And just like that, an acrid sourness taints their scents all at once.
Walker
Iknew it.
I knew it was too good to be true.
Another Omega, tearing into my life with a scent I can’t wash off my clothing only to leave me for the excitement of the big city. The moment the words Hollow Mill Junction leave Lia’s mouth, something old and ugly rears up in my chest. The memory of my prior Omega, choosing to leave instead of stay. Choosing a life in the city over a quiet life on the vineyard.
A familiar ache rings deep in my gut.
Hollow Mill Junction is about an hour and a half away from Honeysuckle Grove. It’s far enough to matter. Far enough to make excuses why someone can’t come see the other for a weekend. Far enough to create another life.
I don’t let anyone see my thoughts. I never have, but especially not now. The words still hang in between us. Neither Eli nor Knox have spoken since Lia dropped that bomb on us: that her perfect life exists an hour and a half away from this place.
Away from us.
Knox’s words are still tumbling around in my head.You’d be a good pack leader.Is that how Knox sees all of us? As apack? The entire town knows what that other Omega, Rachel, did to me. How hard I worked to woo her. The presents I bought her. The dates we went on. The vacations we took together. The arguments we had, where I told her that life was here with me, whether she realized it yet or not.
I remember how much it shattered me when Rachel moved, anyway. Middle of the night. No goodbye.
All because I tried to control her.
I keep my face neutral as I take another bite of my food. It takes all of my energy to keep my posture relaxed. I stuff my Alpha down, just as I’ve done for so many years, because the last thing I want is to be a controlling Alpha.
Lia’s medical condition tells me she’s had enough of those in her life.
I want to be supportive of her. I’ve always wanted to be supportive. I learned the hard way that anything else drives people away, and the last thing I want is to drive her away.
I feel torn between a life I can’t figure out how to create and a life only half-lived.
Lia’s voice is small when she speaks, breaking the silence between the four of us. “I mean, it’s just a thought. Nothing’s set in stone or anything.”
My attention goes right to her, only to find that Knox and Eli are staring at me. No doubt, thinking about Rachel in the same way I am. Fuck them. Rachel’s in the past, and I’ve got another Omega right here in front of me that is so lost for direction that it makes me ache. I give my attention fully to her, ignoring their looks. Her scent is turning sour, and I don’t like that.
She deserves better than that.
And if there’s one thing I know, it’s business.
“Hollow Mill Junction is a good spot,” I say.
“It is?” Eli and Knox ask at the same time.
I just nod and spear another potato. “The river runs through there. If you got yourself a little place next to the water, I could see a lot of people dipping in on their river walks to get themselves a treat.”
“It isn’t exactly close, though,” Eli says as he pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “About an hour and a half from here.”
“Yeah,” Lia says as she shrinks in on herself. “But it’s not as big of a city as some of the other cities I have to travel to for freelancing. It’s still small enough to feel manageable. Like I’d be part of the community instead of just one in the crowd.”
I hate that she shrinks, that she defends herself when the situation doesn’t require it. I shoot looks at both Eli and Knox, silently telling them to back off. This is her dream we’re talking about. That gets to take form in any way she pleases. Even if it guts me.
Us.
I’m starting to wonder if Knox is right about all of this.
“Not a fan of the big city?” Knox asks with a chuckle that sounds a bit forced.
Lia just shakes her head. “Not long-term, no. Too many people. And cities smell a bit. A city in general is just really overwhelming for me. It works when all I have to do is deliver into one, but I’m not sure I could set up shop permanently in one of them.”
