Any worries about being too whiny or demanding vanished at the readiness with which my alphas responded to my request. They pulled me to a quiet corner and boxed me in, each scent marking me in turn. My omega settled once I was covered in their scents, and I could take in the room. We were in what could only be described as a grand hall. Party-goers dressed in finery mingled in the space as servers passed champagne and hors d’oeuvres. I quickly scanned the room, making sure I didn’t see any familiar faces.
“Okay, sweetheart. Ben and I have to go. Stick with Theo. We’ll be back in just a moment,” Cam said, his hands cupping my face.
I bit my lip, suddenly feeling very stressed about my alphas leaving me. But I wanted to prove that I could do this, that I was capable. Theo gathered me to his side, guiding me into one of the quieter rooms. I barely took in my surroundings, my anxiety about Cam and Ben almost dizzying. We stopped in front of one of Donovan’s massive paintings so I could pretend to be interested in it.
“Everything is going to be okay, angel. Take a deep breath,” Theo murmured. I forced myself to breathe in his scent, allowing it to fill my lungs and ease some of the tension I was feeling. I rested my head on his chest, taking deep, calming breaths.
Theo stiffened. I pulled back, alarmed at what caused his reaction. An older man walked towards us. His black hair was streaked with silver, his skin a deep golden brown. As he got closer, I caught a faint hint of caramel.Omega. This must be Donovan Turro. He stopped in front of us, and his gaze softened as he took me in.
“I heard we had a special guest attending tonight and I had to introduce myself. I’m Donovan Turro,” he said, holding his hand first to me and then to Theo.
“I’m not a special guest,” I said, furrowing my brow.
“Having a bright, beautiful, young omega like yourself in my home is an honor, Josie,” Donovan responded. “I’d love to have the honor of showing you around.”
I smiled shyly, appreciating that he asked me directly. I turned towards Theo, who nodded.
Donovan led me to the corner of the room and then winked at me before pulling out one of the books on the shelf. I heard a softclunkand Donovan pushed the wall, which swung open, revealing a hidden room.
“Oh my god,” I gasped as Donovan gestured for Theo and me to enter the secret room. “This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Donovan chuckled. “Now, that’s the kind of reaction I love to see. I thought you might like it here. It’s quieter and there are fewer scents.”
I was a little awed by how smoothly Donovan had ensured my omega was comfortable without making me feel like a nuisance. I smiled as I twirled to take in the room. Cozy lamps cast a warm glow on rows and rows of built-in bookcases with sliding ladders. A picture light shone down on a large abstract art piece.
“This room is magical,” I said. “Feels like something out ofBeauty and the Beast.”
Donovan chuckled. “I certainly know which one I am in that equation.”
I threw him an incredulous look. Donovan was the textbook definition of a silver fox.
He laughed good-naturedly at my expression. “You look truly radiant tonight, Josie. How is your new pack treating you?”
“Good,” I said, my eyes automatically drawn to where Theo was standing near the secret entrance. I jolted when I saw two surly-looking alphas standing next to him, their gazes fixed on Donovan.
“Are those your alphas?” I asked.
Donovan snorted. “Yep. We also have a beta in our pack, Jackson, but he’s out of town. Close to thirty-five years bonded, and they’re still as overprotective as ever. Puts them on edge having all these alphas in our home.”
I was surprised that Donovan’s pack had a beta. These days, bonded pack status was only reserved for alphas and omegas, but things had been different thirty-five years ago. They’d certainly been different since Donovan had been allowed to openly bond with male alphas. Although, I supposed he couldn’t have been expected to bond with a pack of female alphas. I felt slightly bitter when I thought of everything Sam had gone through to be with Gerald, but none of that was Donovan’s fault. I just wished things had been different. Wished this government had never taken over.
“I guess age doesn’t mellow them out,” I muttered.
“I hate to break it to you. I wouldn’t expect any of your alphas to ever relax when it comes to your safety.”
I glanced up at him, taking in his radiant smile.
“But you don’t mind?”
“No, I don’t. And if it gets to be too much, I just put them in their place,” he said with a wink.
I hesitated before asking him the question that had been ping-ponging around my mind the past couple of weeks. “You don’t think it makes me weak? To want them to take care of me?”
Donovan’s brow furrowed. “Not at all. All of this designation bullshit has fucked everything up. Things were different when I revealed as an omega. Fewer anti-omega laws, no Designation Academy. I can’t imagine what it’s like to try to grow into yourself and come to terms with your inner omega when everyone is trying to punish you for just being yourself.”
My eyes watered and I blinked quickly to prevent tears from spilling over.
“Everyone underestimates omegas. Even our alphas to some extent. Early on, when I first bonded with my pack, there were a few attempts to kidnap me. People were obsessed with getting access to a rare male omega. It took a long time before they let me out of their sight. I knew they wanted to protect me, and I loved them for it, but it also made me feel weak. I wish I had pushed back against them more those first few years.”
