Chapter 2
Oriana
N erves had me up half the night and early the next morning. I kept glancing at my phone, willing myself to not text Roman like some lovesick omega.
I always found it crazy that when someone found a mate they just threw themselves all in.
For me and my ex, it was a slow progression because we wanted each other before either of us came into our designations. When I presented as an omega, it triggered his alpha side, both of us matching and falling even deeper.
Most told me not to give in, to not let him bond me.
I should have fucking listened.
Now, I had to put everything on the table for Roman and hope he didn’t discard me just like my alpha did.
“Fuck,” I cursed as I stepped out of the shower and side-eyed my phone again. Before I could force myself to look away, a text lit up the screen.
Roman
Forgive me if I’m wrong, but you seemed a bit nervous yesterday. So, let me assure you that this is no pressure. We’re just two people getting to know each other.
Roman
Don’t overthink this, Stormy. See you in an hour.
I melted on the spot. It was like he saw right through my insecurities and soothed those jagged edges my ex left behind. Everything in me screamed to let him in, but how could I?
The pain of moving away from Rockwood Valley went straight to my soul. I was sick for weeks and hurting. The only consolation was that I had money in my account to get myself through. It gave me time to heal enough to function, to get used to the city life after living in a small town my whole life.
Thirteen years later and it still felt wrong.
Oriana
What should I wear?
Roman
Nothing?
Roman
Mostly kidding, Stormy. You can wear something comfortable. Nothing fancy, and I suggest shoes that are easy to walk in.
Then he sent a picture to reassure me. My heart slammed in my chest at just the sight of the beta. He had that confident grin on his face as he faced the mirror, showing off his outfit. He had on a dark gray henley that had his silver blue eyes popping and dark jeans. His shoes were black and white checkered slip ons that looked well-loved.
There was a hint of stubble on his jawline, only making the angle of his face seem more defined.
Fuck, he was devastatingly hot.
My stomach twisted. This was the first time I found anyone attractive in over thirteen years and it just felt… wrong.
I couldn’t give him the life he deserved. A loving, strong pack or an omega who could go through a heat. Heat without an alpha was hell.
“Get out of your head, Ori,” I grumbled as I opened up my closet.
Since he said comfy, I decided to take him at his word. I grabbed an oversized sweater, jeans, and a pair of boots. It was cute and for some reason the baggy sweater always made me feel safer, like I had a barrier from the world.
I’d washed and straightened my hair after I got home last night, so I took it down from the bun I kept it in and refreshed it a bit. With a quick brush of simple makeup on my face, I was done.
A loud knock on the door had me nearly jumping out of my skin. I was way too on edge for that and it had only been thirty minutes, too early for Roman.
That could only mean that the nosy beta next door was back. I swear that old woman lived for gossip. Every day her husband left for work and she made it her job for the next eight hours to torment the rest of us.
Biting back a sigh I opened the door, blinking up at the beta in surprise.
“Roman, you’re early.”
“I had a feeling you didn’t take an hour to get ready and I didn’t want to leave you to your thoughts too long. I was afraid you’d come to your senses and run away from me,” he teased, holding out an iced coffee. I was too shocked to do more than grab the coffee.
“Thanks,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.
He gave me an easy smile and gestured to the door. “Adventure awaits, are you ready to go?”
I tucked my small wallet into the pocket of my jeans and grabbed my keys. All of my clients were settled and I didn’t want the interruption, so I put my phone on silent and tucked it into my other pocket.
“Ready,” I agreed, locking up behind us. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“Breakfast,” he said simply. “Any allergies or things you hate?”
“Nope, I like trying new things, so I’m open to anything,” I said as he tucked my hand into his. His palm was warm against mine and it radiated up my arm, as if just a single touch was forming a tentative bond between us, giving us a starting point.
My body relaxed against his, our shoulders brushing as he led me down the sidewalk. He felt like a giant next to me, nearly six feet to my five foot five frame.
We didn’t say anything else as he led me to a midnight blue Charger. Like a gentleman, he opened the door, helped me in, then leaned over and buckled me in.
My heart slammed against my ribcage as he brushed a kiss over my forehead, his scent clouding around me and filling me with that strange comfort I’d only ever gotten from him.
He was so careful with me, like I was delicate.
I knew how strong I was and this didn’t feel like he was undermining that, only reminding me that it was alright to be cared for, too.
That not everyone would break me.
Tears stung at my eyes but I blinked them away and put a smile on my face.
He got in then turned the heat on for me, even clicking on the seat warmers.
“My uncle actually owns a little bistro down the road. He won’t be in, so don’t worry, I’m not springing family onto you already, but I’ve been craving the crepes,” he admitted. “Tell me you have a sweet tooth, too?”
“I’ve been known to crave a sweet treat now and then,” I said with a laugh, relaxing a little more in his presence and the cozy warmth now surrounding us. “And by now and then, I mean at least once a day. I love chocolate as much as the next omega, but I’d do just about anything for a good pastry.”
“Noted,” he laughed, the sound slightly raspy as he shoved his curls back to look at me. “I’m an awful baker, but I know how to drive to find you one. We can hit all the good spots in the city.”
The fact he was planning ahead was both terrifying and sweet at the same time.
“I love to bake, but for some reason I’m awful at baking, too,” I admitted. We shared a smile, that warmth building in my chest again before he turned away to look at the road.
This felt like teenagers flirting. Stealing glances and learning every little detail we could.
Roman promised that we had all day and we were going to lay it all on the line, let each other in, and if I wanted to leave… I could.
But already I knew I wouldn’t. Even if my heart broke all over again I didn’t think I could walk away from him now.
Not when he gave me those smiles that said, ‘I see your sadness and I promise to take it away.’ Not when his scent filled the air and calmed me in ways I didn’t know I needed.
“We’re here. I’ll get your door,” he said, giving me a playful glare before rushing out of the car and to my side before I even had time to unbuckle.
“Thanks,” I said, biting my lip to stop the stupid smile on my face. It was too easy to smile around him and it felt so strange on my face. I hadn’t smiled like this in far too long.
He held out his arm for me and I looped mine in his, letting him lead me down the sidewalk. We’d barely made it a few feet before he stopped so abruptly I would have face planted if not for him holding me steady.
“Is that your face?” He let out an excited laugh as he pointed at one of my posters around the city. I’d worked hard to make a name for myself in the real estate market. The posters were a marketing necessity, but they made me cringe every time I saw them.
“Oh my god,” I groaned, trying to cover my face but he wouldn’t let me.
“No, don’t hide. Get over here, I need a picture!”
He didn’t hesitate to drag me to the poster and position me against the brick wall it was set on. His smile was wide, like he could barely contain his pride, and that was enough for me to pop a hand on my hip and give him a grin.
He held up his phone and snapped the picture, rushing back to my side and pulling me in.
“Look at my mate,” he said, grinning like a fool as he showed it to me, then stared down at it. “You’re gorgeous. I’m a lucky man, Stormy.”
With that he kissed the top of my head and led me into the restaurant. He didn’t mention the name earlier and I almost didn’t have the heart to tell him I ate here nearly every Thursday for lunch.
“Ah, my beautiful Oriana!” Vincent called out, moving around the bar and tugging me away from Roman to kiss both of my cheeks. He always smelled like fragrant spices that tickled my nose, but he was the sweetest. “It’s not even Thursday! What an honor.”
“Uncle Vinny, you know Ori?”
The name hit me square in the chest. It was one that reminded me of home and my dad. Fuck, I missed Rockwood Valley more than anything.
In the last thirteen years, I lost my home, my relationship with my dads suffered, and I lost my grandma.
Cameron took everything from me and didn’t even bother to care. How his mama hadn’t knocked sense into him, I’d never know.
Sure, I’d worked my ass off to make a name for myself in the real estate market here, shaking hands and sharing smiles with a few alphas who were using me just for publicity, but it wasn’t home.
“Vinny here makes the best Shirley Temples and always sneaks me extra breadsticks,” I whispered conspiratorially.
“You’ve met, Vinny?” Roman asked as he put his hand on my lower back. It was second nature to him to touch me, it seemed.
“Yeah, I usually eat at the bar with Vinny,” I explained. “I take extra time just for him.”
“Oh, you’re too nice to an old man, listening to all my stories and laughing at my jokes,” Vinny said with a grin that nearly matched his nephew’s. They were definitely family.
“Now I know where I’ll be crashing on Thursdays,” Roman said, nudging his uncle and barking out a laugh at the scowl that took over Vinny’s weathered face.
“Don’t you dare. She’s mine for that glorious hour,” he said, snapping his bar towel at Roman before we were all laughing, drawing more than a few curious stares and laughter.
That was one thing I always loved about Vinny’s Bistro. The environment was unmatched. It was a small oasis in a city full of far too busy people.
“Sit anywhere, you two,” Vinny said as he gave me a wink and took his place behind the bar again. “The corner table is available.”
“Perfect,” Roman said as he led me to the back corner. It was the one table that was more isolated than the others, a small partition blocking it off. It reminded me of those discrete tables you’d see in an old mafia movie.
“Word will be out in no less than five minutes. I didn’t expect you to be such a local celebrity,” Roman said. “Should I be jealous?”
“Nah, Vinny has been my only date in years,” I reassured him as I took my menu. For once I’d have to actually look at it. It wasn’t lasagna day.
It was strange to have someone so aware of me. His eyes tracked my movements, his attention was focused on every word I spoke, and his body forever angled my way. It made me feel like he genuinely wanted to know more about me.
Maybe that was the reason I barely waited until our orders were placed to start talking.
“Can I just get some things off my chest, that way if you want to walk away, you can?” I asked in a rush. He nearly choked on his drink but pushed his glass away and scooted his chair closer to mine.
“You can, but know I won’t be walking away from you, Ori. You’re mine and I have no intention of letting that change.”
His face was so serious now, all traces of his golden retriever energy disappearing in an instant.
My eyes stayed locked on my hands where they were clenched in my lap, stomach in knots, and anxiety eating away at me.
But, I had to get all of my baggage out in the open. I couldn’t risk having someone walk away from me again.
“When I was eighteen, I presented as an omega. My best friend at the time was my scent match. We were young and in love, went all in, and fully bonded by the time we were nineteen.”
I paused, trying to figure out how to summarize such a traumatic situation. Roman was patient, waiting for me to say more. It was as if he knew I’d never be able to give us a chance until this was over. He already knew me better than I knew myself.
The waitress approached with our food, sliding it over and fresh drinks. We didn’t touch it and I finally forced myself to continue.
“Rockwood Valley, my home town, hosted this huge Artisan Fair every year. It was small at first then blew up to the point the town was thriving. Cameron’s dads were at the heart of it. They opened a local artisanal brewery and ran the entire thing. It had a huge stream of local small businesses popping up and steady tourists coming in.”
I took a sip of my drink, finally looking up at him. The stricken look on his face meant he was expecting the worst.
“Then one day, something went wrong. The Brewery was destroyed in an instant, an explosion. Apparently, there was a malfunction with one of the tanks, a freak accident they said. Every one of Cameron’s fathers died that day, and a few employees.”
“Holy hell,” he whispered, eyes full of sadness for people he’d never met. Their loss had that effect on the whole town. Everyone felt their loss.
“I tried my best to support him and his brothers and their newly single mom. The town came together and made sure bills were paid and they were taken care of. We arranged the funeral. I cooked and cleaned… did everything I could.”
Tears burned behind my eyes and I took a shaky breath. It had been a long time since I’d let myself experience these memories.
“My mate… he pushed me away. At first it was small things, telling me I was annoying and wouldn’t let them grieve. That I was just in the way. I tried to give them space but I could feel his pain. It was killing me, too, and I just wanted to help.”
Roman reached over and gently swiped my tears away, his hand resting on mine so I could gather my thoughts and finish.
“Then one day, he looked at me, this awful blank look on his face, and said he couldn’t do this anymore. That he didn’t love me like he thought and just wanted me to leave him alone. I tried to talk to him, gave him space and tried again in a few days.”
Roman barely breathed as he waited for the final blow to land.
“That was the last day I saw him in person. He said I was a mistake and he had a family he wanted to take care of. I guess I didn’t count as family anymore.”
Fuck, even after all these years that hurt. I gave everything I had to keep them together, to help them in any way I could, and he broke my heart and rejected me.
“I moved away the next week. Took what money I had saved up and made my way here. Spent almost thirteen years making a life for myself.”
“Fuck, Stormy. I’m so fucking sorry,” he whispered, scooting his chair back and pulling me into his lap. He stroked a strong hand down my spine and the warmth of it grounded me. “How did you not get sick from the broken bond?”
“I’m not sure,” I admitted. “My doctors assumed that the bond had simply severed, my alpha had intentionally cut off the bond, and that the pain I was already feeling had masked it.”
“You never deserved that.”
He was right. I didn’t.
I knew that now. The omega I was thirteen years ago had to learn that over time.
After bringing up these awful memories, I expected to feel like I was drowning in pain. But with him here I felt lighter somehow, like I was finally releasing my burden.
“I loved him, and part of me always will, but I had to respect his wishes. I just figured I’d never have a pack.” I forced myself to look up into his pretty silver blue eyes. “But now that means you won’t, either. My alpha didn’t want me, and I haven’t found another in all these years.”
“Well, he’s a fucking fool,” Roman growled, nuzzling his face into my neck and breathing me in. “Pushing you away is his life’s biggest regret. Something I won’t ever experience. Where you go, I go, Oriana.”
“We were young and I fell too hard. I haven’t even dated since,” I admitted. “This might be a little slow and awkward.” I gestured between us and he just squeezed me.
“Our life doesn’t have to fit anyone else’s mold, Oriana. We do what feels right. This feels right to me.”
“Me, too,” I admitted in a whisper. “That terrifies me.”
We sat in silence, food untouched, as we just soaked in each others’ touch. It was intimate in this corner and I didn’t want it to end.