Page 29 of Claiming Their Omega

“Unless you really are enough of a masochist to let us make good on our threats, you’ll be on the first plane, train, or car out of here,” Easton finishes.

Cade doesn’t say anything the entire time, but his looming presence and dark storm cloud of an expression says everything for him. He wants to squash William like a bug. And hey, I wouldn’t stop him.

William looks from one man to the other, sizing them up. For a second I think that he might actually challenge them. “I can call security, you know.”

“Oh, please,” Jesse drawls. “I’d love that. Then we can tell them all about how you cheated on this lovely Omega here, then abandoned her on the side of the road so that we had to come and get her. You know that she presented while with us. You could’ve had her. You lost your chance. And I don’t think any Alpha here is going to agree that you’re in the right.”

“Go ahead,” Hendrix challenges. “Call them. We’ll see who gets kicked out.”

I don’t like the stereotype that Omegas are delicate little things that need protecting, but I admit it’s nice to have four men standing up for me like this. It’s also nice to know that security would be on my side and not William’s. The idea of abandoning an Omega in her hour of need wouldn’t sit right with anybody, and William has to know that.

Sure enough, he backs down. He doesn’t look happy, but he doesn’t look like he’s going to start a fight, either, thank goodness.

“Like we said,” Easton adds with a tone of finality, “the state of Colorado isn’t open to you anymore. But hey, you can go back to your fancy city with the knowledge that we’ll take better care of Grace than you ever did.”

William glares at him, then throws a glare at me for good measure, like he’s disappointed in me for letting these Alphas have their say and not defending him or automatically picking him.

I suppose I can understand why you’d be upset that your girlfriend of however many months isn’t sticking up for you at all, but in my opinion, any good time we spent together was wiped away the moment I realized he cheated on me.

William walks away—more like stalks away. I watch him disappear into the crowd, taking in the hunch, cowed curve of his shoulders.

At least he’s gone. That’s one problem down.

I turn and look at the four Alphas. “You put in a bid for me?”

Jesse looks away and Cade rubs at the back of his neck. Easton shifts his weight. “Of course,” he says, a little gruff.

They’re embarrassed. Of course they are. They have to pick me even though they don’t even want me, as a favor. “Thank you. I’ll make this up to you, I promise.”

“Ah, I see you’re talking to one of your bidders!” the ORD officer from earlier sweeps back in, making me jump. “We do have a few others that we can have you meet, make sure that you meet everyone and are sure about your decision…”

“I think I’ve made my decision, actually,” I cut in, trying to sound excited and not desperate. I don’t want to give the Alphas time to change their minds, and I don’t want to waste anyone else’s time when I’m not picking them.

“Oh?” The officer smiles at the four Alphas. “I’m glad they made such a good impression!”

I plaster a smile on my face and nod, hoping I look excited and not deranged. “Yes, thank you. I’m not sure what we do next, there’s paperwork?”

“Oh, yes, of course.” The officer bustles me away so that I can do my exit interview and assure the officers that I’m not being threatened, bribed, or coerced into choosing these Alphas, and the Alphas can sign paperwork stating their intentions and ability to take care of me.

I can take care of myself, thank you very much.

I’m well aware that none of these men would choose me if they were simply making a decision based on attraction. I’m sure they’re eager to get rid of me as soon as they can. It does make a tiny bit of shame curl up in the pit of my stomach. Both that I’m keeping them from finding the right Omega for them, and because, well… I think we all want to know that we’re desirable, deep down.

We get all the paperwork wrapped up and then, at last, I’m free. Or, somewhat free, anyway.

I change into my regular clothes, gather my belongings—there aren’t many—and exit the facility. I’m free for the first time in weeks. Thank god.

The Alphas are all waiting for me at the front. Now that I’m not distracted by William and this whole ordeal, I can take in what they’re wearing. All the other Alphas dressed up in suits, even William, but not these four. They’re still all in their well-worn jeans. Cade’s jeans have a hole in the knee, and Jesse’s have several patches all over them.

They’re each wearing something simple on top too. Jesse’s got a dark green shirt that stretches obscenely over his muscled shoulders and chest. Cade and Easton are wearing long-sleeved flannel plaid shirts over t-shirts. Hendrix is the only one who looks like he put any effort into looking classy, but that’s just because he’s the smoothest operator out of all the men. He’s got a leather jacket on and his hair is styled.

It's really unfair, how handsome they all look.

I smile timidly as I walk up, bag in hand. Cade immediately silently takes the bag from me and puts it in the back of the car. “Thank you guys for doing this.”

Jesse arches an eyebrow. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Could you be serious for two seconds?”

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