Chapter 19
Atlas
“She hasn’t had it easy,” Alpha Journey Morganton told me over the phone.
I knew that and I wished I didn’t.
It’d be easier to imagine Opal as a princess. Untouched and set apart from the cruelty of the world as she sat in her ivory tower, waiting for the day I found her.
But I’d seen it in her eyes. The weight of a survivor. It was a look I’d dealt with often in my life. I’d phoned her Alpha today as part of my research, half-planning to challenge the old wolf.
He turned out to be a decent Alpha, though.
“I can see that.” I stood on the back patio, just past the pool, staring into the woods beyond. “My plan is to make her life as easy as possible from now on.”
“Are you asking my permission?” The old wolf chuckled a little. “From an Alpha, that’s a first.”
“That wasn’t my intention, but I am now,” I said.
“I heard about you and the Volk Pack. Seems whispers travel all the way out here,” Journey said.
I cringed, turning to look over my shoulder, but the camera crews weren’t listening into this call.
There’d be something exciting to film later.
“All rumors,” I said.
“Rumors,” Journey echoed. “We’ll leave it at that. And yeah, you have my permission. Treat that girl right or I’ll castrate you.”
Ouch.
I chuckled. “Will do.”
I hung up the phone, already planning the details for the rest of the day. Journey hadn’t given me much information and I’d been hard-pressed to find more online about Omegas, but I had an idea of what I was going to do.
It involved peeling back her layers one by one and getting to know my mate. Then I’d convince her to leave this show with me before her heat took over and bring her home where she belonged.
And if everything went perfectly—despite the truce we’d made—Opal would forget Dorian Bailey ever existed.
*
I wasn’t the only schmuck standing in the parking lot waiting to go on a date with their future Luna, but given how many cameras were pointed at me, you’d think I was the main event.
Opal should be their star.
That made sense.
Omegas were rare enough in our world that they were treated like royalty, which was why I didn’t quite understand how Opal’s situation was so different. I did plan to find out tonight. But all these cameras would make it difficult.
I was never big on cameras or interviews.
Too much attention wasn’t good for our pack. Those who needed to know my name also needed to make sure others didn’t. It was a risk in coming here, but I’d taken it because it seemed the only way to derail the train-wreck that was Dorian Bailey from taking territory right next to mine.
I caught Ken’s eye from where he was directing sound crews and he gave a thumbs up.
We’d had an agreement coming to this show. They wouldn’t ask prying questions or reveal any other details about my pack in exchange for my participation.
This isn’t natural, my wolf grumbled.
If we’d never come, would we ever have met our fated mate?
It still blew my mind that she was it for me. That fate had blessed me with someone as rare and beautiful as her. I had to do my best to prove my worth.
And get her out of here as soon as possible.
Agreed.
There was a tug in my chest as the front doors to the resort opened. Whatever shot the cameras got of my face, I knew it’d be a good one, showing just how awestruck I was when Opal walked outside.
Her long hair was pulled back into a curled ponytail, making her cheek bones and jaw more prominent, and exposing the delicate, unmarked skin of her neck.
My fangs itched at the sight of it.
Those big, beautiful eyes smiled brighter than her lips when she caught sight of me and my heart leapt from my chest. Her outfit was simple, jeans and a loose top, but she would’ve looked gorgeous in a brown paper bag.
Or full fur.
That too.
I couldn’t wait to meet her wolf. To run with her through my territory under the open sky and have her meet the rest of my pack. We’d go north to the mountains and cut back west to…
Damn it.
The dark cloud of Dorian hung over everything.
I shook it off and hurried forward, clasping her soft hand in mine as I helped her down the short stairs.
That simple touch had my beast pacing, pride lacing his every step.
I didn’t care how foolish I looked for the cameras.
I’d take any excuse to touch her. Because when I did, all was right in the world.
She glanced behind her and I frowned, wondering what she was looking for.
I didn’t have to wonder long.
“Are you and Dorian still fighting?” she asked.
Things were not going well if she was already speaking about him.
“We have a truce,” I muttered.
“Good.” Opal rested her head against my arm as she kept her hand tucked into mine. “Where are we going on our first date?”
My wolf howled in triumph.
I was the luckiest Alpha in the whole world.
“I cooked.” I raised the basket on my other arm to show what I meant, realizing about a second too late that I didn’t actually answer her question.
“For me?” Her nostrils flared as she sniffed. “Did you make cookies?”
I nodded, swallowing to try and make words again. “Cookies for dessert.”
Opal pouted. “Why does everyone insist on sweets after savory? It’s best to mix them in.”
Goddess, I adored her.
And for her, I could sound like I wasn’t a bumbling idiot. I took a deep breath. “Opal Morganton, would you do me the honor of going on a picnic date with me?”
She said yes.
Actually, she’d squealed with delight and clung to my arm as I led her through the woods to a special spot I’d found on my run the other day.
She ate her cold steak sandwich without complaint, moaning a bit between bites.
This woman could eat.
As she should.
I adjusted myself more times than I cared to admit as I watched her chew and swallow, rethinking the picnic blanket I’d packed and the open valley that gave us a clear view of the sky.
It left us too exposed. The camera crew had perfect angles to record our every move.
“You keep feeding me like this and I won’t have room for dessert,” Opal laughed as she finished her sandwich.
I just smiled.
Her cheeks flushed a pretty shade of pink. “Okay, I lied. There’s always room for dessert.”
“I…” My voice trailed off as she snuggled up next to me on the blanket.
“You don’t talk a lot, do you?”
You better start talking.
“Not really,” I admitted.
“That’s okay.” Opal pulled my arm over her shoulder. “I like the quiet.”
I did too, but that wasn’t why we were here. Although this was nice. Her scent was in the air, mixing with mine, and the silence didn’t have to be filled. I could imagine sitting on the porch next to her. Watching the sunset. Enjoying a simple life.
We’d never get there if we didn’t talk.
Opal let out a soft laugh. “You might not speak much, but I can hear your brain going a mile a minute.”
“It’s just…” My gaze darted to the cameras and microphones picking up our every word. “I want to know all about you, but I want to give you privacy too.”
Opal looked where I was looking.
“You’re sweet.” Her body pressed closer to mine and I tried real hard to focus on her words as her breasts rubbed against my chest and her lips brushed my ear. “I’ll give you a safe word.”
The camera team nudged each other to move closer.
“Lollipop,” she whispered. “If I don’t want to answer something on camera, I’ll say that.”
Lollipop. I nodded, throat dry.
Opal sighed as she relaxed again beside me.
I could barely think with the blood pounding in all the wrong places, but I made myself focus.
“I spoke to your Alpha this morning,” I said, watching to see what her reaction would be. “He seems like a decent guy.”
“He is.”
I figured as much, but having her confirm it helped my beast relax.
“Why did you talk to him?” she asked.
“I wanted his permission to take you on a proper date,” I said.
Opal’s giggle was music to my ears. “I bet Journey loved that. He’s always been more of a father figure to me instead of just an Alpha.”
I frowned. There had to be more to the story. Alphas shouldn’t pick favorites. It messed with structure and ranking.
“And your pack was okay with that?” I asked, fully expecting to hear her say, “Lollipop.”
“Not really.” She shrugged. “But I’m sure they understood why. My mom had some issues, but she and Journey were… close. He stepped up to help like any Alpha would.”
Overstepped is more like it.
I’m sure he did what he thought was best.
I would’ve told her my thoughts on the matter, but the cameras were recording everything, and there was a darkening to her bright eyes that I didn’t want to make worse.
I cleared my throat softly. “Your mom. Was she an Omega too?”
“She was.” Opal’s voice grew quiet as she fiddled with the blanket.
I didn’t want to push her to say the safe word. I wanted her to trust that she was safe with me. To know that I’d always protect her, from everything.
I thought of a way to bring this back to neutral territory. “What’s it like being an Omega?”
The look on her face made me physically ill as she smiled sweetly for the cameras. “It’s an honor to be blessed by the Goddess with the abilities I have.”
“Abilities?” I pressed, wondering where the real conversation we were just having went.
“I’m biologically designed to create peace and harmony wherever I go.” Her voice was sing-song. Mechanical. Rehearsed.
Wrong. My wolf growled.
Maybe she didn’t like being an Omega. It must’ve been hard to always be the peacekeeper as she said…
I thought of mine and Dorian’s situation.
Fate wouldn’t be that cruel, would it?
No. Fate gave us her. That’s no mistake.
I did know what it meant to be biologically designed for a role. As an Alpha, my job was to protect my pack at all costs. Against anything—like the Bailey Pack or any others—that would harm them.
And my new job was to protect Opal too.
My mate.
“Being an Omega sounds like an honor, but what else do you want to do with your life?” I brushed her hand with mine. A touch so gentle that I hoped the cameras didn’t see. Something special. Just for us.
“What I want…” She chewed her bottom lip.
I reached up and tugged it free with my thumb. “Yes, princess. You’re allowed to have wants.”
“Princess, huh?” She smirked.
“My princess,” I said. “And what does my princess want?”
Tears filled her big blue eyes as her fingers tightened on mine. “I want you to kiss me again.”