Page 10 of Omega Scorned

"She's our scentmatch," he groaned. "It's going to happen."

"I know, I know." I slid out from under the covers, feeling the tears starting already. "I'm sorry."

He was already snoring when I stumbled downstairs to my tiny room. Candace's scent was all the way down the stairs, as if they'd bathed in her perfume and spread it everywhere. I knew I'd have to get used to it, since she'd be living here shortly, but I wasn't sure how I was going to stand it.

It took a long time to fall asleep after that and when I got up in the morning, all three men had already left for work. Daryl was on an overnight flight, leaving me alone to overthink everything.

I spent the day tidying and organizing everything in the house. Then I went outside to spend some time in the sunshine. I didn't get enough sun these days. My Vitamin D was probably low.

Settling into the hammock on the back deck, I closed my eyes and tried to relax. At least, until something cold and wet touched my hand and I screamed, tried to get up and fell out of the hammock. My legs were still twisted up when I lifted myself on my elbows and looked around.

A friendly-looking golden retriever sat next to me, a wide smile on her face, as if she thought I'd enjoyed being scared half to death.

"I'm so sorry!" A man with long curly auburn hair came bounding across the grass. "There's a hole in your fence and Gertie just went for it."

"It's okay, she just startled me." I tried to twist myself around to get out of the netting.

"Let me help you." The man bent to lift me effortlessly in one arm while he flipped the hammock with the other. As soon as he'd freed my legs, he set me on the deck. "Are you okay?"

He smelled amazing, like black currants and a hint of jasmine, but it was softer than an alpha's scent. Was this man an omega?

"I'm fine. Just a bit embarrassed. Who gets caught up in a freaking hammock?"

He grinned and I stared, trying to figure out why he looked so familiar.

"Do I know you?"

"Uh, no." The omega winced, then held out a hand. "I'm Oren. My pack just moved in next door."

"Emilia." I took his hand, feeling the smooth skin that meant he absolutely did not work with his hands. "My pack lives here. Sort of."

Oren raised an eyebrow.

"OREN!" Someone shouted from the next yard. A second man, this one with white blond hair, popped his head over the fence. "Oh, for fuck's sake, did Gertie find a hole?"

"Sure did." Oren chuckled. "Hey, Jude, this is Emilia, our neighbor who sort of lives here."

"Sort of?" Jude hopped over the fence and strode over to inspect me. "How do you sort of live in a house?"

"I meant the pack is sort of mine."

Jude cocked his head. "Huh. They do that to your face?"

"Jude!" Oren smacked the beta. "You can't say stuff like that."

"I just did." Jude turned back to me, the look in his eyes fierce. "Say the word and I will take your sort of pack down."

Surprised, I let out a snort. "Thanks, but the scar is from a car accident. Long story, but it was actually an accident."

"Well, that sucks, I'm sorry." Oren gave me a sympathetic look.

Gertie chose that moment to stroll over and then stand up, placing both front paws on my chest.

"Oh my god, we're making the worst impression ever," Oren groaned. "Gertie, get your paws off our neighbor's boobs."

Gertie licked my face once, on the scarred side and dropped back to all fours. She apparently approved of my appearance.

"Well, are you busy?" Oren asked.