“It’s a shame you don’t have a fuller ass.” Deb bunches up the fabric around my waist, checking out my hips, then my chest. “But the alphas will go crazy for your boobs,” she grins, like it’s a compliment.
I nod, not sure what to say.
“Kent! This one’s ready?—”
“Actually, I’ve got her,” a familiar voice pricks my ears, and my heart stops.
Charlie.
He steps forward, calm but confident, his perfect scent washing over me like warmth on frozen skin. Bread, cinnamon, safety. I lean into him without thinking, my cheek grazing the broad line of his shoulder.
“You’re here,” I whisper like a prayer.
Charlie goes stiff, pulling slightly away from me. “What do they give these omegas?” He laughs, like he’s telling Deb a joke.
“You got her collar?” Deb asks, eyeing him suspiciously.
Charlie lifts the leather band. “Right here.”
“Have fun,” Deb chirps, as she scrunches up her nose at me. It’s clear she thinks I should be excited about this, but I’m honestly terrified.
Charlie subtly squeezes my shoulder. “Let’s go.”
The tent is suffocating as we move through it, a maze of glittering mirrors, swirling makeup scents, and hot,humming lights that beat down like interrogation bulbs. I’m dizzy. A little nauseous.
“Are you taking me away?” I ask, clinging to his arm. “Are we running away?”
He stops outside the exit, scanning the open grounds. His whole body goes taut. I can feel him weighing his options—grabbing me, sprinting for the trees, throwing everything away. And I want that. More than anything, I wanthimto choose that.
“We’re going to the showroom,” he says instead, and I shatter a little.
“No,” I whimper as he pulls me toward another tent. A few betas in scrubs pass us, and a mighty roar cracks the air. I tuck myself against Charlie’s side, trying to find the source of the noise.
This meadow was fairly empty when we arrived this morning, but now it’s packed. There are so many people and massive velvet tents that dot the land. A sea of alphas move on the other side of a line of concrete barriers. As if sensing my presence, several of them turn, watching me with rapt attention as Charlie pulls me around the side of the tent. I don’t want this anymore.
I want to go home.
I want to feel my mother’s arms around me and smell her gentle beta aroma.
I want the life I destroyed back.
“Don’t make me go to the showroom.” I cling to Charlie, praying he’ll pull me toward the trees. That he’ll run away with me, and never look back.
“Autry.” He grabs my wrists and gently pulls me back to look into my face. His eyes are so serious. “I have a plan,” he says in a rushed whisper. “I don’t know if it’ll work, but,” hepauses, nervously biting his bottom lip, “But I’m going to try to join the pack that claims you.”
My breath catches. “Really?” I chirp, too loud, too hopeful.
“Shh.” He smiles, despite the nerves radiating off of him. I nod, then mime locking my lips shut tight. I don’t know why I did that. I’m not keeping a secret. I’m staying quiet.
That shot has me acting so stupid.
“This is what I need from you,” he says, voice low and rushed. “The alphas in the showroom are supposed to be part of a pack. Singles aren’t allowed to claim the omegas there. Only at the auction.”
That sends a bolt of panic through me. “They shouldn’t be allowed to claim usanywhere.Omegas needpacks,not lone alphas,” I say a little too forcefully as everything I learned at the academy rushes at me. “Weneedpacks,” I say firmly. I don’t know why I’m talking about this. None of it matters. But it's like there’s a disconnect between my brain and my mouth.
“I know.” Charlie takes my hand, long fingers wrapping around my wrist, anchoring me. “And you’ll get one, Autry. You will. But here’s what I need from you.”
I stand up straight, focused now, adrenaline cutting through the fog.
