The Omegas Second Chance

Chapter 10

Shayna

"I promise you, I'm fine" I told Miles as he answered the phone. I was sitting on a bench on the sidewalk next to a food truck overlooking Main Street in town. I still felt my heart racing from that encounter with Levi. What right did he have to question me like that? My work wasn't lacking. I signed all the contracts and NDAs that the firm needed me to sign when I started the onboarding process this morning. I told him I needed this job, so I clearly wouldn't do anything to jeopardize it.

My inner omega was intrigued by him, his display of dominance and jealousy. Was it jealousy? It had to be if he was worried about who was messaging me and occupying my time. Not that I had any lovers, but whether I did or did not was none of his damned business.

I snorted at the thought of myself having a lover. I was just starting to get back on my feet. I didn't even think about anything other than paying the bills and making sure my son had everything he needed to succeed. Love, intimacy, s*x were the last things on my mind, if ever at all. If I was being quite honest with myself, I was having a hard time believing that love or successful marriages even exist. The only example I had of a healthy and happy pairing was my grandparents, and even then my grandfather died when I was young. There's a lot I don't remember about them, just the stories Grams tells me when we visit.

"I just..." he paused as if carefully selecting his words. "I care about you, mom. I.."

"I know, love" I reassured him. "You are a good son, and you've done far more for me than I can ever repay you for. You've seen things no child should have to. You've taken on burdens that I will never forgive myself for placing on your shoulders. This is a new start and I want us to start fresh. That means letting go of the past. I will handle everything that needs to be 'handled' and I will make sure we are safe. I know life has been hard and I haven't made any of it any easier and for that I can't say sorry enough. I want you to think of my offer, of talking to a therapist. Just think about it okay?"

"Okay, mom" he said. He sounded like he wanted to argue back or continue the conversation but decided to hold back and temper his thoughts and words. "I'll think about it. But if I'm going to stop worrying and start letting go, you need to stop blaming yourself too. You are a good mom, a good woman. Anyone who can't see that is not very sigma."

I rolled my eyes at his slang but couldn't help but smile as he attempted to cheer me up. Truthfully, it worked.

"Get back to class. Text me when you get home from school. I took out something for dinner and ill cook it when I get home. Sound good?"

"Yes, ma'am." he said, and the line clicked as he disconnected the call.

I watched the people walk by me, invisible to everyone around me. I liked being invisible. It allowed me to sense my surroundings, and judge others without fear of retaliation. I was good at reading people, and you can learn a lot about someone by just watching them throughout their day. My stomach growled as I eyed the food truck again.

To be fair, I did tell Levi I was taking my lunch break. I grumbled, annoyed about my thoughts drifting towards him again as I stood and made my way to the food truck. I didn't want to spend money if I didn't have to, but I needed food and I left the lunch I packed back at the office. There was no way in hell I was going back in there right now.

Was I going to be in trouble for talking back to him? Would I be reprimanded for my tone with a superior, an alpha? I looked in my wallet and saw a few dollars there and swallowed hard as I tried to mentally calculate the damage this one lunch could do. Yes, I am getting paid now, but today was only my first day. I wouldn't see any of my earnings for a few weeks and the money I had left needed to last.

"Next in line" called the cashier. He smiled as he looked at me. "What can I get for you?"

I browsed the menu. Italian. Carbs. Everything that sang to my soul. Vinny's was the place we ordered pizza from the other night and I vaguely recalled seeing the "new food truck hours" on the menu when we ordered.

"You can never go wrong with a big slice of pizza", a deep male voice said from my side. I stiffened, not realizing anyone had been standing next to me, but also because I recognized that voice.

"Afternoon, Boss" the cashier said as he stood a little straighter and smiled a little wider. He didn't have that easy-going look in his eyes and the carefree and flirtatious lilt in his voice. Wait, Boss? I turned slowly and met Patrick's stare. He was standing close, too close for my comfort. I put a few paces between us, but he was still close enough that I had to tilt my head back to look into his eyes.

Alpha... my wolf recognized. I averted my eyes as I should when close and conversing with an alpha.

"Hey, Brian. How's it going today?" He asked the clerk and I tuned out the rest of their conversation.

"Wait, he called you boss?" I asked and when Patrick nodded, I frowned. "But...you...the other night..."

I was having trouble articulating my thoughts. I had been forced to keep them inside for so long that now I couldn't properly express how I was feeling, what I was thinking. Patrick smiled and it lit up his face. He wasn't the tall and lanky kid that he used to be in high school. He was still tall, but there was nothing boyish about him.

"I took over the family restaurant. I run it and I have been branching out with food trucks like this one. But, I like to help out where I can. Especially when it makes my employees' lives easier. So, that's why I was the one delivering your pizza the other night."

I nodded mutely. He looked from me to Brian before rubbing his chin.

"Give me the meatball sub and Shayna the large extra cheese with bacon and pepperoni on it," he said, and I was surprised when he got my favorite toppings. I liked the extra cheese, craving the pull it gave when you took your first initial bite, and I loved bacon. My hips, not so much. Also, who doesn't love pepperoni? When Brian nodded, he turned around without even taking the cash I was holding out to call out our orders to whoever was not visible in the back of the food trucks. "Hey Brian? Throw in a second sub for the asshole!" He shouted, and I heard a muffled 'yes sir' in response.

"The asshole?" I couldn't stop myself from asking.

"Levi" he chuckled. "He is the biggest asshole I know."

"I seem to recall you both being quite mean and major jerks." I chided and instantly regretted it as an embarrassed flush coated my cheeks. Patrick reared back like I had struck him and pain flashed in his eyes. He nodded and hung his head.

"I was headed to his office when I spotted you over here, and I actually wanted to talk to you about that. If..if that's okay with you.."