“Why would you need to do that?” Ami said.
“Don’t start with that. You already know how things are here,” I sighed as I squeezed the bridge of my nose.
“I love your mom, but she’s wrong for that.” I cracked my neck at her words, the knot of resentment tightening in my shoulders.
“I know, but…” The words died in my throat. I couldn’t explain the reality. Mother was the Alpha now, ruling a tight ship of adopted Betas and my siblings since Father died. As the youngest and the only Omega, the responsibility for all the cooking and cleaning was mine. The hired help? Gone years ago. We all knew what Omegas were good for, and since I was deemed unable to amount to anything else, I was expected to prove my worth by keeping everything in order before even thinking of stepping out the door.
“Love you. Keep me updated,” Ami pretended to say sternly.
“Love you too. Don’t get too drunk this weekend,” I joked.
“I promise not to get wasted if you promise to get laid,” Ami teased. I knew by the tone of her voice that her mischievous eyes were swinging left to right the way they always did at Academy.
“No promises,” I said, a small smile pulled at the corner of my lip.
“At least try,” Ami whined. That Omega whine could work on any Alpha, but I wasn’t an Alpha.
“Try,” I promised.
“Try,” she agreed.
Then she was gone. I hopped off my bed and shoved the phone into my back pocket before grabbing a hoodie. I didn’t check myself in the mirror. I hated looking at myself. I never looked at my reflection anymore. My phone dinged, and I didn’t need to look. I knew it was Mother. I’m sure she had sent me a list of what she needed done. I rushed out of my room and made my way downstairs.
I started in the sitting room; picking up everything from the floor, vacuuming, and fluffing the cushions. I tossed the throw over the side of the sectional. My mind on the three guys I managed to swipe right on. They reached out to me after we matched. It was nice having someone message me to see how I was doing, but meeting up was another thing.
Their profiles seared behind my eyelids as I made my way through the hallway and into the next room. There was James, Eduard, and Dane. All really good looking, but completely different in their own way. I swiped right on James because he had kind eyes and looked put-together. His profile said he was a low-ranked Warrior working for a nearby pack, which I liked because I didn’t want to meet anyone who might know who I am or want to get close to me because of my mother.
I swiped right on Eduard because he was what I used to like at OA: Korean, tall, muscular, but if you pumped him full of steroids. He liked the same foods I did, and thankfully, wasn’t a Warrior. He was a member of a pack 2 hours away. I didn’t think I’d ever meet up with him, but if he put in the effort to come see me, I’d make time for him.
Then there was Dane. Knots, just his name had my thighs clenching. He was high risk, but I swiped right because he was everything I had ever wanted, fantasy-wise. Think ABOTok. The idea of him in a mask made me melt in a way I haven’t in a longfucking time. And if I ever met up with him, that’s all it would be: a fantasy. When I picked a book off my TBR to read the dirtiest, smuttiest, violent-filled dark romance novel, I pictured a man like Dane.
Yeah, he’s my favorite.
After cleaning the disaster that was the kitchen, I finally met Mother’s standards. I had just enough time to shower and change if I wanted to keep my promise to Ami and ‘try’. I was going to show up to the date with James even if my body was screaming at me to stay hidden in my room.
There are millions of people in the world, not everyone is lucky enough to cross paths with their scent match, and I’m not one of those delusional enough to believe I’ll get my chance now, not with all this baggage. I don’t want to find someone to be by my side forever. I don’t know what I want, but I know it’s not that. My dark romance loving heart likes Dane because of what he symbolizes, and the fact that he’s a Sergeant. Men in uniform always did something to me.
The truth was I tried to see other people, but I always bailed out at the last minute. If I’d told Ami about this date, she’d want details of every position and she’d want me to check in. I had no plans of sleeping with anyone, but she didn’t know that. There was a lot she didn’t know. I wasn’t the same loud-mouthed, give zero fucks girl she knew back at OA. I couldn’t even lift my eyes to look a man in the eyes. I was so fucking broken.
But I wanted to try. I wanted to see how it felt to spend time with another man.
Baby steps.
James was the safest option. As if there was anything safe about meeting up with strangers you match with on the internet. The chances only got worse when you went back to their place, or somewhere dark and secluded. The horror stories and the woman dismembered on the news sent a shiver down my spine.But the things a girl will do for some dick. My reasons didn’t matter, I was still doing something stupid. And that brought me closer to the girl I used to be. Despite every survival instinct warning me not to meet up with James, I did it anyway. My instincts never saved me.
My hands were sweaty yet icy as I walked through the theater doors. He was right there, standing out like a sore thumb, but he hadn’t seen me yet. He was glorious, really. Tall, blonde, blue eyes with broad, dependable shoulders. He was the type where you could read his soul through his eyes.
He turned and saw me. I couldn’t help from lowering my chin and staring at the ground. I hated this, but my body just froze up. I couldn’t take another step forward. It wasn’t something I should do, but those damn instincts overpowered me.
It was learned behavior fromhim.
James cut through the distance, his shoes coming into view moments before he swept me up in a big hug. When he put me down, I lifted my chin and met his gaze, he was all smiles. I couldn’t help but feel comfortable. His eyes swept down my body and I flushed.
“Woo-ee, Vera, you’re beautiful,” he complimented.
“Thanks, you too,” I parroted. I dropped my gaze, groaning internally. I was so awkward. I wasn’t used to them and I sure as hell wasn’t used to this attention.
“Let’s get some popcorn.” His hand hovered at my lower back, guiding me toward the concessions. I was late, so it was empty. I waited quietly by his side as he got my favorite chocolates; Goobers and Hersheys with almonds. My breath caught. He wasn’t just grabbing candy; he was reaching for the Goobers and Hershey’s with almonds. A casual comment I’d made when we’d discussed my unhealthy love for chocolate just last week.
