Page 3 of Claiming Their Omega

“You should’ve called us,” Jesse adds.

Easton, as usual, doesn’t say anything. Rocks talk more than Easton Brooks. Cade’s just scowling, like he stepped in something. And of course he’s scowling at me. I’ve been back for five minutes and I can’t catch a break.

“Oh, would’ve loved to,” I tell Jesse. “Maybe if I’d had your number I could’ve called you so you’d know to be out of town while I got back.”

“I’d be sure to stay in town,” Hendrix tells me.

Jesse and Easton both elbow him. “It’s nice to have you back,” Easton says in his deep, soft voice.

I nearly jump in shock. I can count the times I’ve heard Easton speak on one hand. I swallow hard. Call me soft, but it just feels kind of like an honor that he’s chosen to speak to me.

Of course, him having those piercing gray eyes and being ruggedly handsome doesn’t help with the nerves. Luckily Easton’s always had a very reassuring presence. Even though we’ve rarely spoken, I’ve never felt unsafe or scared in his presence, which is more than I can say for a lot of the rougher Alphas I’ve grown up around.

“Thanks, Easton,” I say out loud, trying not to stammer. I may be a Beta, and I may be taken, but having four men a foot taller than you—all very handsome men too—looking down at you is enough to turn a girl’s head a bit.

“We’ll be sure to tell everyone you came down as a nice surprise just for Easton,” Jesse says.

I glare at him. “You’re not going to tell anyone anything.”

“Whoa.” He puts his hands up. “When did you join the CIA? Didn’t know your being here was such a secret. You’re a terrible spy, if so, coming to the busiest restaurant in town.”

“Maybe she was just hoping we’d see her.” Hendrix winks at me, but I can sense a calm attitude from him, and I get a whiff of his scent: warm flannel, wild blueberries, and s’mores. It’s a very comforting scent, one that makes you feel comfortable with Hendrix’s wild flirting.

Hendrix flirts with everyone. I don’t bother blushing. It sure doesn’t mean anything that he’s flirting with me. I just happen to be the woman in front of him.

“Pity that Aiden didn’t tell us,” Jesse goes on. “I’ll have to have words with him.”

“He didn’t really know.”

“Well he has to know, doesn’t he? Poor ass has to share a bathroom with you again like you’re kids.”

“Um…” The noise slips out of me before I can stop myself. Four sets of Alpha eyes pierce me, and I want to squirm. “I’m not staying with my family.”

“Who are you staying with?” Jesse asks. “In a tent on the fairgrounds?”

“In a hotel.”

Jesse whistles. “Wow, big city girl already, you’ve only been gone for, what, four years?”

“Five.”

“Five, how time flies. Seems like only yesterday you were a simple hometown girl…”

He reaches out to flick some of my hair and I slap his hand away. “How old are you? Twelve?”

Jesse grins. More like bares his teeth, actually. “Older than you and always have been.”

Oh, if he wants to really play that game? I can play it too. I might’ve been younger than my brother and his friends but I’ve never let them get the best of me. Not when we were kids, and definitely not now.

So much for a peaceful homecoming.

Chapter 2

Jesse

I can’t quite believe that Grace Whitmore is standing in front of me.

She looks great. I’ll say that. Gorgeous, even. Freshly showered, if I’m not mistaken, the scent of her wafting over me like a wave. She smells like fresh raspberries, spring rain, and wildflowers. Like the open fields on an April morning. It draws me in.

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