Page 60 of One Wild Omega

“It would be in Port Sacrementi.”

Bellamy’s smile faded. He was silent a moment, thoughtful looking. “What does your family think of this? Do they even know?”

“Yeah, they know. They’re not happy. Especially Harrison and Pops. But everyone seems somewhat accepting.”

“What doyouthink about leaving the province?” Bellamy asked.

“I don’t know. That’s why I came. I needed to talk it out with someone who wasn’t a blood relative. Someone who wouldn’t lie to me just to make me stay.”

Bellamy chuckled. “Understandable since they’re very biased—although I can’t say I’m not a little biased myself.”

Fitz smiled. “It’s a great opportunity. But leaving behind everything I know? Everyone? My family?” He thrust a hand through his hair and brushed it back. “But after the last year… maybe what I really need is a fresh start.” He eyed Bellamy.

“You’re leaving? Because of me?”

“To be honest, this is the first time I’ve been near you when it didn’t hurt like hell.” Fitz smiled wanly. “Maybe you’re part of the reason I considered the job, but it’s not all you. A new start sounds intriguing… and maybe fate is leading me there for a reason. Maybe my mate’s in Port Sacrementi, for all I know.”

Bellamy frowned. “If that’s what you feel you need… but I’d hate to see you go. I miss you enough as it is, and you’re in the same province. If you move, I’ll never see you.” He hedged a second. “As far as your mate… I was kind of wondering if you might not have found him already.”

Fitz frowned. “What?”

Bellamy tilted his head slightly. “When you raced out of my hospital room… chasing after Tanner. What was that about?”

Heat filled Fitz’s face. “Nothing.”

Bellamy began to smile. “No, there’s something there. I asked him about you a couple of days ago, and things got weird. Like really weird, even for Tanner. I got the sense he was lying to me. Just like I know you’re lying to me now.”

Fitz groaned. “There’s something about him that just rubs me really raw. I get this intense feeling that I don’t understand… it’s visceral… I just want to push him away and yet there’s this connection, too. Don’t ask me what that is.”

Bellamy looked thoughtful. “But thereisa connection?”

“A push and a pull. But the push usually wins.”

Bellamy’s frown grew deeper. “Thathasto mean something.”

“Why? If there’s the right omega who draws me to him, maybe there’s the wrong omega who repels me. Or so Harrison seems to think.”

“You discussed Tanner with your brothers?”

Fitz nodded. “After a particularly bad fight.”

“You were bothered enough to hash it out afterwards with your brothers. Seems there’s more than ‘nothing’ here,” Bellamy said.

“Your point?”

Bellamy lifted his chin some. “How do you feel about walking away from Tanner McCreary?” He paused a second, his stare searching Fitz’s. “Honestanswer.”

Fitz’s guts clenched, and it felt like he couldn’t breathe. “I could walk away just fine,” he lied.

“Really?”

Fitz met Bellamy’s stare.

“See, after I talked to Tanner and got this weird vibe, I really started to think things over. Quinn and I discussed it last night—and I think we might be on to something.”

“Bell—Tanner’snotmy mate.”

“Do you recall telling me that you once thought I was your omega? That you’d scented something that made you wonder if I was?”

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