Chapter 23

I heard the water turn off, "shit, gotta go." I hung up and put the phone in my pocket before going back to the kitchen. I began drinking my coffee as he came out in a towel with wet hair. "Trying to tempt me for another round?"

He came over to me and hugged me from behind, "did you take care of the stuff from earlier?"

"Yeah," I replied as I handed him a cup of coffee. "So when can we get out of here? I need fresh air or I'll go stir crazy."

"Anywhere you want."

I smirked, "Paris."

He laughed before kissing my cheek, "I don't think that would fly with Hunter."

I took my coffee to the table and sat as he followed, "I'd like to get some shirts that cover my strap. I'm trying to accept it, but its gonna take time."

"Then let's do that. My treat."

I chuckled, "you are too giving."

"I only do it to those I love."

"You better get over that. I'm screwed over by that Alpha."

"Maybe if we keep you two apart, you could be able to move on."

I looked to Asher sadly, "please don't get your hopes up. I'm nowhere worthy of you as my partner."

He smiled, "over time I'll change your mind." He stood, "I'll get ready so we can go out."

As he went into the bedroom, I pulled out my phone and texted Cam so he knew when I would be out of the house. I then got up and got ready to leave.

"I'll drive," I told Asher as we left the apartment. While I drove, Asher gently held my hand while humming to the music on the radio. As I parked in the garage nearest the shopping center surrounding the park, Asher chucked.

"Don't think I didn't see your work." He remarked as he pointed to the hickey on his neck.

I chuckled, "just playing my part." He chucked also as we got out of the car. As I locked it, Asher claimed my hand and led me around. I kept an eye out for Cam as we window shopped in order to find a good store. I squeezed Asher's hand as I slowed down after 20 minutes.

When he saw my expression, he immediately pulled me to the side so that we were not in the path of others walking. "What's wrong?"

I fought back tears and anger, "everyone's staring at it."

Asher sighed, "you're just self conscious. No one is staring."

I squeezed his hand tighter, " let's go back. I'm not ready."

He pulled me into his ċhėst and wrapped his arms around me, "then you won't be able to meet up with Cam." I looked to him in shock, "moron."

I squeezed myself around him, "how'd you know?"

"You had a goofy smile on your face the whole way here." He sighed before kissing my head, "unlike Hunter, I'm alright with you meeting each other as long as I'm with you."

I buried my face into his ċhėst, "Why are you so good to me?" I had to struggle to keep my tears from falling, "why can't it be you?"

"I ask myself that every day."

I stood on my toes and kissed him, "we can find a way. I want to. I want to be with you." Suddenly Asher's pheromones surged and I shivered, "quit it!"

"Don't say shit like that," he whispered as his pheromones lessened slowly but he squeezed me tighter, "not when I can't screw you till you can't walk."

I smacked his cheek slightly, "get yourself together."

"I changed my mind," he whispered as he put his head against my shoulder, "let's go home."

"At least they won't stare at me. A dumbass not controlling his pheromones attracts a lot of attention."

He laughed before kissing me, "at least I got you back to normal. I don't care if I look stupid."

I let go of him and took a few steps away, "you're lines don't work on me, Beta." I turned to him and winked, "I'm a former Alpha."

He sighed before walking over to me and taking my hand again. We began walking again and stopped at a store that piqued my interest.

When I went to the changing room, Asher sat outside and waited for me to show off the clothes. Each time I came out, I struck a pose that would make him roll his eyes or laugh.

When I cleaned up the dressing room, I paused to look at my strap and it was a sobering reminder. It didn't matter how happy I felt when around Asher, I'm still an Omega who can't be with anyone but that Alpha I hate. At some point, I will be found and break his heart.

I leaned on the wall of the dressing room and fought back tears. This is probably one of my final days of freedom. Someday soon, it will end. Asher and Hunter can't protect me forever. Should I run? But can I leave both of them behind? Cam is one thing; even Asher is only a few things. Hunter is everything, the only thing.

"You alright?" Asher whispered through the curtain. I quickly composed myself and grabbed my chosen clothes. I grabbed out my credit card so that Asher couldn't get a chance to pay. I smiled to him as I walked towards the counter. I was surprised when he grabbed my arm, pulled my card out of my hand, and put it in his pocket.

"Asher!"

He laughed before walking to the register and I followed. He handed his card to the cashier as I put down the clothes on the counter.

"At least let me pay half."

He shook his head as he signed the receipt, "I need to take care of my mate or my reputation would be ruined."

I rolled my eyes before taking his hand as the other carried my bag. As we left the store, I was happy to see the face I looked for. I let go of Asher and made my way to Cam.

Cam rushed over and jumped to embrace me. He wrapped his arms around my neck and squeezed his body against me, "you made me wait so long!"

I smiled as I leaned down so his feet touched the ground and he let go of me other than my arm. He wrapped himself on my arm and stiffened as he saw Asher coming over, "I thought you were going to ditch the security."

I smirked, "we came to a compromise. Jealous?"

He pouted, "I wanted time alone. Not with your," he paused and locked eyes with Asher before hissing, "fake partner."

Asher scowled and began to open his mouth, "watch yourself," I warned before looking to Cam. "If you can't play nice, we can't play."

"Fine," Cam whispered, "can we go sit?"

I nodded before Cam led me by my arm. Asher followed close behind as we went to a bench in the park area.

Cam sat next to me and Ashe sat at my other side. Cam refused to let go of my arm as Asher wrapped his around the bench behind me.

When Cam looked over the Asher, he squeezed my arm which made me wince.

They both paused as they look to me. "Gentle," I stated as Asher sighed when you realized what had happened.

"Are you hurt?" Cam asked as he looked to me with concern. I gave him a smirk as I shook my head slightly.

"Injection site pain," Asher stated as he looked to me with annoyance when I pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

"I've never heard of sight pain," Cam said as he looked to me with worry. "How many are you having to take?"

I put the cigarette back in my mouth before letting out a puff and looking to him. But I looked away as I could not reply while seeing the pain in his eyes.

"Thirty-two," I replied as he seemed to stiffen.

"I've never heard of someone needing that many."

Asher scoffed, "Hunter warned you that his body is getting worse. He wasn't lying."

"It's not a big deal," I replied as I stared Asher down before turning to Cam with a smile. "How are things at work? Are they taking care of you?"

Cam nodded, "they're taking care of me." Cam's eyes shot wide open, "Oh!" He stated with some excitement. "I forgot to tell you. You created quite the stir in the industry."

"What do you mean? It's not unusual for people to leave."

"Sean told me this afternoon that Jayden is trying to get them to take down every video your in. He argued that you lied to viewers when you presented yourself as an Alpha."

I smirked as I took another drag, "he's just jealous I look better on camera then he does."

"He came back into the industry?" Asher asked as he leaned forward so that he can make eye contact with Cam from around me.

Cam shook his head, "nobody's seen him in person since that day. He has some sort of connection to the head of the company and has been trying to sway them into taking down your stuff."

"How did the director handle that?" I asked and Cam smiled slightly.

"He made sure to point out that you have made more income for the company than any other star. Also, with so many of our videos together, it would ruin their fan base. To have their number one Alpha and number one Omega taken off the site would ruin the entire company."

"He needs to mind his own damn business," Asher mumbled. "I don't like you having videos up either, but it is no one else's right to tell you to take them down."

Cam nodded, "Yesterday they sent Chris over to try to talk to Jayden. Apparently he actually answered the door and looked miserable."

"As he deserves," I hissed and got up, forcing them both to let me go. "I'm suffering. He deserves to have his balls cut off." I walked over to the cigarette disposal station close by. I paused when my phone rang, "Yea?"

"Worst...threesome...ever. I'm falling asleep watching over here." Pete mocked as I smirked and looked behind me.

"You stalker," I chuckled, "where the hell are you?"

"Whoops.. He got away," Pete stated, "brace yourself."