Chapter 9
Oriana
T he alpha in front of me smelled like a rancid cigar shop. I kept my fake smile on my face as he processed everything I just told him.
“This is a huge mistake. You’ll be finished in this industry if you abandon your clients,” Charles Sanderson said as he looked down at me without bothering to hide his disgust. “We all knew having an omega in this industry was a problem.”
Raising one eyebrow, I held eye contact while I tucked the folder back into my bag. If he thought for one fucking second he could insult me then get his hands on my clients, he was a fool. I came to him because he was someone I thought I could trust.
Now he was making it clear everything was an act.
He could shove his outdated opinions up his ass for all I cared.
“I wish I could say it’s been a pleasure, Charles. If you’ll excuse me.”
He watched, stunned, as I packed up my briefcase and stood to leave. The old alpha knew damn well why I was here. He should also have known that it wasn’t a guarantee. There was never a promise, written or verbal.
“Where are you going?” he demanded in a growl. If he started to alpha bark at me I wouldn’t hesitate to tell everyone how vile he was under the surface. Not to mention, it was illegal to use an alpha bark to coerce legal proceedings.
“Not your concern, Charles. You’ve made your thoughts of me clear and I don’t stay where I’m not wanted.”
My heels clicked on his tiled floor as he gaped at me, mouth wide and face growing a deeper red every second that passed. His stuttered yells filled the room and that awful tobacco and lemon scent that lingered around him was pulsing in the air, making my stomach turn.
“Good luck with him,” I told his secretary. She was an older beta and from the grim look on her face, she was about two seconds from quitting this job.
It took until the elevator hit the lobby for it to sink in. A smile spread across my face.
I did that.
When he showed his true colors I didn’t hesitate to stand up for myself and let him dig his own professional grave. This city wasn’t small, but the real estate circuit was. There was no doubt in my mind that tales of this meeting would spread like wildfire.
Especially when I handed over my client list.
I don’t know why I’d felt like Charles would be a good choice. He’d gone out of his way to help me. And even though I had my own reservations, he truly had helped my career along.
Even if we hated it, sometimes a name could hold strength.
Then it hit me.
My clients were used to working with me, an omega who understood and never swindled them. They wouldn’t have been happy being strong-armed by Charles or any of the other alphas in the circuit.
I had my phone out, my fingers flying over the keyboard to search for upcoming omega realtors. I’d been in a bubble with my client list and I hadn’t been networking like I used to.
There were several, but one omega with a bright smile and a few clients who wrote raving reviews was enough for me to find her address. It was only a quick drive across the city and I didn’t hesitate to type it into the gps and head that way.
The office was cute. She’d made it bright and welcoming, an omega’s touch giving it a less sterile and modern touch and a bit cozier. It was genius, honestly, and I wished I’d thought of it myself.
What better person to trust to find you a home than the omega who made her office feel like one?
Scent-dampening spray filled the air in intervals, making it smell only like a fresh linen air freshener. In this business we were forever stocked up on de-scenting sprays for our home tours. It was a delicate dance to keep the previous pack from overwhelming the potential owners.
When territorial instincts were involved things could get tricky.
“Welcome to Ryler Real Estate, can I help you?”
The omega greeting me was not the girl I saw in the picture. I was pleased to know her office was up and running enough to have staff, meaning she could easily handle the client load I was handing her if she agreed.
My clients were happy with the homes I sold them, but in a city like this, ever changing and new things popping up, I’d sold multiple places to the packs in these files. They would be back for more, and once I had everything squared away I would be calling each and every one of them personally.
“My name is Oriana King. Could I speak to Emma Ryler? I have something I think she’d be interested in.”
At my name the omega’s eyes widened and she nodded quickly. “Of course, Miss King. Give me one moment.”
She was flustered now, nearly tripping over her feet to get out of the room. It felt strange that my name was what caused her to scurry off like that. I was just a sad omega from a small town who worked her ass off to get here.
“Oriana King… in my office?” Emma said as she walked out, giving me the same bright smile in that picture. “Is there something little old me can help you with?”
She extended her hand and I shook it. I loved that she didn’t shy away from the greeting.
“Actually, yes, do you have a moment for an impromptu meeting?”
Her eyes dipped in concern but she nodded quickly, gesturing for me to follow her.
The office she led me to was even cozier. There were soft chairs and rugs, pretty art on the wall, and soft lighting. She’d stayed true to herself and it was just another sign that I’d made the right choice.
When we were both sitting, I dove right in. There was no point in beating around the bush.
“I’m leaving the city,” I started. Her jaw dropped. Whatever she thought this was about, clearly it wasn’t this. “Personal reasons. But I love the clients that I’ve accumulated. I’ve worked hard to make a name for myself and I didn’t make this decision lightly.”
“I can imagine,” she said with a small smile. “My clients are family at this point, too.”
“Charles Sanderson had helped me get started in some ways, but I just came from a meeting with him where he showed his true colors… and I just couldn’t trust him to care for my clients the same way I do.”
A small gasp escaped. Emma was putting two and two together already.
“You would keep things personal, make them feel welcomed and cared for. They won’t be swindled or upsold to unsafe properties. You’d fight for them. I’d like to give you my client list, if you would like it.”
She blinked at me for all about two seconds before she yelled out her answer, startling us both.
“Yes!” she laughed at herself and took a few quick breaths. “I mean, I’d be very grateful and would, of course, treat them like family. I’d absolutely ensure they have me fighting on their behalf. Oh my god. This is…”
“You’re a great agent, I’ve read your reviews. You’ll do well by them. I’ll be reaching out to them all personally today and tomorrow. If you could wait to welcome them or contact until then, I’d appreciate it.”
“Of course, that’ll give me a few days to whip up some extra welcome baskets I use.” She gestured to the side table where three baskets rested. Things like Ryler Real Estate merch and some cozy items to add to their new space. It was an adorable touch.
“Then this is yours now.” I handed over the leather-bound portfolio full of my client’s files. She likely had her own way of doing things but this would get her more than started.
We shared a few notes and pleasantries before I left my contact information and walked out. The moment the afternoon sunshine hit my face I breathed in deep. A weight had lifted from my shoulders.
It had started the moment I made the decision to go home, but now it was official.
Just one last thing to do.
“I’ve been trying not to call you,” Brandon said, his voice sounding almost desperate. “I hate knowing you’re out there struggling and I can’t fix it.”
“I’m coming home, Dad.” I hadn’t meant to blurt it out but I couldn't stop myself if I tried.
He was quiet for so long I almost asked if he was there. His small sniffle filled the silence and I bit back a smile. Warmth spread through me. My parents all loved me, and the bond my dad and I had was strong. I couldn’t wait to see him.
I’d missed the family dinners, the noise, the love, all of it. We were a family that laughed and genuinely wanted to be around each other. We also communicated, so drama was rare.
Though Brandon and I were never afraid of sharing the town gossip any chance we got.
“What’s wrong?” Adam demanded. Out of my dads, he was always the most protective. I should have known he’d have felt Brandon’s tears through their bond.
“Our Little Bird is coming home,” he sniffled before it turned into a full on wail. Adam snatched the phone, his gruff face and full beard filling the screen as he turned our audio call into video. The hope that sparked in those ocean eyes that matched my own.
“Tell me you’re coming back,” he demanded. The pain in his eyes hit me square in the chest. Cameron hadn’t just rejected me and sent me running, he’d caused my family pain and that made me even more angry. Each bit of pain was more ammo I planned to hit him with the moment I walked into their family bar.
Because I’d done the running thing. I’d made a life for myself out here, but that was done now. I was going to reclaim the space I deserved.
“I am,” I promised. “Roman and I are tying up loose ends. Is grandma’s house ready for me?”
“It will be,” he snorted, glancing behind him to show Brandon already using someone else’s phone. “You’ve got the omega on it.”
He gave me a wink, his eyes crinkling around the edges in a way that melted all that gruffness away. This was the man who held me through every fall and bad mood, the man who ran out frantically and bought half the store when my first period hit.
“I can’t wait to see you guys,” I said with a small smile. It was funny that my dads were all the emotion and doting types while my mom wasn’t. We loved each other but she was never the touchy feely type. I had the dads for that. She was no less in my corner, though.
“We are more than ready to have you back here in Rockwood Valley, Ori. Come home, little bird. We’re waiting.”
“Love you, Dad. Tell everyone I love them and I’ll see them soon.”
“Love you too, Little Bird. See you soon.”
As the call ended and I sat back in my car, the anticipation hit me hard. All I wanted to do was pack quickly and get the hell out of the city I never truly felt at home in.
I’d let this distance take over for far too long. I’d needed the space and my parents all respected that. Now, I couldn’t do it any longer.
Roman deserved to know them, too. He knew we were close, but it’s something far different to experience it in person.
Everything in me was excited, but the worry over Cameron was simmering under the surface and refusing to be ignored.
He was the unknown, the one thing I didn’t know how to let go completely. Would this bring closure? I had my doubts, but regardless, I’d made my mind up, and I refused to let his rejection rule my life anymore than I already had.