Page 7 of The Omega

“Is there anything you can do?” I hurried around the truck, still keeping an eye out to make sure no one was coming. “Like with the security—”

“Say no more,” Aspen cut me off. “I still have friends there and I’ll have a team on site by the end of the week.” The phone muffled a bit as she said, “Right, honey?”

“Whatever you need.” Ranger’s deep voice drifted over the line and my wolf gave a wistful sigh.

One day, we’ll have that.

Maybe. If we live long enough to find it.

“Are you sure this is no trouble?” I asked, worried I was overstepping. Guilt ate at me, but I pushed it away.

I needed to be strong.

But I was still going to worry.

“Not a problem at all. I’ve got plenty of connections.” Aspen’s laugh did not match the seriousness of her words. “You need to promise me that you’ll use them and do everything it takes to stay safe, otherwise I’m coming to the show myself.”

Both me and my wolf cringed. “No need for that. I’ll come visit once it’s all over.”

Because if I didn’t find my mates this season, I was going to have to figure out another place to go.

A lonely, hollow ache expanded in my chest at the thought.

“Text me updates,” Aspen said. “And I’ll be in touch.”

“You’re the best. Thank you so much.”

I climbed into the truck and rested my head on the wheel as I hung up the phone.

See? That all worked out. Now let’s go.

The doorbell to the gas station chimed and I turned, realizing my window was still cranked down.

Cold, sharp eyes narrowed in my direction.

“Well, if it isn’t little Omega Opal.”

“Hey, Mrs. Sandra.” I gave a short wave to the leathered woman before fumbling for the keys to my truck. “Nice to see you again.”

“Took me a minute to recognize you.” She turned up her nose. “Driving that old truck with your greasy hair. You looked just like your mama.”

The insult was coated with honey.

I smiled, hating that it took a few tries to get the engine started.

“What are you doing back here, anyway?” she asked. “Thought you’d gone to Hollywood with all them other girls.”

“I did.” Please, please start. “And now I’m going back.”

If you can ever get this darn truck moving.

“Good riddance,” she said under her breath as if I couldn’t hear her. “Be safe out there. Dangerous things can happen to pretty wolves like you.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Sandra.” I bit down hard on my bottom lip as the engine fired up, backing out of the parking lot before the Alpha got wind of this.

Sandra had never been my biggest fan, especially not after finding out her boys and I’d had some fun. Plus, she’d had her own problems with my mother. Maybe it was just something wrong with my blood. A black wolf that sullied the Omega name.

I wished I could make everyone happy.