Page 85 of The Omega

But Opal was having a good time and I didn’t want to ruin it.

“Your Luna needs to go to bed,” I said. “I’m assuming you have one of those for her.”

Catcalls and whistles rang out as shifters clapped Dorian on the back. I clenched my jaw. Opal laughed in my arms.

“I suppose we have one big enough.” Dorian smiled as he brushed off the attentions of his pack. But we must’ve been spending too much time together, because I could read the tightness around his eyes and the worry written there.

“If you’ll excuse me…”

The pack cheered and hailed his departure like a hero heading to battle. It was gaudy and excessive.

They love him.

He must’ve done something to earn that kind of respect.

I kept Opal in my arm as I stepped outside the tent, waiting for Dorian to lead the way. I couldn’t let her go just yet. Not while my head was this much of a mess and my wolf was this confused.

“Are you alright?” Dorian tugged gently on a lock of Opal’s hair, visibly relaxing when she sighed.

“Yes, and I’m really looking forward to bed.”

“Damn it, Sunny,” Dorian muttered under his breath before he pointed down the path. “My place is over there.”

Deeper into the maze of tents, Dorian pushed back the canvas flap of one, revealing an artisan’s nest of silk curtains and fringed velvet in dark tones of red and orange. His scent was everywhere.

Opal gave another happy sigh as she breathed it in. “I love you both so much it hurts.”

It felt like someone had ripped out my heart, hearing those words from her lips in this place and at this time. I set her on the raised bed, backing away as she immediately started to rearrange the pillows to her liking.

She’s making it her nest.

The sight of it made me want to kill something.

“You’re not staying?” Dorian followed me to the tent flap.

My wolf blazed through my eyes as I dragged my hand over my head, fighting the urge to yell at him. “How long?”

Dorian smirked. “Figured you knew by now that I could go all night.”

“No,” I growled. “How long until you and your pack get bored and leave?”

Dorian glanced over his shoulder to where Opal was still happily arranging the bed. “They’re staying here. For good. I wouldn’t have done this if they weren’t ready to settle down.”

I could see that now. Before, I hadn’t noticed how old the shifters in this pack all were. I couldn’t see the cracks behind the glamour or the worn threads of the tent until I’d gotten this close up.

That made this all more real. “And you? How long do you plan on sticking around?”

He had his whole life before him. That’s what the magazines and blogs said. A rising star that belonged in the spotlight.

Dorian’s brow furrowed. “I don’t understand.”

“I…” I wiped my hand over my mouth. I didn’t know what to say or how to deal with this.

“Don’t be dramatic. Where are you going?” Dorian called after me.

A light misting rain had started, turning the night into an icy breeze that sizzled as it hit my skin.

“Take care of her,” I said, breathing in the fresh air to cool myself down. “I’ll be back to get her in the morning.”