Page 8 of The Omega

But if I stuck around, Alpha Journey would show up. He’d force her to bend the neck and it would rile up the town and then I’d feel even worse than I did.

I’d caused enough trouble for one lifetime.

It was time for me to get out of here.

Yes! Let the romantic journey, take two, begin.

I continued to watch the road, feeling the start of a twitch in my left eye. You’re going to have to tone it down with the love commentary this season.

Absolutely…

Not.

3

Dorian

The red carpet stretched before me as the cameras flashed and zoomed in. They’d gone all out for this night with the extravagant floral displays and mood lighting, staging tables around the ballroom where the Luna contestants would show off their hosting and entertainment skills.

The whole thing was fucking cliché.

It happened every season. This archaic little charade. You’d think—especially after the drama of last season—that they’d want to change things up.

Not that I cared much about the show anyway. I’d only scanned the highlight reels to see what I’d be working with. But I’d rather pull out my teeth than keep smiling for this scripted snore-fest.

At least I was getting paid.

And we are here to find a mate.

I know. I grumbled at my own wolf.

He’d been more talkative lately, knowing we had a duty to fulfill as Alpha, and goddess, it was annoying.

I scanned the ballroom, looking over the empty tables as the camera crew posed me every which way at the end of the carpet. Soon, the ballroom would be filled with endless chatter and posturing females like male peacocks showing off their charm.

Not that any of them had been charming enough yet, but time was running out and I needed to pick someone.

After a few drinks, I hoped tonight would soften the pickiness of my beast.

I’m not picky, he lied.

You’re what’s holding us back, I reminded him.

My plan was to find the perfect political arrangement to fix things and be done with this whole game. Collect my paycheck and my future mate, then leave. We could go about our business, living our own lives our own way. There had to be at least one female here who felt the same as I did.

But my wolf refused to settle on something so simple. Give it a chance. We might be surprised.

I didn’t always let my animal have control, but I trusted his instincts.

Let’s just hope you don’t run out of time.

“Dorian, look this way.”

I smiled as the camera flashed, showing off my best angle. You didn’t grow up like I did without being hyper aware of how your body took up space and the best way to use it.

And, of course, I was first in line for the photo shoot.

The other Alphas behind me had my wolf fired up. I didn’t like giving them my back. Not that I’d made friends here anyway. I’d known I wouldn’t. Coming to the show with my background didn’t exactly put me on equal footing with the rest of these Alphas.