Page 108 of Claiming Their Omega

I knew the McAllisters back before they were a pack and were just three boys in high school who hung around causing trouble and sassing teachers. They were kind of popular back in the day, to a certain type of people. Some girls really liked the ‘bad boy’ thing they had going on. But Jesse and his friends, including my brother, were always a lot more popular. I think Travis and the other two resented that.

So maybe I did something, hurt someone’s feelings, disrespected them somehow—Aiden would’ve defended me of course, and then Jesse and the others would’ve joined in. But I can’t remember any time that I would’ve done something like that. I tried to keep to myself, really. I was pretty insecure as a teenager, so I didn’t invite conflict.

Jesse stares at me in amusement and shock. “That’s where your mind goes? That you must’ve insulted them?”

“Well, what else could it be?”

“Grace… they wanted you.”

Now I’m the one staring. “What?” I can’t have heard that right.

“Yeah, they wanted you. Everyone thought you were a Beta, of course, but they didn’t care. Only good thing they’ve ever done is not care about your status and still have the good taste to want you.”

Jesse scowls as he finishes speaking, his expression hardening.

“But—but I was—” I stutter. “I was just a wallflower back then. I mean, all Maybelle ever did was pick on me…”

“Why do you think Maybelle picked on you? Grace, everyone thought you were beautiful. She was envious of you. You were Aiden’s little sister, and he was incredibly protective of you—we all were—so you were untouchable. But the McAllisters didn’t care about that, or about treating you right. They would’ve used you like a pack of tissues and then moved on to a new girl.”

I can feel my eyes bugging out and my jaw dropping open but I just can’t help it. I feel like I was just thrust into The Twilight Zone, into some alternate dimension where I was popular. “I was never—nobody liked me that much.”

“Oh, yes, they did. I’m sorry I didn’t realize how bad it was with Maybelle, but trust me, if she treated you like that, it’s because she was envious of you. People adored you, Grace. They still do. And some of the people who wanted you were—unfortunately—the McAllisters.”

My face flushes. “I had no idea.”

Jesse trails his knuckles down my cheek. “Believe me, wildcard. It’s true.”

The warmth in his voice unlocks something in my chest. And it does make me wonder if maybe I need to have a little more confidence in myself. Here I was, thinking I had to try so hard to be some elegant, sophisticated person from the big city. And it turns out, I was already liked just as I am.

But that epiphany is overshadowed by the rest of what Jesse just told me.

“You said… they wanted me,” I whisper slowly. “I had no idea. They never said anything.”

“No. Because before they could, we took care of it.” Jesse’s tone turns dark. “We threatened them over it. Told them to stay away from you or else. Aiden found out afterward, but we’d already taken care of it. We just wanted him to know, in case you ever needed protecting from them again.”

My breath catches in my throat at the realization of what Jesse and his pack have done for me, how protective they were of me even years ago. Long before I even realized I could have a chance with them.

“Ever since then, they’ve hated us, and your family too. So in revenge… they tried to buy that land and squeeze your family out as soon as they got the chance. They’re vindictive that way.”

“Do my parents know? That that’s why the McAllisters tried to buy the land?”

“No, they have no idea. Nobody else knows. They just thought the McAllisters were being… well, the McAllisters. I don’t think anyone’s realized it goes much deeper. Those asshole brothers haven’t exactly endeared themselves to anyone in Sagebrush.”

I nod. That’s true. They’re widely known as jerks.

“That’s why we helped your family. I mean, we would have anyway. Of course we would have. But it’s kind of our fault.”

“No.” I grab Jesse’s hand. “Don’t say that. You didn’t make them be assholes. You didn’t make them want me, and you didn’t make them seek revenge. They’re behaving terribly. All you did was protect me.” I swallow. “Thank you for that.”

“Of course, wildcard.” Jesse squeezes my hand. “We’ll always protect you.”

It creeps me out that the McAllister pack wanted me. I’m not flattered, even though it is nice to know that people in Sagebrush have apparently liked me far more than I thought they did. I didn’t even think most people noticed me that much.

But the thought that Travis, Leon, and Kyle wanted to—oh god. It makes my stomach churn as a horrible shiver works its way down my spine. I’m really glad that Jesse and his pack protected me, so that I didn’t have to face that myself.

“Thank you,” I whisper again.

“Always,” Jesse repeats. His voice and his gaze are so earnest, my heart feels like it’s going to pop out of my chest and sink into his.

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