Page 18 of Dual Nature

“No, we let our new omega do her job,” Colt answered cryptically.

We all looked at him, confused… Well, all but Zander, who appeared quite pleased with the scene unfolding before us.

“Many omegas have empathic tendencies. It helps them in their role as caretaker of the mental well-being of a pack. They instinctively know who needs them, and depending on how needed they are, they’ll respond accordingly,” Zander added when Colt ignored us.

“So you’re saying that based on that reaction, Elias really needed a hug?” Noah asked with a smirk.

Lane punched him in the arm with a frown. “Knock it off. None of us really knows what he’s been through, but we all know how much he’s changed since becoming part of our pack. This will help bring him out even more.”

“True. He talks now, and he doesn’t stay in his wolf skin as much,” Noah agreed, crossing his arms. “But we have our work cut out for us once the rest of the pack finds out about her, not to mention when other packs find out we have an omega.”

Zander looked back at us, his brow creased in worry. “We have something far worse to worry about—she was found at the same place where Colt’s brother was being held. If the Dark Ring finds out that the assassin sent to kill Delilah was turned into an omega, we are well and truly fucked.”

Shifting back, I got right up into Zander’s face, buck naked. “What do you mean assassin?! And the Dark Ring is just a made-up scary story to teach pups to be careful of strangers.”

“I would take a step back, beta, or I will put you in your place,” Zander threatened, the rumble of a growl echoing in his words.

Glancing over at my alphas, I saw they would let Zander make good on his words, so I followed his order. Zander was far older than my alphas, and even though he lived the life of a rock star, I knew he was one scary motherfucker under the act.

“That woman is a trained assassin who got bit by an omega during a mission. The Senate sent her to kill one of the known members of the Dark Ring. Believe me when I say that they are very real, and once Delilah tells them what happened, they will start to hunt my little dove down,” Zander explained, his expression growing darker and darker. “The other problem we have is that she plans to finish the job like the good little trained soldier that she is, regardless of what we say.”

“She also hasn’t had her first shift yet, so there’s no telling what changes might happen once she’s fully an omega,” Colt interjected.

“Alphas,” Elias called out, startling us all.

We had been so distracted by the conversation that we didn’t notice when they walked up, Finley still in his arms.

“I was just about to call you when I heard the car,” Elias explained, a flash of worry in his eyes as he looked down at our newest pack member. “There’s a news report saying that you three kidnapped a woman from a diner, which I’m guessing was Finley. Since they have video footage and Zander is a well-known celebrity, they know where to start looking. Once they figure out she’s an omega, more than one person is going to come after her…”

Zander started swearing, Lane ripped off his baseball cap and ran his hands through his hair, while Colt’s face looked as dark as a storm cloud. I met my twin’s gaze, and we both nodded at each other in agreement. It didn’t matter that we’d just met her; no one was taking our omega.

twelve

It was so odd for me to see so many people worked up about my safety. Everything I'd been taught was about survival and, most especially, avoiding getting caught. I should have known the diner had cameras and that they might be used against us. I'd been in a fog all day, making it hard to think clearly. My only guess, and it wasn’t any comfort, was that the closeness of the full moon was messing with my whole body. I thought I’d likely have my first shift any day now.

Being around all these alphas and betas wasn’t helping matters. All I wanted to do was snuggle up with them and sleep. The sense of peace I’d gained from being surrounded by their scents on the plane was addicting, and even now I craved to nuzzle up to Noah and that sweet chocolate scent he gave off. It seemed to match his personality, versus the spicy coffee and cinnamon scent of Mason. Despite being twins, I could easily tell they were as opposite in personality as they were identical in appearance. Even the energy they gave off was vastly different. Noah was more calm and controlled. There was something else that was hiding just under the surface, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Mason was like a firecracker; he was fast to ignite—whether it was good or bad—making his personality shine brightly. My intuition told he was the one people gravitated to for his confidence, but it was also what probably got him in trouble.

Elias had set me down on the porch before returning to the others who were still talking, and Noah opened the door to the pack house, ushering me in. I paused, taking in the open concept of the house, needing to understand the layout before I went any further. There was no way I’d be able to settle in before I knew where all the exits were. The living room was large and inviting, connected to a dining area that had a massive wooden table, easily fitting twelve to fifteen people. Everything was very masculine, with deep rich tones and a lot of wood and leather, but it still felt welcoming and comfortable.

"Our pack house is a little different from a normal home. Typically, the betas don’t live in the pack house, so I guess that makes us lucky we get to be close by. If you need us, our rooms are down the hall past the dining room," Noah explained as he led me deeper into the house toward a staircase to the left of the living room. "Upstairs is where Colt and Lane's rooms are and where yours will be."

“Zander doesn’t have a room here?” I asked. At the top of the stairs, I was surrounded by my alphas’ scents, causing me to pause and take a deep breath. I had to force myself not to run off and roll around in their beds. When I opened my eyes, Noah was standing in front of me, his own eyes wide and pupils blown.

Oh god, can he tell how deeply affected I am by their smell? This is going to take some getting used to.

Noah cleared his throat and shook his head as if to clear it. "Right, ah, Zander has his own house elsewhere on the pack lands. This is your room here."

A little put out, I looked at my new space. Of course it would be the room inbetween both alphas because being this close to them wouldn't be torture enough. Stepping into my new room, I found it was set up very simply, containing a twin bed with a nightstand next to it, and an attached bathroom. I opened the only other door and discovered a closet with a set of built-in drawers for all the things that I didn't have any longer. Walking back out into the room, I sat on the end of my bed and looked around, feeling the true impact of what had happened to me. It wasn't about not having my things from my apartment at the Organization; that could all be replaced. What I couldn't change was never being allowed to return to that part of my life ever again. As far as they were concerned, I was dead, so all my possessions would be destroyed and forgotten. Finley, assassin for the Organization, was no longer, and I didn't know how to process that. A hand brushed my cheek, startling me. I had all but forgotten that Noah was in here with me.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I just couldn't take seeing you so sad," Noah murmured.

I brushed a hand over my cheek, checking to make sure I hadn't cried or anything equally as pathetic. I was alive and had a place in this new life. There were lots of other people out in the world who weren't as fortunate. "It's nothing, just these new emotions to get used to. They never talk about how much your wolf nature affects your personality."

"Yeah, I'm not the best person to help you with that. Mason and I are born wolves, not changed, so we've always had our wolves with us," Noah explained. "Lane was changed by Colt; he would be able to give you some pointers on learning to deal with a second person in your brain."

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes, and centered myself to calm my emotions. Thankfully, it still worked as it always had. I needed some things to stay the same.

"Are you hungry, or do you want some time to yourself? I'm sure the alphas have been a little overwhelming… It's kind of their nature," Noah said with a grin.