“I’m sorry, I thought—because your pack is closed—sorry. I didn’t mean to pry,” I say.
“It’s okay. That’s a common assumption,” Charm says, kind and sweet as always.
“Many packs close after finding a mate, it’s not surprising you would think that. We should have mentioned it earlier. We closed our pack because it comes up occasionally with lone alphas looking to join our group, and we’re satisfied with our current arrangement,” Orion says. “Regardless, it’s understandable if you don’t want tospend your break with your coworkers. We’ll let you unwind without your bosses hanging around.”
“No, I’m having fun! I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t keeping you from anything. I’m happy to go skating together. I’m ready, let’s go,” I say, jumping up from my seat.
Cato laughs at my flustered attempt to cover up my awkwardness. I glare at him before remembering I’m supposed to be contrite after being so rude and presumptuous.
I replace the glare with a polite smile, and Cato’s smirk grows.
Thankfully they accept my suggestion without further prodding, and we head out.
Whyyyydid I think they had an omega just because of one italicized word when all the evidence pointed to the contrary?
I never caught even a whiff of an omega in their lives, literally or figuratively.
Wait, does this mean Catoishitting on me?
Chapter 14
Charm
Hestia’s behavior has been off since we corrected her about not having an omega.
She was quiet on the walk to the town square. I tried to make conversation, but she only gave me one-word answers or hummed noises of acknowledgement. I ended up carrying on the conversation by myself.
Hestia isn’t an agitated patient that I need to soothe. She’s allowed to be left to her own thoughts, but I couldn’t help myself from trying to fix whatever’s bothering her.
I never even thought to mention that we don’t have a mate. Orion filed the paperwork to close our pack years ago, though it’s a formality that can be easily undone. Even if I had thought about it, I would have dismissed it as creepy to specifically tell ouromega traineethat we don’t have an omega.
It’s nice that HR gives us employee bios so we know who we’ll be teaming up with, but I can’t help but be annoyed with them for causing this misunderstanding.
I’m worried Hestia only felt safe joining our stationbecause she thought we already had an omega, and now she’s uncomfortable.
What if she wants to leave us?
I wouldn’t stop her, but I don’t want her to go.
We’ll just have to continue being as professional as possible so she feels comfortable again.
While living and working togetherandspending our time off together.
I sigh and rub my face.
I’m not sure going ice skating was the best idea after that revelation, but it’s too late. We’re already tying on our skates.
Hestia has one on, but she’s struggling with the laces on the other. I’m barely holding myself back from helping. Since she’s been so closed off, I don’t want to invade her space.
Her silence apparently doesn’t bother Magnus, because he gets on his knees and reaches for the troublesome skate.
Hestia holds her foot out, and he makes quick work of the knots.
She doesn’t seem nervous around him.
When I helped her untangle her scarf a few minutes ago, she pulled away immediately afterward. I thought that meant she wanted us to keep our distance, but maybe it’s only me she doesn’t want help from.
Magnus helps her walk to the rink, and she holds onto him as they slide onto the ice.
