Page 18 of Unbreak Me

If someone was going to buy my contract, he needed to be an alpha. And it wouldn't even happen here, at this stupid fair, but at some other respectable matchmaking agency. This was all one big waste of time.

I just had to wait it out.

Would the rest of the day be the same? Stuck in this stupid booth, watching a stream of people pass me by? Observing other omegas constantly attracting new candidates? Even my immediate neighbor—the legless omega—had found himself a partner! Though, the alpha looked like a guy with a kink.

My strategy of smoking in the booth with a rude grimace on my face worked like a charm, keeping alphas away. After the situation with the Fergusons, I couldn’t stop anyway. It was how I coped with stress.

As another quarter of an hour passed, my irritation strangely grew.

What was wrong with me?! I didn’t want any suitors anyway, so why was I so flustered about the beta situation?

My mind kept popping this question:Why did he have to be a beta?!Finally, someone did notice me!

He should have been an alpha, for fuck’s sake.

I wasn’t desperate enough to settle for a beta.

Yet.

My God, what was happening? Did I secretly hope to find somebody here, after all?

Was my subconscious sabotaging my ownplan?

Unable to sit still in my chair, I had to move, to burn off some of the frantic energy buzzing in me. So, I stepped outside and lit another cigarette, taking deep breaths and brooding. There were other omegas around, smoking and chatting, but naturally, I ignored them. All dressed to the nines, like they were auditioning for a movie. I just didn’t fit in.

Something caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. Along the metal fence separating the smoking area from the side exit path, a lone figure was walking slowly, hunched.

It was him—the yoked beta.

Fuck. Seeing him again, leaving the fair alone, sent a weird wave of irritation through me, along with some unwelcome exuberance. And, unfortunately, regret. Because… well, he was a looker. For a beta, the guy was impressive—broad shoulders like an alpha’s, powerful muscles that screamed ‘gym rat’, and honestly, a face to die for. Handsome, classical features. Thick golden-brown hair, like a lion’s mane.

Feeling a stabbing pain as he headed away, I forced myself to tear my gaze from him and go back inside, but he kept popping into my thoughts.

Why? I’d made up my mind from the start: alphas only. No exceptions. But the fucking frustration bubbled up inside me until it felt like I was going to explode.

Gosh, why had I even agreed to this circus? Screw the penalty fine. Screw Fate’s Choice!

Just as I was about to grab my stuff and bolt, my jaw dropped.

Nolan was heading toward me with a round redheaded omega by his side. And… the yoked beta.

The fuck? What was happening? Hadn’t I been crystal clear about my preferences?

Yup, I should’ve been livid, but instead, I felt a mix of mild irritation, curiosity, and, annoyingly, a little excitement.

Nolan looked ready for battle, his expression tight. He swung the door open sharply and let it close behind him with a thud, tension practically etched into his forehead.

Before he could speak, I growled, "I don’t want him! I said no betas."

"Would you just listen—"

"No, you listen!" My voice spiked as anger boiled over. "You dragged me to this fair, but I’m not letting you push betas on me. I’m not spending another heat writhing in pain. Unless," I added with a sharp smirk, "you’re volunteering to keep me company. Though I’m guessing he wouldn’t be too thrilled about that," I said, gesturing to the redhead.

Nolan stood his ground, his tone sharpening. "Would you shut up and let me finish? He’s not a beta! He’s just… a short alpha."

That stopped me cold. Silence. I blinked at him, stupefied. Honestly, I wasn’t even mad that he snapped at me—after all, I’d been pushing his buttons all day. But still, I wasn’t expecting that. Wave of relief, wave of hope?

Nope. I stopped it.

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