Page 22 of Claiming Their Omega

Chapter 7

Grace

The men get me home, Easton and Hendrix in the back with me, letting me bury my face in their necks and talking me through breathing deep and even. I feel like I’m in the middle of a meditation tape, honestly, but it is soothing. The heat of them, the confidence and calm in their voices, helps me to keep from just sobbing the whole time.

I can’t believe I suddenly presented like that in front of all those strangers. Not just strangers. People I grew up with. I just hope nobody there is from my town and recognized me. I really hope I didn’t perfume. That’d be so embarrassing I’d have to jump off a cliff.

Jesse calls Aiden on our way over while Cade drives, so when we get to my parents’ place, Mom and Dad are already outside waiting for me. Mom pulls me into her arms with a deep hug while Dad solemnly shakes the hands of the men and thanks them for looking out for me.

You’d think I’d been found along the side of the highway or something, but I understand Dad’s relief. I could’ve presented at any time, in any kind of situation. It might’ve ended really badly for me.

I’m so exhausted, I let Mom baby me and then get me into bed, promising me we can deal with the ORD in the morning and I need rest more than anything else. It’s nice to feel like a kid again, to be taken care of by my mom and reassured, babied a little.

But I can’t really sleep. I toss and I turn, my body too hot and too small. I finally have to take some pills, and I wake up in the morning with a knot in my stomach.

I feel strange and unsettled. Like my body isn’t mine. I still vaguely want to peel my skin off, like this isn’t right. Like it’s a cocoon and I’m a butterfly that needs to claw her way out.

Gram is at the table eating breakfast when I get downstairs. I can smell bacon and eggs frying, and I assume Dad’s in the kitchen.

“Oh, honey.” Gram spies me and immediately opens her arms.

I step into them and hug her tightly. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper. “I’m going to miss your birthday party.”

“It’s not like you could’ve planned this, dear.” She pulls back to pat my cheek. “These things happen. I’m not going anywhere, you know. We can still spend time together once this is all settled.”

The knot in my stomach grows and twists. Once this is all settled. Once I’m mated with someone, they mean. And who knows how long that will take. The next time I get to come home, it’ll be with a stranger or a whole pack of strangers at my side, and my life will be completely different.

I cling a little tighter, and my grandmother smiles softly up at me as she cups my cheek. “It’ll be all right, sweetheart.”

I blink tears away. “I hope so,” I admit in a whisper.

Dad emerges from the kitchen with a plate of food. “Breakfast, baby girl.”

He’s made the eggs and bacon into the shape of a smiley face. Oh, god, they’re really busting out all the affection. This is real. This is happening.

As I’m eating quietly, I hear the front door open. I can pick up the sound of low, rough voices, and I get the whiff of familiar scents that make my stomach go tight.

The four Alphas. I know it. Jesse, Cade, Hendrix, and Easton.

I hate that I know their smells so well, because it just affirms for me all over again that I’m really an Omega. Which is unfair. It’s not their fault they’re Alphas or that they smell so good.

I take my time eating under my grandmother’s watchful eye. I know that I’m only delaying the inevitable, but I can’t help myself. Maybe if I eat slowly, I’ll find a way to make this all go away.

Finally, I can’t avoid it anymore. I get up, clear my plate, and follow my father and grandmother into the living room.

Mom’s already seated, pouring coffee for the four Alphas and Aiden. Nobody looks relaxed, although thankfully nobody looks angry, either. I’m not sure why I’d expect anyone to be upset with me, I just feel so damn on edge it’s like I’m a prey animal, a deer sensing wolves in the woods.

“Oh, honey.” Mom comes over immediately, fussing with my hair. “Let me get you some coffee. Or do you want something else? Hot chocolate maybe? With marshmallows? I think we might…”

“Mom,” Aiden says, his voice gentle but firm. “Let her breathe.”

I sit down. “Just coffee’s okay, thanks, Mom.”

I don’t want her to feel bad for caring about me. But yeah, her fussing only makes it that much more obvious how serious this all is. I almost wish everyone would ignore me.

Especially the four Alphas staring at me from across the room.

Cade stands over by the window, like he’s keeping watch for bandits. Easton is on the couch with Aiden. Hendrix sits on the arm of the chair, debonair as always. Jesse’s pacing slowly over by the fireplace.

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