Middle Child Syndrome - Chapter 111

Chapter 111: Ch 111: Nip the bud
Rika had only been on a handful of dates in her life. But this was, by far, the most awkward one she ever had the pleasure of being a part of.

Fey and Flourite seemed to be in a cold war. They ignored each other and continued to try to gather the omega’s attention, which sat between them.

That left Rika as the outcast—the third wheel if you will. She could only sit there and wait for all this action to unfold.

‘How ironic this is! I get invited to a double date, only to be cast aside as soon as Fey finds her target. Should I walk up and head home?’

The desire to abandon this table was rising inside Rika every second. Even the servers had noticed the tension at their table by now.

Many gave Rika a sympathetic look, realising that she had been abandoned.

One of the servers even gave her a free drink to improve Rika.

It was nice of these people to care. Unfortunately, they were barking up the wrong tree. By now, Rika was used to all this disappointment.

Or rather, she had no expectations of Fey in the first place.

“So, Louis, what made you date my brother in the first place? He is lazy, not good with people and quite angry. Just what did you see in him? I can show you a better time if you allow me to.”

Fey offered, but Flourite looked startled and betrayed.

He smacked his hand on the table hard enough that even Rika looked at him worriedly.

“Just what do you think you are doing, Fey! Louis is dating me. Do you think you’re trying to break up my relationship with her? Is that what you want?”

Flourite asked in a tense voice, but Fey faced him head-on.

“Well, I am just giving your girl another option to choose me if she wants to. We both look the same anyway, and I am much more fun than you are. Don’t you think I am an overall better choice? What do you say, Rika?”

If Rika could have cursed out loud, she would have.

Why did Fey have to remember her at this time and ask such a question? There needed to be a correct answer.

Luckily, Louis decided to interfere before a fight could break out.

“I appreciate the offer, Fey! But I am afraid that it has to be Flourite I am dating. He is the only one who matches what I want, after all. But don’t worry! You are a lovely lady, and I am sure your Rika will be happy to be with you.”

Louis smiled gently, but something about her words and actions felt unsettling.

Her eyes never smiled or looked happy when she was talking. There also seemed to be a weird, detached look in her eyes when she looked away.

Rika’s eyes narrowed as she focused on Louis’s neck, where her scent gland should be.

There was flawless, unmarked skin there, but something felt ‘wrong’ to Rika.

Her instincts told her that the neck she was looking at should not be flawless.

‘There should be a bite mark on her skin! Louis feels mated and marked. Is it my imagination that is making me think this?’

Rika bit her lip as she debated whether to bring this point up. But she did not get a chance to because Louis noticed her staring at her neck.

“I-I don’t feel well all of a sudden. Something was mixed in the food that did not sit well with my stomach. I-I need to go now.”

The omega made a quick retreat since she did not want to face the look Rika was giving her.

It made Rika feel guilty, but she was also baffled by the display in front of her.

“Hey! Louis, wait! I’ll gladly help you. Hey! Slow down-!”

Flourite tried to stop the omega, but she was already gone before he could grab her hand.

When the older beta turned to look at his sister, he looked beyond pissed. He looked ready to chew her out for what she did.

“What the heck, Fey! Were you so jealous of me getting a partner that you had to come here and crash my love life? And did you have to bring an unknown person with you as well? Did you not think how humiliating it would be for me if you did that? Not to mention how traumatising it would be for my partner as well. Think before you act.”

Fluorite’s tone was scalding, and he was not holding back against his sister. He intended to make Fey feel bad by any means.

But Fei was not one to hold back either.

She dished out as bad as she got from her brother.

“It’s funny that you would say this to me when the one who deceived you all this time is that girl of yours. Did you not notice it? Her mating mark! Alpha has already marked her, but she did not tell you.”

Fey countered quickly, and Rika flinched. She had noticed that as well.

Since all three gathered at the table were betas, they could not smell if a person was mated. But subtle hints had given away Louis’s secret that she was trying her hardest to protect.

Fluorite’s temper sharply rose, and he looked angry at his sister.

“So, what if Louis is marked? Do I care? She chose me, and that is enough for me. I can make it since I like her enough.”

Flourite looked angry, and Rika flinched at that anger. It was not directed at her, but it made her feel bad.

Even she felt guilty for having interfered in someone’s date.

“Stop being delusional! Do you think it is that easy for an omega to escape the clutches of their mating bond? You already saw what happened with Charon and what that did to her. Do you want to go through the same thing?”

“I, for one, do not want you to break down once your girlfriend leaves you. So, I would rather nip the bud early than see you be hurt.”