Page 52 of Omega in Hiding

Why is that only now occurring to me?

Since I met Connor, I’ve been in a sort of haze of lust and emotions I didn’t understand. It’s been almost like a fever. I’ve examined my feelings for Connor many times over the past month. I’ve been forced to conclude that what I feel for Connor is primal. Instinctual. Meeting Connor flipped a switch inside of me.

I’ve never chased or fought for an omega before. It’s never even occurred to me to do such a thing. But my feelings toward Connor have me obsessing and racing after him. My behavior concerning Connor has made me wonder if perhaps we’re fated mates. I’ve never really believed in that stuff. My mother always insisted that Valentino and Nico were fated mates. But I always dismissed the idea of being fated for someone as a wives tale. Now I’m not so sure. The pull I feel toward Connor is impossible to ignore. It’s as if the universe is screaming at me to be with him.

The way Connor was toward me fed into the theory of fated mates too. The way he looked at me. The way he slept in my arms and allowed me to knot him. He seemed as bonded to me as I did to him. But seeing him with that red-haired alpha, now I’m questioning if I’ve been delusional. Have I been kidding myself that Connor felt about me like I did him?

Connor pulls onto a quiet street with apartment buildings and tall oak trees. He parks in front of a three story, white-washed complex. I park down the road where I can see him, but hopefully he won’t notice my car. My heart sinks when the red-haired alpha’s car appears on the street too. He parks behindConnor’s car, and jealousy ravages me when Connor exits his vehicle and grins at the guy.

My chest aches as they make their way toward the apartment building together. My eyes blur with tears as I realize I truly must have been delusional. What I feel for Connor is still as strong as the day I met him. For the last month, I’ve yearned for him. I’ve ached for him. I’ve been unable to even look at another omega.

But judging by the way Connor is smiling at that red-haired alpha, Connor has already moved on.

Chapter Thirteen

Connor

Sully follows me into my little apartment. I’m embarrassed at how cramped and drab the place is, but Sully doesn’t seem to care. He only has eyes for me. My stomach churns at that knowledge because Ireallydon’t want to hurt him. He’s been so kind to me. Protective even.

I passed out last night at work, and Sully caught me. I might have been seriously injured, but Sully was there and he grabbed me before I hit the ground. He protected me. That protectiveness should make me turn to him more. He’s proving to me that I can trust him. That I can lean on him. If I were normal, I’d accept his protection. But I’m so messed up, his protectiveness only makes me think about Paolo even more. Paolo protected me too.

I need to stop thinking about Paolo.

“Can I get you something to drink?” I head into the kitchen, trying to escape my thoughts. “I don’t have much in the way of beverages, but I have some white wine and a few ginger ales.”

He follows me into the kitchen. “A ginger ale sounds good. Although, we never did have that drink together.”

I smile. “No, we didn’t. Would you want some white wine instead?”

“Sure. If you do?” He leans against the counter, watching me.

“I wouldn’t mind a glass of wine.” I certainly need something to help me relax. I’m wound tight as a guitar string.

“Then let’s have some wine.” Sully goes to open the nearest cupboard. He laughs when he finds it’s empty. “You don’t have many dishes.”

“No, I don’t.” I grimace. “In fact, it just occurred to me I don’t have wine glasses.”

Sully glances up at the top of the refrigerator. He reaches up and grabs a package of red solo cups. “These will do, right? We don’t need anything fancy.”

“Those will do just fine.” I sigh. “Sorry. I don’t have many guests.”

Or any.

“No worries.” Instead of looking displeased by my statement, Sully seems happy about the fact I don’t have many guests. He sets two of the plastic red cups on the island, and I pour us each a generous serving.

Sully picks up his cup and holds it out to me. “To new beginnings.”

I touch his cup with mine and robotically repeat, “To new beginnings.” I’m hopeful there is a new beginning in store for me. I’ll just have to fake it till I feel it. I lead the way into the living room where we sit on the couch. “I bought this second hand for only twenty dollars,” I say, settling down on the brown leather sofa.

Sully sits next to me. “It’s not bad, especially for only twenty dollars.”

“It get’s the job done.” I feel awkward. Stilted. I want to relax but I feel so tense it’s annoying. Sully is sitting closer to me than I’d like. Our knees are almost touching. I take a big sip ofmy wine, hoping the alcohol will kick in sooner that way. Once I’ve swallowed, I ask, “Did you work today?”

“Yeah.” He nods. “Luckily, I only delivered two babies today instead of six.”

“That’s good,” I murmur. “It must be tiring delivering babies.”

“It is, but it’s also amazing.” He studies me. “Do you want kids someday?”

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