Page 82 of The Omega

“Are you…?” Opal sniffed politely, confusion making her cute nose scrunch.

“Monkey shifters,” Atlas growled.

“Handsome? Daring? At your service?” Georgie winked. “All of the above.”

“Don’t just stand there,” Garrett jumped to his feet, finally getting his knocked-sideways brain to work again. “We’ve got to let everyone know it’s time to celebrate.”

The two of them nodded at each other before taking off running.

“You didn’t tell them we were coming?” Atlas asked.

“And ruin the surprise?” Opal was still giggling as her fingers found my fur again. “Where’s the fun in that?”

*

If there was one thing to be said for Bailey Pack, it was that they knew how to throw a party. By the time we reached the main tent, it was already laid out for the grand event. Tables with plates full of fruits and breads and a few chickens roasting over the spits outside. The string lighting lit up both in-and-out-doors, and colored throw cushions spilled artfully around the rug-covered floor.

The orchestra kicked up the music a notch as my mom and Aunt Sunny hung from the lyra hoops, sweeping their hands to the side and welcoming Opal into the pack. The lion shifters with their gray speckled beards hurried to help the dismount.

Opal clapped her hands, taking it all in with the kind of smile that made this industry worth every bump and bruise.

I’d shifted back to human form and dressed quickly so I could watch her walk into the tent just like this. To see that dazzle in her eyes.

When they swarmed her and she didn’t back down, pride swelled in my chest for my Omega. Atlas was forced to stop his hovering and take a seat.

Serves him right.

Opal was swept from arm to arm with each shifter showing off a trick or sharing a tale. I sat at the head of the table, filled to the brim with admiration as she charmed her way through the pack. Atlas was right about one thing. She was meant to be a Luna.

“She’s sure a pretty thing.” Aunt Sunny poured herself a beer from the pitcher on the table before taking the seat to my right.

“Prettiest one he’s ever brought home.”

“Hey Ma.” I kissed her cheek as she sat beside her older sister. The two of them were dressed in their finest corseted gowns after the wardrobe change from the stage.

“Well, that was an interesting turn of events,” Aunt Sunny commented as she drank her beer. “First we were watching you perform on the big screen and then you disappeared to a nest in the woods with the neighboring Alphahole for a few weeks.”

“Speaking of nests, Jay Renfro says hi,” I teased just to watch her face flush red.

“I’ll tell him where he can shove that greeting,” she mumbled.

Ma nudged her sister with her elbow. “How many weeks did you spend in the nest with him?”

“Don’t take that tone of voice with me. It was the twenties and I was drunk.” Aunt Sunny rolled her eyes. “And I thought we were roasting our Alpha tonight.”

“Not tonight.” Ma’s eyes danced with humor as she raised her glass. “Tonight we celebrate our new Luna.”

I raised my glass to clink against hers and as I did, everyone in the room turned to me. I found Opal’s gaze through the crowd and motioned her over. She moved like silk, weaving herself through the cushions and chaos until she stood beside me.

“To our new Luna,” I told the pack, raising my glass higher. Opal blushed a pretty shade of pink as she clung to my arm when the rest of them let out a chorus of whistles and cheers, slamming back their drinks.

“But you haven’t claimed her yet,” Ma mentioned in an offhand way that I knew wasn’t offhand at all.

Opal lowered her eyes as I glared at Atlas.

“Not yet,” I growled. “I want to make it special.”

Peace washed over me as Opal’s fingers threaded through mine, easing my tension even though I knew she must’ve been feeling it too. “It’s been a whirlwind since we left the show.”