Omega Forsaken (Omega Reckoning #3)

Chapter 1

Imperfect

Liora

"That's what you're wearing?" Mace asked, raising an eye. Annoyance shot down the bond.

I looked down at my pleated navy skirt and simple white blouse. "What's wrong with it?"

"You look like a schoolgirl. Go put on the blue dress I got you last month." He straightened his cufflinks and frowned, dark eyes darkening more. "Hurry up, we're going to be late to the opening."

I ran up the curved stairs to my room and straight into the walk-in closet. It took me a moment to locate the dress he was talking about among all the other dresses, but finally I grabbed it, pulled it over my head and left my previous outfit on the floor. I'd deal with it later.

"Good god, Li, you can't wear those shoes with that dress!" Mace huffed when I started down the stairs.

"Mace, come on!" Aiden called from outside. "We have to be there in ten minutes."

"Fuck, come on." Mace jerked his head toward the door.

I ran back down the stairs, already starting to sweat from nerves and exertion. He grabbed my arm and practically pulled me out to the limo waiting in front of the mansion. We piled inside and I tried to smooth my dress so I didn't flash everyone in the vehicle.

Aiden sat across from me, looking calm and relaxed in his tan suit that contrasted his darker skin. He was polished to perfection, looking every bit the accomplished millionaire he was. He gave me a quick smile before turning to Mace, who sat beside him.

I was sitting alone on the opposite side of the limo, staring out the window at the passing scenery and trying to get my breathing under control. It wasn't a long drive, but there were plenty of people waiting as the limo pulled up in front of the new building.

"Fix your makeup before you get out," Mace ordered.

I scrambled for my clutch, only to realize I'd left it in the heap of clothes at the house.

Shit. He was going to be pissed now. His displeasure was already pulsing through the bond.

Aiden's cooler demeanor seldom made a dent in the bond we had, but Mace was always a gushing fountain of feelings. Usually irritation towards me.

He pushed aside the irritation and focused on smiling and looking relaxed as he stepped out of the limo.

Aiden followed, lifting a hand to the reporters.

Then the two of them walked toward the building while I frantically dabbed at my face with a piece of tissue from the bar.

Once I was satisfied there were no smudges on my face, I stepped out of the limo, head raised high, a smile fixed on my face.

No one was watching me, though. All eyes were on the three men at the podium. I could feel Finn's pride shining like a light through the bond as he stood there, grinning out at the crowd that had gathered.

The three of them had worked so hard on building this project and now it was done. It stood as a testament to their years of hard work, a massive five-story building with a clinic on the first floor and labs on the next three. The top floor was all offices and where my men worked daily.

Standing to the side of the temporary stage, I smiled up at them.

I was proud of what they'd accomplished in just six years.

They'd gone from working at Mace's father's firm to building their own empire and they'd brought me with them.

It didn't matter that Mace wanted everything just perfect, including me. He deserved it. They all did.

The three alphas each gave a short speech and I listened with rapt attention.

Aiden was first to the mic. "I just want to thank everyone here for showing up and being a part of this incredible day.

It's not every day that dreams come true, but here it is, our dream is reality and we couldn't have done it without the support and love of this community, our friends, and our family.

" He flashed that charming grin that had everyone clapping and roaring out his name.

As Aiden stepped away, Finn moved into his place.

"Like Aiden said, this has been an incredible achievement that just wouldn't have been possible without all the support we've been given.

I want to shout out to Mr. Addall, for all his encouragement, even when it meant we were leaving his firm to do our own thing," he waved at Mace's dad in the back of the crowd.

"And our early investors, for believing in us.

We may have given you a scare from time to time, but I think you'll agree it was all worth it!

" A cheer went up and I bit my lip to keep the stupid grin off my face.

"Thank you, everyone for being here. As you know, the ADP Group has been working very hard on this project for the past five years and the results of all that hard work are in front of you.

We're proud to serve the same community that supported us and we look forward to helping many more people in the future.

" Mace stood there, proud and beautiful, his chestnut waves neatly slicked back, his suit perfectly pressed.

"My partners have thanked a lot of people, but I think we can all agree that without this one person, we never would have made it.

" His eyes softened and he smiled. "This lady is very special to us and without her encouragement and support, we would have floundered more than once.

She kept us going and kept our dreams alive. "

I smiled, moving toward the stairs, proud to be acknowledged. Happy to feel their emotions through the bond, their joy and love that had been fading over the past few stressful months.

"Please welcome Andrea Jackson!" Mace stepped back and started clapping along with everyone else.

Andrea? The smile faded from my face as the willowy blonde beta climbed the steps in a bright red, very short dress. She was just as polished as the men, her lipstick in place, no patchy spots on her face.

"Thank you, Mace. It's been an honor to be a part of the project," she said, her light voice carrying over the crowd.

"We want to make a special announcement today, then we'll cut the ribbon," Aiden said, stepping up to the mic. He grinned at Andrea. "We're officially making Andrea a partner in the ADP Group. Please welcome our new marketing and PR director."

Another round of applause. I clapped along, my stomach dropping.

They hadn't even mentioned me. I'd been there every step of the way with them and they hadn't looked my way or said a single word about me.

But Andrea had been in the office with them, so she was the one who got the recognition.

No matter how I tried to be happy for them, it felt like a betrayal.

A sharp tug on the bond from Mace made me straighten up and paste a smile on my face as I tried to block my feelings from my men. They didn't need to be bothered with my petty insecurities right now. This was their moment.

Andrea cut the ribbon amid much applause and everyone flooded inside to the reception area where champagne and canapes were handed out by tuxedoed waiters.

I grabbed a glass of champagne and wandered through the crowd, looking for my men.

I found them talking to the mayor, discussing what the lab was working on and future plans.

I sidled up to Finn and his arm automatically went around me. A feeling of safety washed over me. They still loved me.

When the conversation with the mayor finished, Finn gave me a wink. "Go find something to eat and somewhere to sit down for a bit. You look tired. We'll find you when we're done."

I'd been in the space a million times as it was built, but it felt different with so many people crowding into it.

Leaving the reception area, I headed upstairs to where I could look down over the crowd.

Leaning against the railing and sipping a fresh champagne, I watched the people milling around down below and just relaxed for a minute.

These events dragged on, so I knew my pack wouldn't be ready to go for at least a couple of hours.

It was getting late and I was sitting on one of the padded benches outside the main lab when I heard someone clearing their throat. Looking up, I saw Andrea standing there, glass of champagne in her hand.

"Hi, Andrea. Congrats on the new position," I said politely.

"I was wondering where they'd stashed you." She walked over and sat on the opposite end of the bench. "I wasn't sure if they'd told you yet."

"Told me what?" Annoyance shot through me. She was obviously trying to get to me.

"About their no omega policy."

"Well, considering they already have a bonded omega," I said, stressing the bonded, "I'm not sure how that could be a policy."

"Three gorgeous, successful men like them shouldn't be held back by a needy omega," Andrea told me delicately. She sipped her champagne. "They have big plans and you're holding them back."

"How? I've been there every step of the way."

"Yes . . . with your heats and sending emotions through the bond when you're lonely.

I've seen it all, how distracted they get when you beg them to come home, entice them with your slick and your omega pussy.

" She wrinkled her nose. "It's disgusting and frankly, it's meant months of wasted time when they could have finished this project faster. "

Her words struck something inside me. The frustration Mace always had when my heats started. The suppressants he'd put me on six months ago because "right now we need to focus on other things. We'll worry about a family when the project is done." The irritation when I called any of them at work.

My stomach churned with nothing but alcohol in it.

I hadn't touched the canapes, trying not to give in to temptation.

Calories were my enemy with an omega body that always wanted to be soft and round.

Mace liked thinner women, so I worked hard to keep my shape.

Now, I wished desperately that I'd eaten something solid.

"We'll see. I'm the one going home with them tonight," I pointed out, keeping my chin high.

"Hmm," was all she said before standing up and looking down at me. "I think you may have to work on that little delusion of yours."

Then she was gone and I was left sitting there, listening to murmuring of the crowd below.