I reach out to softly take the mug from her when Stacia injects, “Yeah, that’s not really a thing anymore. But this is different; this pack already has an omega. His name is Kit.”
I wince just as my hand closes around the mug. Rory sees the anguish that the statement causes and lets me have it, immediately abandoning the violent thoughts she’s having about Cindy’s ignorance and focusing on me instead. I avoid her eyes because I can’t stand to see the sympathy in them right now.I just can’t.
Stacia doesn’t know about Sam being my scent match, so I don’t blame her for pointing out the obvious. Mainly, I didn’t want Cindy to know that information because now she’s looking at me with a mocking smile and glinting eyes. “Now,thathas to be a cardinal sin for omegas. Aren’t you guys really territorial over your stuff?”
My eyebrows raise, but Rory focuses her energy back at Cindy and says, “Are you referring to like…clothes, or are you calling alphas objects?”
She shrugs. “Aren’t they? They become yours, don’t they? Things that no one else can touch or even look at?”
Stacia’s jaw drops, and my skin suddenly feels hot from the anxiety. I need this conversation to end right now before I have a flare-up.
Rory stands and takes a step forward, her jaw clenching at the comment. “Listen here, I think you need to take a course next semester to refresh your brain on designation bias.”
“Maybe we should—” I start, but then Cindy talks over both of us.
“Look, all I’m saying is…” She huffs, trying to find her words. “Doesn’t it look bad? Moving in with another omega’s pack?”
I shake my head but the words penetrate. That’s exactly the issue, isn’t it? It’s that exact fear that I’ve been pondering for months every time I considered telling Sam that I’m his scent match. It’s not fair of me to blow up their lives, even if it’s the biggest lifeline that’s ever been handed to me.
Maybe I shouldn’t accept it… Maybe it isn’t right.
Having two omegas in one pack isn’t very common. It happens and it’s spoken about, but it’s still seen as taboo and bizarre due to the stereotype of our designation. Many people believe two omegas can’t coexist in the same pack due to ourbiology, how we’re territorial and love to be the center piece of the group. I wouldn’t say I necessarily disagree, but I think it depends on the group. Not every two omegas are the same, but I don’t know if Pack Langley agrees with that.
Then I remember Kit’s scent, bright and bursting with excitement. His watermelon aroma is ingrained in my psyche, so full of life and color that I can almost taste it on my tongue. Sam is my scent match, but so is Kit. He asked me to stay with them, and that’s the only reason why I feel comfortable enough to do so.
“Kit is the one who invited me,” I say, which promptly shuts Cindy up. Rory turns to me, the vein in her forehead still on the verge of popping out. “Maybe you and Stacia should start loading boxes up. We have a lot of stairs here.”
Although I know she’s hesitant to leave me alone with Cindy, Rory nods and heads over to some of the finished boxes. After they walk out, boxes in hand, I turn back to Cindy and cross my arms.
She sees it immediately, the frustration I feel at her aggressive temperament, and sighs. “Opal, I’m sorry. I guess I’m just worried about you going somewhere with people who don’t know about your condition.”
That seems to hit me exactly where it was intended. The breath I let out is long. “I know,” I agree, despite the nonsense she just spat at us a few minutes ago. “But I need my own space.”
She nods, both acceptance and defeat in her expression. “I know.”
I give her a weak smile. “Thank you, though. For being there for me when I needed a place to stay. Even though my omega needs her own space, and this wasn’t exactly ideal, I know it was a kindness that you didn’thaveto give me, so thank you. I really appreciate you helping me get back on my feet.”
That seems to wash away any disappointment, because she smiles back. “Of course. You’re welcome anytime, you know that. I genuinely hope it works out at this new place.”
I nod and put my arms out, inviting her in. When she falls into the hug, all I can think about is the room waiting for me and how much I hope it works out, too.
SEVEN
Playing: “Once in a Lifetime” by One Direction
My attemptat distracting myself is futile. My comfort game usually keeps me preoccupied through anything, much to Sam’s dismay, but it doesn’t seem to be helping right now. My eyes keep darting to the window, waiting to see an unfamiliar car pull up with Opal and her things.
I don’t know why I’m so nervous, but the jitters itch across my skin. My scent has been slightly sour ever since I woke up and realized that today was the day, and I’d be the only person here to greet her. There’s some kind of Alpha Xi commitment that all the guys made a few months ago, and now I’m here to freak out, alone.
It’s a quarter to one when a black SUV finally pulls up, and I see a flash of orange hair in the passenger seat. My heart beats crazily in my chest at the sight, and I quickly shut my game down to get up. When Opal, Stacia, and Rory finally get out of the car, I start to pace in front of the door.
Oh gosh, do I wait for them to come to the door? Do I go out to help them? But then they would know that I was sitting here waiting for them. What do I do?
I finally decide to head out the front door and walk to them as nonchalantly as I can. When Stacia sees me, she smiles big. They all finally turn in my direction and I wave.
“Where are all the big alphas when you need them?” I say, stepping up and immediately regretting my words, but then Stacia laughs.
“Right, people like to say omegas are all helpless, but when weactuallyneed help…” Rory lets her words trail off as she rolls her eyes. “Thankfully, we got all of this packed up pretty quickly. Now, we have you.”
