Page 10 of Claimed By the Alpha Wolves

He laughs. “Excited! For The Selection! Surely, you’ll have your pick as the would-be alpha to one of the nine largest packs.”

“You too. Every omega wants an alpha from Pack Steel, and you’re next in line to run the pack. Omegas will be flocking to you,” I say, dodging his question.

“So you’re excited?” he asks, lifting a brow.

“Yeah,” I say, returning his laughter, even though it sounds hollow, and rubbing my hand on the back of my neck.What’s the point in having your pick if you’re not interested?“I don’t know. Maybe this isn’t my year.”

“What?” He looks shocked.

I shrug, finally speaking the words aloud. “I don’t think I’m ready for an omega.”

Cayson studies me for a long moment, rolling his cigarette back and forth between his fingers. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but the problem with Cayson is, for all his pomp and recklessness, he’s smart. He’s not just going to let something like this go.

“Not ready, or don’t want one?”

“I don’t know,” I say, trying to keep my tone light despite the fact that I can’t raise my gaze from the floor. I see Cayson’s boots move a bit as he shuffles forward on the bed, sitting up.

A long moment passes between us, and I fight the rage and sorrow battling for dominance in my throat. I just want him to let this go. To move on without analyzing this further, because I know what he’ll find if he keeps on digging, and it’s only going to bring me pain.

“Is it about Katie?”

I blink hard, and for a brief moment, my fist itches to connect with Cayson’s face. But it’s not his fault. It’s just a word—just a name. It shouldn’t have this effect on me.

“It has nothing to do with her,” I say, knowing my tone is sharper than I intend for it to be. I try to move on, shifting the attention to Cayson instead. “What about you? Are you excited? Do you intend to find an omega?”

“Oh, yes,” Cayson drawls, grinning, “I intend to enjoy asmanyas I can… at least during The Selection. I won’t be taking any home with me.” He wrinkles his nose. “The gods know I don’t need to be tied down at twenty-one years young.”

My stomach tightens. Sometimes, Cayson is too unserious for his own good. Before I can try to figure out something to say to that, the bell sounds from the hallway, filtering into my room will a dull echo.

“Shit!” Cayson says, jumping to his feet. “I have to have a smoke before it starts!”

He moves to the door, then stops for a moment. “You coming, man? We can stop by my room real quick, then head down.”

“No,” I say, clearing my throat and looking up at him. “You go on without me.”

He stares at me for a long moment, then shrugs, lighting up his cigarette the moment he turns into the hallway. And I give a little prayer of thanks that he just let this go, even though he knows more is going on beneath my surface. The last thing I need right now is for someone to watch me battling myowninner demons.

FIVE

Faye

I can’t breathe.

Every moment of the ball, from the second Addilyn and I walked in, has been torture. All around me, elegant gowns are twirling and catching in the light. It should be beautiful, I should marvel at the sight, but it just feels like an optical illusion designed to overwhelm me.

The music is too loud. I can smell all the people in here, including the perfumes that many of the omegas are drenched in, and the atmosphere is so tense with expectation it’s making my head hurt. Every omega is looking for a man, a mate, at least one, if not many. Every alpha is prowling around the place, grinning when a beautiful woman looks their way. It’s like I’m in a supermarket, except everyone is for sale.

I can’t stand it.

Addilyn wanted to stay together, but when an alpha approached her and asked her to dance, we both knew she couldn’t say no. Left to my own devices, I’ve been using my small size to my advantage. Every time a man in this ballroom looks at me, I slip away, moving through the crowd and trying to pretend I didn’t feel his gaze on me.

I can escape these men. I just need to be faster and smarter.

A live band sits atop the stage, playing a beautiful but upbeat song that has everyone dancing. It’s been so long since I heard live music. I should stay and try to enjoy it, but my body moves as though I’m not in control of it, seeking an escape, since I know better. If I get lost in that music, even for a moment, I know it could give enough time for an alpha to pounce on me. And if he asks me to dance, I’ll have no choice but to say yes. And if he likes me, I’ll have no choice but to be his mate.

So, I keep moving. Fleeing. Like a rabbit in a room full of wolves. Which is pretty damn ironic, given what I am.

When I turn the corner and dodge a server with a tray full of champagne, I see a man and woman coming through a door, giggling, their arms around one another. When I turn a bit, I can see it’s a door to a balcony.Out there, I’m technically participating in the event, but I’ll be out of sight.I dash out, taking my first deep breath of the evening.

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