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“Um, you too?” The awkwardness had me fidgeting with the hem of my shirt as I glanced from man to man, wondering if any of my mates had any idea what was going on. Their somber expressions said they understood more than I did.
Maybe they knew who this was?
“I apologize for showing up uninvited,” he continued, “but I thought I’d pay my respects in person.”
Was this one of the guys’ fathers?
Everyone had been sleeping when I’d slipped out to the widow’s walk earlier, but now they were dressed and groomed, each looking like they’d just walked off the pages of a fashion magazine.
Worried about first impressions, I combed my fingers through my salty hair and tugged at my clothing. There was nothing I could do about my state of dress, but hopefully, I appeared presentable enough that the gentleman wouldn’t dismiss me out of hand.
With no genuine family of my own, I wanted to endear myself to the families of my mates. At least, the ones who deserved my kindness.
As the silence stretched, I came back to myself. What was I doing? Startled and feeling a little frazzled, I jumped into action and rushed into the kitchen.
An Omegas place is to serve.The rule had been beaten into me until it was ingrained, first by my father, followed by Anton.
Ripping open the fridge, I pulled out some fruit and cheese, preparing to make a tray of snacks for our guest.
“Please excuse our lack of preparedness. None of us were expecting company, but I’m sure I can whip together some appetizers.”
I threw a few blocks of cheese onto the counter, along with grapes, strawberries, and blueberries. Thane liked to eat candied nuts, and I dug in the pantry next, barely suppressing a fist bump as I whipped around and set it with the other staples. I could make a tray of snacks with these. It wasn’t fancy, but it would have to do.
Tucking my hair back, I winced at the dampness. “And I apologize for looking like a sea creature. I was... taking a swim.” Despite how hard I tried to glaze over what I’d been up to earlier, my face flamed.
Thane, who’d followed me into the kitchen, probably intent on throwing me out of his domain, cleared his throat, scrubbing a hand over his mouth to hide his knowing smile.
Jamison, bless the man, came to my rescue, earning himself brownie points I’d be sure to reward later.
“Demi, this is Chaddrick Hurst, the director of the OMA.”
I froze, the hand holding a knife hovering over the block of cheddar. Carefully, I set it down. The earlier heat that suffused my face drained until I was sure I was devoid of color.
Not a family member, then.
My hands grew cold and clammy, and I shifted my weight from foot to foot, unsure if I should run and hide or own up to the decision I’d made that led to this unexpected visit.
“That... makes sense, actually.” I worried my lip and looked guiltily at my men.
All morning I’d been stewing over how to tell them I’d called the OMA to learn more about the process of registering as an Omega and matching with a pack. And not just any pack—thispack.
Surprise?
Insecurity ate at me as worry and doubt swam through my mind and heart. No matter how hard I tried to reassure myself that these men still wanted me, that we were perfect scent matches, I couldn’t shake my uncertainty. Not about them—I wanted them more than I needed air or water, or craved chocolate—but aboutme.
A lifetime of trusting the wrong people, of being beaten down and made to feel insignificant, was hard to overcome. Maybe I wasn’t worthy of such a pack. Maybe the hesitation I’d sensed in them the other night stemmed from them realizing they could do better than a broken, scarred Omega with trust issues.
What if they’d changed their minds about me? Or wanted me ‘just for now’? Being temporary terrified me because I yearned for so much more.
Anton’s voice was stuck in my head, taunting and torturing me.You’re just a warm hole to sink knot-deep into. You’re ruined goods, Demi Leigh.
“Baby...” Hades rounded the kitchen island, concern eddying through his expression when he caught sight of the emotions I was sure were playing across my face.
I fidgeted with my hands and implored him—all of them, really—with a pleading tone. “I can explain. I promise.”
Chaddrick Hurst interjected, “There’s no need, my dear, especially since there isn’t much to tell.” Inclining his head, he addressed Jamison, who clearly stood out as the leader of our pack. “Demi called my office with some questions and left a message for me with my secretary. Instead of returning her phone call, I thought a visit may be in order to set her mind at ease about the OMA and our process of placing Omegas with compatible packs.”
An unhappy sound rumbled from Hades’ chest as he turned, giving me an excellent view of his ass and muscular shoulders. He half-blocked me from sight like my own personal bodyguard. “She has a pack. Us.”
