I wince. "I didn't think—I'm sorry, I just saw her touching you and you clearly didn't want her to, and I just... reacted."
"Don't apologize." His voice is firm, and when I look up, there's genuine warmth in his hazel-green eyes. "Destiny is... a lot. We dated briefly, years ago. It was a disaster from start to finish. She only wanted me because being with a firefighter seemed romantic, not because she actually cared about me as a person." He pauses, something darker flickering across his features. "She didn't take the breakup well. She's been trying to get back in my good graces ever since, showing up at the station, sending gifts, that kind of thing." He shudders visibly. "You saved me from at least twenty minutes of awkward deflection."
"You're welcome?"
He grins—that easy, sunshine smile that seems to be his default. "I'm just saying, you should probably prepare yourself. Small towns talk. And 'the Late Alphas' new Omega showing upin Alpha clothes and holding hands with one of them' is exactly the kind of story that spreads like wildfire. No pun intended."
Great. Just what I needed. More attention. More people knowing my business. More ways for my family to potentially track me down.
But even as the thought crosses my mind, I realize I'm not actually upset. If anything, I feel... proud? Satisfied? Like I've staked a claim on something, even if that something is just Elias's comfort and peace of mind.
And maybe that's the point. Maybe being their Omega—even temporarily—means protecting them too. Looking out for them the way they're looking out for me.
"Let the town talk," I say finally, squeezing his hand before releasing it. "At least the gossip will work in our favor. Makes the whole 'pending Omega status' thing more believable. And honestly? I'd rather be known as the Late Alphas' Omega than as... whatever my family is telling people I am."
Elias studies me for a moment, something thoughtful in his expression. "You're really something, you know that?"
"So I've been told." I start walking again, heading in the direction of what I assume is the main shopping area. "Now. You mentioned something about getting me clothes that actually fit?"
He falls into step beside me, still grinning. "Tank gave me his card. Said to get you whatever you need."
"He did?"
"And Julian added that if you're going to be photographed with us at any point—which, given the nature of his career, is likely—you need to 'look presentable.' His words, not mine. He also muttered something about color coordination and seasonal palettes, but I stopped listening at that point."
I snort. "Sounds like Julian."
"He means well. He just expresses it through designer fabric recommendations instead of, you know, normal human emotions." Elias pauses. "Actually, that might be the most accurate description of Julian I've ever given. I should write that down."
We're both laughing as we walk down Main Street, the cold January air sharp against my cheeks but not unpleasant. The sun is out today, weak but present, casting long shadows across the cobblestoned sidewalk. The quaint shops of Oakridge Hollow line the street in a postcard-perfect row—a bookshop with hand-lettered signs in the window, a florist with buckets of winter roses displayed on the curb, a vintage clothing store that looks promising for my wardrobe situation.
This is nice, I realize. Walking with Elias. Joking about his packmates. Feeling like I belong somewhere, even if it's only temporary. Even if it's built on paperwork and mutual necessity.
I could get used to this.
And that thought terrifies me almost as much as it thrills me.
Because what happens when Valentine's Day comes? What happens when the six weeks are up and I'm no longer useful to them? Will I go back to running? Will I go back to being alone?
Behind us, back at the registration office, I know Destiny is probably still seething. Still demanding answers from the secretary. Still trying to figure out who I am and where I came from and how I managed to slip into the pack that's been unattainable for years.
And ahead of us, somewhere in Oakridge Hollow, Tank is hunting down information about my past. Julian is fighting a trade war to save his career. And in less than six weeks, this whole arrangement could end as quickly as it began.
But for right now, in this moment, I'm walking down a sunlit street with a handsome firefighter, wearing borrowed clothes and carrying paperwork that says I belong. For right now, I have a place at someone's table. A roof over my head. Alphas who look at me like I'm worth something more than my breeding potential.
For right now, that's enough. That's more than enough.
I glance back toward the office one last time. I can just make out Destiny through the window, gesturing wildly as she talks to the secretary. Her body language screams indignation—arms waving, head tossing, probably demanding to know every detail about the Late Alphas' mysterious new Omega. The secretary looks supremely unimpressed, which makes me smile.
She has a strong feeling the gossip is gonna get hot around town. By dinner, everyone will know. By tomorrow, she'll be the topic of conversation at every coffee shop and salon in Oakridge Hollow.
CHAPTER 18
Changing Rooms And Confessions Part One
~ELIAS~
"So how eventful is your dating life?"
