Page 28 of Claimed By the Feral Wolves

The answer is surprisingly easy to find when I think about all the laughter and fun I’ve shared with them. “I do think that I could be happy with them.”

“Then, maybe tell them how you feel and see if they feel the same way,” she suggests.

I stiffen at just the idea. “Cayson and Ezra have been honest with me from the very beginning that they don’t want an omega. I would be being ungrateful for the sacrifice they made pretending to claim me if I suddenly started wanting more from them. No, I won’t say anything. I’ll respect their feelings andremember that while last night was really special to me, it was probably just another night for them.”

“Faye–”

I draw my shoulders back. “So, how was your night?”

She hesitates, then pushes on. “Two alphas came to my room. Two I’ve seen a lot but not gotten one-on-one time with until last night.”

“And?”

Her face lights up. “We had a lot of fun. I ended up making out with both of them, and they said they want to spend more time with me. They’re actually brothers.”

“Addilyn!” I squeal.

She laughs. “Don’t put too much pressure on it. I didn’t necessarily feel a spark with them yet, so I’m going to keep exploring my options.”

“That’s still fun,” I say.

She grins. “It is.”

We select our baskets and head out of the room, going back to the stairs. My thoughts swirl with every step. Some strange fantasy plays in my mind of Cayson and Ezra suddenly claiming me, for real, and my life completely changing. Being safe with them. Forming a life with them. Maybe even a family. But the fantasy fades when real life rears its ugly head, and I remember the way every girl fonds over them. Me falling for them is hardly a shock. Them falling for me would be.

We walk down the stairs in silence for a minute before she says, “And how did the meeting with the ultimas go?”

This, I can talk about. “They basically lectured me. They said they’ve noticed I’m not giving Kurt a fair chance and they expect me to. It was basically a threat to include Kurt more or face the consequences.”

“Ugh,” she says, wrinkling her nose.

I shake my head. “I just don’t understand. How did things end up like this?”

“Well, if you think about it logically,” Addilyn says, shifting her basket over to her hip. “It seems you’ve managed to accumulate two alphas and one asshole you can’t get rid of, despite being the only omega here who didn’t want any interest at all.”

“Yeah, that part was bad enough. Being called to meet with the ultimas was even worse,” I say, focusing on my feet to make sure I don’t trip and fall down the stairs. “Just being in the room with them was miserable. It was like my body hurt from the force of being near them.”

We make it to the end of the stairs and head to the door that leads outside to the lawn, where Addilyn said we’re supposed to meet. Again, I think about the next event. Again, I wonder how in the world I’ll keep the ultimas happy and stay away from Kurt.

“Being around alphas is bad enough,” Addilyn says with a laugh, looking over her shoulder at me as we step out into the bright sunshine. Across the way, several other omegas are joining the group on the lawn, all holding their baskets. “But, like I said, at least you have two that you like.”

“I wish I had none at all,” I mutter. None would be simpler. “I can’t be around Kurt. It’s too hard. I just feel like I’m going to be sick anytime I see him. I only see my brother and Serra. The worst part is just that hekeepsgetting away with it, and for what? I’m hoping just to avoid him for the rest of the time.”

“Faye,” Addilyn says gently, knocking her hip into mine. “You know that you have to spend time with him, though, right? I mean, not only did the ultimas literally personally tell you that you had to, but it’s also the only way that you’re going to prove there’s no connection between you and him. If you keep avoiding him, there’s no way to prove that it doesn’t exist. Just hold on.Play the long game. Keep being brave and show that asshole that he’s not going to shake you.”

I open my mouth to tell her that I’m not quite sure I’m capable of that, but we’ve already reached the others. Several of the omegas turn, squealing and folding us into their group. A few of them look over at me, giving me strange looks that I don’t understand, but I try to ignore them. One of them starts talking a mile a minute at Addilyn, who jumps right in, talking just as quickly in return.

As the omegas talk and gossip, I try to pay attention. To distract myself from this next game and from dealing with Kurt.

It doesn’t work. My anxiety slowly rises.

Eventually the alphas come pouring out of the castle, jostling each other and laughing. All the men are smiling. Everyone but Kurt, who lingers in the background, glaring at everyone. The crowd of men parts as Brock walks through them, his head held high. Silence spreads as he approaches, and all the omegas lower their heads, waiting.

“Good afternoon, everyone,” Brock says, from the center of our two groups. “Today is another beautiful day here at The Selection.” This ultima, unlike Lance, speaks formally, and to the point. But unlike Hector, he isn’t a dick about it. “Some major changes will be occurring soon. The first of which is that the ferals will be joining The Selection activities.”

Some people grumble. Others look excited. But mostly, people look worried. It all depends on their experience with ferals.

Not that I blame anyone for their mixed reactions.

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