Page 19 of The Heat of Us

I wasn’t surprised that even Aleks had heard. Juno’s interview with the acclaimed journalist Ava Simmons had been watched by millions across the country. My best friend had been through so much after dissolving the bonds of her previous abusive pack. I’d never felt so helpless seeing the return of her old prime in her life, his lies amplified by the extremist alpha rights group the Alpha Brotherhood and the sensationalist news network SSNN. Having to hear him fabricate a different story of their time together. Having so many people believe him. All to further some sort of fucked-up agenda against omegas being able to dissolve unconsented bonds.

I was so incredibly proud of her for choosing to speak up on behalf of all omegas. To fight against the rising tide of public dissent towards one-way bond dissolution.

My dartboard seemed so tiny in the grand scheme of things but Juno seemed to get some catharsis from turning the picture of her abuser into a pincushion so that’s all that mattered.

“How is she?” Aleks asked. “It’s pretty fucked how SSNN twisted her story so much. What happened to Andrew Zhao anyway?”

I wasn’t sure if it was common knowledge that Juno’s prime alpha had barked the piece of shit into complete submission so I just gave Aleks a half-hearted shrug. “Juno’s just happy to put it all behind her.”

“Well if he turns up again, I’m sure you’ll be able to make him walk the plank.”

That was it.

I leaned over, making sure the counter edge propped up my ample bosom. “Do you think my outfit looks bad?” I asked, my lip trembling with false insecurity. I lowered my eyes submissively. “I can go change if you want.”

Aleks looked stricken. “No, not at all,” he stammered, waving both hands urgently. His eyes darted down to my cleavage, widened slightly and then snapped back to my face in panic. “You look amazing. I didn’t mean anything by my comment. Hazel, I would never—”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I pushed back off the counter and laughed. “Men. You’re so fucking easy sometimes.”

“Goddammit.”

I turned to leave, making sure to give my hips an extra sashay as I did so. I was almost at the lobby door when Aleks called out.

“Are you still doing your deliveries by yourself?”

I sighed. This was the one sticking point between us. I still remembered the day Aleks had found out about my job.

I was on my way to the post office when I tripped and fell, spilling my tote bag of carefully packed, vacuum-sealed slick panties all over the shiny tiled surface of the lobby. Aleks rushed over to help. Despite my discreet packaging and complete lack of suspicion on his part when he asked why I had so many packages, my brain short circuited. The only lie it could come up with was to scream ‘tell him you’re a drug mule!’ over and over.

He prompted me again, probably confused by my goldfish face before I finally blurted out, “I do OmegaFans and sell my panties to subscribers.”

Aleks dropped the package he was holding like a live snake. “And you take these to the post office yourself?”

Of all the things I thought he would fixate on, that was the last thing on the list.

“It’s not safe, Hazel! What if your buyers track you down?”

“Well then it’s a good thing I live in an expensive, secure apartment building with a nosy beta to stop them.”

“I’m being serious!”

“So am I!”

We stared at each other, stuck at an impasse, chests heaving.

“Let me take it for you,” Aleks finally said, looking determined.

“No,” I shot back immediately.

Sometimes people felt the need to coddle omegas. Probably some long, dormant part of their lizard brain coming into play, telling them to protect the rare crown jewel of their pack.

I was not a jewel and we were not a pack.

“Aleks.” I hoped my warning tone would be enough.

His mouth formed a thin line. “Night, Hazel. Enjoy the party.”

I could hardly believe the omega who answered the door was the same girl who used to bathe herself in scent-neutralising spray before mentally working herself up to a coffee catch-up. Juno was now happily bonded to all six members of her pack.

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