Page 80 of The Omega Archives: Part Two

Of course, thinking about his lips made me think of Liam’s lipswhichmade me think about the way Demetri’s hips fit between mine in the nest–

Cal cleared his throat as he stepped up behind us, catching my attention as if he could see into my head. I sure hoped he couldn’t.

I quickly turned towards where the tablewassituatedoff the kitchen near thewidewindowsthat ledinto the backyard.The table was already setwith white plates and pristine silverware.

Cal noticed me staring. “Yeah, we don’t eat in the housea lotunless Marko is here to cook. He’s a little bit of a health nut.”

“One of us needs to be,” Marko muttered as he took a pot off the stove and moved it onto one of the hot stonesleft near the center of the table.

Demetri started through the archway as Marko took off his gloves. “Dinner ready.”

Marko grunted with a nod.

It was odd. Though I had seenthemall together before, namely after I ran away andtheywere all crowding me in what I now knew was fear for my well-being, I had never seenthemall so natural around each other all at once.

Liam pulled out a chair and dropped onto it while Cal went and sat on the other end. Marko glanced towards me before over my shoulderwhereI noticed Demetri pulled out a chair for me, waiting to sit down before he did.

“Oh, thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” he smiled politely.

Immediately once we sat down, Cal reached for the food, not bothering to hold back. Everyone rolled their eyes and started to dig in, Marko reaching for my plate before I could even move for it and filling it high with pasta and a side of hearty crusty bread.

My mouth was already salivating.

Alphas who? After I took a bite, I moaned.

I was about to bond with this meal.

Everyone stared at me. I covered my mouth, a bit embarrassed– before I reached for another bite. I hoped there would be enough for seconds. I forgot in between my nap in the nest that I hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast.

“Homemade pasta?” I asked.

Demetri smiled. “Marko took up the best hobby for us over the years.”

“Cal wasn’t kiddingbeforewhen they said they wouldn’t eat without you.”

Marko chuffed and rolled his eyes. “It’s not that difficult.”

“Sure, it’s not,” grumbled Liam, as if he had first-hand experience. Everyone went around, talking about all the food Marko made for them over theyearsinspired by different events ortasteseven though itseemed

“After we all met, we went on a trip to Italy. It was the spur of the moment,” said Demetri, “So pasta is always a staple.”

“Good,” I teased softly, eating one of my final bites. My stomach was full, but I’d make room.

“The trip was one of our better ones before we were all out of school and working all the time.”

The pack lookedaroundat each other at thetable,as if taking in exactly where they all came from over the years. There was history between them already that I may never understand

Just like there was a home here. Icould feel it in my bones– omega or no.

“Have you ever traveled much, Ella?” Demetri asked. “I know you probably have not been far from what you explained.”

I shook my head. “No travel.”

I hadn’t left the city limits since I arrived. When Rita once wanted togosee a back-to-back Halloween movie featuring two towns over, that was the farthest I ever went, and my heart pounded in my chest the entire time.

“I never did a lot of things,” I admitted slowly, watching as they became more aware of what I was saying. Marko set his utensils down entirely, focusing on me while the otherswere debatingwhether to give me their full attention or act casually.

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