“Hi, and… I’m sorry,” I said.

He stepped to his closet, slowly turning his hostile gaze away from me to search for a shirt, to ignore me. He was making his point clear. He couldn’t stand me. I let out a silent sigh and looked away. This was not going to work out. Not with this guy, or at all. It sucked, really… Reid got dressed and stepped away from the closet, but I didn’t have the strength to look up at him and face his hate.

Why was I even trying…? I should’ve given up a long time ago. Things would never change for me just because–

“You’re an omega.”

I let out an amused snort, but I wasn’t amused. “Yeah…”

“How did you get in?” he asked, arms crossed on his chest as he stood in the middle of the room, his sharp eyes on me.

“By hard work and a lot of sacrifices,” I said quietly.

“So you must be very impressive,” he said, but he was not impressed.

“Wouldn’t know. I just do my job,” I said.

“Not with me,” he said. “I work alone. You’ll just slow me down. Go tell Captain to find you another partner.”

“Just like that, huh? You’re not even giving me a chance?” I asked.

“It’s nothing personal. I don’t want a fucking partner, but is anyone listening to me? Fuck no,” he said, growing more and more angry.

I hummed and looked away. “Have you ever considered that maybe it’s you who’s not listening?”

“What?” he asked so sharply I knew I was in dangerous waters.

But I didn’t want to back off. I didn’t know this guy at all, but it was clear he had wounds that weren’t healing. I had to admit… My omega and I both had reacted to the pain in his voice. We most likely couldn’t do anything about it, but if the captain was right, and us being partners was the right thing for both of us, then I wasn’t going to let him scare me away.

“I don’t know you, or what you’ve been through, but your captain strongly believes you need this,” I said.

“He knows damn well not to force me to have a partner,” he said, seething as he stepped closer to me. “And you better get the fuck out of my sight before I make you.”

What did I have to lose?

“No,” I said quietly and stood up to go unpack my bags. “I want you to give me a chance first. If it’s not working out, then we can talk.”

He grew bigger in his rage and took another step after me when I tried to get to my closet. “Listen here you little–”

I quickly turned around and raised my finger at him, trying to look threatening as well. “Don’t. I don’t know if I deserve your anger, but I definitely don’t deserve to be called names.”

He stopped to stare at me, his mouth left open. I turned my back on him and went to grab a bag from my closet.

Fuck, I was getting myself killed… Reid slowly walked to me, his entire posture letting me know I was so fucking dead. When he was only a few feet away, I glanced at him, trying to keep my posture relaxed, like I wasn’t getting concerned over my health. The omega in me was scared, but I forced it to stay calm when Reid stopped right behind me. He stood so close I could feel the warmth radiating from his body as he towered over me, absolutely fuming.

I let go of the bag and faced him, resting my hands on my hips, keeping my chin up. Fuck, I was tiny…

“Yes?” I asked.

His eyes flashed at me as he leaned closer. “You better leave. Now.”

I watched him, taking a deep breath, then tried a gentle approach. “I get it. You can’t stand the idea of having a new partner, but I’m not here to take anyone’s place. I just want–”

He slammed his fist against my wardrobe, nearly breaking it. 

“You don’t get to talk about that!” he growled at me through gritted teeth.

I was proud of myself for not even flinching, though my omega was getting really scared. But I was fine with angry people, so I stayed calm as I stood there, pinned between him and the door.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I just wish you’d listen to me.”

“There’s nothing to listen to,” he spat at me, then stepped back. “Get out.”

“Sorry,” I said with a small shrug. “But… No. I’m not leaving.”

“Why not?” he hissed.

I took a deep breath. I was so getting killed…

“I told you I want you to give me a chance first,” I said.

“Didn’t you fucking listen to what I said?! I fucking told you–”

“Yes, you did! But you’re not listening to me! I only want one fucking chance! You don’t have to accept me! You don’t have to even like me, but I want one fucking chance!” I said, my voice harsh because fuck me, this guy was stubborn. “If it’s not working out, I’ll fucking leave, but before that, I’m not going anywhere!”

“Is everything all right here?”

I glanced at Captain Hale, who stepped through the door. Reid turned to glare at him, his arms crossed as he huffed and puffed in his seething anger.

“I’m good, sir,” I told the captain, who was eyeing Reid.

“Uh-huh,” Captain Hale said slowly, taking in this scene. “Reid?”

“I want him out of my sight,” the younger alpha said, pointing at me.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I muttered.

He immediately roared at me, his voice loud and his body in full threat posture. He was not playing around anymore. He’d had enough of me, and he wasn’t afraid to show that to his superior. And I had to admit… I was taken aback. Not only that. This behavior scared me, but after five years in this place, simple anger didn’t freeze me anymore.

So I faked a small smirk and patted his shoulder. “You’ll get used to me, big guy,” I said, my voice steady.

I was surprised he didn’t rip my arm off. He stood there, his teeth still bared at me, but at least he’d fallen silent. His eyes never left me. There was a lot of anger in them… Maybe… Maybe I should’ve just let him have his way. I was only making things worse for myself.

Reid turned to glare at Captain Hale, silently asking for his help to get me out of his room, or for his permission to rip me to shreds. The captain ignored his anger and raised his eyebrows at him in a questioning manner.

“Well I guess I don’t have a fucking choice, do I?” Reid practically growled at him, then marched to his bed and sat down, pointing at me. “One fucking chance, and if you so much as–”

“Thank you,” I said before he could work himself up even more. “It means a lot to me.”

He fell silent, wrinkling his nose and letting out a quiet, displeased growl, then looked away. I hid my smile and turned to Captain Hale.

“I’m sure everything will go well,” he told me, and ignored Reid’s loud snort. “Do you want to finish unpacking, or would you like a small tour around the house? We can go get you a laptop while we’re at it.”

I peered at Reid who was busy putting his earbuds on. I was better off giving him some room right now.

“A tour, yeah,” I said, and left my bag on the floor.

“Great! Follow me,” he said, and stepped outside.

I took one last careful glance at my new partner. He made sure not to look in my direction. For a brief moment, I felt like I’d accomplished something big, but then the fear that this all was too good to be true settled back in.

And it fucking sucked since I had the feeling I’d actually like it here.

*****

[Patreon subscribers can read this chapter in Reid’s POV]