He smirks as Cade doesn’t answer. “Knew it. This omega… I feel like there’s something about her. We need to at least look for her, make sure she’s safe.”
“Wait,” Hudson says reasonably. “She might have a pack already.”
Cade purses his lips. “I didn’t see a bitemark,” he admits.
Nate looks fit to burst. “Besides, no decent pack would treat their omega like that,” he snaps.
“Then she might not want a pack at all,” I say quietly. Nate turns to me, a wounded look in his eyes.
“We need to tread carefully,” I add. “See if we can find her but keep it on the low-down. We don’t want to scare her if she thinks a pack is after her. There has to be a reason she’s not linked to the Center.”
Cade points at me. “Thank youfor being reasonable.”
Nate rolls his eyes before looking to Hudson. “You agree?”
Hud hesitates. “I don’t like the idea of someone out there needing help,” he says carefully. “But I don’t want to commit to anything. Not without even meeting her.”
Cade straightens. “Okay. So we need to find her first and make sure she’s safe. I’ll put someone on it tomorrow.”
Nate opens his mouth, and Cade gives himthe look.
“In the meantime, I’ll let the Center know we’re not interested in these.” Cade taps his finger on the folder.
Rubbing my neck, I pull the wine towards me, pouring another glass. Hudson stays seated as Cade and Nate leave the room, Nate offering up suggestions that make Cade’s shoulders tense.
“Well,” Hudson mutters. “This should be interesting.”
“We might not even find her.” I study my glass, considering. “Even if we do, she might not want us – or vice versa.”
Hud sighs. “Nate’s already set on her.”
It’s a good sign. Most alphas in a pack tend to have similar tastes. But not always. Shrugging, I down the last of my wine, and Hudson scowls at me.
“Heathen. That was a vintage.”
“All tastes the same to me,” I shoot back. I’ll admit though that Hudson’s taste for the finer things is starting to rub off on me.
Stretching, I groan as the knots in my back pop. “I’m heading in. See you tomorrow.”
Heading down the hall to our rooms, I duck into mine, pausing to shuck off my clothes before stepping into the en suite shower.
Hot water cascades down my back as I tip my head up and reach for the soap, washing off the grime from a day down at the gym.
My thoughts jump to the discussion at dinner. We’ve all been keen to bring an omega into the pack. Someone to balance us out, center us – and to have kids one day.
I’ve never truly thought about what it’s like from their side.
There was a massive public outcry a few years back when it was found that the Omega Compound was abusing omegas in their care. Until then, no one really paid much attention to the Omega Creed, a list of rules restricting omega movements and keeping them tied to the government.
Frowning, I rest my hands against the wall. Maybe we’re jumping ahead. Maybe this omega had a bad experience.
Something pulls at my chest.
We’ll need to tread carefully. And reel Nate in. He can be overwhelming at the best of times and he’s used to getting what he wants.
This has to be about whatshewants.
And that might not be us, whatever Nate wants to think.
