Page 71 of Captive Omega

Whatever Resa says in her earpiece, we will hear and get to her in case she’s in trouble. But she hasn’t been listening to our regular check ins and observations as we circled the room.

Other than the first round of check ins as Resa spoke with Everleigh, Blaine has been quiet. But he can hear.

Touching the piece, I turn away from Blaine and Resa before they spot me. “She’s okay. I did a sweep a little while ago. She’s with Blaine.”

“Any reason why a woman just stalked out of here in a stained white dress cursing an omega bitch?” Frost’s voice comes through my mouthpiece next.

“I’ll explain later. If she tries to come back in, make it crystal clear the only way that will happen is over my dead body. And if she is still stubborn, feel free to show her you’re carrying.”

Silence.

“I take it something happened,” Frost says.

It’s not like me to be anything less than professional. After what that woman said to one of mine, I’m not in the mood for professional. “We’ll talk about it after.”

A shoulder bumps mine and Rune drawls, “When were you going to tell me that she’s your scent match?”

“I wasn’t. Yet. How did you know?”

He shrugs. “Call it a lucky guess.”

“Why don’t I believe you?”

“Maybe because I just caught you grinning at her like a lovesick fool.”

Maybe I had a hint of a smile, but grinning like a lovesick fool?

“And you’re sure it was me you were looking at?”

“You think I don’t recognize the look? It’s not like I haven’t seen Kylian or Cian wearing one just like it when they look at Everleigh.” Rune rakes a hand through his hair. “They’d accuse me of the same thing, so there’s that.” He nudges my shoulder again and nods at the entrance to the ballroom. “You got five minutes? I’d like to talk to you about something.”

I spare Blaine and Resa another glance. Neither has moved.

I touch my earpiece. “I’m leaving the room for the next five minutes. Stay alert.”

Rune leads the way out of the ballroom, through the foyer and into their den. I saw Everleigh dancing with Cian so we don’t bump into her on our way. He heads straight for a drinks trolley and holds up a bottle. “Drink?”

I eye the label. Macallan 18. It’s good whiskey but I’m not here to drink. I shake my head. “Need to stay sharp. So this talk…”

He snorts. “You need to learn the subtle art of small talk, Garrison.”

I raise my brow. “We have met before, right?”

“You also need to learn the art of taking it easy.” He pours two fingers in each glass and offers me one. “Here. Call it southern hospitality. There’s no way of saying no without offending me.”

I take it but I don’t drink from it.

He perches on the edge of the windowsill and sips from his glass. “I’m guessing there’s a reason you kept quiet about Resa being your mate?”

I consider lying, maybe making something up, but I don’t have many people in my life I can be open and honest with. Just my pack.

“She’s struggling with the idea of being scent matched,” I explain. “Given what she must have suffered, I can’t blame her.”

Rune hums in agreement. “Have you given her a place that’s hers? Everleigh has omega territory.”

“Omega territory?” I almost down my unwanted whiskey. “You didn’t buy her an island, did you?”

And why am I considering if that’s something Resa might like?

---