Autry’s still giggling as she wraps her arms around my waist in a quick, grateful hug. For a second, I stand there—caught off guard by how good she feels against me, how sweet she smells, how my whole body leans instinctively toward her.
Then I wrap her up, press a kiss to the top of her head, and try not to sigh like a damn fool.
“Thank you,” she whispers before disappearing back into the dressing room.
I still can’t believe she’s here. Years of wanting an omega, of dreaming of one day claiming one, and she’s actually here.
Letting out a contented sigh, I turn and catch Charlie’s wide-eyed stare from across the room.
“You’rethirty-eight?” he blurts out.
I grin, used to the reaction. “Yup.”
“You look amazing for forty,” he adds with a little snort.
I freeze. “Excuse me, sir, but I amnotforty. Not yet.”
He ducks his head, still smiling. “Sorry.”
“Where are your clothes?” I ask, plopping back onto thevelvet sofa. I sink in, loving the way the plush fabric pushes up all around me. “Did you not see anything you liked?”
Charlie shrugs, looking down at the floor, then at his rolled-up jeans—myjeans, technically. They're cuffed so many times they look like denim donuts around his ankles.
“I’m good.”
“Charlie.” I raise an eyebrow, letting him know I’m not buying that for a second. “You need clothes. I know most of this stuff is made for omegas, but…” I trail off, not wanting to point out how short Charlie is and that the stuff here will probably fit him better than a regular store for betas. “They have wonderful clothes here. I’m sure you can find something.”
Charlie leans against one of the mirrored walls, trying to look casual, but his posture is stiff, his voice quieter. “I just... I don’t know. I can’t really afford this stuff.”
Ah. There it is.
“Hey.” I sit up straighter. “That’s not the point. You’re pack now.” It feels so weird to say that outloud to another beta.
“I know,” he says. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate it. I’m just…” He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m trying to figure out how to get some of my stuff from my old apartment. It’s up north, but I don’t really have any friends outside of work. And I’m scared to call any of them.”
“Why?” I ask, voice softer now.
He winces. “Because I rigged the bidding. On an omega. Then I helped Rhett skirt the rules and basically shut everyone else out of the auction. So… yeah. I’m not sure my old co-workers would be thrilled to hear from me.”
Oli snorts from across the room, not even trying to hide it.
“Do you think they know what you did?” I ask.
Charlie shrugs, defeated. “Maybe. Maybe not. I don’t know. And honestly? I’m too scared to find out.”
I nod, then gesture toward a rack of carefully curated clothes for someone his height and build—dressed-down neutrals, cozy knits, some sporty things with subtle branding. “Then that’s all the more reason to let me spoil you a little. Clothes won’t fix it, but they help.”
Charlie hesitates, then glances toward the changing rooms like he's weighing his pride against practicality. “Thanks,” he says finally. “But I’ll wait.”
My eyes flick toward the mirrored wall, where his reflection shows more vulnerability than he’s letting on. I don’t push it.
Instead, I settle deeper into the pastel couch, letting the champagne bubbles tickle my tongue, and wait for my beautiful, moody omega to emerge again.
“Okay,” Autry steps out of the fitting room, this time in a stunning blue chiffon dress. It hugs her perfectly, showing off the curve of her breasts and making her waist look impossibly tiny.
“You’re perfect,” I say, leaning forward to get a better look at her legs as she does a little twirl. Everything about the omega is perfection. Her long chestnut brown hair, her sweet curves, and her pretty pink lips.
I want so badly to kiss them again.
