Not that I think knowing what triggered all of that would helpme.
If anything, it might make me completely abandon any and all plans I have in favor of making Niko feel safe again, and I know that’s exactly why he’s been tight lipped about this.
He knows what finding the ones responsible for my chosen pack’s deaths means to me, he knows I’m not going to be able to completely move on until I do, and he’s not going to throw a wrench in things because of that. Even at his own expense.
Do I like that he thinks that way? No. Do I love him for it anyway? Yes. Does it make me feel like a needy, clingy, stupid omega for the millionth time since finding him and Rune? Also, yes.
A pack you share real, natural bonds with issodifferent from a pack you choose. I never really settled into my designation with my first one because of it. I did omega things but they were different, more unorthodox from how I am with these two, I guess, and slipping into the role I was born to fill as easily as breathing because I found a soul bond and scent match has me all kinds of fucked up.
It also probably doesn’t help that I’m actively fighting my natural instincts harder than I’ve fought anything, all the while I keep finding myself in situations where I’m basically dissolving into them by collecting fucking mates and expanding my true pack at the same time.
“Hey,” Styx says with a beautiful smile as we enter the stock room.
Point proven, live and in person, by the third piece I want to add to myhuman collection.
Well, that sounds pretty fucking creepy.
Ugh.
“Hi,” I say with a stupid amount of joy, all considered.
Styx smirks at me, like he knows how giddy I am, and how hard I’m trying not to be, then turns to Niko. “How are you feeling?”
I watch my omega blush a little, which we should talk about but won’t, as he pushes his hair behind his ears and clears his throat. “Better.”
The last time Styx saw Niko, he was barely coherent and Rune was carrying him out of the bathroom before loading him into our RV, post panic attack. My beta, because I might as well own it, drove us to his place without even asking. He recently bought an old farmhouse on a pretty decent size piece of property but Styx lives in the barn, in an apartment in the converted loft. He’s restoring the house so it works for him, but instead of hiding us in the woods like I thought he was going to, Styx parked us right in the space underneath his temporary place.
Since then, Niko has spent all of his time in the RV trying to bounce back from his panic attack and get a handle on whatever is going on with him, but Rune and I started working at Knotted Obsessions per our omega’s request, so this isn’t the first time I’ve seen my beta.
No, I’ve been seeing a lot of Styx while working and worrying endlessly about Niko, and thankfully my new boss is okay with the way I’ve been obsessively texting my omega during any lulls while I’m behind the bar.
He’s been worried, too, just like Rune, who almost didn’t start work because of it, so the texts have helped all of us. Just like having three super obedient and dangerous dogs in the RV with Niko while we’re gone helped us.
Styx also implied that he had some sort ofsecurityat his place that would make sure my omega was protected, but I didn’t see anything to support that statement.
Unfortunately, collecting mates seems to have made me blindly trust them, too, officially together and bonded or not.
But Niko really was safe while he was out there, we’ve settled into staying there rather nicely, and I’m making everyone’s life hell by both wanting them with every fiber of my being, and pushing them so far away I’m going to lose all of them.
Needless to say, I’m crushing it at thisomega who found her true packshit.
God, I hate myself.
“You’re sure you’re good?” Styx asks Niko as he steps toward the timeclock. “You don’t have to start down there tonight if you aren’t ready.”
My omega nods, punches in, then turns to face us with a soft smile. “I’m fine. I might even feel more comfortable starting down there since I’ll be surrounded by mypeople.”
By people, he means anyone who speaks Russian.
Apparently, when Styx told his brother about Niko, the two of them went back and forth a bit then decided it might be a good idea for my omega to bartend down where they let that Alexei guy hold his auctions. It’s the first time they’ve had anyone on their payroll that was able to work both floors ofKnotted Obsessions, and I can tell they’re hoping it works out in whatever way they want it to.
Was I real excited to find out they are holding omega auctions in the basement of this club? No, but Styx told me on my first day and explained how they’re separate organizations working parallel for mutual benefit and nothing more. And honestly, I feel like it’s going to be helpful for me.
Drugs, guns, and human trafficking means I might be on the right track to getting some long awaited answers.
“Rune is already down there,” Styx says with a smile as he opens the hidden door to the basement. “He insisted on being the one posted there when he realized it’s between both bars.”
Niko and I look at each other then both turn to our beta with arched brows.
