Page 12 of The Omega

“Asshole,” she muttered under her breath as I walked away. Still, when I glanced over my shoulder, I saw her checking out said ass.

“Watch it.” The tense growl had me turning to see Atlas in my path.

“Watch yourself.” I stepped back, feeling my skin ripple with hatred.

This show wasn’t paying enough anyway.

I shouldn’t have been forced to find a Luna just to prove I was worthy of maintaining my own territory. No other Alpha had to. They had daddy’s name as backing, or they won some challenge on established pack land. Like that was proof enough for their worthiness.

It was Atlas’s damn fault I had to be here. To put on this show and play this part. I physically burned with the itch to slam my fist into his face, but I couldn’t.

Not until I won—legally.

Get ahold of yourself.

I needed another drink.

The bar loomed up ahead as the lights above changed, brightening around the center of the dancefloor where Jay Renfro stood.

“Lunas and Alphas and viewers at home, welcome to the final portion of the Luna Trials,” Jay spoke to the cameras.

I ignored him, tired of the rehearsed spiel, until I heard the words that had even my wolf’s ears perking up.

“We have a special surprise for you tonight.”

4

Opal

My flight was delayed.

Twice.

Thankfully, I only had a carry-on. With my luck, they’d have lost my luggage somewhere between the storm in Atlanta and mix-up at the private field near O’Hare.

It’s a typical rom-com. Everything is going to be fine. My wolf licked her paws, completely unbothered as the driver sent from the show flew like a bat out of hell down the winding mountain roads.

It was the show’s fault I was late. They’d been the ones insisting on private planes to keep me a secret. A big surprise to liven things up.

Or, you know, kill me instead.

Don’t be so dramatic.

You’re one to talk. I pressed my face to the window as the familiar landscape whizzed by.

It was really happening. I was here again.

Too bad it didn’t feel like it had the first time. The fish fountain out front had cracks in it I hadn’t noticed before. Weeds grew throughout the gardens. The gravel crunched obnoxiously under the vehicle’s tires.

Some of the magic was gone now that I knew what went on behind the scenes.

I turned to look out the back window, hoping I’d at least see my nest inside its shed where I left it when I’d been taken off the show. But like the others, it was somewhere else. Wherever the producers moved it.

“Sorry about this.”

“Sorry about what?” I looked forward suddenly, seeing the worried expression on the driver’s face in the rearview mirror as he slammed on the brakes.

It was a good thing I was wearing my seatbelt.