Page 27 of The Omega Trials: Part Three

I exhale a small chuckle and elbow Ecker. “Who knew your mouth was just as slutty as our omega’s.”

He laughs. “Oh, how quickly you forget I’m the professional in bed.”

1. “I Want It” by Two Feet

Chapter 15

Weird Ass Olive Branch

Sinclair

“Thanks, Bish.” I take the blanket he offers me with a smile. Tucking my knees to my chest, I unfurl it over my lap where I’m sitting in the armchair.

“Alright, you can play it,” he says as he settles back on the couch with Titus and Ecker and opens a bag of chips.

Titus snatches the remote away from Ecker. “Not until you find a bowl. I’m not gonna try to watch a movie over that crinkling.”

Bishop rolls his eyes but shakes a handful of chips into his palms and sets the bag on the table. Titus relaxes back into the cushions and presses play on the ridiculous mockumentarywe’re watching. The guys keep busting up at every butthole and dick joke.

I chose to sit in the armchair alone because I was feeling a little touched out but still wanted to be with them. However, it’s given me the chance to observe them in such a simple scene of domesticity. And it’s making me shockingly emotional.

They haven’t spoken much about the Fortitude Trial, but I could tell whatever happened was taking a toll on them. It warms a part of me that craves the comfort of family to see them all relaxed on the couch, bickering about chips and laughing at fart jokes.

Nothing about the Trials has been relaxing. Maybe that’s why this moment means so much.

Then there’s a knock on the door.

Ecker jumps to his feet, Titus pulls a knife out from between the cushions, and Bishop beckons me. “Come here, Sin.”

As soon as I stand up, he grabs my wrist and pulls me onto the couch to him and angles his body between me and the door.

“Anyone expecting visitors?” Titus asks warily, and we all shake our heads.

“I’m pretty sure the Berylls are off campus tonight, too,” I add since they’re the only people who would drop by for a friendly visit.

“Take her to your room.” He gestures to Bishop then jolts his head at Ecker. “You come with me.”

“Let’s go.” Bishop quickly ushers me up, and we hurry to his room, closing the door quietly behind us.

“What’s going on?” I whisper in panic. This cloak-and-dagger reaction has me assuming the worst and sends my heart racing.Why can’t we just enjoy one goddamn movie?

“Stay behind me, Omega,” he alpha growls, instantly in protective mode. My feet naturally obey, shuffling behind him as he presses his ear to the door.

He relays what he hears to me. “They’re asking who it is . . . It’sMerigold?”

“I know you have supersonic alpha hearing or whatever, but that can’t be right.” I’d be less surprised if it was a sixth trial. Unexpected but on brand. Nothing makes sense about Merigold showing up at our door.

“They’re letting her in,” Bishop says, just as much confusion in his voice.

“Is there anyone with her? Can you tell?”

He shakes his head. “She’s alone.”What. The. Hell?

“You two can come out,” Ecker hollers from our common room.

Bishop opens the door, but when I go to leave the room, my feet don’t budge. “Can you?” I ask, looking at him then my feet.

A flicker of a smile tugs on his lips. “You don’t need to stay behind me.” He breaks his command, and I’m relieved to see the loose, relaxed Bishop from before this unplanned visit isn’t completely gone so soon.

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