Page 23 of The Omega

Since when did you grow a pair? I turned to leave.

Since him.

Everything seemed to go silent when I saw Atlas sitting by himself at a table in the back of the room. My heart slammed into my chest, punched with the knowledge of who he was and what he meant to me.

The noise of the cafeteria picked up again, becoming a dull roar and fading to the background as Atlas raised his eyes, seeing me too.

Yay! My wolf yipped excitedly. Let’s go meet our mate.

9

Atlas

Mate.

Opal’s gaze met mine and time slowed to a standstill. She stood frozen. Her big blue eyes shone bright and full like a deer. Like she was afraid.

Go to her, my wolf urged me to stand, to close the distance between us, and publicly declare her as mine.

I drained the last dregs of my coffee, stalling.

It was possible she hadn’t scented me and that’s why she didn’t feel our connection. But no. Twice now we’d locked eyes, our wolves recognizing each other from across the room.

The first time, she’d chosen to dance with another male despite our glaringly obvious bond. This morning, she looked like she was ready to run.

So, I made no move to rise.

Despite the insistence of my beast, I didn’t chase. Not now. Not until I was sure that was what she wanted.

Omega, my wolf said by way of explanation, as if he somehow knew more than I did.

She still needs to choose.

And then she took a step towards me.

Every muscle in my body was tight and tensed, a coil waiting to spring. I didn’t dare move—didn’t so much as breathe as I watched her weave through the tables.

“Do you mind if I sit here?” The timidness in her voice threatened to break me.

My wolf’s ears twitched, nervousness seeping through him too. An Omega. Our mate. I marveled at fate and wondered why I’d been given such a rare and precious thing. My hands suddenly felt too large and my shoulders too big.

I couldn’t even speak past my thick tongue and closed throat to answer her question.

I nodded as best I could.

“Or… I don’t have to sit,” she whispered, taking a tentative step back as her eyes darted about the room.

“Don’t go.” I forced the words that ended up sounding like a bark.

You fool. He growled.

Opal lowered her face in submission. “I’ll leave you alone.” Worry and fear heated her cotton candy scent, making it char like burned sugar.

“No,” I managed to say, not sure that she heard me over the rumble starting in my chest.

My wolf took over, making a sound like a… purr.

An Alpha’s purr.