Pack Me Up (The Omega Star #3)

Brittney

ALPHA TEA GOSSIP COLUMN

THE ALPHA AND OMEGA TOUR IS IN EUROPE

Nine months ago.

The car pulls up a long driveway behind the massive hotel, and I see her right away.

Oli Hart, my hero and my savior.

She’s standing surrounded by her mates, who make up the newly named Hart’s Edge.

I shrink further back into my seat, embarrassed to have them all waiting for me.

I feel like the useless omega my parents think I am.

When I step out of the car, the most impressive omega I know calls out for me. I push myself to get out of the car and watch as all of their eyes zero in on the bruises covering my face. Memories threaten to overwhelm me, but I breathe through them.

With a gentle smile, Oli approaches delicately, as if she’s afraid of scaring me. “Hey there, I’m so glad you made it.”

My eyes flick between Jack Hansley, Dax Grey, Aiden Adams, and Chase Sullivan. Four rockstars I would normally be starstruck to meet, but right now, I can only think about them being alphas. Dangerous alphas.

I focus on them being mated to Oli, who answered my call when I needed her, and try to trust them. My eyes come back to Oli, and I whisper, “Hi.”

My hands twist in the fabric of my skirt as I wait to see what will happen next.

“Come on inside,” Oli gestures behind her, to Riley, who runs forward to hold the door for her. Jack, Dax, Aiden, and Chase go to the trunk of the car, each trying to be helpful and pull out the sole bag I brought with me.

The day I met Oli’s assistant, Riley, she was the one who gave me Oli’s phone number and encouraged me to use it if I ever needed help.

I’m ashamed I only have the one bag, but I didn’t have much time when I ran.

“I don’t know what I’m doing here,” I confess. “I can’t just follow you around on tour for no reason.”

“Listen,” Oli starts, leaning in. “We’re in Europe for another month and a half. The tour is going to be wild, loud, and amazing, and I want you to be part of it.”

My brows knit together. I’m confused, but interested in what she’s offering.

“Join us,” Oli urges. “You can work on the tour with Riley, earn your own money, and be independent. Or, you can travel with us and not work. It’s completely up to you.” She sweeps her arm out. “And we will keep you safe. I’ll put a whole security team on you while you’re here.”

“Security?” I ask.

“Top-notch, all muscle and loyalty. They’ll be your personal knights in shining… well, whatever they wear these days.” Oli winks, and it lightens the moment.

“Really?” I whisper.

“Absolutely,” Oli promises. “Consider it an all-access pass to finding your feet again. On your terms, Brittney. No pressure, just… possibilities.”

I don’t answer.

Oli holds my gaze, steady and sure, before insisting, “You think about it.”

“I will,” I promise.

“You remember Riley, right?” Oli asks, nudging Riley forward with a tilt of her head. “She set you up with a hotel room here with a nest. It’s safe, snug, and just a stone’s throw away from where we’re staying. Isn’t that right?”

Riley’s pixie-cut hair and blue eyes shine as she steps forward with a kind smile.

“Absolutely,” Riley chimes in, her voice a melody of comfort.

“It’s all yours if you want it. No strings attached, no expectations.

Just a place to lay your head and maybe…

I dunno, join us for some late-night ice cream therapy?

” Her grin grows playfully mischievous, and I feel the warmth of her invitation.

“Thank you,” I murmur, the words barely above a whisper but heavy with meaning. A careful, grateful curve tugs at the corner of my lips.

“Anytime,” Oli responds, showing me how kind a person she is.

My body feels so tired, I’m barely holding myself up. “Thank you.”

Oli extends her hand with a reassuring smile. “C’mon, let’s get you settled in. We have another friend, Cate, who is here visiting and wants to meet you, too.”

I slip my hand into hers and murmur, “Thank you.”

For the first time in a long time, I feel a sense of hope.

“Hey, no need for thanks,” she replies with a wink. “We omegas gotta have each other’s backs, right?”

“Right,” I whisper.

I follow them into the hotel, Riley and Oli on either side of me. The alphas stay back, but I feel their presence around me.

“Welcome to the tour life,” Oli says, bumping my shoulder playfully. “It’s chaotic, loud, and absolutely the best kind of madness.”

“Sounds… exciting,” I say, the corner of my mouth lifting in the shadow of a grin.

“Exciting doesn’t even begin to cover it,” Riley chimes in, her blue eyes dancing with mischief. “Just wait until you see Oli on stage. She sets the world on fire.”

“Oh, please,” Oli scoffs. “I just do my thing and hope nobody throws tomatoes.”

They’re being playful and fun together, and I have the urge to try to join in.

“Tomatoes are so last century,” I tease back and worry that my words were stupid, but I relax when both of them laugh.

We reach the hotel room, and Oli and Riley both hug me. Oli hands me a bottle of descenter. “Use this while you’re here, and I’ll make sure all the alphas on the tour do, too.”

I nod and look back at Aiden Adams, who is awkwardly holding my bag behind Oli. He stays where he is, keeping a respectful distance while handing the bag to Oli, who passes it along to me. He steps back slowly and leaves us alone.

I take the bottle before going inside.

Once the door shuts behind me, I turn to look at my new home for the time being. The room is clean and opulent, with a gorgeous nest in the middle. It’s already full of blankets and pillows that I know I’ll love.

I’ve never had a nest before, and the urge to jump straight in and find some comfort overwhelms me.

As soon as I’m wrapped in the blankets, memories overwhelm me.

One second, I’m being dropped off at a strange mansion with one bag and watching my family drive away. Next, I’m being smacked around for disobedience by the pack I was sold to. When I ran, I knew I couldn’t go back to my family.

Instead, I put my trust in an omega I only met once.

And I can already tell it was the right decision.