“You’re the one who’s always said omegas are just as capable as alphas,” Sean said. “Figure it out.”
My fist closed around the bill as Alex and Sean left me alone in the kitchen, leaving the letter on the counter. I smoothed out the utility bill. The monthly payment was almost as much as I made at the bakery each month. I had never thought about how much electricity, gas, and water cost in a massive home like this. I rested my head in my hands, trying to think of a way out of this.
I knew my uncles didn’t love me, but I thought they might show a little bit of concern that I was being threatened. A deep loneliness settled in my bones.
I had enough money from my night with Nox to pay this month’s bill, but I wasn’t sure how I would manage it going forward. I felt pathetic asking Josie for a loan, especially since I wasn’t sure how I’d pay it back. The thought of returning to the club exhausted me, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to try Sugar Nest again. I knew nothing would live up to my night with Nox and it felt like going out with someone else on the app would be a betrayal. It was stupid reasoning, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of wrongness that came over me every time I looked through the new proposals I’d gotten.
It felt like the walls were closing in on me. My body was failing, someone was after me, and I could barely afford food as it was. A scream ripped through my throat and my fingers closed around Alex’s coffee cup before I threw it across the room. It bounced off the wall before hitting the floor and shattering.
I stared at the mess of glass shards, my eyes burning with tears I wouldn’t allow to fall. I wanted… someone to hold me. To tell me it would be alright. I imagined Nox’s arms closing around me, his firm chest at my back. He pressed his lips to my ear and whispered that everything would be okay. And then the arms around me were Bear’s. He turned me so I was facing him, tilting my chin up so I met his dark eyes, his gaze piercing.
But that was a fantasy. Even without the government’s policies, I knew I wasn’t good enough for a pack. The more timethey spent with me, the more likely it was that they would reject me. I was on my own.
Like always.
15
HENRY
Istared at the entrance of Vanilla Pie Bakery from my parked car. It was almost six o’clock, but the bakery was bustling inside. My stomach fluttered as I tried to glimpse Westin through the window. I thought I caught a flash of white hair and it was enough to make my heart beat faster.
It had been a week since the Omega Rights Committee meeting. If I hadn’t been pulling twelve-hour days just to get all the legal documents ready for the launch of the new Omega Center pack interview process, I would have been here much sooner. Not that I was even sure why I was here. When I’d left the office, I’d planned to head home and crash after another long day, but when I pulled out of the parking garage, I found myself turning towards the historical part of town.
I couldn’t stop thinking about Westin. We’d barely even talked at the meeting, but I kept wondering what she was doing, how she was feeling, or what she would think about the policies we were working on.
So here I was, working up the courage to ask her on a date, even though it was so fucking obvious she was too good for me. Adrop-dead gorgeous, brilliant omega? A pack would snap her up the moment the interview process started.
She deserved a pack that was absolutely obsessed with her. I just couldn’t stop fantasizing thatIwould be part of it.
I huffed as I finally exited my car, all too conscious of how clammy my hands felt as I crossed the street and entered the shop. My heart sank when I didn’t see Westin at the counter. The omega—Josie—who sat next to her at the meeting was running the register, and a friendly-looking alpha with glasses was packing up customer orders. I almost turned away, but my feet refused to leave. I had to at leasttry.
The line died down and I stepped forward. Recognition flashed across Josie’s face. She beamed, gesturing at me to come over. “Henry, right?” she asked, bouncing up and down slightly.
“Yeah,” I said hoarsely. I cleared my throat. “I figured I had to check out this bakery after you and Westin mentioned it.”
“Ben!” Josie called out, turning towards the alpha who was chatting with a customer.
He walked over, putting his arm around her with the ease of two people who were completely comfortable with each other.
“What, precious?” Ben asked.
“Cover this for a second.” She gestured at the register. “I need to grab Westin.”
“Oh.” My cheeks heated. “You don’t have to?—”
I trailed off as Josie spun around and practically bounced to the kitchen.
“Don’t even try,” Ben said, grinning. “She does what she wants.”
I cleared my throat and looked around awkwardly. My capacity for small talk had been obliterated by the anxiety swarming through me like bees. Bees that were fucking thrilled to get to see Westin again.
My breath caught when she emerged from the back, Josie practically dragging her along.
“I’ve got to finish the cookies for tomorrow’s event with Ben’s help,” Josie said with a smile, pushing Westin to the register. “Come on, Ben!” she chirped over her shoulder.
The alpha chuckled and followed his omega back to the kitchen, leaving Westin and me staring at each other. Silence swelled between us, and I found myself sinking into her beautiful brown eyes.
“I heard the sweets here are good,” I blurted out before immediately wishing them back. I sounded like an idiot.
