She was tiny, just like my mom had been, and when Sorenson looked down at her, it was as if she was the sun he revolved his world around. “Chelsea, I’d like you to meet Emmeline, our newest city member and an omega.”
She pushed her shoulder-length chocolate brown curls off her face, highlighting the faint bite mark on her throat, as her light-green eyes locked on me. When she held her hand out to shake, I noticed the blue veins in her ultra-fair skin. “It’s lovely to meet you, Emmeline.” She had just the slightest hint of a Southern accent.
I grasped her hand, finding no strength in her limp grip. “Lovely to meet you too. And please, call me Emme.”
A smile lit up her elfin features. “I go by Chels. As soon as Soren told me that you were an omega, I’ve been dying to meet you. Do you have a few minutes to chat while the boys gather up the last of the pastries for you to take home?”
“Absolutely. And I have to tell you how amazing your pastries and sweets are. I’m lowkey obsessed with them.”
She practically beamed as she hurried around the counter and hooked her arm through mine. “Well, that’s settled, then. You and I are now best friends. Come on, let’s leave them to it.”
When Kellan hopped behind the counter, Sorenson slapped a hand on his shoulder as their fight from before appeared all but forgotten. “They won’t be out of our sight,” he said reassuringly. “You don’t have to worry.”
Kellan didn’t look convinced, keeping his gaze on me for an extended moment, until he eventually focused on the pastry cabinets.
Chelsea led me toward a corner booth, sliding in first so I was on the open side. “Okay, tell me everything about your life,” she said, relaxing into the pink and teal cushions. “Where did you grow up? Do you know any other omegas? How did you end up here?”
The thought of telling this tiny, pretty omega, with soft hands and even softer eyes about my messed-up life had metaphorical hives breaking out across my skin. “There’s not a lot to say. My mom was an omega, but she died over a decade ago, and I’ve been on my own ever since. Even before that I never really lived in the pack cities. This is all a huge eye-opening experience for me, even as I fear what being near my scent-matched pack might do to me.”
Her brow furrowed as she rested her chin on her hands and watched me. “Why do you fear your pack?”
Lowering my voice, I leaned closer. “What’s it like being an omega in your pack? Do they treat you well? Is there ever any issue with… power sharing or… similar?”
The crease in her forehead grew deeper as she blinked in clear confusion. “I mean, I’m not bonded in a complete quintet yet, but we’re all a scent match.” She pressed her hand to the bite mark, and her eyes softened. “My pack treats me like a princess. I’m coddled, protected, and loved. I have freedom but support. It’s the best thing that could ever have happened to me.”
“You don’t share your power?”
Her eyes narrowed as she shook her head firmly. “No. It’s impossible for packs to share power with each other. We can feel each other’s energy and beasts, we can even communicate mentally on occasion, if the bond is really open, but our power is connected to our lifeforce. Which is ours alone.”
I hadn’t expected a different response, but I’d still had to ask. “Right. That makes sense. I just heard a rumor that it was possible for omegas to share power.”
With that, her suspicious expression calmed. “Maybe because you haven’t lived in the cities before. I have a few books on omegas if you’d like to read them, and I believe there are more at the town library. I’m not sure how comprehensive your education was, but my books should be a good place to start.”
“Not comprehensive at all. Any information would be helpful for me to understand how it all works.”
She gently tapped my hand. “We’ll drop the books off to your guardhouse soon. Oh, and it’s my birthday next month. I’ll be having a huge garden party that I’d love you to be at. I think your pack already RSVP’d, so I’ll add you to the list.”
I had no idea if I’d still be in Golden Claw then, but there was no harm in confirming today. “Sounds great! I’m looking forward to it.”
Kellan caught my eye then as he stepped out from behind the counter with a large white box in his hands. “Ready to go home, pretty girl? Hunter will expect us for dinner.”
Already drooling over the contents of the box, I debated if I could convince him just to skip straight to dessert. “Yep, ready to go.” Returning my focus to Chelsea, I offered a warm smile. “It was great to meet you, Chels. I’ll visit again soon.”
“Great to meet you too! I’ll get those books to you asap.”
As I pushed up to stand, I realized I’d forgotten to ask the most important question. “Have you ever heard of an omega being bonded in an all-alpha pack before?”
Chelsea blinked a few times, tilting her head as if thinking it over. “No, I actually don’t believe I have. I mean, it makes sense to some degree because we can withstand strong dominance. Though, it is much harder in a scent-matched pack.”
Yep, I’d learned that the hard way today.
Chelsea took in the emotions flitting across my face, and the slightest of frowns marred her delicate features. “Are they treating you well?”
Unable to help myself, I looked for Kellan, who waited by the door. “Far too well,” I grumbled.
Her light, airy laughter replaced any concern. “I understand, Emme. I don’t envy many shifters, but I think your pack might have us all wishing for a few more alphas. Enjoy them.”
There was no part of her worried that my pack would strip my shifter strength from me until my vessel was broken and barren. Nope. She felt safe and loved as an omega.
