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I see their brows furrow when I mention going home to my parents. They glance at one another, seeming confused for a moment.
“Wait!” Kian blurts out.
I face him, giving him a questioning glance. He clears his throat, and I see a slight flush run up his throat. So fucking adorably sexy.
“We would like to escort you back to your rooms to ensure you get back safely and aren’t bothered. If you don’t mind, that is. Our consciences wouldn’t leave us alone if you left and something happened to you, I’m afraid.”
I blush slightly, my chest warming at the thought of them worrying about me.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. I don’t want to be any trouble.” I start to fidget again.
“It’s no trouble at all. Please, let us escort you back,” Syn says.
Those are the first words she’s spoken to me directly. Her voice is lovely. Much softer directed at me than when talking to Victor. What would it hurt to let them walk me back? Just a few extra moments with them before I never see them again.
I nod in acceptance. “If you’re sure. I’ll just go tell my friend goodbye. I’m pretty sure he’s only still here for me, anyway. Our other friend knows I still love her even though she ditched me without a goodbye to roll around in her new nest with her alphas and beta.” I roll my eyes and walk away toward Gabriel.
His brows are raised as he watches me, so many questions in his eyes. A little excitement. For me. I don’t want him to get his hopes up, though. That’s a mated alpha and beta pair. I would never encroach on another omega’s territory knowingly.
“What’s that all about?”
Gabriel grins at me as I wrap my arms around his waist and inhale his warm apple pie scent. I’ve always loved the way he smells. Reminds me of home.
“Nothing. They’re just being nice because some asshole alpha grabbed me earlier. They’ve asked to walk me back to my room to be sure I make it back safely. But don’t get any ideas. I can practically see that giddy smile on your face now. Yes, they smell so fucking amazing that my head spins. And they have this one scent that clings to them both, making me want to drop to my hands and knees and present for them all.” He raises his eyebrows at me in surprise. I don’t think he’s ever heard me talk about anyone like that before.
“Unfortunately for me, all signs point to already being mated to an omega,” I say miserably with a sigh as I squeeze him.
Gabriel sighs and squeezes me tighter to him, coating me in his warm apple scent and comforting me. I’m going to miss this. He leans down and props his forehead against mine, and we stare at each other.
He’s one of my best friends. I love him more than anyone, and he has been one of my constant rocks throughout these last few years. I hope he and Hunt don’t forget about me while they move on with their lives. The thought of being left behind is not something I’m too fond of.
“Maybe...” he stops, and I wait. “What if... What if their omega was okay with it? Don’t look at me like that. Just hear me out. What if this pack wants you? All of them, omega included. Those two over there are struggling almost as much as you. They’re doing a bang-up job of hiding it, but I have an eye for these things, you know.” He smirks at me.
I shake my head and laugh at him. “You’re ridiculous. Could you imagine? An omega pairing? It’s never been done before, Gabe. At least not to my knowledge. Omegas are too territorial over their mates once they have them. Let’s not forget what happened when Veronica’s alpha, Tye, spoke to me that one time. All the man did was ask me for directions, and she damn near clawed my face off.” I shudder at the memory.
Omegas can be fucking psychos.
“I could do it,” he says firmly. “For the right omega. If her scent smelled as yummy as yours, drove my alphas crazy, and they did the same to her.” He looks directly into my eyes as he says this, and holy shit.
Is he talking about me? I swallow, my mind whirling.
On the one hand, Gabe is a man to be admired. He is gorgeous, with vibrant green eyes that stand out starkly against his pretty, dark skin. I’ve seen him naked, so I can’t lie and say that I hadn’t thought about it a time or two. Maybe a few times during one of my heats when I got desperate and just needed a face that I found attractive. A body I liked. And Gabriel’s cock isn’t anything to be upset about, either.
As much as I love the way he smells and makes me feel, he is my best friend in the end. And his alphas don’t call to me as they do to him. I know they think I smell good because Gabriel doesn’t keep secrets from me, but I’d be settling if I took him up on this semi-offer. I’d be settling for a pack that isn’t for me, despite how much I love them all.
I lean up and lightly kiss him on his plump lips. His eyes close, and I savor it for a moment to avoid pissing any alphas off. When I pull back, he smiles at me almost sadly.
“I wish... I wish your alphas drove me crazy as they do you. I’d be able to share with you, Gabriel. I love you so much, and I’m so glad I have you in my life. I hope you won’t forget about me as you start this new adventure in your life,” I whisper against his chest, afraid of seeing the disappointment in his eyes.
His palm slides up and down my back as he kisses the top of my head. I close my eyes and just breathe.
“Ripley Jacobs, I have loved you since you stole my last fruit cup out of the communal refrigerator the second week of being here.”
I laugh. “For the last time, I did not steal your fruit cup.”
He mock-glares at me. “Lies. I know it was you. Now, shut up and listen to me.” He clears his throat. “I have always loved you. Your personality. Your vibe. How outrageous you can be. Your obsession with alien porn.” He raises a brow at me when he says the last one, and I giggle and smack his chest.
I notice his alphas behind him, shuffling back and forth. They don’t seem uncomfortable, maybe a little antsy. They’re each giving him an encouraging smile, even though he can’t see them.
