Page 35 of All Packed Up

Tate swallowed, wringing his hands. “What if Nic is in the wrong here? I mean, she’s an omega who apparently has a pack already. What’s she doing with him?” Tate sat down on the edge of the couch, staring up at him with concern.

“Nic wouldn’t,” Arlo said, shaking his head. “Did you see how worried he was about her last night? He’s the last person who would ever hurt an omega.”

Tate crossed his arms and lowered his gaze to the cat, who’d collapsed in the worn leather chair.

“He was really… awkward last night, wasn’t he? He had no idea what he was doing with that omega.” Tate chuckled.

“Nic is hot, sure, but I don’t think he has any clue what he’s dealing with.”

“What if he doesn’t know about the alphas?”

Arlo paused. The guy probably deserved a heads-up. “Maybe we should return the cat to his rightful owner.”

Tate nodded in agreement and scooped the big cat off the cushion. Arlo led the way out of the apartment and down the hall to Nic’s door.

He knocked. A long moment passed, and he lifted his fist to knock again before—

The door opened to reveal a bleary-eyed Nic, whose tired eyes widened at the sight of the cat.

Tate stepped forward. “I assume he belongs to you. Or your new guest. I found him this afternoon.”

“Oh my god, thank you so much.” Nic paled as he reached out to take the feline, and a soft voice called out to him.

“Who’s there?”

A dark-haired beauty shoved Nic to the side, and she gasped at the sight of the cat. She intercepted the beta’s hold and snagged the cat from Tate’s arms. “Oh my god! Knuckles, where have you been?” she asked.

Arlo just about swallowed his own tongue but managed to nod. “My roommate found him,” he answered, pointing to Tate. As if she wouldn’t know.

This was definitely the gorgeous omega from the picture.

“How’d you know he was ours?” Nic asked, narrowing his gaze.

“That’s another reason we wanted to stop by,” Arlo said, and leaned a little closer. “I ran into some visitors a few minutes ago in front of the building.”

Nic tensed, pulling the sweet-smelling omega behind him, her eyes wide. “Who?”

Arlo’s gaze trailed back to the omega. “A group of alphas. Fancy-looking suits. Had a picture of her with this cat and were asking around.”

The omega stiffened, shifting closer to the beta, and Nic’s gaze darkened. “What’d you say?”

“Told them I haven’t seen anyone.”

Nic visibly relaxed. “Thanks for letting me know. Are they still out there?”

“I don’t know, I came up here as soon as they were done asking me questions. Ah, they were sniffing around pretty closely—literally. If someone lets them in, they are gonna find her pretty quickly. So… just let us know if you need anything else, got it?”

Arlo smoked pot, sure, but he wasn’t dense. He knew a hiding omega when he saw one. And while this building was secure… those alphas could get in if they were truly determined.

“Ditto,” Tate said, nodding at the pair. “You know where to find us.”

Nic stared at them for a moment before nodding and extending a hand. “Thank you. Seriously.”

“Anytime,” Arlo murmured.

Before Nic shut the door, Arlo risked one more glance at the omega, who had let her brittle shell crumble in the presence of the beta. Right before the door closed between them, he watched her expression dip into one of fear.

His stomach churned. The walk back to their apartment was quiet, but as soon as the door closed, Tate turned to him. He didn’t feel right just… leaving them.