A sharp tug on the bond from Mace made me straighten up and paste a smile on my face as I tried to block my feelings from my men. They didn't need to be bothered with my petty insecurities right now. This was their moment.
Andrea cut the ribbon amid much applause and everyone flooded inside to the reception area where champagne and canapes were handed out by tuxedoed waiters. I grabbed a glass of champagne and wandered through the crowd, looking for my men. I found them talking to the mayor, discussing what the lab was working on and future plans.
I sidled up to Finn and his arm automatically went around me. A feeling of safety washed over me. They still loved me.
When the conversation with the mayor finished, Finn gave me a wink. "Go find something to eat and somewhere to sit down for a bit. You look tired. We'll find you when we're done."
I'd been in the space a million times as it was built, but it felt different with so many people crowding into it. Leaving the reception area, I headed upstairs to where I could look down over the crowd. Leaning against the railing and sipping a fresh champagne, I watched the people milling around down below and just relaxed for a minute. These events dragged on, so I knew my pack wouldn't be ready to go for at least a couple of hours.
It was getting late and I was sitting on one of the padded benches outside the main lab when I heard someone clearing their throat. Looking up, I saw Andrea standing there, glass of champagne in her hand.
"Hi, Andrea. Congrats on the new position," I said politely.
"I was wondering where they'd stashed you." She walked over and sat on the opposite end of the bench. "I wasn't sure if they'd told you yet."
"Told me what?" Annoyance shot through me. She was obviously trying to get to me.
"About their no omega policy."
"Well, considering they already have a bonded omega," I said, stressing the bonded, "I'm not sure how that could be a policy."
"Three gorgeous, successful men like them shouldn't be held back by a needy omega," Andrea told me delicately. She sipped her champagne. "They have big plans and you're holding them back."
"How? I've been there every step of the way."
"Yes . . . with your heats and sending emotions through the bond when you're lonely. I've seen it all, how distracted they get when you beg them to come home, entice them with your slick and your omega pussy." She wrinkled her nose. "It's disgusting and frankly, it's meant months of wasted time when they could have finished this project faster."
Her words struck something inside me. The frustration Mace always had when my heats started. The suppressants he'd put me on six months ago because "right now we need to focus on other things. We'll worry about a family when the project is done." The irritation when I called any of them at work.
My stomach churned with nothing but alcohol in it. I hadn't touched the canapes, trying not to give in to temptation. Calories were my enemy with an omega body that always wanted to be soft and round. Mace liked thinner women, so I worked hard to keep my shape. Now, I wished desperately that I'd eaten something solid.
"We'll see. I'm the one going home with them tonight," I pointed out, keeping my chin high.
"Hmm," was all she said before standing up and looking down at me. "I think you may have to work on that little delusion of yours."
Then she was gone and I was left sitting there, listening to murmuring of the crowd below.
Chapter 2
Tense Moments
Liora
"Li? We're going to be heading up to the offices to get some work done," Finn called through the dimness of the second floor. "Marco will take you home so you can get some rest."
"Okay." I got up, stiff from being in the same position for hours. I'd kept the bond shut down the entire time, not wanting my alphas to feel my inner turmoil. They had networking to do. Now, I let their bonds trickle in, feeling their tiredness and a faint spark of excitement.
"We'll see you in the morning, babe." Finn smiled and kissed the top of my head, before ushering me downstairs. He turned and headed for the elevators where the others waited. Including Andrea. She gave me a little finger wiggle wave and a smirkbefore she spun on her heels and stepped into the elvator with them.
The building was eerie at night, with no one left except me. I walked quickly down the stairs and headed outside to where the limo was waiting. Marco opened the door for me and I slid into the back, leaning against the leather seats and staring at the ceiling as we drove back home. Home to an empty mansion with far too many rooms. Devoid of anything.
Inside the house was silent, too. I set the alarm and went to the kitchen for some water before heading up to my room. Peeling off the dress, I left it draped over a chair and went to shower before curling up naked in my bed. The men preferred I slept naked, so they could slip into bed with me at any point in the night and feel my skin against theirs. Not that any of them had come to me in a while. The past few months had been so busy, I'd barely seen them, except for my heat and even then, they'd traded off.
What if Andrea was right and I really was holding them back? Tears welled up in my eyes. I loved my pack. From the first time I'd met them when they stepped into Omega Diner, looking out of place with their fancy suits and shiny smiles, I'd fallen for all three of them. Finn, with his carefree attitude and loving touches. Aiden's instantly calming demeanor and subtle humor. Mace's quirks and obsession with being in control. They'd all fit perfectly together as a pack. And I'd slid right in there with them.
Sleep was hard to achieve. I lay there imagining my men with Andrea. Spreading her out on their desks, feasting on her like they used to feast on me. Thrusting into her. It made me sick to my stomach to think that they were with her right now while I was here in my bed, in an empty house.
I didn't dare let the bond open. Just in case I'd feel the lust and excitement flowing through it. That would kill me. So I lay there,crying and staring at the ceiling and waiting for the crunch of wheels in the driveway. A sound that never came.
