Laz looks at me, hope filling his eyes. More than anyone, Laz wants and needs to be loved. He’s from a big, close family, and he is beyond ready for an omega to complete our pack. Unlike him, I’ve never known what it’s like to be surrounded by love,but every time we go to the Maverick house for holidays, I see the kind of family I’d like to have one day.
I don’t know my mother. She walked out when I was a baby and never looked back. Being the one, “true” heir to the Silverwood dynasty, Dad did what he thought was best for me. But he didn’t show me any real love. He made sure I received the highest-caliber education and the best of everything—clothes, vacations, toys—but all I ever really wanted was his time.
Unable to lie to my brothers, I confess, “Yes. I feel it too.”
Laz punches the air. “I knew it!”
Ren shushes him, and Laz mouths, “She’s our omega.”
“We don’t know her yet.” I drag my hand over my face. “We have to be cautious. We can’t blow this.”
“Cole’s right.” Ren’s nod causes Faye to stir in his arms. Once she’s snoring again, he continues. “Faye comes from a small town. She’s not used to being around people. Pack life may be too much for her. We can’t scare her off before she gets to know us.”
Laz tenderly covers her feet with the blanket, gazing up at her with complete adoration. All I’ve ever wanted for my brothers is for them to be truly seen and loved by a kind woman. Their happiness and safety are everything to me.
“But it’s a scent match!” Laz throws up his arms like that supersedes all else. “Why wouldn’t she want us?”
Ren rolls his eyes. “Typical Laz.”
“A scent match may not be enough for her,” I remind him, even though I already know that it’ll also crush me if we can’t make this omega ours. “And there’s still Damon to consider.”
Judging by his reaction earlier and how he stormed out, Faye isn’t the only one who’s likely to struggle with the consequences of what this match may mean.
FIFTEEN
Faye
“What’s she doing with that?” Damon’s angry voice rouses me. “That’s mine!”
“She needed it,” Cole hisses. “You should’ve been here!”
“We all know it’s better that I wasn’t,” Damon snaps.
“Shh.” Ren tries to silence him. “You’ll wake her.”
I keep my eyes squeezed shut, pretending to sleep.
“Look at the three of you! We don’t even know her!” Considering how loud he’s ranting, Damon is pissed. “She’s just a random omega who seems to know nothing about safety and keeps putting herself in dangerous situations that inconvenience us! Text me when she’s gone.”
His stomping fades away, followed by a slamming door. Shit! I can’t stay here. I still have some lingering cramps and uncomfortable prickling over my skin, but luckily, I can now think beyond my need for a knot.
A few seconds later, I feign waking.
Ren grins down at me. “Hello, beautiful.”
As lovely as it is to wake up in his arms, I’ve already outstayed my welcome. Damon’s made that quite clear. I sit upright and shuffle to the edge of the sofa. “I should go.”
“You don’t have to.” Ren’s face falls. “You’re welcome to stay.”
“I think it’s for the best. The patch is working; I’m feeling much better.” I scramble to my feet, already looking around for my shoes.
“Don’t you want to stay for dinner?” Laz offers. “I can order in whatever you’re craving.”
“Thank you.” I look down at my hands. “But I’ve already been enough of an inconvenience.”
I look up in time to see Ren frowning. “You heard Damon, didn’t you?”
“I really am sorry for everything.” I ignore his question. “You’ve all been so kind, but it’s time for me to go.”
