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Without letting me dwell, Cass and Red join us at the table, and though she's still facing me, she says to the three of us, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you the truth before my heat. I wasn't sure you'd believe me after hearing how you felt about omegas." She pauses, pressing her lips together, her hand clutching the diamond necklace draped across her collarbone.
Only then do I notice how different she looks. Her dress, her jewelry, even her makeup. It's like a costume. It's all so clean and prim and proper, ill-fitting, almost like it was made for another person. She shifts uncomfortably, and Cass reaches out across the table, taking her hand.
She turns to face him. He's still shirtless, elbows on the table, giving her his rapt attention. Tears well in her eyes. "All I've ever wanted was a scent-match. I don't know how we ended up…" She clears her throat, a tear spilling down her cheek.
"Imogen…" Red prompts, head tilted patiently. "What is it?"
"I know I'm not what you all expected. I know I'm not like the other girls here… I'm not street smart, I'm not brave or strong like Roxy or Ophelia. But I like it here. I want to be here. With you. But—"
"Hold up," I lift my hand, pausing her tirade. "You think we don't want you?"
"You've never wanted an omega," she accuses, and it's the closest I've ever heard to Imogen snapping. "You especially, Iggy. Everyone says so. I know I kind of forced Cass to take me home. But I was in heat, and your scent… It was so hard to… And then afterward, you all were so mad at me."
I snatch her hand and pull her up to a stand, debating for a split second throwing her over my shoulder, but instead, gripping her hand, I pull her through the kitchen and up the stairs, my brothers on our heels. We climb up to the third floor, down the long hallway, and I swing open the door to the nest, which looks even worse when she enters it.
I'm teetering on regret for showing her this disaster, but it's too late, so I commit. "I didn't even know you were our scent-match, and I started building you a nest."
Imogen gasps, her delicate hand coming to the base of her throat. "You did this? For me?"
Her wonder that we did something special, considering the trash state of the room, shows how kind she is. And how shit of a job we've been doing, showing her we could be good enough.
"Of fucking course, we did this for you. Imogen, you didn't force Cass to take you home. We obsessed over you for weeks. And you're right, I never wanted an omega, but they've never been you."
She looks around the room. I watch her cute, pert nose wrinkle as she takes in the scent of the musty carpet.
Cass sees it, too. He rushes, "I know it needs a lot of work. This room is… Well, it's shit. But it won't be. Imogen, we want this. We want you. I can't believe you'd think we wouldn't want you. But we want to do this right. Just bear with us while we figure it out. Please? Please give us a chance."
She spins slowly in place, taking in the empty, nasty room that needs so much work and is so fuckin' far beneath her, I have the sudden urge to pick her up and carry her out, barring her from the nest until it's worthy of her. She smiles broadly. "All I've ever wanted was you. A scent-match, yes, but you three… There's no question. Of course, I want this."
She laughs lightly, in awe, which turns into a delighted shriek when Red wraps his arms around her waist and lifts her up. She laughs, throwing her head back, and he spins her in place before sliding her down his body, setting on her high-heeled feet.
He kisses her cheek, and I wish I had that kind of restraint because her scent is bright and open and happy, and it makes me want to commemorate the occasion and rip her panties off, give her pussy a nice long lick.
She muses, "What's with you guys and holes in walls?"
Hooking my thumb toward my demolition project, I shrug, "It won't look like this soon. I promise. By the way, do omegas like light in the nest? Do you? I can't remember."
Her brow scrunches, but Red interrupts her answer, which is really annoying because I want to know if I can keep the black walls.
"So, no more engagement?" He confirms, and her smile drops, shaking her head slightly, side to side.
"Oh. I… I can't break it off yet. I'm sorry."
We all stiffen. My alpha rages that she's still considering another pack, but I force myself to think through the fog. Yet. That's the word she used.
Cass and Red look equally frustrated, but it's nothing like Imogen. Fear and something like nausea paint her face, her scent turning slightly sour. I reach out, and she takes my hand, and I give it a squeeze, attempting to reassure her.
Tentatively, we all head down to the living room to talk about our fated mate's engagement to another pack.
Chapter 20
Imogen
I sip my beer, the hoppy flavor settling on my tongue, but I enjoy the bitterness. Licking the foam off my lips, I set the glass on the table in front of me. When I look up, all three men are staring at me.
I clear my throat, "Coaster?"
Cass laughs, "Ah, no, no coaster. Sorry."
