The Artist

Chapter 4

Cass-

“She worth it?” My second asked, having heard and seen Henley in action. Jamie’s amused expression was annoying at best.

“Ask me again when I have fucked her senseless.” I bristled at his laughter.

“She’s pretty adamant she doesn’t want you.”

“She’s an Omega hiding and living as a Beta. She doesn’t know what she wants or what I can give her.” Lawfully Henley wasn’t recognized as an individual. She was a possession. Her feelings would change as soon as I claimed her, giving her genetically assigned purpose in this world.

“Sometimes, Cass no, really means no.” I glared at my friend and second. If he only knew how Henley had responded to me, he’d never doubt me. He’d see that I was beyond justified in my cause.

“What do you have to tell me?”

“The same thing I have already told you the last ten times.” He said again. “Every test, genetic or blood, identifies her as Beta. There is nothing to suggest otherwise.”

“Everything suggests otherwise. Henley is fine-boned and petite.” I pissed on his notions.

“She was being leached off in the womb by a twin, Cass. She was a host to a parasite.” Jamie said.

“An identical twin, to a sister that is very Omega.” I reminded him.

“Nonetheless, ten various tests conducted by different doctors all confirm her profile.” He was not the least bit interested in my thoughts.

“What about the Alpha?”

“Akita Harper is her business partner. They met when they were both placed in the same foster home.” Jamie pulled up a file on the screen.

“Henley was a foster child?” I was struck with a flood of emotions at hearing this.

“Since her father passed.” My second said, leaning against my desk. “He died when she was three. The mother never recovered financially. She surrendered Henley to the state.” I rocked back in my chair, stunned by this revelation.

“And the sister?” I asked.

“Moms meal ticket out of poverty.” A new wave of anger hit me hard, clenching my muscles with rage. What callousness did it take to give away your flesh and blood?

“Akita is three years older than Henley. He became her legal guardian when he turned 18.”

“What else?”

“Nothing, Henley lives a very private, very secluded life. Makes minimal appearances, even though she is a well-known artist. She goes months without making any appearances in public.” That was shocking. I didn’t know any woman who did not like the perks of being famous. Especially one as beautiful as Henley.

“How are her finances?”

My second’s chest rumbled with laughter. “Not a chance, she’s smart.” He said as he looked at me. “She has no debt. All of her investments are legal and profitable.”

“Fuck!”

“She’s an advocate for fostering programs. She has helped raise a ton of money for youth challenge programs. Her Alpha sits on the board.”

“He is not her Alpha.” I snapped aggressively at the man I trusted. “What’s the name of the program.” Noting that my temper did not faze him.

“Promise.”

“Do we know anyone on the board?” My second smiled, standing up to hand me a piece of paper.

“We do.” He said. That was one of Jamison’s best qualities. He didn’t dwell on my moods. I took the paper. Smiling at the list of names. “Your little artist is scheduled to attend the ribbon-cutting on the 10th.” That was nine days from now.

“I want you to do something for me.”

Henley

I ate a late dinner before crawling into bed. Estrous always left me bone tired. Adding to the weight of my confrontation with Alexander Castillo and Kita’s bizarre confession, I was wasted. Deciding sleep would be the best way to gain perspective. Numbing fatigue claimed me for hours. The time blissfully unaware of my feelings. A short block of time that I wished I could hold onto. It was after nine when I woke to use the bathroom. I was sad and relieved that Kita had not come back. A quick trip to the kitchen, where I downed a glass of juice before I headed back to bed. It was going to be a long night. Restless and agitated, I flipped and flopped in my bed for an hour. I groaned at the clock. Knowing I should get up and head to my home studio. But that would require me to get up. And a ton of energy I really didn’t have. I rolled over, turned on the bedside lamp, and reached for a book, one that was gathering dust. When I heard keys in the door I relaxed, Kita was home. I expected to hear him raid the kitchen before heading to his room to shower. That was his routine, hearing him open, my door was odd.

“Henley?” He asked softly. The sight of my friends in visible distress tightened my heart with worry.

“Kita, what’s wrong?” I asked as I wrestled myself out of the twisted bedding, cussing as I finally escaped and hurried to him. I did not hesitate to wrap my arms around his waist and hug him tightly. He pulled me in, leaning down to hold me close, breathing in a lung full of my scent. “Please talk to me,” I begged my friend to let me help him.

“I don’t know, Hen. I need to be in here with you.” I’d always prayed to hear him say those words to me. I wanted them to mean for him what they meant to me. But I couldn’t hope. Knowing he didn’t feel anything other than familiar love towards me. Still, I could not stop the surge of hope surround my heart.

It’d been years since Kita had slept with me. Yet, he held me like it was completely normal to wrap his body around mine. God’s know I was trying my damnedest not to let the excitement his body was creating altered my scent. That had been a huge fail. My body was already ratting me out. Changing my scent and pulling at my heart. Words right now would be dangerous. There was way too much that I could misinterpret if we spoke. Silence was my best option.

“I’m confused and scared, Henny.” Kita finally spoke.

“About what?”

“He triggered something in you, Hen. His kiss released what you truly are meant to be.” He shuddered behind me. “I wanted you. That’s a feeling I’ve never had for you.” I knew his words were not meant to hurt, but they did. “I wanted to be in you. I wanted to feel you.”

“Why now, after all these years?” I asked — the question thundering through my body.

“I don’t know, but I don’t want to feel it again.”

I spent 10 hours on Sunday, in my home studio, mainly to avoid Kita. He was not the only one confused. I spent a long night remembering Kita’s words and Alexander’s kiss. Both were causing arousal and longing. I usually left behind me once estrous passed. I’d heard Kita leave about an hour ago. Going out for a run, he’d be back soon. I raced to the kitchen to make a hot cup of tea before escaping outside to the deck. I didn’t want to smell the musky scent of his exertion. He didn’t realize that my last estrous changed things for me as well. Like the fact, he smelled really good. I sighed, breathing in the outdoors. I lounged on a chair, pretending to take in the peaceful view of my woodland home. The view usually made me calm, today not so much. I sipped on my tea, thankful that I had timed this right. Kita came in the side door of the garage. Knowing that he would be sweaty, and breathing hard, had me doing the same. It was a good thing he was leaving in the morning for a business trip. I needed time to think clearly. Maybe Alexander’s kiss had awakened something in me. He was an Alpha. Genetically, I was instinctually drawn strong him. My Omega profile demanded that I be claimed by somebody worthy. If only to ensure strong lines continued. I slipped down the rabbit hole, chasing Alice, letting her lure me into thoughts that made me achy with need. What would it be like to be with someone like Alexander? If his kiss was an indication of his skills, I doubted I’d leave his bed unsatisfied. Another reason I envied Betas and Alphas. The casualty of sleeping with somebody for the pleasure, without the permanency of a pair-bond. I finished my tea, watching the evening set the sky warm with soft colors. It was a beautiful sight. I almost missed Kita walking out the French doors. Showered and dressed in jeans, and a blue V-neck shirt, a flattering combo that complemented his size and dynamic. A man on a mission, he walked straight for me, kneeling at my feet, trapping me in my chair.

“I’m leaving tonight.” He said.

“Why?”

“I need space. Your scent has me fucking confused.” His confession sounded almost painful. “I won’t give you false hope, Henley. I love you too much to hurt you like that.” Kita’s eyes shimmered, reflecting his struggle. “I need to know what I am feeling is real.” To confused and mesmerized to move, I sat dazed. “I want to kiss you.” He said, his eyes dropping to my lips, stealing my breath.

My body clenched tightly. I felt my heart spasm. “Okay.” I stumbled over the simple word; Kita smiled. He moved in slowly, feeling, preparing. The soft, full lips tasted mine. Fear kept me from digging my fingers into his damp hair. It was beautifully painful, and over to fast. When he ended it, I was sad.

“Well?” I asked as he pulled away to look at me.

“I’m confused and miserable.” He said

“Miserable?” That was a word I could not relate to. Kita rocked back to his haunches, looking down at the bulging mass I’d missed. I blushed, quickly looking away.

“Got it,” I said, he chuckled cupping my face one more time. “I will text you.”

“I know you will.” I watched my love walk back into the house.

“I’ll see you soon, Henny.”

What was that? My body hummed with feelings, I ran my tongue across my lips, smiling, and tasting them. A soft and gentle yet hungry kiss. Nothing like the aggressive kiss that had set me on fire, yet it still burned. Alexander and Kita, to opposite ends of the Alpha spectrum. I melted into the chair, doing nothing but feeling and wondering. When the evening light finally left, I reached for my cell.

Momo, let’s play hooky tomorrow. I texted my assistant, she replied instantly.

Spa day? I smiled as I punch the keys on my phone.

One with all the bells and whistles, I hit send and went to bed.