Elliot gives her a nod and I do my best to not glare at him even more. Before he got here, she was happy to cuddle up with us all night and now I have to spend a night away from my Omega because he’s complicated things.
“Of course, plus, you need plenty of rest to kick ass tomorrow,” Wells says, leaning forward and giving her a kiss. I do the same.
Elliot pauses, looking over at the two of us. Is he really contemplating kissing her after we did?
I roll my eyes, but he leans down and gives her a kiss as well. We walk her to the elevators and as soon as she leaves, I’m standing there with Wells and Elliot.
I’m ready to walk away when Wells clears his throat.
“Listen, you two were nearly choking us with your Alpha-dominant bullshit in there. If you want to make Claire happy—fuck—if you two want to be happy in this pack, you’re going to have to figure your shit out,” Wells says, waving a hand between us. “Last night she was ready to get off this ship and have her heat in her dream nest. It’s what she deserves. She’s not going to agree to that if you two are snapping at each other every chance you get.”
“She said that?” I ask in surprise and Wells nods.
“She also said she was open to moving to New Hampshire,” Wells tells us, his gaze shifting to Elliot.
“I can work from anywhere,” the Alpha says easily and I want to hate him more, but I can’t even be pissed when he’s agreeing to that.
“I’ll do my best if he gets his fucking boot off my neck,” Elliot says, pointing his thumb at me.
Wells arches an eyebrow at me, and I sigh. There’s nothing I can do with him being the Alpha Claire wants. All I can do is work through my own reactions to it.
“Just know if you hurt her, my boot will be more than on your neck,” I say, my final parting words as I turn away.
Wells makes a noise in his throat of disapproval as he speeds up to catch up with me.
“That was not an olive branch,” Wells complains.
“I don’t trust him.”
“You don’t trust anyone right away. Please, just try to not be so antagonistic in front of Claire. The stress isn’t good for her. You saw how she was last night and she came to dinner smelling like she was dipped in a whiskey bottle. She’s probably closerto her heat than we think. You know what? We should call Dirk and have Claire pick out some things for her nest now. Maybe he could have most of it ready before we even get home,” my Beta rambles off.
It’s not a bad idea, and I know he’s not wrong. The amount of scent marking she’s been needing and how possessive she’s been are clear indicators. It could also just be the amount of competition of Omegas on the boat. Maybe we have more time than we think.
All I can do is hope, because I need more time to wrap my mind around that too-handsome smug prick being a permanent fixation in our lives.
Chapter 25
Elliot
Getalong for Claire's sake I tell myself as I stand in the blazing sun waiting for this pickleball game to start.
She wasn't in my bed last night because she didn't want to hurt the big Alpha's feelings, and maybe I'm sulking.
I haven't gotten to sleep next to Claire and he has, it's frustrating. Deep down I know I only have myself to blame and that at the end of the day I need to do whatever it is I need to in order for Claire to be happy.
Somehow this massive man with an attitude makes her happy.
"What are you staring at?" Forrest says, his arms crossed over his chest.
I don't respond and Wells seems to have the urge to fill the silence.
"What’s taking them so long to get the tournament started?" Wells asks, completely avoiding the elephant on the ship.
Forrest and I don't like each other and I'm not sure if that will ever change. Could I bear a lifetime of living under the same roof of someone I don't like?
"You could always just get off the ship if you have a problem," Forrest says, ignoring Wells’ attempt at changing the subject.
"I'm not going anywhere. Fucking deal with it," I snap back.