Page 64 of Stella

Our stupid stories were a way for us to escape, to build a better world.

“So, during your nighttime gardening.” Ember added more lavender to her giant pile. “Halos sneaks away to help you sing opera to the plants.”

The alphas from the other side of the nursery had been slowly making their way closer to us.

Instantly, I shifted so that I was closer to Ember, and I wished she’d brought West, her not-boyfriend boyfriend. He was an omega too, but tall and imposing. One good scowl from West, and the alphas would have sudden, pressing business elsewhere.

I sucked in a breath. I was being stupid.

The alphas would flirt and then leave. It didn’t matter that it made me intensely uncomfortable every time a strange alpha approached me. I wasn’t in danger, even if the panic in my mind made it feel like death was coming for me on swift wings.

What if Halo was here and I had a panic attack and he suddenly started treating me like I was broken?

I’d tried being in a pack. They made sure to tell me I wasn’t enough. Omegas were supposed to be shy and quiet, but not needy.

It wasn’t common to be dumped, not when you dated a pack for years.

I guess my family was just lucky. We were insightful enough to match other people, but finding suitable partners for ourselves remained a mystery.

“What do you think?” Ember held up a large tomato plant. “I found a video on YouTube about making your own marinara.” As she held up the pot her sleeve dropped down, showing the thin white scar that snaked around her wrist and up her forearm became visible. It had taken her years to be comfortable enough to not cover up her scars in public.

The alphas stopped in front of us. They were both decent looking, with short hair and broad shoulders. “Hello, sweet ladies,” the blond one said. “What are two unbonded omegas doing in a place like this?”

I hide my ewww face. Unbonded omegas.

“We’re getting plants. This is a nursery, after all.” Ember linked her arm in mine. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re busy.”

“Aww, why so fast?” The alpha next to him stepped to the side, cutting off Ember’s exit. He smelled like leather and woodsmoke, and his scent made my eyes water. It was too heavy, too cloying. “There’s two of us, two of you.”

“Congratulations, you can count to four.” Ember shot him a look. “But we’re good, thanks.”

I stepped back, and almost stumbled into the dolly loaded with plants. This was why I hated public places. My head throbbed. While this encounter would annoy Ember, it was already making me feel like all my energy was leeching out of my body.

“Aww, baby, don’t be like that.” The blond one looked me over. “You look nervous. I got something for that.”

“Gross.” Ember made a face. “Pro tip, dude, that’s not actually sexy.”

Woodsmoke stepped closer to her. “I’ll show you what’s sexy.”

“Also not sexy.” Ember glared at both of them. “Go away.”

She turned on her heel and dismissed them. I wished, not for the first time, for even half of her confidence. I followed behind her, pushing the dolly loaded with plants.

“We’re trying to be friendly.” Woodsmoke held his hands out. “Show you omegas a good time.”

“We’re having the time of our life at the garden center. Buzz off.”

I pushed the dolly forward, following Ember into the topiary area. The space between my shoulder blades itched and I wondered if they were going to follow us.

Ember didn’t seem affected. “We should get a little topiary. For the office. Do they have any hamster shapes?”

Halos came out of a sliding door with a cart full of potting soil. He stopped when he saw us and smiled.

My stomach flipped over itself, and I froze, a smile plastered on my face.

“Good morning, Ember.” He nodded at me. “Luna.”

“Morning.”

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