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She smelled like…
Mine.That’s what she smelled like.
We’d all done our best over the years to keep our distance from Omegas. Easily done since the majority were tucked away from society in Omega academies, or by their families. The others were already claimed and therefore less tempting.
We weren’t ready for an Omega.
Thanewasn’t ready.
We trudged slowly downstairs back to the kitchen, our offerings left on the edge of the bed where Riley slept.
Thane waits for us, arms crossed over his chest, a stern dad look on his face.
This is not going to be fun.
I walk right past him to the liquor cabinet, grabbing the Maker’s Mark bourbon inside with one hand and four crystal glasses with the other. I bring everything to the kitchen island, where the others are huddled around, all of us avoiding Thane’s eyes.
Oh, yes, alcohol is definitely going to be needed for this meeting. I pat my pockets, wondering if I can find a joint as well.
“Miles, explain.” The Alpha command in Thane’s voice rolls out like thunder before a summer storm. “Explain to us why you brought an unmated Omega into our house, on the verge of heat, without talking to the rest of us.”
“Yeah, you’re supposed to be the smart one,” I joke weakly, and both Thane and Miles glare at me. Okay, apparently not the time for jokes. Really wish I had that joint right about now. I swallow down the first ounce of bourbon, even though the others haven’t touched theirs, and fill it back up again.
“I’ve already explained,” he says meekly. “I’m not sure what more there is to tell.” Miles swallows, cracking his neck from side to side. He is unnerved, rattled even, and I don’t think it’s from Thane going all Alpha on him. I think it’s from being around the Omega.
Riley.
I like the name.
I like her. I think. If I don’t sit here and overthink everything she could ruin about our pack, then yeah, I like her.
Thane stares at Miles as though he can will him to say something that will make this easier for him to digest.
Miles sighs, stuffing his hands deep into the pockets of his jeans. “Honest, I thought she was a Beta first,” he begins with a head shake, as if he can’t believe his own words. Of all the things I thought he would say, that wasn’t it. “We were at the bookstore, just talking, and I was attracted to her. Like, full-on, Alpha-to-Omega attraction. I thought I was going crazy. Like something was wrong with my hormones.”
Huh. I’ve never heard of that before. I’ve had my share of Betas—I mean, come on, the cock wants what the cock wants—but I’ve never confused them with an Omega.
“She’s on heat suppressants,” Thane supplies in a rush, his patience already wearing thin, but I can almost see all the science-y shit whirling about in his brain. Stuff I don’t and will never understand. “Clearly combined with a scent blocker of some kind. And I highly doubt either are the legal types.”
“Yeah,” agrees Miles. “She left the store acting kind of… off. I didn’t think to follow her because, again, I thought I was going crazy. I’m not into one-night stands with Betas.” A pointed look in my direction makes me scoff and brings out a small smirk on Miles’ lips.
“A few minutes later, I heard sirens outside the store,” he continues. “There was some sort of big arrest going on down the block, and she was running right back toward the bookstore with two cops on her tail.”
“They caught her scent,” Levi implies, cocking his head to the side. “The run in with you in the bookstore had her hormones in overdrive and then the exertion from running must’ve almost completely nullified the scent blocker. Right, Thane?”
Thane nods and I picture the pretty Omega curled up on the guest bed afraid and alone, running from the authorities. My stomach sours, and I pour another bourbon.
“She shouldn’t have run,” I pipe up, shaking off the urge to fight and protect, letting it all get soft. Go numb. I flick some hair back from my face and sniff. “That never goes well. You just have to stand there, smile at them, and ask them if they want an autograph from the world’s greatest footballer.”
I wink, but no one’s laughing.
Tough crowd.
“What? It always works.”
Miles shakes his head and continues. “I didn’t know what else to do. It was clear at that point she was an Omega. I’d been attracted to her, and she looked so scared... I acted on instinct. I said she was mine but I just hadn’t claimed her yet. The cops bought it, but they did issue me a citation and register her as my Omega.”
He bites his lip nervously. “You know what they do to stray Omegas, guys. And I was pretty sure one of those cops was gunning to take her to the back of the police car for more than an arrest, if you get me.”
