Page 42 of The Omega Archives: Part One

Likethat. Like the awful sadistic misogynists who thought that any person and thing belonged to them. That was basically why they had packs. It wasn’t just to make some happy alpha-centric family.

They had a claim. A bond, proven by the fact Cal had someone’s teeth marks permanently scarred into his flesh.

They took and took and rarely gave back to anyone even the people they said they loved or called pack. They were cruel and inattentive.

I forced myself to remind myself of the narrative I’d been told to stay safe. To stay away from anything like this. This danger.

Cal watched as I struggled. “I just didn’t tell you right away because I know it’s a lot.”

“It is a lot,” I whispered.

He visibly deflated. “I should’ve told you earlier. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. We were having such a good time and....”

“And?”

“I wanted to keep you all to myself for a little while,” he said.

“But they know that you are out... with me?”

Cal nodded quickly, making sure that I understood. At least he hadn’t been lying to everyone.

“Yeah, they know. We’re a good group of guys. I’m sure they’d love to meet you too,” he said.

“But they’re all...” I still couldn’t quite wrap my mind around this.

“Alphas?” Cal nodded, before narrowing his eyes at me. “Aside from me, yeah. Are alphas bad?”

“No, of course not." I managed not to give away any emotion one way or the other. At least that was something.

Because no, alphas weren’t bad exactly. Not always.

But they could be.

That’s what made them dangerous. I stayed away from danger for too long to let anything slip by me now.

I needed to stay away. I needed to get away from Cal even as it made emotion climb in my chest.

“I can see you’re upset,” said Cal. “I really am sorry. I knew it was a big deal but I kind of thought that if you liked me... It’s not like you’d even need to know the rest of the guys if you're uncomfortable with it. It could stay this way. You and me.”

“I’m fine,” I said. “I just should head inside. I still have a lot of work to do over the weekend. I’m tired.”

Slowly, Cal nodded, though his head dipped a little in what looked like defeat. “Okay.”

“Thank you again, for tonight. I had a really good time.” I had the best time in a long time.

“Let me walk you in. Please? No expectation. I just want to make sure that you’re okay,” I said.

“My place is right there.” I waved towards one of the old houses that lined the road. “I’m good. Thanks.”

“Call me later, Ella. Please? I want to make this right. I'll answer any questions you have.”

I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. I wasn’t sure what I should do. None of this made sense. I could hardly comprehend the fact that I was out at night and on a date with a genuinely nice guy, let alone that he had a pack.

Everything I reminded myself hinged on the fact that people in packs and who spent a lot of time around most alphas were... Well, they weren’t the people I needed nor could be around.

But I really wanted to be around Cal.

“Ella?”

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