Page 60 of The Omega Archives: Part Three

"I'm here because I had to make sure you were safe, Ella. But claiming you as my omega... that's not something I can do."

The weight of his words settled over me like a suffocating blanket, the reality of the situation crashing down around me in a dizzying whirlwind of confusion and hurt. I struggled to process his rejection, the disbelief clawing at my insides as I searched his face for any sign of hesitation.

"Why?" I managed to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper. "You promised... you said..."

Demetri's expression hardened even further, his features carved into an unreadable mask of stoicism. He shook his head slowly, regret etched in every line of his face.

"I can't explain it now, Ella," he said, his tone final and resolute. "There are things you don't understand, things that are beyond your control. But trust me when I say this is for your own good. Both of our goods."

The tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. “Both of our…” It dawned on me then. “You’re looking for an omega.”

He didn’t answer.

“Here.”

That wasn’t me.

“But…” I didn't know what else to say. “What about Cal? Marko? Liam?” I said their names again in hopes that it would jolt something in his brain to make him change his mind.

Nothing crossed his face.

Tears were already starting to streak down mine. This too-tiny dress was tighter than it was a moment ago. I couldn’t quite breathe.

His jaw clenched even tighter, his eyes flickering with a mixture of emotions I couldn't quite decipher. "Ella, you don't understand. This goes beyond just claiming and marking. There are forces at play that you can't begin to comprehend."

"I don't care about any of that," I insisted, stepping closer to him despite his obvious reluctance. "I just know that I can't go back there. Not without you by my side."

For a moment, there was a flicker of indecision in his gaze, a brief spark of something vulnerable before it was once again masked by his usual stoicism. "You have no idea what you're asking for, Ella. The consequences of this... they could be devastating for both of us."

"I'm willing to take that risk," I declared, my voice unwavering as I met his gaze head-on. "Whatever it is, whatever it takes, I choose you."

Demetri's resolve wavered. A war raged behind his eyes as he struggled with internal conflict.

And then, in a flash of a moment, he seemed utterly unconcerned with me. Or anyone.

Who was this alpha?

I barely recognized him now that I stood in front of him.

“Ella!” A voice growled. Benjamin walked up alongside me, glaring at the scene I had become. His gaze then snapped back up to Demetri. “Prestford.”

“Benjamin.”

“I see you found my omega. Again.”

“It does seem to be becoming a habit. Not intentional, I hope you know.”

Benjamin narrowed his eyes as if he wasn’t sure. “Surely not.”

Jessica, finally seeing that something was wrong rushed up alongside us. She was a sucky handler.

“Is everything alright here?” Her attention was locked on me. “Elena?”

Demetri stared at me at the sound of my actual name. Then, he cleared his throat. “I was just leaving. Have a good evening.”

“You as well, Prestford,” said Benjamin in a cordial tone, looking shocked by the exchange, himself.

Tiny dark pieces of hair escaped Jessica’s ponytail right around her ears. “I believe that this night might’ve been a little overwhelming for omega Elena. I will take this time to escort her back to her housing.”

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