Theo's P.O.V.
"What the hell?! Pregnant?!" Does he even know I'm an omega? This is ridiculous. I don't even know the guy, but he talks like he knows every damn thing about me. Just because he's an Alpha, he thinks he can say whatever he wants?
Nope. This is totally unhinged. I stopped dead in my tracks and turned back around. He was still there. Why hasn't he left? I looked around, no warriors, no wolf guards anywhere in sight. It's like they vanished, leaving him alone. But I know better. They're probably nearby, hidden, watching, making sure their Alpha's not in danger.
"Oh, fuck. This is freaking nuts!" I smacked my forehead. He'd just said the most insane stuff and acted like he had my entire life story in his back pocket. But technically, he's my boss now, and walking off like I don't give a damn? Not a good look. I could actually lose my job over this.
With no other choice, I trudged back toward him. He stood under that tree, eyes closed, letting the breeze wash over his face like he owned the moment.
"Let's grab some coffee, Mr. Wayne," I offered. "I thought you said you were craving something fresh, like OJ or an iced lemon drink. I heard you say that to your friend." He didn't even open his eyes. Just straight-up dismissed me.
"So you were eavesdropping?"
"The whole conversation," he replied without a speck of shame. Oh no. I was gonna blow any second. "Mind if I curse you out right now?"
"Nope. Babies shouldn't hear bad words from their parents." "Hey! I'm not fucking pregnant!"
"What if it's real?"
"Huh?! If I was pregnant, are you seriously saying you're the father now? That's way out of line, Mr. Wayne." I raised my voice a little, just enough to make it weird.
And yep, it totally did. He just stared at me, not saying a word. I looked like some idiot trying to play nice with an Alpha from one of the big-league packs.
I scratched the back of my neck, swallowed hard, tried to fix the mood. This was real pressure. I was either gonna lose my job, my mind, or hell, maybe both.
So, to save face, I chilled out. Pretended he was just joking, you know, trying to break the ice or whatever.
"Okay—I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that, but, could you maybe not put me on blast? Even if you know I'm an omega?" I said, voice softer now. "I'm not trying to boss you around, but I've worked way too hard hiding what I am, just to be seen as equal. This job's all I've got. Please don't shove me into the damn body shop."
I know it sounded crazy. I probably looked unhinged. But I wasn't talking outta nowhere.
The body shop's the last place I'd ever go to make money. That's where omegas end up selling themselves, pawning off their dignity to try and earn respect in a society that barely sees them.
I haven't met many omegas in my life, but just stepping foot into Darcy's nightclub was enough. That place showed me how brutal the omega underground could be. I never wanna end up there. Not ever.
That's why I've always downed my suppressants past the safe limit, piling on meds just to kill off the omega scent. Years of that. And now? One Alpha shows up and tries to mess it all up like it's nothing? No way.
But why was he still staring like that? That look like he could eat me alive, it was terrifying. Is that how all Alphas are? Or was he trying to intimidate me? Was this all some sick game to scare me into submission?
"You seriously haven't figured it out yet?" he suddenly asked.
I raised an eyebrow. "W—What?"
He sighed and wiped his face, clearly annoyed. Wait did I just say the wrong thing?
I tried to explain myself, but then he looked up at me again, eyes locked in.
"Hey, do you have plans tonight?" he asked.
"For what?"
"I was supposed to head out tonight, but figured I'd check out some spots in the area instead. Heard there's a lot of cool places around, but I don't have a guide. Think you can help me out?"
Be his tour guide? That'd make me lose my damn mind. If I turned him down, it could screw the contract our company has with his. But if I said yes, I'd be stuck with this weirdo all night.
I scratched my neck again. This was a total disaster. I couldn't say no, but I really didn't wanna say yes either.
"If you agree, I won't tell anyone you're an omega—hmph!"
I slapped my hand over his mouth on impulse. What the hell is wrong with him?
"Could you not bring that up again?!" I hissed, trying to keep our voices low in case anyone overheard.
"It's just us here. What're you so scared of?"
What am I scared of? I've lived my whole life pretending to be just another male wolf—dodging cruel stares, staying under the radar, hoping people would see me as normal and not some walking pheromone bomb.
I've tried. So hard. And now all of that effort? Pointless. He's an Alpha. A terrifying, emotionless Alpha who doesn't give a damn.
"Maybe it's just us," I muttered, "but don't forget—even walls have ears."
He looked like he got the message. Sure, he's hot. But that deadpan look on his face? Makes me sick. I don't even know why, but something about this guy just rubs me the wrong way. Alpha or not.
"Alright. I'll come with you after my shift—"
"I already had Elliot talk to your boss. You're free to leave now."
"What the—YOU?!"
He's gotta be kidding! There's no way he actually did something that reckless. Did I hear that right? His Beta went to my boss with some nonsense like that?
"I swear, I can't figure out what's going on in that head of yours," I muttered under my breath, pretty sure he didn't hear me. But still, he shot me that sharp, smug stare of his—the kind that made me wanna punch a wall.
Great. My day had already gone off the rails, and I just knew more shit was heading my way. As if on cue, my phone buzzed. It was my boss.
Just like the Alpha said, his Beta told them I was tagging along today. And thanks to all the perks his company offers ours, my boss gave me the green light. Just like that.
Fuck. I kept cussing silently. My head was spinning, screaming, and the world around me just felt too damn much.
"My car's parked out front. You need to grab anything before we go?" His voice snapped me out of it.
I glanced at him, still the same blank stare, like nothing rattled him. I've seen plenty of people, read their faces and body language like books. But this guy? Nothing. Cold as stone, like even a hurricane couldn't crack that mask.
What a frustrating man, I groaned inwardly.
"No. Let's just go already. Stop wasting my time."
I marched ahead toward the parking lot, not looking back. A few steps later, I turned and saw him following, lagging behind by like five meters.
"Toss me the keys. I'll drive for you. " I held out my hand.
But the Alpha just shook his head, stepped around me, and made his way to the lot like I didn't exist.
"Nope. I'm driving. You just sit back and show me a good place to talk."
"Talk about what, exactly?"
No answer. Just that same stare, full of whatever secrets he was keeping. God, he was impossible. Like a double-edged sword, nothing good on either end.
But then I spotted it. A McLaren GT—2024, gleaming between a row of cars that suddenly looked ancient. And yup, it belonged to him.
Figures. He probably just doesn't want me trashing his precious luxury toy, I muttered, low.
Apparently, he heard me. That smug curve crept across his lips, a smirk so faint, you'd miss it if you blinked.
It was surreal. I'd been in some wild rides before, but never a McLaren.
"So, where are we headed, Mr. Rainer?" he asked.
"Weren't you the one who said you wanted coffee? Thought you were the one craving it, not me. Let's hit up a café first, clear your head a little."
"Oh? And who said my head needs clearing?"
"You thought I was pregnant, man. Sounds like something's rattled up there. Or do I need to schedule you a doctor's appointment instead?"
He snorted softly, eyes closing for a second. "A café sounds better. Let's go."
Smart move. Once we had our drinks, his coffee, my lemon juice, we drove out to one of the best-kept secrets in the city. Escar Lake.
We parked and got out, sipping our drinks and taking in the view. I made sure to put some space between us.
Escar was tucked deep in the forest, fenced off for safety, with a waterfall in the distance that gave major Niagara vibes, but way more off-the-radar. Only hardcore hikers ever found this place.
"Why's there no one else around?" he asked.
Sipping my drink, I nodded toward his car and the rugged terrain. "The road up's tough. If your car doesn't have the power, you're not making it. Didn't you notice the crazy incline we climbed?"
"I wasn't paying attention. I was distracted."
"By what?"
"I still can't believe you forgot about me. Is your memory really that bad?"
I frowned. He wasn't making any sense.
"You keep saying things I don't get. What are you talking about? Have we met before?"
He didn't answer. Just stared at me again. Not a word. I was losing it.
Running my fingers through my hair, messing it up worse, I exhaled hard. "You lead one of the most powerful Packs—The Howling Crimson Pack. But every time you talk to me, you sound more like a weirdo with zero social cues. Is this seriously how you've always led?"
"Insensitive? Me?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Obviously." I didn't hesitate. "You just stare at me when we talk. What do I look like a criminal to you?"
My rant got cut short by a phone call. My screen lit up—Kyle.
Perfect timing. I stepped aside to answer. If nothing else, it gave me a breather away from His High-and-Mighty Alpha Weirdness. After five minutes, the call ended, and I made my way back.
He was still there, leaning against the hood of his luxury car, sipping his coffee, eyes locked on the waterfall like it had all the answers.
"You done sightseeing, Mr. Wayne? Can we head back now?"
No response.
"Who just called you?" he asked, still staring ahead, like he was talking to the breeze.
"Why are you so curious? It's none of your business."
"It absolutely is," he replied, all confidence, no hesitation.
I let out a dry laugh. "You act like you're some kind of big deal, Mr. Wayne. And sure, you are. You're the Alpha of the Howling Crimson Pack, and you're technically my boss for this project. But don't think that just because you know I'm an omega, you get to control every part of me."
I squared my shoulders, voice steady. "Yeah, I'm an omega. But I'm not some second-class citizen in your little hierarchy. And I—"
"You're my mate." He said it flatly. "and right now... you're carrying my pup."