Eying them warily, I press my back against the wall and wrap my arms around my knees. My heart rate has finally slowed to something almost normal, but the lingering adrenaline has left me jittery.
“How did you find me?” I croak out.
Dante tilts his head toward the other shifter. “Brody asked your boss for your address.”
“And he just gave it to you?” I huff. Of all the things I thought might lead to my death one day, my boss’s disregard for confidentiality was not one of them.
Brody nods as Dante takes a step forward. I almost instantly close my eyes and bare my neck to the larger, stronger shifter. Stupid pack dynamics. Stupid submissive instincts. But at least I know how to play this.
“I’m sorry. Please.” Another whimper escapes from my chest. “I didn’t want to hurt him. I just wanted to be left alone.”
The two men share a look, their brows furrowing.
It’s Brody who crouches down in front of me. “You’re not in trouble,” he says. “We just have some questions.”
I guess they’re not falling for it. Oh well.
“I don’t have one,” I snap out.
Another shared look.
“Don’t have what?” asks Dante.
“An Alpha.” I say. “That’s what you want to know, right?”
Brody shrugs. “I suppose that’s one thing we were curious about, but what we really want to know is why an omega is running around unprotected.”
My heart stops in my chest and I inhale sharply.
“That’s what you are, right? An omega?”
My mouth is too dry to form words. There’s no point in lying, they’d know. I nod slowly. Both men grin and not in the way I expect. It would make sense for their expressions to be malevolent or disgusted, but they’re… pleased? Dante even looksawed.
“I’ve never seen one in person,” he mutters.
“Me either,” says Brody. The corners of his mouth twitch as he glances at Dante. “I can’t believeyoufigured it out beforeRemy.”
Dante chuckles. “Me either.”
My gaze bounces back and forth between them. I know omegas are rare, but not quite like what they’re implying. Back home, the cleric always talked about how special and blessed packs were to have an omega. My pack didn’t have one—unless you count me—so I just thought… I’m not sure what I thought.
They both stare at me expectantly.
Oh.Brody’s question about why I’m on my own. They still want an answer. But I don’t really have one, so I shrug.
“Where’s your pack?” asks Dante. “Did something happen to them? Is that why you’re alone?”
“Alabama,” I say, ignoring the other questions. “About eighty miles outside of Tuscaloosa.”
“You’re a long way from home.” Dante’s gaze strays toward my half-packed bag. “Where were you headed?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then what…” Brody starts, but Dante holds up his hand.
“First of all, we’re indebted to you for what you did for Remy. His brother, Julien, is our Alpha. As Julien’s second, I’d like to extend a formal invitation for you to visit our pack,” says Dante.
“And your Alpha wouldn’t… take offense at my presence?”
