Page 133 of Chosen Beta

Shadow

It’s a bright day outside, and Owen seems determined to carry out this risk assessment in the shortest time possible, which is a serious pain in the ass. I’ve done nothing but chase him around so far, while he occasionally makes some notes on his phone and stalks around the property as if he’s trying to win a race without actually running.

I finally corner him in the gardens, where the path goes around in a circle.

He doesn’t seem to realize that before he walks in, so he’s not looking too far ahead, which means he’s not really paying attention. I put my hands on either side of the fence at the only entrance and exit to the circular path.

“Okay, what is this?” I ask as he looks up at me. “Because it sure as shit is not a risk assessment.”

He frowns at me. “You don’t know what a risk assessment is, Shadow.”

“Maybe I don’t, but I know it’s not this, whatever this is. You’ve been acting weird all morning. What’s going on?” I fold my arms and wait.

He looks around before he lets out a sigh. “It’s not important.”

“Is it because I snuck out?”

I really hope it’s not. I’d hate for him to be mad at me.

He takes the few steps to get to me and he puts his hands on my arms, leaning down to rest his forehead against mine. “I’m not mad at you for sneaking out.”

I let out a relieved breath. He’s not mad at me.

“I’m never mad at you, Shadow. Tell me you know that.”

“I know.”

It doesn’t sound convincing, because I don’t fully believe it.

It’s kind of hard to when I spent the first eighteen years of my life with someone always telling me I was doing something wrong.

Doesn’t matter that I know now my parents were assholes who turned my older brothers into even bigger assholes with their bullshit.

I still always feel like someone’s mad at something I’m doing, or not doing.

But I’m not the one with the issues today.

Owen’s got something going on.

I just don’t know what it is.

“Are you mad about being here, or is it Lana?”

He lets go of my arms and steps back. “It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing, Owen. You’re angry. I can feel it.”

Sometimes it really sucks to be an Omega.

I can feel that he’s emotional, but I have no idea what’s behind it.

Pete and Ezra would talk to me if I asked them why they were feeling a certain way.

Owen has a real problem with communicating.

He’s never been good at it.

He shakes his head. “I’m just frustrated.”

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