Page 25 of Storm
I tried not to think about it when he presented as alpha. But it was always in the back of my mind.
* * *
Night has fallenby the time we get back to the Omega House, the hallways quiet except for the soft hum of the lights overhead. I find Harley standing between our doors, her eyes red-rimmed and distant. I can read it all over her face—her blueberry pancakes alpha never showed up.
"He didn't come," she whispers, confirming what I already know. "He wasn't there."
My heart aches for her. After all the hope, all the planning, all the dreams she's built around this mystery alpha, he never even appeared. Now she has fifty packs she didn't want in the lottery for next Sunday, and none of them are the one she wants.
"Veronica didn't even add my backups," she continues, her voice cracking. "Said it was too late to give her the list. It wasn't. She was just being a bitch." She shakes her head, resignation replacing the spark that usually lights her eyes. "But what does it matter? Either way, I'm not going to choose the pack I want."
I feel the weight of the stolen tickets against my skin, a secret burning to be shared. I've been waiting for the right moment, and now, seeing her like this—defeated, broken—I know it's time.
"I'm sorry, Harley," I say softly, holding my breath as I move in to hug her. The last thing I need is to trigger some crazy omega eye scratching.
For a moment, she stiffens in confusion, but then she holds her breath too and returns the hug. I feel her relax against me, a tear slipping down her face as she pulls away and wipes it quickly.
"But you've found them? The ones you want?" she asks, genuine happiness for me breaking through her own disappointment.
I can't help but wiggle my eyebrows, grinning as I think of the blank ticket tucked safely in my room, already marked with "Pack Kingsley" in my neatest handwriting. Not because I want Jonathan—hell no—but because I've discovered his pack lives closest to the theater where Choosing Day is held. Just a block away from where Rook and I agreed to meet four years ago. The look on Jonathan's face when my rigged lottery "randomly" selects his pack will be priceless, and hopefully in the chaos and confusion that follows, I'll slip away and be gone before anyone realizes what's happening.
"I can't wait for Choosing Day," I tell her, injecting mischief into my voice. "It's gonna bewild."
I see the questions forming behind her eyes. Before she can ask, I slip my fingers into her jeans pocket, sliding the second stolen ticket inside while winking at her. "Just in case. I got you one, too."
Her eyes widen as she reaches toward her pocket. I grab her wrist quickly, glancing meaningfully at the camera in the ceiling corner. "Don't. You know what it is."
Understanding dawns in her eyes. I wink again and look up directly at the camera, sticking out my tongue in defiance. Let Jonathan watch that. Let him wonder what we're up to.
I skip away from Harley, leaving her to process this new development, and head toward the main area where Frankie has set up our usual card game. His face brightens when he sees me, a flush of pink immediately spreading across his cheeks. He fumbles with the cards he's shuffling, a few slipping from his hands onto the table.
"Hey," he says, his voice cracking slightly before he clears his throat. "I, um, thought maybe you wouldn't come tonight." I hadn’t been to play all week. So exhausted from the meet and greets. But if I only have one week left in here. I’m gonna spend it with my two favorite people. Harley and Frankie.
"And miss the chance to destroy you at gin rummy?" I slide into the chair across from him, enjoying the way his flush deepens. "Not a chance, beta boy."
He ducks his head, focusing intently on gathering the dropped cards, but I can see the smile tugging at his lips. His toasted marshmallows and cinnamon scent wraps around me, warm and comforting after the day's chaos.
"I was thinking," he starts, then pauses, eyes darting up to meet mine before quickly looking back down at the cards in his hands. "Maybe we could try a different game tonight?"
The hesitant way he asks makes something flutter in my chest. I lean forward, purposely invading his space a little. "Depends on what you had in mind."
His blush spreads to the tips of his ears now, and he nearly drops the cards again. "Just, uh, poker maybe?"
"Strip poker?" I tease. "I think the virginal omegas in here will be scared to see you naked, Frankie. But I’m not." I wink over at him.
Frankie's eyes widen, and he coughs, clearly flustered.
“Poker, the regular kind is perfect, Frankie.” I save him. It's adorable how easily I can throw him off balance, this sweet beta who treats me like I'm more than just my omega designation. I wish I could take him with me when I leave.
His hands shake as he deals the cards, and all I can think about is how many more moments like this I’ll get. One week. That’s all. The ticket’s under my bed, my way out of this place—out of his arms. And I hate that my freedom feels like heartbreak.
Chapter9
Storm
Ifind Harley under the large oak tree again. Her body curled into itself like she's trying to disappear. The morning dew has soaked through her clothes, but she doesn't seem to notice or care.
The memory of finding her last night still burns in my mind. She was huddled under this tree, sobbing uncontrollably. I'd never seen her like that before. I was just heading back to my room after playing my last game with Frankie when I heard she was out there. The words had tumbled out between heart-wrenching sobs. Jonathan had fired Gage, her Gage. Her beta guard. Just like that. No warning, no explanation. Just gone.
