Chapter 1
Ariana
There are days I wonder if there’s any difference between me and a well trained dog.
It’s a ridiculous notion, of course. I’m not a dog. I’m a woman, a fully human one, thank you very much. An incredibly fortunate one at that, believe it or not.
Just one with a tendency for pessimistic thoughts, I suppose. That’s what too much free time will do to you, as my mother would say. It’s that very free time that’s led me to my canine belief.
I love my pack. They’re my scent matches, my soulmates. And they love me back. I just wonder if love is meant to feel so much like obedience.
Sit, Ariana. They pull me onto their laps as they wish, have me smiling on their arms when they need a plus one. I function as half companion, half decoration.
Stay, Ariana. I exist in the spaces they choose for me. They tell me where and where not to go, and I listen.
Come here, Ariana. They call, and the bond tugs in my chest, pulling me towards them.
I play my part with the practiced precision of a prize pet repeating a trick. When they’re not around, I sit waiting for the elevator to chime and announce their arrival.
When that time of day finally comes though, my whole body responds.
The way I perk up makes me feel pathetically like a dog wagging its tail sometimes.
But that’s what scent matches do, make you feel complete.
Like I’ve been holding my breath, and I can only exhale in their presence.
It washes away my feelings, makes me regret my negative outlook.
As far as omegas go, I’m blessed, I remind myself. I can’t let the occasional negative thought get to me. Especially not today. It’s the one day of the week I’m guaranteed to have my pack all to myself, Sunday.
“Morning, babe,” Liam murmurs against my neck, brushing his lips against the mating mark on the side of it.
“Morning,” I whisper back, snuggling into him. It’s been almost a decade since I met them, and waking up in their arms still fills me with the same surge of affection now as it did then.
I don’t get this often. Their app, Viewer, has really taken off. I’m proud of them, truly, but their fixation on capitalizing on its success has left me waking up alone more often than not. They only take one day off a week now. I see them everyday for dinner, but I still miss them.
Liam kisses my shoulder, sliding out of bed. I nuzzle into my pillow, enjoying the view of his wide back. As the years have passed, Liam’s only become more focused on his appearance than before. I can’t complain, considering I’m the omega that gets to reap the benefits.
Cole emerges out of the shower, brown hair damp and clinging to his forehead. “Good morning, Ari,” he leans forward on the bed, planting a kiss on my forehead. My eyes flutter shut, and I let myself bask in the moment.
Rain softly drums against the floor to ceiling windows of my bedroom, lulling me back to sleep. I have two of my alphas with me and my bed is almost too comfortable to get out of. It’s moments like these that make me forget the loneliness I feel when they’re gone.
A hand grabs my foot, tugging me out of the sheets and breaking my state of relaxation. A screech erupts from my throat, making me tear my eyes open to glare at Liam accusingly.
“You were going to fall asleep again,” he grins at me. His smile has always been dazzling. Despite the time that’s passed, it still retains all its charm from when we were younger.
Cole lifts his hands like he’s out of options when I look to him for backup. “You would’ve missed breakfast,” he shrugs.
“You’re supposed to be on my side, not his,” I point out, betrayed.
“I am on your side. That’s why I want you fed properly,” Cole counters.
I groan, wrenching my foot from Liam’s hold. I just wanted to enjoy the moment a little longer.
But they’re right, I should get up. I’m not going to miss a rare chance to have breakfast with them just because I’m lazy. I stand, pulling on a sweater from the floor at random, ignoring Liam’s complaints as I cover myself.
We venture out of the bedroom as a trio. I’m not surprised Ian is up first. He never sleeps in, even on weekends.
My pack lead’s already settled down on a chair at the dining table, swiping through his tablet. He doesn’t look up when we walk in, but he gives a nod of acknowledgment when I walk over and kiss his cheek.
The pack settles at the table as I head into the kitchen. I don’t prepare their coffee and knot their ties each morning like I used to anymore, since they run out the door so early. Sunday is the one day I get a piece of that honeymoon period back.
I start the coffee machine, making each of their drinks as they like it.
Black for Ian, decaf for Liam, sugar and cream for Cole.
We still have breakfast delivered to us, with Cole heavily watching each dietary goal.
With practiced ease, I plate Ian and Cole’s meals, then carefully weigh out each part of Liam’s on a food scale.
Ian and Cole’s plates are balanced and varied. Liam’s is primarily protein, strictly curated for his macros. I set their plates and cutlery on the table first.
“Thank you, Ariana.” Ian places his tablet to the side, grabbing his fork immediately.
“Thanks babe,” Liam calls after me as I return to the kitchen.
Cole’s ordered me my usual breakfast of mostly fruit, which I quickly dish before sliding into the chair next to him. The three have already started eating, discussing some venture or another. I lean into his shoulder affectionately, then turn my attention to my food.
We eat and talk, united by the bond between us. It’s my favorite part of the week, when we have no plans of somewhere to go or an audience to impress. It’s the only time solely devoted to enjoying each other’s company.
I’m so caught up in our domestic bliss that Ian’s words don’t register to me at first. He delivers them casually, like he’s commenting on the weather.
“By the way, we’ve decided to bring in another omega,” he takes a sip of his coffee.
“Who is?” I ask, lifting an orange slice to my mouth.
“We are.” He stares at me, articulating each word. “As in our pack.”
The next orange slice freezes halfway to my mouth. “I’m sorry, what?”
“A second omega,” Liam cuts himself a piece of his omelet, like we’re talking about something casual. “Historically, successful packs often had multiple omegas. It’s a sign of strength.”
My stomach twists. “You want another omega.” That makes no sense. They have me. “Am I not good enough for you?”
“That’s not it at all,” Cole reaches for where my hand rests on the table. I pull it away, onto my lap. “You’re perfect, Ari. We love you. It’s not because of you.”
“Then why?” My voice cracks. Light as my breakfast was, I’m still worried the contents of it might come up on the table.
“Because we can,” Ian folds his hands under his chin, leaning forward. His voice is stern, the way it is when he talks to an employee or assistant. “We have the resources and the space. It’s becoming expected in our social circle. The Pierces brought their second in last month.”
I’ve been to many dinners with the Pierce pack at this point. Their omega’s always been lifeless. To this day, I’ve never heard him speak without being spoken to. Is that what my pack wants us to become?
I can’t keep the bitterness out of my voice. “So this is about keeping up with the neighbors, basically.”
“It’s about our reputation,” Liam corrects me. “You know image matters in our world. It shows we’re at the top of our game.”
“I don’t want another omega in our pack,” I say, voice small. “I’m happy with things the way they are.”
I think back to the times I wondered the difference between me and a dog. I had it good and didn’t even realize. I’ll be better, won’t complain ever again. I’ll do every trick they ask, as long as it isn’t this.
“Change can be good,” Cole says reassuringly. It doesn’t do much to convince me, but he continues regardless. “You might even like having another omega around. Someone to keep you company while we’re gone. You could become friends.”
Friends. He thinks I want to be friends with the person intruding in on my pack.
“I don’t need friends. I have you guys,” I echo the words they’ve told me before. “Why can’t you consider my feelings on this?” Tears begin to prick at the corners of my eyes, and I blink them away furiously.
“We are considering your feelings, Ari,” Cole insists. “You’re not losing anything. You’re gaining a new pack member. We still love you the same. Nothing changes.”
“This is unfair,” the whine tears from my throat, making Cole and Liam tense. “You’re not even asking me what I think. You’re just telling me.”
“Because it’s not really up for debate.” Ian states flatly. “We’ve discussed it as a pack. I’ve made my decision. Liam and Cole agree with me.”
The two of them don’t meet my eyes. “I’m part of this pack too. Don’t I get a say?”
The question hangs between us, unanswered.
“So my opinion doesn’t matter,” I break the silence.
“Of course it does,” Liam leans forward. “Oh, babe, don’t cry.” He leans forward, brushing his thumbs against my cheeks.
“It doesn’t feel like it,” I whimper. Almost ten years have passed since I met my pack. I love them, but I feel just as small now as I did a decade ago.
“How long are you going to keep acting like this?” Ian’s exasperation is clear in his scent. “You’re not a child, Ariana. We’re not going to change our minds because you throw a tantrum.”
A tantrum. My world just came crashing down on itself, and he thinks my tears are a tantrum. I open my mouth, then promptly close it without saying a word. We sit in silence, the three of them staring at me.
“When?” I finally croak out.
“Next week,” Ian nods, taking my lack of rebuttal as acceptance.
If the sound that rips from me when I bury my head in my hands as response surprises him, his scent doesn’t show it.
Cole rubs my back, but the touch does little to calm me down. “You’ll still be our favorite girl, Ari. You’re our scent match. Nothing can replace that.” An hour ago, I thought the same. But if I’m so irreplaceable, why do they need another?
The chair screeches against the floor as I stand. “I need some fresh air,” I declare, moving away from the table like it’s poisonous.
“Babe,” Liam begins.
“What? Did you guys think I would just smile and agree?”
“No one’s telling you to smile,” a note of impatience seeps into Ian’s voice. “We’re telling you to be reasonable. It’s a matter of reputation. When the pack benefits, you benefit. Some matters are more important than your feelings.”
My feelings are all I have. I have no friends beside them, barely see my family, and don’t work. All because I love them, because they told me that’s what good omegas do. And that’s still not good enough. I don’t answer, turning around and walking away.
I hear the scrape of another chair, someone beginning to follow me. Cole, most likely.
“Let her.” Ian commands, though his whiskey scent becomes bitter. It always does when I go out for a walk.
I almost think Cole is going to disobey him and come after me anyways. Then the chair scrapes a second time, and the only sound of footsteps belongs to me.
“Babe,” I pause and face Liam. If I don’t, Ian will chastise me for not being respectful. “Don’t go far. We have that dinner tonight. Seven o’clock.”
Of course. What did I expect? Even if I’m on the brink of tears, there’s still an appearance to maintain, a role to play. The show must go on.
“Okay.” I agree, resigned. I briefly consider not coming back, but where would I go? The idea makes me ache, a rebellion against all my instincts. They’re my scent matches. They’re who I belong with.
As if reading my thoughts, Ian stands. The tallest of the pack, his dominance fills the room. “I know you’re upset, but this is happening. The sooner you accept that, the easier it will be for everyone.”
I can’t stay in this room any longer. I might suffocate. At the same time, the only people I want comfort from are the ones in this room.
“Be back by six thirty!” Liam calls after me as I walk away. “And wear the black dress, the one with-”
I close the door behind me, taking care not to slam it, cutting off his words. Our apartment takes up an entire floor in one of the highest buildings in the city. The elevator opens straight into our luxurious foyer.
It’s so high, the elevator’s descent feels endless. The ride is draining, the pit in my stomach making me feel like the doors will never open.
But they do, and I tear through the lobby to frantically rush outside. The fresh air hits my face, and I revel in the breeze. This was a luxury for me once.
Not the apartment and its area code, but walking outside without a chaperon. Even now, I’m only allowed to because my phone’s location is shared with them.
I start walking at random, no destination in mind. Just placing distance between me and the crushing weight of my pack. I can still feel the bond coursing through my veins, a reminder of where I’ll return to.
My entire adult life has been spent with my pack. They’re all I’ve known for the last decade. I’ve given them my everything, but it’s not enough.
They want a second omega, but they love me. And I love them. We’re scent matches, made for each other.
But why do they need someone else then?
The bond aches, pulling me back toward the apartment, back to my alphas. Even now, angry and hurt, part of me wants to turn around. To say I’ll just try harder, to promise to be good. The bond’s tug feels more like a leash than ever.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. A text from Cole, asking me to come back. Letting me know they love me. Below it, another from Liam, reminding me to be back and ready by dinner. I’m not surprised to have received nothing from Ian.
He knows just as well as I do that I’ll be back. Omegas can’t break bonds. I can’t leave even if I wanted to. And why would I want to? We’re meant to be.
By seven, I’ll be home, wearing the dress Liam’s chosen for me. Saying the lines they’ve chosen for me, or not speaking at all. Smiling like this morning never happened, playing my part.
But for now, temporarily, I walk away.