Page 203 of Omega for the Pack

Then I saw Gabe, and my heart nearly burst in my chest.

He was sitting on a maid’s lap, talking to a stuffed toy bear. When he looked up and saw me, his eyes lit up, and a widesmile crossed his face. He looked clean and wore a pair of blue overalls.

“Mommy!” he screamed, running out of her lap and hugging me around my legs. Tears flowed freely down my face as I knelt and kissed him all over his chubby face. I lifted my shackled arms and pulled him in for a hug as long as I could. I never thought I’d see him again. Every moment was precious with him, and I was never more grateful than this brief moment I had with him. “Are you going to jail, Mommy?”

“What do you mean?” I asked, wiping my runny nose with my arm.

“Your hands.”

“No, I’m not going to jail, baby,” I said quickly. “I was playing a game, and now it’s stuck. I’m going to get it taken out, so it’s going to be a few days. The nice guards are going to help.”

“Don’t go.”

“It’s just for a little while, but I promise I’ll come back,” I said. “Just be a good boy and be nice to the babysitter, okay?”

“Fine,” he said, his nose all scrunched up, and I kissed it. I had to keep it together for him. If I started bawling right now, he would be worried. So I spent the remainder of my few minutes talking to him and kissing him every chance I got until he was annoyed with me.

“Did you eat food?” I asked him.

“Yes, look at my toys,” he said, more concentrated on showing off everything to me with his chubby hands.

“Time’s up,” said the guard. His words made my chest hurt, and I felt physically sick.

“Please take care of him,” I begged the nanny. She was a round-faced woman who looked to be in her twenties, with black hair tied into a ponytail. She nodded silently as the guards had to pull me forcibly from the room.

I had to get him back. And I vowed to come back no matter what it took.

Eleven

JACK

Ikissed Vanessa’s cheek as we said our goodbyes at the palace entrance.

“I’ll see you at the auction tomorrow,” I said and hugged Vanessa. Her demeanor felt like she had lost all hope. Her back was slumped, and her eyes looked hopeless. I could tell she was trying to be strong, but anything I said could trigger her into tears. “Armon said you’d be at the eleven a.m. bid, so I’ll be there to ensure you’re with a good pack.”

“Okay, thank you,” she said, her eyes empty and void of excitement. She didn’t look at me as she gazed off into the distance, in her thoughts.

“Don’t give up, Vee,” I said, squeezing her hands in mine. I reached up to push her hair back from her face. It hurt to see her like this. Even after hearing about what she did to the Royal Pack, I felt a connection with her. Maybe because she spent a few days in my house, and we naturally formed a bond. Her scent also called to me like no other.

“I’m trying, Jack,” she said, her voice shaky as she glanced at the guards behind us as they glared impatiently at her. “An omega like me doesn’t have a chance in Howl’s Edge. You know this.”

“Vanessa,” I said, turning her face. “Look at me.”

She swallowed and looked up. “I know what you’re going to say, Jack. That everything is going to be alright, blah blah.”

“I’m going to be there tomorrow at the auction,” I said, looking at her directly in the eyes. “And I will be the one to have you. Do you understand?”

Her eyes flickered, and she slowly licked her lips. “Will you help me get my son back?”

“Everything in my power,” I promised. I couldn’t let her go weak and broken. She needed hope even though I hadn’t a clue how we’d ever get Gabe back. He was royalty, and one of the alphas in there was his father.

She smiled with her full lips, and I let out a heavy breath of relief. I was able to make her smile.

At least for now.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then,” she said, giving me a quick peck on the lips before disappearing into the car waiting for her. I watched her close the door as she gave me one last wave, and I waved back.

At her departure, a sense of loss entered me. I’d be at the auctions tomorrow and make her my omega forever.

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