Page 8 of Alpha’s Conquest

“Still arresting people for urinating in public?”

David chuckled at that. “That’s only Mr. Swanson, and he promised he would stop.”

“Doubt it,” Marshall said. They laughed together over their private joke.

When he turned towards the refrigerator, David finally noticed me standing beside it. “You must be Marshall’s boyfriend. I’m David.” He held his hand out, and my small fingers were almost crushed in his firm handshake. His leathery scent was a little stronger than Marshall’s, but nowhere near as potent as their father’s. I couldn’t stop myself from glancing at Mr. Wilson. He was looking back at me, intently focused on the way his son gripped my hand. “I’m assuming Marsh didn’t tell you much about me. I’m the Sheriff of Oakridge. But don’t worry. I try not to arrest people for running stop signs unless they make a habit of it.”

David got three beers from the fridge while I was still trying to think of something to say and twisted the caps off with his bare hands. They were not twist-offs. Alphas truly were something else. Handing one to Marshall, he held the third out for me, and I happily took it, taking a long swig when no one was looking.

Beer in hand, David trekked around the kitchen island and hauled himself onto the stool beside Mr. Wilson. Mr. Wilson. That felt so formal. But what else should I call him? I couldn’t just call him by his first name without permission. The mere idea of saying his name made me shiver.

“Sooo,” David started, his voice high and bright in that ‘I need all the gossip’ tone. “How long have you two been together?”

Marshall shoved his hands into some oven mitts and took a glass dish out of the oven. “We can save the interrogation until after we’ve eaten.”

“So defensive,” David teased as he sipped his beer. “You can’t blame me for being curious. I didn’t even know you were dating someone.”

Marshall hadn’t told them about me? I mean, yes, I was clear about not wanting to meet his family, ever, but I didn’t think he would hide me from them. My parents knew about Marshall, and they also knew he was never coming over to meet them.

“David, shut up,” Mr. Wilson barked. His green eyes slowly landed on me, his dirty fingernail tapping the side of his glass. “Marshall told us he was seeing someone. We knew.”

David chuckled and wiped his lips on his sleeve. “Always gotta ruin my fun, Pops. There’s still things I don’t know. Like how long they’ve been dating.” He raised his eyebrows, giving a pointed look to both of us.

My boyfriend didn’t offer any extra information, and by the time everything was ready and the dining table was full of food, the anxiety in the room was through the roof. Maybe that was just me. The only spare seat was across from Mr. Wilson, and I tried not to stare at him as we passed around the bowls of food to serve ourselves, but it was impossible to look away. He caught me staring when Marshall was busy spooning out some potatoes for himself, and a thrum ran through my body with Mr. Wilson’s eyes on me.

Steady, Casey. Ignore it.

People went through this all the time, right? A random attraction to someone you weren’t interested in. Because I wasn’t. Mr. Wilson was my boyfriend’s father. If there was a list of people I shouldn’t be interested in, he would be at the top.

If only my body could remember that.

“You got enough, Case?”

I jumped, dropping my fork onto the table. “Y-yeah.” I willed myself to look away, staring so hard at my food I almost went cross-eyed.

David waited until my mouth was full before talking. “How’d you two meet?”

“David,” Mr. Wilson grumbled under his breath.

“Come on, Pops. It’s been years since we caught up with Marshall. Even longer since he brought someone home to meet us. You’re not curious?”

Mr. Wilson was completely engrossed in his food, as if we weren’t even there. “No.”

Ouch. He didn’t care about me? After eye fucking me not five minutes ago?

As the only outsider at the table, it was obvious they were all silently communicating through quick glances, throat clears, and pointed glares when they thought I wasn’t looking. If I weren’t so hungry, I might’ve tried to fake a headache just to leave the room and let them talk without me. There was clearly some bad blood between Marshall and his father. Maybe the brother too, but it was hard to tell even with the silent conversation going on over my head.

Since I couldn’t leave, I could at least curb some of their curiosity. “We uhh…” My voice faltered when Mr. Wilson’s head inclined towards me, those bright green eyes slowly trailing up to meet mine. His hands were so big, but he held his small fork with ease. How big would his hand look against my face? My cock. He could probably close his entire fist around me with ease. Ugh, this was torture. Keep talking. Think about something else. “We met at the hospital,” I blurted out. “Because of the hospital, I mean. They wanted a new mural for their lobby, and the company I work for came over to give our pitch for it. I work at a street art studio.”

“They didn’t get the job,” Marshall noted with a sad grin, one that brightened when he looked at me. “I was just getting off my shift when I saw Casey by the front door. I thought he was lost, and I offered to take him to the omega wing.”

That day changed everything. His kindness and gentle spirit made me feel hope again after all I’d been through.

“Marshall seemed so nice and eager to help me. It wasn’t until we got to the omega wing that I plucked up the courage to tell him I didn’t need a doctor. He laughed so hard, I thought he might pass out.”

Marshall reached across our plates and took my hand, giving me a smile as he gently squeezed my fingers. “I was sleepy before. About to pass out. But then I was completely awake, as if I hadn’t just worked a double shift. I asked him out for drinks, and we just kinda… started dating. Without even making it official. It was a full month before I realized I never asked him to be my boyfriend.”

Someone’s foot touched mine under the table. I wasn’t sure whose foot it was, but Marshall’s smile seemed to confirm it was his. I touched it right back, sliding my bare foot over theirs, caressing it with my toes.