Page 209 of Omega for the Pack

“Sounds good,” I said, keeping my answer brief. Laurent shuffled his feet, looking awkwardly at both of us as we spoke without looking at each other.

“I’ll help Blade and Mason get the food warmed up and ready,” Laurent said, escaping out the door and leaving me alone with Alex. I shook my head.

Sighing, I was about to turn and go through my backpack of the little belongings I had brought, but Alex cleared his throat.

“I’d like for you to strip,” he said.

Did I hear him correctly?

“What?”

“Take off your clothes, little omega,” he said, standing there with his hands on his hips. The large metal buckle of his belt flashed in the sun as he stood before me, demanding to see me naked. My heart was beating wildly, and I began perfuming and releasing my natural omega scent. “I’d like to see what I purchased.”

I promised myself to be good. To be the obedient omega.

Even in my dancing career, I never showed my tummy or stripped down all the way.

Hesitantly, I slowly removed my dress, pulling it up over my head. The sparkles got stuck in my hair, and I cursed out loud.

I stood there in my bra and underwear, not wanting to take it all off unless he ordered me to. But he didn’t say anything as he walked right in front of me, his eyes glued to my body.

He gazed from my head to my toes, and my face burned as his eyes lingered on the stretch marks on my belly. He lifted a finger and ran it over the stretch marks.

“Have you given birth before?” he asked intrusively.

“Yes,” I said. Not elaborating further.

His eyes flashed for a second, then he released me and grunted. “Put your clothes back on and come eat lunch with us.”

Then he left the room, and tears stung my eyes. I was angry at myself. I should be happy that he hated my body and my stretch marks. That meant he wouldn’t get attached to me. But it still hurt to show myself bare to be dismissed away like that.

I decided I needed a shower.

I felt icky and gross being touched by someone who clearly didn’t find me attractive. I was nothing more than an object. I went into the bathroom across the hallway and saw that it was pretty clean. I gingerly stepped into the tub and stood under the lukewarm shower.

My chest tightened as I let the tears fall.

I hadn’t been away from Gabe this long, and as I looked down at my belly and at the stretch marks again, I cried even harder as the water washed my tears away.

Later, I was lying in bed covered in sheets, too weak to get up and eat lunch with the pack. I was zapped from my shower cry earlier, and my emotions felt heavy. I wore a pair of red leggings that I packed from my dancing days and a black tank top.

The bed felt too open and exposed. As an omega, I sought comfort from something a little more confined.

Getting up, I entered the walk-in closet and grabbed a heavy blanket from the top shelf. Settling it over the rug, I went back to grab my backpack. In the bottom of the backpack was Jack’s shirt, folded neatly. I snagged it before I ran to the bus station with Gabe that night. Even though it was just a one-night stand, I felt a strong connection with him.

Holding the blue shirt to my nose, I could smell his thick cedar scent.

Bringing it with me into the closet and laying on top of the blanket, I closed my eyes, inhaling Jack’s scent. It brought me a sense of comfort like I wasn’t alone. I didn’t have a single thing of Gabe’s.

I was all out of tears as I lay there, spent and exhausted. I had never been away from my baby for this long, and it reminded me of the miscarriage I had gone through in my teens. Even before the baby was born, I was attached. The father was my dastardlyuncle, but I still wanted someone to love me. Someone who I can love, and the day I lost the baby was worse than anything.

I hoped and wished I would get Gabe back as I laid there in the dark.

Fifteen

ALEX

“Are you sure you’re ready to move on with a new omega?” asked Laurent.

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