15. Knot Yours, But Ours
Knot Yours, But Ours
~NATHANIEL~
“ O urs.”
This can’t be fucking happening.
“Ours.”
Nope. This isn’t fucking happening.
“No! No, no, no, no!” I don’t know if I said five nos or twenty of them, but I turn to the two males behind me, pointing my fingers at them, as if they can reverse whatever the fuck happened just now. “She is NOT ours. She’s a fucking STRANGER!”
“Not to me.”
I internally scream because I can’t do that right now with the arrival of my stubborn, to-the-point best friend and talent manager, Icarus Morrigan.
One hesitant look past the duo proves the man in question is resting against the doorframe separating this hall from the main space of the bus, where we lounge and discuss important shit before the entrance and upstairs bunkers.
Just seeing him standing there in a tight white shirt holding a cup of coffee nags at my gears because he looks far too relaxed.
Meaning he has no plans of working today to solve the issue regarding my tour.
“Who the fuck is she to you?!”
“Rae,” he announces, as if he’s known her for fucking years.
This douche hates being around women. Why the hell would he put up with her?
“And before you get your balls in a knot, I need to do something.”
He pushes off the doorframe, giving Kai and Kenji a head bob greeting before he waltzes past me after I have no choice but to step aside.
Who wants to be crushed by this massive fucker?
Heading straight for the bedroom door, I try to warn him that the bitch is in there, but he opens the door with ease, leaning in until he finds the culprit of his attention.
I lean forward by default, trying to get a glimpse of my room and hoping it’s not in shambles. No groupies get access to my room. Fuck, not even the paid escorts get to be in my sacred space.It’s not like I haven’t had a few slip-ups, but that was when I was utterly wasted, and they got an earful the moment I woke up to find them trying to enjoy my king-size bed.
Which was a bitch to get into a tour bus. Took four months of reservations.
I get a glimpse of her sitting on my bed, legs crossed, the iPad lying on her lap. It’s a good thing it is because fuck. The scent of her slick is so fucking strong. Everything about her is strong as fuck. Her sweet aroma reminds me of a cupcake factory that only makes the best fucking cupcakes in an array of vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, and almonds.
I wanted to drool when I first caught the scent, but it upset me just as fast because that sweaty aroma of sex was just as thick in the air, which meant whoever this sweet, enriched Omega was, she’d been appeased by someone other than me.
Of course, it had to be the one Alpha I couldn’t possibly beat in the dominance category.
He knows it, too, which is why he easily portrays his power in instances like these.
The bitch seems to be working. The blinged headphones that were resting around her neck when she was defiantly arguing with me are back on her head, playing some sort of melody while she’s laying out multiple sheets of music on the bed in a semi-circle.
She’s so into it, I doubt she notices Icarus’ presence.
What surprises me is how Icarus casually walks in, sets the tray of food on the bedside close to her where there are no sheets of paper, and reaches over to place the cup of coffee in her line of vision.
She initially doesn’t notice. It takes a full minute before her eyes lift and show just how focused she is. Blue eyes are stunning on her. They look almost smokey grey right now with how the lights are lowered in the room, but they outshine in their own element of beauty.
Just like the rest of her body.
I was being a douche insulting her. She’s very different from any Omega I’ve witnessed. She’s slim but curved, which gives me a strong chance to believe she works out to maintain her figure.It’s not simply thanks to genetics. Her legs are toned, something I observed, seeing as she was just wearing a t-shirt—and still is—while her biceps show a bit of muscle unflexed.
I insulted her odd hair combination, but the shades complement her flawless skin. She gives punk star girlfriend vibes, which would have fit nicely with the aesthetic she’s going with because it matches our band and the tour aesthetic rather perfectly. Despite the unintentional matching schemes, I can’t possibly let myself be seen with her.
Or any of my pack, for that matter, because we don’t want an Omega.
We’ve gone a few years without one. Why can’t we just keep doing our shit and focusing on our careers? I don’t have time to have an Omega. To fuck and start breeding and having a bunch of fucking babies.
It’s not like it’s not something I wish to experience.
The timing, however, is not now.
I thought my fellow pack mates would acknowledge and agree with that vision as they did years ago when we decided to pursue what makes us happy and pays our bills.
From the looks on my fellow pack mates’ faces, those envisioned goals are nothing but background noise with this Omega in view.
“Oh. Thank you!” Just hearing the surprised relief in her voice makes goosebumps crawl up my skin. It also sparks a hint of jealousy—an emotion that’s fucking foreign—because why the hell would I be jealous of not getting her attention? I don’t want to bring coffee to a slut stranger.
I don’t, but my Alpha instincts are drilling my fucking head with pounding fury.
“The food is still hot. I asked them to put it in a special aluminum container, just in case you need more time with your meeting,” Icarus reveals.
“You’re a saint,” she praises. “It won’t be long. Um… did you want me to brew you some coffee or anything? You didn’t just go out to get this food just for me, right?”
“You don’t need to do anything but eat and focus on work,” Icarus encourages. Even the way he talks to her is so fucking different. Like he’s talking to Velvet or something. Heck, he talks even nicer to this Omega than his own mother! “Yes, I did get this just for you,” he makes that very clear. “But if it makes you worry less, I had a hunch my pack would assemble due to the recent news, so I’m getting some food delivered. It should be here any minute.”
She sighs in relief, which is weird. Why would she be relieved we have food? In fact, why would she want to do anything for Icarus? He’s a nobody, just like the rest of us to her.
She’s like any other Omega. All they do is use and abuse people.
“That does give me relief. I don’t want them to be hungry. If there’s anything I can help with, tell me. This meeting won’t be long.”
“It can take as long as it needs to,” Icarus assures her. “We’re out here if you need anything. When you’re done, I can bring you back home until we figure out what the arrangements are going to be like.”
Arrangements?
I want to interrupt so badly, but I see the signal that Icarus gives with his hand behind his back.
The middle finger my way.
I have to bite my bottom lip to stop myself from saying shit. If this was any other instance, I’d interrupt whatever this is between these two, but out of all of us, Icarus has answers to the questions I’m listing out in my head.
And with these new law changes, I don’t have time to diddle daddle.
“I-I could always just get an Uber?” she offers and sounds hesitant. “I mean, I don’t want to be burdensome.”
“You’re not burdensome,” Icarus affirms. “And I’m not letting you take an Uber anywhere. Not after last night.”
What happened last night? Wait. Does this have to do with whomever he was fighting with on the phone?
“You may not like to rely on others, but try to rely on me for a bit, okay?”
Rely on him? That’s not even his job.
“Okay.” I can see the glint of a genuine smile form on her dark lips. Whatever glossy shade combination she uses makes them look so plump and sexy.
Kissable even…
I push the thought of my mind far too quickly before I mentally curse at the mere idea of this woman being considered attractive.
She’s not to my taste. You like sexy bitches with big tits, who get the job done.
Then they’re out of my life, never to be seen again.
My pack is going to find out that she’s no different from any other Omega of this new generation.
Icarus nods his head and slowly closes the door.Turning his attention our way, he points past us, directing us to move away from the bedroom.
As if not to disturb her? Why the hell are we entertaining a stranger?
There’s so much that needs to be said, yet I’m desperately trying to keep my cool.
Or whatever is left of my temperament after that confrontation.
I hate the brewing fact that I’ve lost in some way.
This Omega should have hit the high tides and been on the streets instead of being in my sacred oasis, apparently working, after being temporarily clothed with my talent manager’s shirt and fed breakfast before the rest of us.
She has to be an experienced seductress or is blackmailing Icarus.
Could be both at this point because no way would Icarus voluntarily be down with any of this.
I need to find out here and now.
The moment we enter the front part of the bus, Icarus slides the divider he suggested we instill because of its “noise cancellation” capabilities. To everyone else, it’s assumed because I create music on the go, it can tone down the noise significantly to not disturb everyone else in the group or team.
Truthfully, it’s because I fuck too many bitches, and Icarus got it installed so he can work and not risk our potential competition hearing me make girls cum for hours on end.
Probably not hours, but there’s nothing wrong with stroking your own ego.
“What the fuck, Icarus?!” I snap the moment his eyes land on me. “Who the fuck is that? Why the fuck is she still here, and WHEN the fuck is she leaving our lives?!”
Poor guy can’t even get a break with all my questions, but I needed answers minutes ago, and as of now, no one seems to give a shit about the priorities here.
“She isn’t going anywhere,” Icarus announces.
I hear the distaste in his tone because I know that voice better than anyone. I’ve heard it enough times when he’s telling a client that they either take the high road or what is being offered to them.
Either return to your life where you were practically homeless, fighting to get someone to give you a chance, or take the offer that can leave you with some form of legacy in this cruel industry.
When I don’t immediately reply back, Icarus looks at Kai and Kenji.
“Morning,” he greets them. “My bad. I didn’t message either of you when I left last night. Got into a sticky situation.”
“Sticky, huh,” Kenji says with a smirk as he outstretches his arms to cross them behind his head. “Don’t blame you cause, damn. Sweet Hummingbird is a stunning work of art, isn’t she?”
“You giving anyone a nickname is a bad sign,” Icarus complains and looks at Kai, watching him shrug slightly.
“It’s too late now,” Kai mumbles. “I said my real name by accident.”
“Which is a fucking first!” Kenji gasps as if he just remembered what happened. He punches Kai in the arm, though I know it’s more playful than violent. “You never slip up like that. Even when we were kids. What’s the deal? Did you do that on purpose?”
Kai frowns but slowly shakes his head.“It just slipped out naturally. Didn’t realize until it was far too late. Played it off so she wouldn’t perceive me as weird.”
“Yeah, but she didn’t judge you one bit. Did you see the way she looked at you with admiration? It was hot. Like she was damn proud you’re from the Yakuza and carrying on the family legacy. Shouldn’t she be frightened and shit?”
“She can fight. Why would she be afraid?” Icarus notes, drawing our attention with something none of us know about.
“What you mean she can fight?” Kenji inquires in curiosity.
“She’s into kickboxing. Looks like she could be professional, but then again, I doubt there’s much opportunity for Omegas,” Icarus confesses. “I met her at Knox’s Gym. That’s where we first interacted.”
“When was this?” Kai asks with a slight eyebrow raise. “You would have told us this if you thought she could be a potential Omega for our pack.”
“It didn’t cross my mind,” Icarus admits. I can tell he’s being truthful because he’s not backing down from any of our stares. “Figured watching her movements would be the best bet at first.”
“Meaning you already have her location locked and eyes on her house, 24/7, don’t you?” Kai concludes. He’s not even questioning it. He knows it’s been done. “So, you were going to tell us after the Meet and Greet.”
“Figured it would be the best time, too, if we didn’t find an Omega at this meet. We didn’t,” he summarizes but looks over to Kenji. “But why do you have a nickname for her when you just met her?”
“We didn’t just meet her,” Kenji reveals and points to Kai and then himself. “She was at the Meet and Greet. I passed by her table, and we exchanged a bit of words. The other pack was giving the impression they were gonna swoop her off her feet despite them losing their ranks or some crazy shit due to bankruptcy. It was a whole scene, but yeah. She left afterward, so I assumed we’d never see her again. Kai was doing his whole ‘observing the room’ duties, but I’m sure he saw her, right Kai?”
“Mhm,” Kai responds.
Honestly, he’s talked more today than I’ve heard in months.He always speaks when Kenji asks and, on occasion with Icarus, but conversations with me are only out of spite or frustration.
He simply hates my guts, but we’ve known each other for so long, I have no choice but to continue to be his friend, especially with how entwined we are with Icarus and Kenji in the crew. Maybe it’s not a friendship right now due to our behavior toward one another, but life has been too chaotic for me to focus on fixing whatever this is.
“Why did you bring her to the tour bus, Icarus?” Kenji asks and smirks. “Aside from fucking.”
So, they did fuck…
“It wasn’t my intention,” Icarus admits as he pulls out a pack of cigarettes. He’s about to pull one out when there’s a knock on the tour bus door. “Hold on. That’s breakfast.”
We let him go to accept the food, which is surprisingly from security—meaning Icarus called the night security to keep the bus protected for the entire night.
He only does that when there’s a risk of us getting hurt in a certain location.
To go all the way to having security on standby for this Omega is making me realize how bad this is. How much harder it’s going to be to get rid of her.
It’s as if she has them wrapped under some pussy spell or some shit.
It makes me grit my teeth just thinking about it.
When Icarus returns with a tray of coffees and bags of food, Kenji and Kai move in to get everything sorted, leaving me just… standing there.
There’s something about this morning that makes me feel out of place.
Or maybe it’s always been like this, and I simply never noticed.
Icarus is the one to come over and give me some coffee and my breakfast.
“Sunnyside, salt and pepper, brown toast, orange marmalade jam, three sausages well done,” he elaborates. “And black coffee, seeing as you’re not hungover enough to care if it’s sweet or not.”
I groan but accept it.
“I wonder whose fault that is,” I huff, feeling the need to validate why my morning is shit. A good morning is me waking up to a banging headache because I had the craziest night of fucking, smoking, drinking, and doing every sinful thing on the tour bus. Sometimes, we do sex hotels, but I try to avoid them because they can become a bit messy if you don’t avoid paparazzi in time.
“Not mine,” Icarus huffs. Slipping his pack of cigarettes into his pocket, he opts for his coffee, which I’m sure is either super sweet or has far too much cream. For someone so focused on his damn physique, the guy has a dangerous sweet tooth.
Then again, who am I to judge? I’m the one with the smoking, drinking, drug everything addictions.
“Last time I checked, I was fighting douchebags in an alleyway and telling you to make sure any Omega you slept with sign an NDA,” Icarus elaborates and pauses to take his first sip of his coffee. “Let me guess. You forgot, didn’t you?”
The plagued horror that suddenly takes over me as I try to remember who signed what has him sighing and shaking his head.
“Honestly, I don’t care anymore. You fuck up your career, and I’ll walk out like I do everyone else.”
“Hey!” I press. “I’m one of your most successful clients! You wouldn’t just dash me to the side like that!”
“Why? ‘Cause we’re childhood friends?” Icarus tosses back at me. “If you think that’s what’s stopping me from pulling the plug on your stupidity, then you’re a lot more stupid than I give you credit for.”
“Icarus,” Kenji whines his name with half a piece of bacon in his mouth. “Have mercy on him. He’s sober for once. He can comprehend your commentary a lot faster than usual.”
“He’s forming actual sentences at a faster pace than a kindergartener, so Kenji is right,” Kai comments. “Be easy on him.”
“Fuck the both of you,” I snap at them. “My entire livelihood is on the line right now, and none of you give a shit! That should be the topic at hand!”
“Our livelihood,” Kenji corrects and looks over to Icarus. “So what? You got jumped or something?”
“You guys said there was a pack that went bankrupt or something?” Icarus asks.
“Yeah. Trying to hit on Astraea. She didn’t seem interested, and they got mad,” Kai elaborates. “Did a search on them real quick, but they seemed harmless and broke.”
“Broke enough to get kicked out of the Meet and Greet. Was embarrassing to watch firsthand. I wouldn’t live down the shame, and it was happening with over twenty various packs overhearing. Not to mention all those Omegas. The gossip will be trending today for sure, though with this new law thing, I’m sure it’ll be overwritten pretty quickly.”
“They tried to jump Rae in the alleyway,” Icarus reveals.
“What?” Kenji and Kai pause whatever they’re about to eat and drink to stare at Icarus in dismay.
“Handled it,” Icarus assures them. Which means he did more than just beat the shit out of them. “The only thing is the main dude tossed Rae against the wall pretty hard. That and the drop of adrenaline after I took care of things made her pass out. I couldn’t leave her in the alleyway, especially with how it was pouring. The tour bus was the closest and safest spot I could bring her, knowing I had control over the environment. Going to a hotel may have been suspicious or dangerous when the news broke out about the new laws against Alphas.”
“Good call,” Kai praises.
“You made sure she’s okay, though, right? Nothing broken?”
They shouldn’t give a shit about that!
“She’s good. I checked to make sure, and she woke up after a few hours of rest,” Icarus reveals. “That’s how she landed here.”
“And I’m guessing you two just fucked for the hell of it?” I grumble. “This has nothing to do with my tour!”
“Has everything to do with it,” Icarus retorts but shrugs. “Yes. We fucked. A few times. Our Omega has a lot more stamina than those girls you enjoy bringing to hotels, yet can’t get them to sign NDAs.”
I groan and pinch my nose with my free hand.
“I fucking forgot, okay?! I’ll be more careful from now on. It doesn’t even fucking matter. My tour is at risk, and all any of you have talked about is this damn Omega you all just met for two fucking seconds,” I growl. “Can we focus on ME now? The dilemma at hand? We have twenty-four hours!”
“Focusing on you is boring,” Kai mumbles and sips his coffee far too loudly. “I like talking about Astraea a lot more.”
“Fuck you, Kai,” I snap.
“Actually, what does Hummingbird have to do with all of this, anyway?” Kenji genuinely asks. “From her earlier statement, she made it seem as if she’s sticking around due to some agreement?”
“Yup,” Icarus agrees. “She’s going to be our Omega for the next three to six months.”
“WHAT?!” I snap and rush to stand up. It’s a good thing I just set my coffee down, or it would be all over the bus floor.
Kai looks intrigued while Kenji’s smile is growing so wide, I bet his cheeks are going to hurt if they stay so inflated.
“Seriously?!” Kenji cheers in glee. “Shut the fuck up. Really? Wait. Is that even allowed? This can’t be real. Maybe I hallucinated it.” He looks to Kai. “Did you hear what I heard, Kai?”
“Loud and clear, Kenji,” Kai reassures him. “The princess of this tour bus is going to be our temporary Omega.”
“Princess, huh? Let me guess. She’s giving queen vibes, isn’t she? Especially when she was in that sexy red dress yesterday.”
“That and her ease in tolerating Nate’s constant tantrums,” Kai confesses with obvious praise. “It’s hot seeing her all authoritative. Extremely rare in an Omega, if you ask me.”
“Ohhh. Why does this make me excited and jealous at the same time,” Kenji ponders in dismay. He’s obviously exaggerating his words, yet I’m not sure if he’s trying to be sarcastic. “If you like her, that means we may stand a chance in keeping her. That’s dangerous.”
“I didn’t say I like her,” Kai complains.
“You called her hot. You don’t even call sexy models from fashion shows hot. To be honest, the last time you called anything hot sexually was my ass, so this is a big deal.”
“I don’t think we need to know what you two do in the bedroom, thanks,” Icarus complains.
“Why? Don’t want to join in?” Kenji offers with a taunting smirk that makes Icarus’s viability cringe.
“Not into it. You two can go wild,” Icarus dismisses them. “Rae would love that.”
“No, she wouldn’t,” Kenji says as if he’s ready to risk it all now. “Would she?”
“After last night, I have a strong hunch she’s into a lot of stuff that others would squirm away from,” Icarus admits. He doesn’t even realize he’s biting his bottom lip before licking it. “She has a dom complex. I don’t even want to imagine what she’d be like during her Heat. She’d have stamina for days.”
“Now, don’t excite us at breakfast like this, Icarus,” Kenji groans. “We can’t waltz in there and enjoy her yet. Don’t set me up in a morning rut. I get horny enough as it is.”
“Go drum it out,” Icarus dismisses him. “Kai? Wanna come with me later once I drop Rae off? I’m thinking we do a quick survey of the area.”
“Wanna make sure she’s safe with everything going on?” Kai summarizes and is already bobbing his head. “Sure.”
“You guys can’t be fucking serious right now.”
All eyes are on me—finally — and I have to take advantage of it, or else the conversation is once again going to move back to this new toy that has my fellow Alphas foaming at the mouth for no fucking reason.
“The tour is in jeopardy because of these new rules and regulations the government wants to instill in ALL OF US. Not just me. YOU THREE are all affected by these laws! I know if the tour goes to shit, all of you are financially secure, but I’m not!” I stress, just in case they’ve forgotten I’m not the richest on the block.
Yeah, my parents were well off if you looked at the neighborhood we grew up in, but all that changed when I turned sixteen and decided school wasn’t going to be my main focus in life. I wanted to be the next trending star. Be those Alphas trending on TikTok as they sing their lungs out and get millions of views.
Why would I waste that time boxed in a classroom, learning about formulas I’d never use to calculate all the million-dollar bills flowing into my bank account? Due to my ambitions and ‘act now, think later’ mentality, my parents put a limit on how much they can aid me when it comes to this ‘viral dream.’
Then came the incident, and well…
They decided that show biz was better to be left untouched.
I couldn’t take no for an answer, so I decided I’d rather not be financially supported by them and do everything on my own, and now look. My band is about to tour America, yet it’s threatened to be canceled because of some rich fucking Omegas coming out of the shadows, trying to rain on our parades.
So we can get a taste of how they feel? Fucking rubbish.
“I don’t have a parachute to save me from falling out of this! I need the success of this tour to prevail, which is why it can’t be canceled! Why aren’t any of you paying attention to this dire situation?!” I shout at my friends, glaring at the three of them.
Kai doesn’t look interested.
Kenji at least tries to look a bit sympathetic.
Neither of them responds, though, waiting for Icarus to say his piece and intervene because he seems to be the only one unaffected by me yelling up a storm.
“I made a deal with Astraea to be our temporary Omega for three to six months. Three months should be the minimum amount needed to prove that we have an Omega and aren’t fabricating shit to benefit us with these new rule changes. Six months is a stretch, but just to be on the safe side,” Icarus reveals. “Because I helped her out yesterday, and we had good chemistry, she decided to help our pack. She works in the music industry, doing side hustles to keep her flow of income going, and has made it clear she doesn’t want to rely on us financially. She’s doing us a favor.”
“There has to be something in return,” I declare immediately without really absorbing everything else. Everything in this world comes with a price. “She’s not going to do this charity work for free.”
“It’s not charity work,” Icarus corrects me. “And like I said. I offered her protection from the pack last night. She could have gotten hurt, kidnapped, raped, or even killed.”
The idea doesn’t sit well with the others because they’re growling at the mere mention.
I frown at their reactions, trying my best to ignore the need to join in on the growling declaration, as if I’m also protecting this woman I know nothing about.
“If she’s going to be helping us, the least we can do is to continue to ensure her safety, especially if that pack decides to find her and get payback for the humiliation and beating they got from yours truly,” Icarus summarizes. “Which I have every intention of fulfilling. We’ve already signed an initial agreement and sent it to the officials, so they won’t cancel the tour. She did that out of a special request from me to save YOUR tour.”
He holds his finger out when I try to argue.
“Listen and absorb my words before you combat me. It’s fucking annoying that you like to bicker about shit I’ve already addressed.”
That forces me to shut up and take a second to reel in what he just revealed.
“Wait,” Kenji raises his hand as if we’re back in the classroom. “She volunteered to be our Omega, even if it’s just temporary, so that our tour wouldn’t be canceled?”
“Yes,” Icarus answers calmly. If I wasn’t so pissed, it would sound rather commiserating to me. “She’s aware you’re the drummer of the group. I’m sure that played a factor in the decision-making. She doesn’t know anything about Kai, but you guys did say he introduced himself to her with his true identity, and she didn’t freak the fuck out. That should be a sign she isn’t just here to fuck shit over. She would have done so with all the information she could have gathered already.”
“We don’t know that we’re out of the woods yet,” I rush to state.
“So, until then, be fucking grateful your tour isn’t canceled,” Icarus huffs my way. “Or should I make a phone call and say Astraea changed her mind?”
“No,” I say immediately.
“Then eat your breakfast, go clean up, and head to the studio to get some shit recorded instead of wasting your time and raising your blood pressure, all because we have an Omega helping things run in our favor.”
“She’s in my room!” I whine and point back to the sliding door that’s blocking the path. “And it stinks there. I can’t wash up.”
“Then go smelly for all I care.” Icarus isn’t having it today. “I have to make some phone calls. You don’t want to be on that side. Go use the other washroom or go back to your family place and shower. I don’t give a fuck.”
Icarus rises and picks up his coffee.
“Kai, I’ll message you when I’m going to leave.” He then looks to Kenji. “Do you mind doing a session at the cafe house tonight? They called me on the way back here saying their drummer called in sick.”
“Easy,” Kenji assures him. “Got it covered. Just save me some time with Hummingbird once arrangements are settled.”
“Cool,” Icarus announces and looks my way. “NDAs from this point onward. Also, get your hair cut soon. The tour is getting close, and I need you to look decent and not like some stalker hiding in an alleyway.”
“Wh-What?” I’m baffled by his insults. “I look good.”
“You look disgusting,” Kenji admits. “When was the last time you cut your hair? Even us psychotic drummers can do a bit of styling and self-care every three months.”
“I just came from an orgy, and you guys are talking shit.”
“That’s exactly why they are,” Kai grumbles. “You care more about looking like a sex slave than a rising singer of a trending band.”
I can’t argue with him because his phone begins to ring. From the sound of it, it seems important, especially because Kai’s phone doesn’t ring often.
“Got to take this.”
“Want me to come keep you company?” Kenji offers.
“Sure.”
He doesn’t need any company. He just doesn’t want to be stuck with me.
“Score! See you guys later.”
They’re out in a heartbeat, leaving me to watch Icarus as he walks to the mini fridge and retrieves two ice cream bars.
“I don’t want ice cream,” I huff.
“It’s not for you,” he declares as he closes the fridge and rises to his full figure. “Go get cleaned up. I’m not going to ask you a third time.”
“You actually like her.” I say the words I’ve been trying to avoid as I lock eyes with him. “That Omega. You. Like. Her.”
All he does is shrug as he turns away.
“Yeah.”
I don’t expect him to answer me, yet hearing him say it with so much confidence makes me feel… odd. Angry? Jealous? Hurt?
Or maybe I’m frightened of suddenly being replaced.
Since this is what it feels like.
I’ve always been the center of attention in our pack, and suddenly… I’m not.
Yet, she is…
What frightens me the most and what I’m desperately trying to ignore is how I feel she deserves to be acknowledged. I can secretly accept and agree that this particular Omega is probably the best in every category of what you’d want in an Omega, yet I don’t want to accept an Omega like this exists.
That may be because I’ve been so focused on my career to stardom, I slacked in finding this woman for my pack.
I’m unsure of her age, but then again, maybe age isn’t even a factor.
My life was chaotic back then. There’s no way I could have discovered this Omega years earlier.
Right?
“And there’s nothing you can do about it,” Icarus continues. “So either adapt,”—he pauses to look back at me, and there’s that look of scrutiny directed straight into my soul—“or get ready to fall.”
He leaves me with that.
With an ultimatum I can’t walk away from.