Page 29 of The Omega Trials: Part Two

The others keep their grips on my arms while Yves turns around with an indignant huff. “Interhouse relations.”

“Oh my god.” Paisley gasps as she steps into the doorway too; she must have been a few paces behind, just now catching up. “Get off her!”

She storms into the room, but Griffin pulls her back and orders, “Stay here.”

She looks pissed but doesn’t move except to cross her arms. It must have been an alpha growl.

“Okay, Yves, you’ve had your fun, now give it up.” Griffin’s always reminded me of a golden retriever, but as he stalks toward us with a tucked chin and glowering stare, I see the true alpha underneath. All these men have potential to be monsters.

“You’re not worth getting blood on my shirt for,” Yves scoffs and flicks his chin at the two men still holding me.

As soon as they let me go, I fold over, my palms catching myself on my thighs. It’s all I can do to stay on my feet and not crumple to the floor. I listen to them leave then hear fast, light steps rush to me.

“Jesus, Sinclair. Are you alright?” Paisley’s hand lightly rests on my back, like she’s worried she’ll hurt me.

“Fan-fucking-tastic.” I begin to chuckle, but my ribs scream and it turns into more of a wheezing groan.

Her arm wraps around my waist and she helps me stand up straight. “How can I help? What do you need?”

“A drink.”

“Thank you, Twelve,” Paisley says as her attendant holds out a silver tray with an ice pack wrapped in a towel, two small pills, and a cup of water.

We’re back in the Beryll’s wing, sitting on Paisley’s bed. Well, I think it’s her bedroom, but it’s clear everyone sleeps here. There are sports drinks on the bedside table, boxing gloves lying next to a gym bag by the door, and various men’s clothes strewn about the floor. But her dresses are the only thing in the closet and her makeup is set on top of the dresser.

She offers me the pills and water, explaining, “Super low dose alpha hormones to speed up the healing—it will feel like it didn’t even happen tomorrow.”

Grateful, I take them then she passes the ice to me, and I hold it on my swollen eye. The guys are going to throw a fit when they find out. But I still don’t get how it was even possible.

“How were they able to touch me? Especially now that Ecker and I are bonded too. I’d expect the alpha aversion to be stronger.” I rub my sore jaw after talking.

“They must have slipped you a suppressant.” Paisley explains, “If your omega nature is suppressed, then so is your bond and any alpha aversion.”

“But how—Merigold.” I realize and groan. “What a cunt.”

“She must have dropped it in your cup at the dock. That’s probably why you felt sick.”

“And why I can’t feel my mates—oh shit, do they know where I am?”

Twelve returns with two glasses full of deep red wine on the tray. Paisley plucks one off and hands it to me, saying, “Of course, Noah told them. But I figured if you’re suppressed, you might want some time apart.”

I take a sip of the rich wine. “Why?”

“Once I had to be suppressed for a medical thing and it was really weird and kind of scary to be near Griffin and not feelanything.”

I remember right before the attack, when I thought I was just sick, and imagining Bishop and Ecker all over me made me feel even worse. They don’t feel like my comfort zone right now.

Do I still feel like theirs?

Even with the weird, unnatural feeling of being suppressed, I still want to see them. They may not be the same comfort zone, but they’re still the closest thing to it.

But they probably don’t want to see me. After all, without our alpha-omega connection, is there anything left between us?

I want to believe there is, but I’m scared to face the reality that maybe there isn’t.

“You can just leave the bottle.” Paisley giggles and swipes the wine bottle from Twelve after she comes to refill our glasses for a third time.

Paisley’s hand sways slightly as she tops off my drink, then she takes a chug right from the bottle.

---