.”
“Of course I was. Also, I’m Shiloh’s best friend and I know you installed all their security.”
“Who’s Shiloh?” Wells asks, and I swear to fuck Elliot’s chest puffs out. Like he’s so fucking special that he knows all this information about Claire that we don’t. I hate him and I’m not sure there’s anything that can change my mind.
“She’s my oldest brother, Jonah’s, Omega. They live in Philadelphia where Jonah operates part of SørensenEnterprises.” Claire seems shy as she brings up her family’s business.
Wells isn’t deterred at all, as he nods. “And you’re close with Claire’s brothers?”
Something tells me my Beta knows a lot of this information already, but is trying to make Elliot comfortable. Meanwhile, I want to do the opposite. He let Claire get on this cruise—and even if it makes me a hypocrite, since this is where we met—I don’t have a ton of respect for the Alpha.
I know I need to be civil for Claire’s sake, so I sit there not contributing much to the conversation and wondering how the fuck I’m supposed to deal with another Alpha in the mix.
When the night comes to a close, I assume that Claire is going to go off with Elliot, so they have more time to connect.
She looks completely conflicted as we all stand there. It’s almost like a pathetic dating show and we’re hoping she doesn’t boot us off the island.
“Maybe…um. Maybe everyone just goes to their own rooms tonight so we can all process everything?” she suggests.