Page 94 of The Omega

Maybe I’d have grown up with other Omegas who understood what it was like to be me.

Except I wouldn’t be where I was today if I hadn’t lived my life as I did.

I smiled as Atlas heaved a pole like it weighed nothing while a pack member tacked down the wire fence. They laughed so easily around him.

Because he’s amazing. Duh.

We’re pretty lucky.

There was something bittersweet in the hardship that had brought me to this point, but that didn’t have to be all there was to my story.

I wanted this. Wanted to be a part of the healing journey for so many others. And maybe, in doing so, I’d heal a part of myself.

“He’s great, isn’t he?” Jeannette sat on the bench beside me and I started, glad she’d caught me staring at Atlas instead of everyone else.

“I like him a bit.” I smiled, hoping she’d see I was teasing.

“I think you’re going to be good for him.” She nodded.

I didn’t know why, but her approval meant a lot. “I hope so.”

“You know, his mother was a dear friend of mine. She was the one who dreamed of a pack like this, a sanctuary if you will, but it was Atlas who made it happen.” Pride shone in her eyes as she talked about Atlas. “Can I tell you a secret?”

Spill all the tea.

“Of course,” I said.

It wasn’t snooping if it was offered freely, right?

“There aren’t any pictures.” Jeannette leaned closer to whisper. “He shifted back as soon as I pulled out the clippers, but I told him I did and snapped a photo anyway. It started as a joke, but when his parents died and he was still a growing young man, it was one thing I thought I could use to help keep him in line.”

“Was he a trouble maker?” I laughed, trying hard to picture a rebellious Atlas.

“Not at all,” Jeannette sighed. “That’s why such a silly thing was able to work so well. Atlas has always done what’s right.”

“I can see that.” I nodded.

“But don’t let his kindness fool you,” she said. “I’ve seen what he’s done—what he’ll do—to protect the members of this pack.”

A chilling breeze picked up, lifting my hair and whipping it into my eyes. I turned and found myself looking west to the direction of Dorian’s territory.

Jeannette followed my line of sight. “Terrible what those shifters do. I can’t believe they brought that trash over here.”

“Come again?” I whispered.

“You know the type. Lawless with no morals. Stealing pups and exploiting them.” Jeanette growled as her wolf flashed in her eyes.

“Bailey Pack stole someone’s pup?” I asked, trying to think if I’d seen anyone young there at all.

“My Ava.” Jeannette blinked, getting control of her beast. “Atlas says it wasn’t Bailey Pack, but they’re all the same.”

“I don’t think—”

“You mark my words,” Jeannette cut me off. “That pack is a ticking time bomb. There’ll be parties and drugs and violence. They’ll bring all sorts to these parts. The spotlight will follow like it always does. Then what happens to the shifters that needed a place to hide here? We like it quiet and out of the way for a reason.”

My stomach dropped as her anger swirled around me, making my wolf whine. I thought of the things Atlas had said. He wasn’t being territorial against Dorian. It was his pack he needed to protect.

I looked up again, seeing the way he counted the pups like he was herding sheep even though he pretended not to care. The way he dropped everything for anyone who needed him.