Middle Child Syndrome - Chapter 122

Chapter 122: Ch 122: Too much to handle
‘I can hold it back. I should not show that I am sick…fuck! I don’t think I can hold it back anymore.’

Rika’s body was not used to feeling her father’s omega pheromones. She always knew they were strong and sensitive and had a calming effect.

These pheromones never failed to calm Mark and Suzie down when they panicked or threw tantrums.

But since Rika was insensitive, she could not feel them. The extra burden of these pheromones often irritated her, which made her father nervous.

He was not used to people being unaffected by him, and having his middle child show such behaviour startled him.

The calm and serene atmosphere was only broken by Andrew Tweten’s statement.

“I see! So, your youngest taught her rude manners from her father. I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t randomly spray me with pheromones like this. Not everyone finds being converted by unknown pheromones fun.”

There was an awkward silence that followed his declaration.

Rika looked at her father’s shocked expression, and she had an almost sad look.

‘Poor father. I doubt anyone has ever told him this before. But I still cannot tell if Andrew Tweten is a fool or just fearless enough to come into our territory and insult the pack leader’s mate like this.’

Andrew’s eyes met Rika’s for a second, and they twinkled. It almost felt like Andrew wanted to tell her he did this for Rika.

But a few seconds were not enough for Rika to gauge what he truly meant by that expression.

*Garr*

Rika was startled by the sudden growl from Damian and Emily simultaneously. It also made Damian tighten his grip on Rika’s middle.

Something had pissed off this pair, and Rika had no idea what it was.

Her mother looked ready to throw the towel in and call it a day.

Rika could feel the tension on her face and instantly knew that her mother’s incredible willpower kept her from breaking down and doing something stupid.

‘I cannot believe my mother held back even when Andrew insulted my father. Maybe I judged her too harshly. Mother is not as instinct-driven as I thought her to be.’

She should not have looked at her mother so quickly. But since Rika made that mistake, she could not help but cringe at that rugged look.

‘Forget being pissed. Mother is livid. She is just good at not confronting the person she is pissed off. I knew that this dinner was a bad idea from the start. I should have listened to my gut on this.’

The uncomfortable feeling in her stomach increased, and so did her desire to run and throw up food she had not eaten.

Her body signalled Rika to run and hide. The alarm bells ringing in her mind were clear, and she wanted to follow them.

To do that, Rika would have to break Damian’s hold on her middle, which was impossible.

Damian’s grip was as tight and solid as metal. Rika did not dare touch his muscular arm because she feared the consequences.

“Please, take a seat around the table. You can sit wherever you want to.”

Natasha Goodwill offered the table for her company to occupy, and Rika was the first to move.

She wanted to take her usual table in the corner where she would not be asked questions or be disturbed, but her friends had other ideas.

Emily tugged Rika between her and Damian’s table without saying a word. But her eyes said it all—she would not take ‘no’ for an answer.

‘So, this was never a choice to begin with, huh! My seat was chosen the second I stepped into this room. But even still, that seat is…’

Rika made an uncomfortable face when she looked at the seat on which she was being made to sit.

It belonged to Suzie.

Well, not officially. But from the position of that middle seat to the ease of access and the location, Suzie chose to draw attention to herself.

She never allowed anyone else to sit there.

If Rika sat there, it would just be asking for more trouble.

“Emily, why don’t we take the other side of the table? I’m not too keen on sitting here. I would rather sit on my usual seat-!”

Rika did not finish her sentence before Emily forced her down with a smile.

The beta only realised her body followed Emily’s instructions five minutes later. But by then, it was too late to stand up.

What was even more unnerving than her situation was how Andrew Tweten was currently looking at Rika.

His eyes made Rika feel as if she were stripped bare, but she did not feel as uncomfortable as she should have because of him.

The tension in that room could be cut with a knife. Rika did not know if this usually happened during an all-alpha meeting, but it was dreadful.

“Everyone, I am happy that you accepted this invitation. Even though there are some minor setbacks here, I am glad to see you all here. It is a shame that Suzie and Mark will not join us, but please! Do not let it distract you. Please enjoy.”

Her mother’s short speech was powerful, and Rika felt compelled to follow her.

Unfortunately, no one else seemed to find her as compelling as Rika did.

Damian outright scoffed once her mother was done with her speech. He seemed to have no respect for the oldest alpha.

Rika needed to pay attention, but her head was spinning. There were too many pheromones in the room.

She had never noticed it, but her house was filled with too many unknown scents, which made Rika sick.

It did not help that all of the staff was either an alpha or an omega. And as a result, they continued to try and suck it up to these people of higher power.

The omega maids were especially vicious today. There were three p. Therealphas to choose from, and they all wanted to find a good match.

Unfortunately, that meant that Rika was chosen as a victim today.