Page 26 of The Omega

Raincheck on the meat.

But here’s something sweet from me.

I smiled to myself as I lifted the last pink-frosted and rainbow-sprinkled doughnut, sinking my teeth into it.

Does she want the chase?

It was fine if she did.

I chewed as I thought about it. We still had time before the season started. Worst case scenario, I could run with her here before taking her back home. I hadn’t planned on it, but plans could change. With careful forethought, it could be better than I imagined. I’d win the Alpha Games in her honor. Give her the whole show experience, if that’s what she wanted.

The cafeteria doors swung open. A few female whistles came from the Lunas hanging out at the tables. They cheered his arrival like they did when he came into any room.

Maybe staying a while was fate’s idea.

I could still make sure he failed and win my mate’s approval.

Disgusted by Dorian’s arrival, I pocketed her note and cleaned up the trays, hoping his scent wouldn’t taint Opal’s which still lingered in the air.

But I caught something different I hadn’t noticed before. Primitive notes that riled the protective nature of my beast.

Before I knew it, I was growling and my fists were clenched at my sides as Dorian’s nostrils flared when he caught her scent too.

10

Opal

We’ve got to get out of here. Now.

My hair hung down over my face and my knees knocked together as I waddle-ran out of the cafeteria.

Or we could stay…

I ignored my horny beast. This was all her fault. As an Omega, I couldn’t afford to stick around and play the dangerous games she was starting. I should’ve known. The warning signs had been flashing neon red this morning.

In my defense, those are our fated mates.

I know, but couldn’t you give me time to meet them first?

My wolf snorted. It’s biology, babe. Take it up with the goddess.

I rested against the wall outside the cafeteria, taking a moment to catch my breath.

Which I shouldn’t have done.

“What’s that smell?” a female voice asked as a group of Alphas and Lunas rounded the corner.

I knew the exact moment the males in the group caught scent of me. Their rising pheromones sent shivers down my spine. Pungent and wrong and so very dangerous.

I inched backwards, trying not to run and give them the wrong impression, as nostrils flared and glowing wolf eyes turned my way.

If we’d stayed where we were, a hot mate could’ve protected us, she whined.

And then we would’ve ended up presenting in the middle of the cafeteria.

Nothing wrong with that.

I continued to scoot along the wall, praying the Alpha males wouldn’t do something foolish like leave the females they were walking with as they continued to sniff in my direction.