Page 11 of The Omega

Though I wasn’t sure how that would work, anyway. I had to hope that the neighboring Volk Pack would leave us alone once I played by the rules. My family and pack deserved a territory of their own to relax while they eased into retirement.

As their Alpha, I owed them this.

At the next table, I bumped into Brittany from Illinois. Her bored expression drew me in.

If I remember right, she hasn’t shown interest in any other Alphas. Can you tolerate her scent?

My wolf sniffed and we didn’t choke.

That was a good sign.

The fruity smell of tangerines and cloves was a little strong for my liking, but maybe this could work.

Plus, she had pretty brown eyes and a dangerous smile. Trouble. Just my type.

“Can I buy you a drink?” I asked, ignoring the soft growl of my wolf.

“Me?” She laughed, touching her chest. “I thought I’m supposed to offer you something.”

She handed me a glass of champagne already poured at her table. My skin crawled as her hand brushed mine, but I stayed steady, trying not to be rude.

“Any Alphas caught your eye?” I asked as I took a step back to give my wolf breathing space.

“None yet. Waiting for my wolf to decide.” She held up her glass and clinked it against mine.

“Same,” I said, turning to look over the crowd.

Atlas had made it to the bar counter.

The other Alphas were prowling the room.

Laughter and chatter rang out as the cameras circled and the dim light hid the worst of our flaws.

“Looks like you’re breaking hearts tonight.” Brittany giggled.

I arched a brow in her direction. “Is that so?”

“Come on.” She rolled her eyes. “Tell me that you haven’t seen all the Lunas drooling over you.”

“Have they?” I teased, trying to move myself closer against the adamant refusal of my wolf. “What about you? Do you think I’m droolworthy?”

“Of course.” Her eyes sparked with mischief as she sipped her drink, leaving a smear of red lipstick on the glass. “I’m not blind.”

In this light, her eyes weren’t as pretty as I’d first thought. The thick eyelashes were caked with mascara. There was lipstick on her teeth. A little too much foundation packed onto her skin.

Growing up in the circus, it was hard for me to trust anyone who painted their face when not performing.

But I tried to ignore it. Really, I did.

That’s all this was. A performance. I didn’t blame her for the act.

“I noticed you don’t seem to want to be here,” I cut straight to the point, needing to clear the air. “What exactly are you looking for in an Alpha?”

Her smile fell as she blinked. “I want what anyone else here wants. Love. A match. Connection. A future.”

Walk away now. You can’t give her that.

“I hope you find it.” I returned the glass to the tray, flinching when I heard her gasp.