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bigtreefest · 9 months ago

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Chapter 5: From the Ground Up

From: You Catch More Bees With Honey Series

Pairing: Mob! Bucky x Farmer! Reader

Summary: It’s time for Bucky to take charge in your absence.

Word count: 4,065

Content/warnings: Interrogation, restraints (not in the sexy way), allusions to violence, swears, name calling, pet name usage, female reader, kissing, horseback riding?

Author’s Note: I REALLY loved writing this chapter. This is where we start to see the other storylines of the Outta Nowhere AU emerge, so keep an eye out as those get released.

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

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Bucky was mad-no, he was seething as he paced back and forth in your home office. It was in the wee hours of the morning when his private jet had landed on the local airstrip. Within that same hour, Sam had personally escorted in the little nerd responsible for a good third of the turmoil going on in Bucky’s head: Jake.

Sam had taken the liberty of pre-binding his hands and duct taping his mouth shut. Bucky was going to enjoy ripping the goatee straight off his mousy little face.

Five hours ago

As soon as Steve had gotten off the phone with Bucky, he called the construction crew. They kept them on call for things like this, but the two of them never thought the stakes would be this high. It wasn’t often that someone important and non-expendable was put in this type of danger, let alone someone Bucky cared about. As he was finishing up the call and directing them towards your house, Sam reached out to him with a sticky note.

On it was a name and the address to an apartment in the city, along with Sam’s scrawled ‘pick her up on your way over.’ Steve nodded as he hung up his call and placed another, grabbing the duffel bag he kept packed by the door and heading out.

Three Hours Later

Bucky hadn’t left your side since the rocks collapsed. Luckily, the two of you had been able to find a small gap in the rocks where you both sat. It wasn’t large enough to keep air circulating, but it was big enough to at least allow the two of you to talk with each other. You and Bucky had shared so much, from him sharing his first business operation with Steve, to you detailing crazy college stories of when you, your roommate, and Curtis would hang out.

Bucky laughed along. There was a whole side of you he never knew. He had studied intently what showed up on paper, and he knew the hardships you’d faced from your deep conversation last week, but this? This was a whole new, more playful side. He was surprised to see your spirits so high despite the situation.

“I do not believe that one bit. No way you were climbing up clock towers at school just to steal the clock hands, or a random brick or whatever. You’re too straight-laced.”

You laughed and rolled your eyes as you leaned your head back against the stone wall. “Oh please, people already pay so much to go there, if anything, I had more than the right to do it. Our money pays for that stuff. Technically we owned it. Not the school.”

Bucky snorted. “You didn’t even pay tuition. Didn’t they pay you to go there?”

“That’s besides the point, Bucket. Fight the man. And anyway, if you think I’m straight laced, you should meet my roommate.”

Bucky grimaced. “Yeah, about that. She’s on her way here right now.”

Your ears perked up. “Decks is on the way? Oh, that’s good. She’ll be super helpful. She’s so organized, although, I can’t imagine she took well to whoever had to interrupt her beauty sleep. Who’s the poor guy?”

Bucky sharply inhaled. “Steve.”

“Oooo hooo hoo.” You laughed. “That’ll be a fun one for both of them. They’re either gonna love or hate each other. What are all the rest of the ETAs?”

Bucky looked at his watch. Well, really, he had been checking his watch this whole time to monitor his pulse, which was over 100 consistently since the tunnel buckled. He was shaking with concern for you, but kept his voice level to keep you calm, a trick he and Steve had worked tirelessly to master. “Ummm… looks like the construction crew should be here within the hour. And I’ll bet Decks and Steve will be pulling up any minute.”

You hummed in acknowledgment. “Anyone else coming that I should know about? So I can figure out where they’ll best fit around the farm? Decks is great with the animals.”

You hadn’t heard all of Bucky’s or Curtis’s phone calls earlier since they stepped out of the cave to make them with better reception. Bucky didn’t want you to know Jake was on the way, mostly because he knew you’d make him promise not to hurt the rat, and he didn’t want to have to make that promise with the high likelihood it would be broken. He decided a better move would be to change the subject.

“So where did the nickname ‘Decks’ come from anyway?”

“Oh! Well it’s actually-“

Bucky heard footsteps near the mouth of the mine. He did his best to politely cut you off. “Wait, Honey, I’m so sorry, quiet for one second.”

He sat there and silently listened, the rustling becoming closer and clearer until he identified it as hooves clopping gently against the soft ground. He heard Curtis’s voice say something vaguely before he moved to get his feet underneath him and brush off his pants.

“I think Curtis is here with Steve and Decks. I don’t want anyone else to come in, just in case it’s still too unstable. Can you tell me exactly what you need them to do?”

You nodded, even though you knew Bucky couldn’t see it and began to lay out the instructions. Decks and Steve weren’t here to clean out the tunnels, they were here to help keep the farm running until you were freed, and no one knew how long that would take. It was best to keep only those who could be closely trusted around until this was all figured out. God forbid the authorities come knocking, or worse yet, Cole. Bucky held onto your every word before briefly leaving the tunnel to relay the information.

Bucky returned to you shortly after instructing Curtis to take Steve and Decks back to the house so they could rest before their long day tomorrow. Everything needed to run as smoothly as possible to not raise suspicion from your absence, which they were going to claim was due to a corn crop farmer’s conference out in Iowa if anyone asked.

After another hour with you, Bucky let you know the construction company arrived and was starting to stabilize the ceiling so they could dig you out. “I’ve gotta go deal with some business, so I’ll be back soon. Plus, I can’t get in the way of these vehicles. But say the word to one of the crew and I’ll be back here in a minute flat. I promise.”

Bucky’s promises meant a lot. That was something you had learned in your conversations. He never said something unless he had a plan to deliver. A man’s word was everything in his line of work.

“Okay, I’m going to hold you to that!” You yelled back.

Bucky chuckled. “I’m going to send Sam back here as soon as he arrives. He’ll keep you company.” And with that, Bucky made his way back to the house.

So this is where Bucky found himself, walking back and forth menacingly behind Jake, who had been tied down to the guest chair in your office. Jake’s eyes shifted back and forth with nervousness as he tried and failed to hold back whimpers and near-hyperventilating breaths.

Bucky had been silent for only ten minutes. He liked the way it made them squirm. He could sit and stare all day, completely unbothered, as anyone he interrogated slowly lost their mind. Of course, there were other, more fun ways, to get information, but he wouldn’t dare mark up your home. He’d never let the one they called ‘The Winter Soldier’ be unleashed in your sanctuary. This is the closest he would ever get, though, and it would never be seen by you.

Bucky stalked around Jake and crouched in front of him. “A milk maid came in here and told me that you’d given him information about this farm. Care to share?”

Jake shook his head vigorously and whined through the duct tape over his mouth. Bucky leaned in closer. What was more terrifying than being yelled at by him? Bucky with an alarmingly level voice.

“Sorry, I couldn’t quite catch that. I can help you talk a little better, but you’ve gotta be quiet. There are people upstairs sleeping, and I can’t guarantee they’ll be as nice as me if you wake them. Promise to be good?”

Jake nodded carefully and slowly. Bucky reached for the tape at the corner of Jake’s mouth and ripped it off quickly. Jake’s head lurched forward, his mouth open with a silent scream between gasping breaths. Bucky examined the sticky side of the tape. There was no hair on it. The steam from Jake’s mouth must’ve reduced the stickiness just enough that it didn’t cause damage. Shame.

Bucky slammed his hands over Jake’s on the armrests of the chair. “Tell me everything.” He gritted out between clenched teeth.

Jake giggled uncomfortably. “Uh….there’s not really much to know, mister…sir….does this have to do with Peach? I thought she owned this farm now. Where is she?”

Bucky growled. “That’s not important right now, but yes, this is about this farm. Tell me everything you told the guy with the soft hands and the jackets that were too crisp to indicate a day of work in his whole life.”

Bucky had no intention to associate that with his own designer crisp suits that he wore everyday back in the city. That was different, it was a totally separate line of work, plus, he wasn’t trying to pose as something that he’s not when he wore them. Anyway, he’s not the one on trial here.

“Oh! You mean Cole? Fucking prick.” Jake mumbled looking down and to the side. “I can promise whatever he said to you was a lie. That guy’s always been awful. He hides a demon face behind his handsomeness.”

Bucky didn’t want to be on Jake’s side, but he couldn’t argue with that. But to keep him talking, Bucky leaned in closer, moving his hand towards the knife on his belt loop. Jake flinched and raised his hands in surrender as much as he could with his wrists tied down.

“Okay, okay, I promise I didn’t say much. At least not on purpose. I was at an investors party up in San Francisco when Cole bumped into me. He was bragging about how he had just inherited his parents’ company and it was way bigger than when we were in high school. Frankly, I didn’t care, I make an effort to forget about a lot from back then, mostly him, so I tried to disprove him by saying that there are still nice little farms around despite his family’s efforts. I told him I still had my mom buy me honey that Peach makes, herself.” He hung his head in shame.

Bucky huffed as he leaned back against your desk and crossed his arms. “Well, way to go. You know, they painted you to be some genius, but you’re an absolute idiot.”

Jake looked up and scrunched his nose. “Well I actually prefer the term loser, bu-“

Bucky raised his hand to stop Jake from talking. “I really don’t care. What matters is that you’ve made a mess for Honeybee that inconveniences all of us. I’ve gotta be the one to work on cleaning this up while she’s otherwise occupied.”

Jake cocked his head to the side and furrowed his brow in confusion. “Who the fuck is ‘Honeybee?’ Are we talking about the same person?”

Bucky sighed and wiped a hand over his face, stopping with it covering his mouth. He looked at the helpless man in front of him. How had you ever dated this guy? If he used to be great, what on Earth happened to him? “God, you’re slow to catch on. Yes, it’s the same person, but I don’t think the sweet peach you used to know and love is in there anymore. Not after you abandoned her. And especially not after you gave up her operation on a silver platter to Cole.”

Jake swallowed as he caught on. He had seen the devious glint in Cole’s eye when they had run into each other, but just thought it was a product of Cole’s braggadocious success. Not his complete hunger for domination. Despite the way Jake left, he still cared for you. He didn’t want to see the thing you loved taken away, especially by the guy who caused him so much grief. The guy your family defended him from on so many occasions. He felt awful. You’d taken care of Jake when he was around, but when the opportunity came for him to do the same for you, he failed.

Tears began to well up in his eyes. “I’m so sorry. Whatever I can do to help, I will, please, misterrrr…….”

Bucky’s shoulders pushed back in arrogance. Jake squealed all the information he had and didn’t even know the name of the man interrogating him. That wouldn’t do, especially if Bucky wanted to eventually release Jake back out into the wild once this was all over. He made a mental note to have someone coach Jake on how to not give up sensitive intel so easily. But for now, Bucky would take advantage of the ease of informational access.

“Barnes. You get to call me Barnes.”

“Ooh! So like a cool nickname only I get to use? I feel so special.”

Bucky chuckled dryly at that. Jake really was clueless. “No. Not at all like that.” Bucky leaned forward, elbows on his knees as his face inched closer to Jake’s.

“Now tell me everything you know about the mines.”

Jake’s eyebrows raised. “Oh? Those old things? Yeah, Peach and I used to make out in the-“

Bucky waved his hand again as he closed his eyes, unable to look at Jake for another second. “No. Skip that part. What else?” He quickly said, dismissively.

“I know they’re old? Like crazy old and probably prone to collapse at this point. But Pe- I mean, your Honeybee does some occasional civil engineering contracting work. She could probably easily whip up a plan to reinforce them.”

Bucky looked at Jake more intently. He liked the way Jake said his Honeybee, but he couldn’t let that distract him right now. And anyway, you were very much your own person. Far from his. If anything, he was yours. He knew about all your business endeavors, but not those kinds of specifics. “Keep talking.”

“Yeah, I kept up with her after school-well, more like I asked my mom to keep up with her. Apparently she’s like, designed bridges for town and stuff. Why? What’s going on with the mines?”

“That’s not technically your business.” Bucky stood there, debating on his next move.

Jake’s eyes lit up as he gasped loudly. “Oh my gosh. Is she in trouble!? Did she get hurt in a mine!?”

Bucky slapped his hand over Jake’s mouth and whisper yelled at him. “What did I say about keeping it down?”

Jake winced and whispered back. “Sorry. Does Curtis know?”

Bucky nodded. “Yes. And he’s upstairs sleeping. Don’t. Poke. The Bear.”

Jake nodded again. He was being so compliant, Bucky figured he could let a few more details slip. Maybe Jake was a little smarter than Bucky gave him credit for. “She’s trapped in one of the smaller caves. I’ve already got a construction crew digging her out.”

“Wait wait wait. You guys have a proper plan for this, right? You’ve gotta put supports in first and then calculate the load-bearing rocks. You can’t just go willy-nilly digging or it could get worse.” Man, based off that language, Bucky had no doubt Jake truly did grow up around you.

“Good observation, Jakey. That’s where you come in. I know I could’ve just called you if I wanted to know what you told Cole, but I needed you in person to know how serious I am. Grab your little computer and we’ll get going so you can run the calculations while Honeybee talks you through them. You can still ride a horse, right?”

Jake moved to get up, only to be stopped by the restraints. Bucky turned around from the door, voice dripping with fake sympathy. “Oh, that’s right, my bad. I’ll get you untied and then we can go.”

Sam was talking with you about where to put which construction vehicles when he heard hooves make their way to the entrance. Bucky dismounted the back of a horse holding a laptop, followed by Jake who was riding ahead of him on that same horse.

“Not a word of this, Samuel.” Bucky growled lowly into Sam’s ear with clenched teeth. “I’ve already threatened the kid with the same.”

Bucky still had no idea how to ride a horse on his own, but would never admit that, so he was actually extremely grateful that Jake could take the reins. Sam had taken the other horse to get to you, leaving only one back at the house for him and Jake to use.

Bucky handed Jake the laptop and patted him on the back harshly, making it more of a shove. This led him to the small hole where you and Sam had just been talking.

Bucky followed at a quicker pace, reaching the area just before Jake could and held his arm out in front of the blond to bar him from going any farther. “Hi Honey, it’s me. I brought you a little present to help out, I hope you’re not mad. It’s your old friend Jacob from high school. Say hi.”

“Jake? Like… Jensen?” You responded, trying to look through the small hole unsuccessfully.

“Yeah, Peach, it’s me. I’m here to get you out. A-and Mr. Barnes wants you to know he’s been nothing but kind to me.” Jake clutched his laptop firmly to his chest, leaning over to be heard better through the small opening.

Bucky gave a stern nod to Jake for already responding well to his coaching on the way over here. Jake sat down by the hole where Bucky had sat before and got to work.

“Okay, Bee. Like I told you before, you say the word and I’ll be here in a minute. You can time me.”

“Where are you going?” He could hear the slight worry in your voice.

“To run a farm. And by that, I mean listen to Curtis.”

You giggled. “Okay, Bucket. See you soon.”

He looked back and smiled before turning towards Sam and pointing into his chest. “You tell me the second she’s close to getting out. I’ll be there.”

Sam nodded. “Sure thing, boss. Need help getting back up on your horse?”

Bucky was already turned away and heading back to your house. He waved a hand dismissively. “No. I’m walking.”

Sam chuckled as he watched the mob boss trudge away. He knew something had shifted in Bucky’s feelings. And he definitely had his suspicions that Bucky couldn’t ride a horse.

When Bucky returned to your house, he didn’t go upstairs. He feared the creaking of the steps would wake Decks, Curtis, and Steve. Plus, he knew he wasn’t going to sleep. Why would he when there was so much to do to help you? He would just get in the way at the mines, so he went into your office. He pulled out the files and article you had planned to show him the previous night regarding Cole from the kitchen, and as he sat down in your chair, he saw a contract with a familiar watermark. Shit.

Fuck. Shit. Bitch.

The letterhead was from ‘Turners Farm Corporation,’ which he had expected, but the associated law firm was ‘Hansen & Co.’ Bucky had his fair share of law firms in his back pocket, but this was not one of them. In fact, it was quite the opposite.

Lloyd Hansen was something of Bucky’s rival in the city. He was an unhinged lunatic. Where Bucky ran things with honor, poise, and calculated movements, Lloyd was messy, unpredictable, and reckless. He’d been trying to make multiple steps into Bucky’s territory, geographically and business-wise, but Bucky had done a decent job at shutting it down thus far.

And now Cole was in cahoots with Lloyd, well, not him directly on paper, just his bitch-ass sister who ran the firm. Bucky couldn’t believe-well, actually he could. He could believe that Cole would have teamed up with Hansen to build enough power for a takeover, especially considering it didn’t add up if Cole was making these moves on his own.

Fired by frustration that more than supplemented the sleep Bucky lacked from not just tonight, but this whole week, he snapped a picture of the contract and sent it to Sam. Sam would make sure it made its way through the right channels and contacts still back in the city. For now, Bucky had a more important priority than personally dealing with business: You. He had never been so grateful for Sam.

As he skimmed through the final page of the contract Cole had proposed to you, the first rooster crowed. Bucky got up to gather the eggs and make breakfast like any other day in the routine he’d grown so familiar with over just the past two weeks. But instead of cooking for you, he was cooking for the small army that came to your aid.

Curtis came barreling down the steps first, followed by Decks, and then eventually, Steve, who slumped and slinked down the stairs, reminiscent of Bucky’s first day doing the same. At least they were able to get themselves up.

Bucky plated their food, Curtis eyeing him with a small smile that Bucky failed to notice, and he sat down in his normal spot to start eating. He honestly didn’t have the appetite to do so, but he knew he’d crash without food since he already wasn’t sleeping, so he forced it down, preparing to go over the assignments with everyone once again.

Steve would be doing what Bucky had last week to set up the farmer’s market since it was scheduled to go again. Decks would be taking over the tasks you had, feeding the animals, and then doing sales with Bucky since people already knew his face. No need to raise more suspicion by introducing two new people to an event you were usually at.

Once everyone cleared their plates, they got to work, doing everything they could to be of assistance for the mob boss who was very evidently on edge.

It was early afternoon when Bucky got a call from Sam. He immediately picked it up.

“We’re close, boss. Only a couple more large boulders to go before there’s a big enough gap to pull her through.”

Bucky dropped the empty crates he was carrying onto the floor of the storage shed where he was returning them from the farmers market. Lucky for him, the storage shed was much closer to the mines than the barn.

Bucky was full-on sprinting in a way no one had ever seen. He never had to once he rose to power. All he did was walk, his long strides alone commanded enough respect. But this wasn’t about pride. It was about you.

He arrived at the mine entrance, breathing heavily, just as Sam was holding your hand, helping you step over a pile of sand and pebbles. Jake stood awkwardly to the side as you looked up from your feet to see Bucky quickly moving toward you. A smile took over your face and you sighed in relief. He scooped you up and spun you around before setting you down again and using his large hands to frame your face. Bucky didn’t care about the dirt and grime that had built up on the two of you. All he cared about was your safe return to his arms.

You watched as his eyes darted between yours and down to your lips. You wouldn’t hold back anymore. He had put all his resources into saving you, helping you. Without wasting another second, you leaned up on your toes and smashed your lips into his. When you pulled back, Bucky lost consciousness, collapsing in your arms.

Next >

Bonus A/N: Thank you so much for reading! Tbh I thought some moments in here were so funny, but I’d love to hear your thoughts!! Likes, comments, reblogs, and asks are sooooo appreciated!!! If I could, I’d make a secret handshake with you through the phone for following this plot line with me. 😉🤠

Series Taglist:

@scuzmunkie

@openup-yourmind

@vicmc624

@hawkeyes-queen

@blackhawkfanatic

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readingandwritingandreading · 1 year ago

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From The Ground Up ~ Part 4

My Blurb: Sorry for the delay, this one got away from me. I had hoped to post it last week but *shrug* life. Enjoy! Taglist is always open!

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Summary: Drew’s been in the wrestling business a long time and seen his fair share of Alpha & Omega drama. He’s certain when he finds his Omega this won’t be a problem, until the scent of cherries and orchids fill his senses and Cassidy Riley strolls into his life and he realizes a real relationship has to be built from the ground up.

Pairing: Alpha Drew McIntyre x Omega OFC Cassidy Riley

Warnings: A/B/O Dynamics

Status: In Progress

Tagging: @pioched | @ashes-writing | @cherrytheeredheadmamaclaymore | @thebookwormcat

Read First: From The Ground Up Masterlist

Also Check Out: My Whole Masterlist

I groaned when knocking on my door roused me from sleep. I waited a minute to see if they went away, huffing when they knocked again. Untangling myself from the sheets I stumbled to the door flinging it open without looking to see who it was. I stared at the hotel employee standing by a cart with a shocked look on his face as he took in my bare legs. Belatedly I realized I was only wearing a t- shirt that didn’t make it much past my boy shorts.

Pulling the shirt down I cleared my throat, “Can I help you?”

He stuttered before replying, “Your room service order.” He gestured to the cart covered in trays of food.

“I didn’t order room service” I replied, earning a confused look as he pulled out an order form from his pocket.

“Cassidy Riley, room 337?” He read before looking at my room number with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes, that's me, but…” I was cut off by the door across the hall opening and Drew stepping out. He looked wide awake and was already dressed in a shirt and jeans. The smile on his face gave way to a flash of desire as his eyes raked over me turning into a scowl when he saw the server. He moved quickly, nearly shoving me into the room to block me from the view of the poor server who looked terrified in the face of Drew’s hostility.

“That will be all” Drew growled before grabbing the cart, pulling it in and shutting the door to my room. I stared warily at his back as he seemed to be struggling to control himself, his hands flexing. “You should put pants on.” His voice was low and I shuddered before turning to my suitcase, pulling a pair of sweats out and retreating to the bathroom.

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I struggled to tamp down the rush of desire that had swept through me when I opened the door to my room. The sight of my mate, in just a shirt, hair rumpled had nearly been my undoing. It did nothing to quell the fantasies that had haunted me all night of her long legs wrapped around my waist while I claimed her. The rage followed next when I saw the server looking at what was mine, it had taken everything in me to not pin him against the wall. His fear was enough for now.

Cracking my neck, I surveyed Cassidy’s room. Her scent was everywhere and I breathed in deeply letting it calm me. She was neat, the only mess being the blankets and pillows sprawled across the bed. Don’t think of her in the bed Drew. I chided myself before getting to work on breakfast. I pulled the desk out from the wall and placed the armchair on one side, with the office chair on the other side before arranging the plates on the desk.

Cassidy emerged from the bathroom a moment later looking more awake. She had brushed her hair back into a ponytail and pulled on a pair of sweats. She stayed by the door but looked at the food and I faintly heard her stomach rumble at the sight. I pulled the armchair out and gestured for her to sit, “I thought we could have breakfast together but I didn’t know what you liked.” I smiled when she laughed but took the seat I offered.

“So you ordered the whole menu?” She grinned at me when I shrugged and handed her a plate. “Well you should know, I’m allergic to those.” She pointed her fork at the bowl of strawberries and I grabbed them quickly heading towards the door. Opening it I saw Pete walking down the hall and shoved the bowl in his hands. He looked at me for a second before shrugging and continuing down the hall after popping a strawberry in his mouth.

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I hid my laugh as Drew helped the older lady to her new seat. It hadn’t been much effort for him to sweet talk her into trading him seats so he could have the one beside me but now she wouldn’t stop talking about what a fine man he was and how I was so lucky to have a strong alpha looking out for me. I had definitely seen her grope his butt when he reached for her bag and she was clearly trying to go for it again. I bit my lip when he finally plopped into the seat next to me and tried to look innocent when he looked at me and rolled his eyes.

“To be fair you have a nice butt” The giggle burst out of me and he chuckled as well. I had become more comfortable with him during breakfast and our conversations flowed without too many awkward pauses. I was beginning to think maybe the other night had been a fluke and he wasn’t going to be a caveman.

“I’m glad you think so.” His eyes searched mine and the giggle died at the intensity of what I saw. I found myself leaning towards it when the stewardess began her safety briefing with a loud announcement and I jumped back.

“So what do you usually do on plane rides?” I asked softly when the stewardess finished.

“Sleep,” Drew admitted with a grin. “I’m a great napper. What about you?”

I laughed at his response. “I don’t usually sleep, I get too nervous something might happen. I mostly read. I always keep a couple books handy.” I held up my bag. “Plus I can use it for defense if an Alpha gets handsy.” I raised my eyebrow at him and he put his hands up.

“No one will touch you without permission if I'm here. Not even me.” he added gravely and I nodded, believing him completely. “What do you like to read?” He asked after a moment.

Shit! “Oh…um.” My brain scrambled to think of a response that was anything but what the contents of my current books were. “Just you know…books.” I motioned with my hand as I felt the heat rising in my face.

He looked at me curiously before quickly reaching into my bag and snagging one of the books. I was nowhere near fast enough to stop him so I covered my face with my hands instead. His breath hitched beside me but he didn’t say anything and I peeked from between my fingers to see the look on his face as he studied the cover before flipping it over to read the back.

I paused, I may as well tell him, it was out there now. “I like to read historical romances…preferably the ones set in Scotland.” I lowered my hands and glanced at him nervously. He was still studying my well worn copy of Highland Wolf by Hannah Howell.

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I stared at the book I had snagged from Cassidy’s bag, hope blooming in my chest as I took it in. She was embarrassed beside me, I didn’t need our bond to know that. The misery in her tone and the blush that crept up her chest and face gave it away. She snatched the book away when I turned towards her, stuffing it quickly back in her bag.

“The irony is not lost on me.” She muttered, crossing her arms. “Hannah Howell is my favorite, she specializes in medieval Scotland.”

“I feel very qualified to be your Alpha all of a sudden,” I grinned, making a mental note to get her opinion on my ring gear from now on.

She groaned before shoving my arm. “Can we talk about something else? Anything!”

“Aye, fine.” I laughed at her glare when I turned my accent up a notch, noticing how it made her cross her legs tightly. “How did you end up in WWE?”

She relaxed at the question, “I moved to Florida hoping to be a news anchor. I was on at like 4:00 in the morning on a tiny station for awhile, which as you saw, I am not a morning person, didn’t end up working out. I hopped around to a few different things, waitress, secretary until I met Kayla. We hit it off right away, she introduced me to Byron and they convinced me to apply as a backstage interviewer.” She shrugged, staring out the window. “I was comfortable doing that and I love to travel so when they offered I accepted. I haven’t looked back since.”

The rest of the flight continued in a similar fashion. I learned she was a few years younger than me, born in July. She was surprised that I had a degree in Criminology but nodded approvingly when I told her it was because my parents wanted me to have a back up. She told me about her family; her parents were true mates and she had one older brother who was an Alpha but hadn’t found his mate yet. A wistful look appeared on her face when she told me about how her parents had always encouraged them to wait for their true mates before settling down. She blushed when she realized what she said, looking down at her lap.

I grab her hand and press a soft kiss to her wrist, enjoying the small gasp that escapes her. “My parents were true mates as well, if it wasn’t for me and my sister, my dad wouldn’t have made it after mom passed.” I breathed in Cassidy’s scent, letting it combat the pain that always came with talking about my mom. “She would be thrilled that I found you after all this time.”

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An ache in my stomach started the second we made it to my gate in Atlanta. Different than the pain in my head when we are apart, this one settles in at the mere thought of us being separated. The next show is in three days and didn’t allow us enough time for us to both travel to both our homes to restock so we decided we would have to split in Atlanta. After that it would be a couple weeks of full time shows and travel leading up to SummerSlam. We had made plans to facetime tonight a few hours after we both landed. Him in Tennessee and me in Florida. It would have to work for now, he was willing to wait until I was ready and while my opinion was far better then it had been the first night, I was still wary.

My flight left first and we had made it to my gate just as the first call was made to start loading. Drew pulled our suitcases to a stop before grabbing my arm and gently turning me towards him. “I need to ask you a favor.”

“What’s wrong?” I asked, he was looking around anxiously like we were about to be attacked.

“Can I scent you? I know it’s only a couple of days, but it goes against every one of my instincts to let you get on that plane without me. I have waited too long to find you.” His words are a plea and my heart softens at the look in his eyes. He’s respecting my boundaries by not going full caveman but he’s still an Alpha.

I step closer to him, wrapping my arms around his waist and pressing my face to his chest inhaling his scent. He stiffens for a moment before wrapping his arms around me and squeezing me tighter. I’ve always been tall and somewhat gangly for an Omega who are usually shorter with softer edges but Drew fits against me perfectly and Kiya’s words flash through my brain. Made just for you, right in front of your face.

The second call for my flight rings out and I smile up at him as we pull apart. “Looks like you’d better hurry.” Drew grins before gently rubbing the inside of wrists against his neck and a shiver runs through me when he places a lingering kiss on the mating gland on my neck.

He smirks when he sees the glazed look in my eyes as he pulls away, quickly unzipping his hoodie and wrapping it around me. “Just in case, be safe.”

I smile at him before leaning up and pressing a kiss to his cheek. “You too, I’ll talk to you tonight.” I feel his gaze on me as I hand over my ticket and head across the bridge. I give him one last glance as I turn the corner, the ache in my head already starting to grow.

The ache grows as the plane gets further from Drew and I can almost pinpoint the moment his plane takes off in the opposite direction halfway through my flight. I bury my nose in his hoodie and breathe deeply letting his scent comfort the ache some but it doesn’t last. Even trying to read is useless, the characters all appear as Drew in my head and during a spicy scene I realize an Alpha a couple rows away is eyeing me.

By the time I arrive back at my apartment I'm exhausted from the travel. I quickly text Drew that I am home before unpacking my luggage and starting some laundry. I sigh in relief when I find a full bottle of wine and quickly grab a glass and my laptop, setting up camp in my living room until it’s time to Facetime Drew.

Flipping through Netflix doesn’t help me relax so I settle for calling my mom instead. As expected, she is thrilled when I fill her in about finding Drew and over an hour later I have to remind her that he will be calling soon and I have to go.

#micole writes things now #drew mcintyre x ofc #drew mcintyre #alpha!drew mcintyre #alpha!drew #From the ground up

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