“It’s three months long,” she says and I choke on my drink slightly, but keep the straw held up to my lips.
“Three months?” I question.
“It’s different from how they run their facilities. The whole point is for single Omegas, Alphas, and established packs to find the one. I just want to go somewhere where no one knows my last name, you know? It feels like every Alpha I meet is into me because of my family name and what that can do for them, or simply because I’m an Omega.”
She sighs, pushing her long dark hair out of her face. “Obviously, I know the Omega part is something that I can’t hide, but I just don’t like any of these high society guys. They’re boring and conniving. I want a pack who wants me and only me, you know?” she asks.
I glance over at the water, watching the three men I love so much swimming in the swim shorts I got them, big goggles on their faces, semi trying to drown each other as a joke and I understand what she’s saying.
I get what it feels like to want to be truly loved and not used.
“Your secret is safe with me, but aren’t you eventually going to have to tell them where you are for three months?”
“I’ll tell them as soon as the boat leaves New York.”
“When do you leave?”
“June, I just hope my first heat doesn’t come before then.”
“You deserve to be happy, Claire. I’m sure they’ll understand,” I tell her and she gives me a pointed look and I grimace.
The more time I’ve spent with the Sørensens, the more I realize that Claire has been somewhat wrapped in steel wool by her parents and brothers alike. I guess the trauma her mother went through as an Omega has them wanting to make sure to not repeat the cycle, but maybe her very pretty gilded cage door is locked too tight.
This cruise could be just the thing she needs to get some freedom and find the pack she’s been yearning for.
“I think it will be great. I won’t tell anyone.”
She sighs in relief. “Thanks. It’s been a lot keeping that in.”
“Just promise me you’ll check in.”
“Scouts honor.”
“Baby, look what I got!” Mack shouts from the ocean, holding up a lobster with his bare hands. He’s so precious, and has really come out of his shell more and more. He still streams, occasionally, but more of his focus has been on the pack. If anything his evasiveness and our packs spotlight has earned him more followers and they yearn for when he actually hops on and shows his handsome face.
“Show off,” Cole says, splashing his brother, while Mack has a massive grin on his face.
I smile and give him a thumbs up. God, I love them so fucking much.
“Yeah, you need to get on that cruise,” I tell Claire as I look at my three Alphas joking with each other.
Every Omega deserves a pack half as good as mine. I personally feel like I’ve won the lottery, but Claire deserves her happy ending, too.
The Caribbean sun is beating down on me as I lie on my stomach, a large hand on my back rubbing lotion. I immediately know it’s Jonah.
“Can’t have my girl burning up,” he says.
“Gag, that’s my cue to leave,” Claire says and I laugh as she makes her way back inside the beach mansion.
Cole takes the seat next to me and Mack sits on the edge.
“You haven’t gotten in the water yet,” Mack says.
“I’m not the best swimmer,” I admit, and he shakes his head.
“You have three massive Alpha buoys. You don’t have to swim,” he says.
I glance out at the clear water while Jonah keeps placing sunscreen anywhere he feels necessary, including the bridge of my nose.
