Page 49 of Wild Omegas
“It sounds like a solid plan to me, Brooks.” Her determination hasn’t wavered at all since telling her. “Let’s do it.”
“Luke and Carson need to approve first.” There’s no way I can put our omega in harm's way without our other two pack members signing off on it. That’s a great way to get yourself kicked out of a pack.
But this will work. Luke will be competing in the rodeo competition, and Carson and I can stay close to her while she is. She’ll be alone at one point, but never reallyfarfrom us.
Josie shrugs. “They’ll have to approve.” She pulls me toward the living room and front hall where the sounds of Luke and Carson kicking off their work boots echoes. “Let’s ask now and get ready to do this. Damien will be off the streets in a matter of days and I for one am not going to miss this chance.”
I pull her back to me. “I’m glad to hear you’re excited for Damien to be dealt with, but…” I trail off. I don’t want to douse her excitement with my guilt, but this conversation has moved so fast. “What I failed to do cost you everything. I’m so sorry, Josie.”
Josie holds my face in her hands, something she has to stand on her tiptoes to do. “But it gained me everything. You all. This pack. Thishome. Sometimes we need darkness so we can appreciate the light in full.”
Josie kisses me, and the warmth of that kiss could transcend any darkest night. The coldest winter. It soothes my soul.
Omegas must be magical. I sure know Josie is.
CHAPTER 25
Josie
The dayof the rodeo competition is filled with layered anxiety like the worst layer cake in existence. I try not to use the metaphor as more validation for why I feel at fault for all of this, especially not after the conversation I had with Brooks days before.
He and Carson accompany me now as we wander about the competition grounds. It’s being held in a huge field outside of Fairwater Falls. The sun beats down on everyone in attendance, adding heat into an already dry and dusty day on the thin grass and dirt. My cowboy boots kick up clouds of dirt as I traverse the grounds with an alpha on either side of me.
So far, they’re both apparently having issues with the “let me be alone to draw Damien out” part of the plan.
Honestly, for the moment, I’m grateful for it because it feels like all eyes are on me. It’s stupid to think that but I can’t help it. It’s like everyone here knows who I am to Damien and what I did to him, even though everyone here is one-hundred percent occupied with their own lives.
I squeeze my alphas’ hands tighter as we make our way past an area filled with festival games and liquor stands and the audience seating for the rodeo competition itself.We pick something close to the bulls’ entrance where Luke will eventually make his entrance. My heart squeezes knowing Damien might already be here, and that Luke is alone. I know he can handle himself, but Damien was able to sneak onto Wild Skies Ranch and start that fire.
What’s to keep him from screwing with the bulls or the competition grounds, too?
“It’s okay,” Brooks says as if he can read my thoughts.
No, not my thoughts. I’m sure it’s written all over my face.
“I’m just worried,” I admit.
Carson wraps an arm around me. I rest my head against his shoulder. “There’s plenty of back-up here. Nothing will happen to you or any of us.”
Sure enough, I catch Brooks nodding at someone in the distance. A man dressed innocently enough in plaid, jeans, and boots, but even I can spot the holster under his shirt. Brooks didn’t specify how many agents he called in, but I get the impression it’s a significant amount.
This knowledge soothes my frayed nerves just a little. “I know, I’m still on edge anyway.”
“Use it to your advantage,” Brooks suggests. “If you see anything off, say something.”
I take that as the okay to obsessively check for Damien in every part of the crowd. I don’t see him or anyone who looks like they may work for him anywhere nearby. While the first contestants for the rodeo competition start their various activities, I scout beyond the stands of people watching and out into other parts of the festival. It's about thirty minutes into the competition before I finally see him.
Dark hair, dark eyes. A man shorter than my alphas but still taller than the average man standing beside a dart-throwing booth with a lethal look directed atme.
We lock gazes and I can’t turn away. My breath hitches as an icy knife slices right down my chest to my navel—dread in its purest form.
Damien Malova has been chasing and taunting me for months, long enough that finallyseeinghim in person has me glued in place.
As if this is the first time the fear has actually been real.
I grip Brooks and Carson’s hands tight but still can’t turn away from Damien. “He’s here.”
I know Damien can read my lips. He knows I know, and that the men beside me will know. And by now, I’m sure he’ll know exactly who my alphas are.
