Page 81 of Beg for It

“I… ah, overdosed on my scent blockers,” Camden says, bravely stepping in front of Lee as if to protect him. Lee looks stunned, but it’s clear Camden can be fierce in his own way. “It was messy and awful, but Lee helped me as soon as he found out. I wasn’t ready to explain it all because we were just getting into a better place.”

“You know who his father is,” Lee says softly. “He explained himself really well just now. Cam, you don’t have to protect me from our alphas. They won’t hurt me.”

“Never,” Brooks and I say adamantly.

I run a hand through my hair, trying to get my temper under control. I’m pissed at Lee, but I don’t like the way Cam looks at me. Like he’s uneasy. The thought of Camden not feeling safe around us again makes me pissed at myself.

“He’s right. We won’t. My temper runs hot and Lee is used to it,” I add. “I’m pissed that I missed so many of the signs that you’re our omega and not a beta.” I look him in the eyes when I say this next part, needing him to know there's no grounds for an argument. “I want you to stop taking the scent blockers. You’re safe to be yourself around us. You're an omega. Our fucking omega,” I growl. “Don’t fucking hide from us. And, I hear they can be really addicting. I won’t allow that crap to take over you.”

“They are,” Camden says sadly. “They’ve become my security blanket, and I worry all the time that they may be failing.”

“Then stop,” Brooks encourages. “Promise us you will.”

Cam reaches out for Lee’s hand, and I watch how he readily grabs it.

“You’re stronger than the pills,” Lee murmurs in his ear. “You can let them see the real you. They’re ready and so are you.”

Camden takes a shuddering breath, and I can see that he’s visibly trembling.

“We’ve shown you that we will protect you,” I remind him. “The lies make it hard to know what we’re protecting you from though. Let us see the real you. Drop the pills and the bullshit.”

His blue eyes meet mine before he nods.

“Okay,” he whispers. “I’ll trust you. No… no more scent blockers or descenting spray.” His hands tremble as he runs them against the back of his neck. “This is really scary for me. I’ve been hiding for a long time. That's all I know at this point.”

“Let’s get out of here. You can stay the night with us,” Brooks says, grabbing Cam’s other hand to pull him into motion to walk toward the car. I guess we’re done socializing for today. Thank god, because this experiment took years off my life.

Adan was right. We need to claim him, and that means putting in the work to show Cam that we can also be trusted with his heart.

Oh Baby Boy, you have no idea just how much things are going to change. Guess I can knot that tight little beta ass.

Not beta. Omega. He’s a fucking omega.

Our omega.

Things just got a whole lot more interesting.

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

CAMDEN

It’s been a few days since Brooks and River have found out I’m an omega.

They handled it a lot better than I thought they would. Once we left, they brought me back to their place. It was like seeing them in a whole new light.

They’re treating me differently and I don’t hate it. They’re overprotective, and very possessive. Even more so than before.

When we’re out walking around the school grounds, they treat me like I’m glass that can be broken any moment.

I like it. I like the attention. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

But the feeling doesn’t last long because I’m too consumed by the crippling guilt because I’m still lying to them.

I should have told them about them being my scent matches when they found out about me being an Omega. It was the perfect chance. But I was too nervous, too panicked that they were going to snap at any moment. I didn’t want to push it. One lie was plenty, they were mad enough about that.

What would they have done about this one?

Mostly I kept my mouth shut because I didn’t want Henley to get in more trouble than he was already.

---