I swallow, shame creeping over me as the last customer leaves and Hudson flips the sign. I didn’t mean to make her feel uncomfortable. I just wanted tohelp.
“Thanks,” Hudson says with a sigh as he grabs a couple of wine glasses, pouring us a glass of red before collapsing into a chair. “They love it when you’re here.”
“No problem,” I mutter.
Hud glances at me, his hawkish face lowering into a frown. “Everything alright?”
I nod, then shake my head, rubbing at my eyes. “Sorry. It’s just… this girl came in earlier looking for a job. She looked like she needed it, but we’re full, right?”
Hudson cocks his head. “We’re not, actually. Zoe handed her notice in today, effective immediately. Going traveling.”
Well, shit. Now I really feel like I fucked up.
His gaze turns curious. “You liked her? Beta?”
I swallow. “Omega.”
He straightens. “Really?”
I nod, and he raises his eyebrows. “Not from the Center?”
“I don’t think so. She didn’t look the type.”
Center omegas are notoriously well cared for, ferociously protected by Ava Grey and her pack, backed up by a number of volunteers. Every pack application for a match is carefully considered, a long and lengthy process before you get anywhere near an omega. And it’salwaystheir choice.
We’ve been working through their system for eight months. And I’d choose that every single time over the horror of the heat nests the fucking Omega Creed used to push.
“This one was alone,” I say quietly. “And I just let her leave.”
Hudson takes a sip of wine, his hazel eyes considering. “What else could you do? Maybe she’ll come back. Don’t beat yourself up over it.”
We’re interrupted by a rustle at the door. Axel lets himself in, a duffle bag swung over his shoulder and blonde hair yanked back into his typical messy knot as he locks it behind him.
“Where’s your coat?” I ask. It’s freezing outside, and he shrugs. “It’s not that bad.”
Axel runs a gym down the street. Between the three of us and Cade, we all have our own thriving careers. It’s probably the only thing we have, truth be told. After a while, it all starts to feel a bit empty.
What’s the point of success when you’re lying alone at night?
My fingers begin to tap on the table.
“Nate met an omega,” Hudson says sneakily, rolling his eyes at Ax. “Nota Center one.”
Axel doesn’t bat an eyelid, crossing his arms as he leans against a marble pillar.
“What was she like?” he asks in his gruff tone.
Shrugging, I take a swig of my wine. “Memorable. Doesn’t matter now, though. I spooked her and she ran.”
Axel frowns. “Is she okay?”
Meeting his eyes, I let him see my own worry. “I don’t know.”
ChapterFour
Gabrielle
I’m lying on my crappy, spring-happy futon, staring at the cracks on my ceiling in the murky dawn light and wondering exactly when that damp patch is going to collapse through. At least I won’t be here to get crushed by several pounds of falling plaster.
