I wasn’t. I stared at the ceiling for hours, my head filled with too many sounds and too many feelings. I’d never admit it, but I was scared—scared she’d been hurt, scared she’d regret staying. Scared that I don’t belong here after all.
Autry climbs onto the stool next to Oli, and I tense. The younger alpha glances sharply at her but doesn’t move away.
“Are those blueberry?” Autry leans forward over the box of pastries, bracing on her hands.
“Yeah.” Oli grabs a second one, then nudges the box toward her. “They’re good,” he says, mouth full.
“They look good.” Autry leans a little closer, her bare forearm brushing against Oli’s. His whole body stills, eyes snapping to hers like she’s a sudden sound in a quiet room. She doesn’t seem to notice. Or maybe she does and doesn’t care.
“Did you sleep well, alpha?” she asks, her voice gentle, curious. Maybe even flirty? Her gaze meets his and lingers, the tips of her ears turn the faintest shade of pink.
Oli blinks, caught completely off guard. “Yeah,” he says slowly. “I guess.”
“I know we didn’t really get a chance to talk yesterday,” she continues, her voice lifting with a hopeful note, “but I was hoping we could... get to know each other a little.” She leans in slightly, not quite touching him, but close enough to make his breath hitch. “Maybe we could sit and chat for a bit? Or even watch a movie?”
There’s a beat of silence. Oli looks at her like she’s speaking a language he doesn’t quite understand. He swallows, hard, something flickering in his expression—confusion, maybe. Or disbelief. Then it barely softens, and he takes a slow breath. “Okay,” he finally murmurs, voice low.
Shocked, I’m frozen, watching it unfold—this soft flirtation she doesn’t even realize she’s giving. My stomach twists with jealousy and something darker. She thinks he’s one of us. A member of our pack.
“Myrick made you tea,” I say a little too loudly, pointing to the steaming drink.
Autry smiles then slips off her stool, padding toward me. She stops right beside me, hands cradling the cup, and just like that—my breathing eases. She’s close. She’s safe.
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Jannis,” Myrick says breathlessly as he and an older alpha step into the room.
The man towers over the beta—tall and broad, with a neatly trimmed beard threaded with gray. He wears a tailored three-piece suit like it’s armor, but his voice is warm, friendly. “To be fair, I did drop in unannounced,” he says with a friendly laugh. “And on a Saturday.” His gaze sweeps the room—pausing on Oli, then me. But when he sees Autry, his eyes go wide. “And who’s the lovely omega?”
Myrick practically beams. “This is Autry,” he says, stepping beside her like he’s proud to present his greatest treasure. “She’s a new addition to our pack.”
Autry turns that radiant smile on, instantly glowing with charm. “It’s lovely to meet you, sir. Rhett’s spoken about you often.” Her tone is respectful, polished—so different than the way she spoke to Oli. “It’s so good to finally put a face to the name.”
Mr. Jannis smiles, clearly charmed. “Well, whatever Rhett said, it’s definitely true.” He lets out a hearty laugh.
“It was,” Autry says with a small giggle. I can’t help but be impressed by how easily she flatters the older alpha. It’s not surprising. Omegas learn all kinds of skills at those academies, including how to make polite small talk.
“I have to be honest,” Mr. Jannis says to Autry. “I’m shocked to see that Rhett has taken an omega.”
“Is that so?” Autry sets down her tea, looking up at the older alpha like he’s the most interesting man she’s ever met. “Why’s that?”
“Rhett’s got a reputation in some circles as being… anti-pack,” Jannis says, grimacing like it pains him to admit. Myrick’s shoulders stiffen at the words, his hand twitching at the tie of his robe. “But it’s good to see that isn’t true.” Mr. Jannis smiles, trying to catch Myrick’s eye. I notice that the beta has gone stiff. Clearly uncomfortable. “How long have you been with Rhett’s pack?” the older alpha asks Autry.
“I’m not yet mated,” Autry says simply, tipping her head to the side to show her bare neck. Her gaze lands on Oli, and for a second, I swear she blushes.
“Ah,” Mr. Jannis smiles like he’s remembering something fondly. “This is a precious time.” He looks at me, then Oli. “Enjoy these early days, boys. You’ll never get them back.”
Autry nods, saying that she couldn't agree more.
“And who’s this young beta?” Mr. Jannis looks right at me, but I freeze up, too flustered to speak.Why do alphas freak me out so much?
Thankfully, Autry saves me. “This is Charlie,” she says, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. Then she turns to Oli with a warm grin. “And this is our other alpha, Oli.”
Myrick’s head jerks up.
My mouth falls open.
And Oli chokes on his scone.
“Nope,” the young alpha tries to say, but his voice is muffled by pastry. “I’m—” He coughs hard, then grabs his juice, gulping it down.
