Page 19 of Wulf's Pack
I sigh in defeat, then look down at Skylar, seeking permission. It’s her secret, after all. She looks shocked that I’m asking, and that pisses me off even more. Has she never been in control of herself before? Able to make her own choices? “It’s okay,” she says.
Pinching the bridge of my nose to ward off a headache, I say, “She’s an omega.”
“And what is that?” Johnson asks, curiosity burning in her eyes and her voice. Nora had better be right about her.
“I’m a shifter without dominance,” Skylar answers. A blush spreads across her cheeks as if she’s embarrassed by this. “I’m always at the bottom of the pack order, and I’m physically incapable of challenging other shifters.”
“She can’t set off a shifter’s aggression,” I add. “She has none of her own. Shifters are drawn to omegas. They have an instinct to protect them.”
“So, she’s weak,” Ralston says, shrugging. “I don’t see what’s so special about that.”
I almost slam to my feet again. “She’s notweak.”
I’m so furious I’m shaking again. Skylar is not weak. I have no idea what she’s dealt with in her life, but she’s clearly a survivor. And despite her fear and timidness, she didn’t hesitate to put herself in danger to help Carl when he needed it.
Skylar slips her hand into mine and releases some of her power, calming my wolf in seconds. I take a deep breath and give her a grateful smile. Her answering grin is small and shy, but it warms me from the inside out.
Gorgeous gestures toward us. “And that is why an omega is powerful. They calm other shifters. Their touch is soothing, and they can secrete a pheromone that sedates those around them. They bring peace to their pack. They can stop fights, tame feral wolves, bring back the humanity to those who have lost themselves to their animal. They unify and strengthen packs. They’re rare and coveted among shifters. They’re revered.”
Skylar glances at Gorgeous, shocked by his words. My wolf howls in anger. “Your alpha was a monster,” I tell her. “In any other pack, you would be treasured.”
She looks up at me with hope bleeding from her glossy eyes. Her chin starts to quiver. “Never again,” I promise her, brushing my thumb over her cheek. “You’ll never be treated like that again. You’re not property. You’re not a tool.”
She swallows hard, and for a moment I think the tears will spill from her eyes, but she blinks them away before they can fall.
“Why didn’t she calm the whole crowd if she’s got this power?” Ralston asks.
Gorgeous shakes his head. “It’s a dominance thing. And the pheromones only work on other shifters. Sometimes fae, if they have an inner beast. Her gift is of no use to any other species.”
“Including humans,” I say, throwing a pointed look at Johnson.
She lifts an eyebrow. “If she’s useless to us, then why are you so worried we’ll want her?”
Ralston studies Skylar with curiosity. “I don’t know,” he says, rubbing his chin. “Seems to me she’d be pretty handy to have around when we had to get control of rogues.”
I snarl, and Ralston holds his hand up in surrender. “I’m not going to force her into anything. I’m just saying, if she wanted a job with us, she’d have one.”
He looks at Skylar with hope in his eyes and waits like he’s expecting an answer. “No, thank you,” she says.
He frowns. “Pity.”
He seems to give up, but Johnson is still watching Skylar, scheming. I doubt this is the last we’ll hear from the agent.
I push my chair back from the table. “I think we’re done here. We’ve answered your questions, and it’s been a long day. My mate and I are both exhausted. I’d like to get her home and settled so she can rest.”
It’s been more than a long day for Skylar. I don’t know where she came from, but I’m sure it was a long journey, being as injured as she was. Plus, healing like she did takes a lot out of you. She’s got to be dead on her feet. She needs a good meal and a full night’s sleep.
No one argues when I pull Skylar up and lead her out of the conference room. My clan catches up to us when we reach the lobby. Nora eyes Skylar’s mismatched, too-large clothes and smiles brightly at her. “Why don’t you two stay in the den with us tonight? You can take a nice, hot bath and raid my closet while Wulf makes us dinner. Tomorrow we’ll have a family breakfast, and then we can go do some shopping.”
Skylar finally smiles. A real smile. The sight of it knocks the breath from my lungs. She’s absolutely beautiful.
“A bath sounds heavenly,” she says.
Nora grins and links her arm through Skylar’s, gently stealing her from me. If I didn’t notice the way Skylar relaxes, I’d steal her back. But it’s obvious Skylar could use a little girl time. “Nick!” Nora bats her lashes at the dragon. “I’m taking the rest of the night off. You’re in charge. If you need anything, call Shayne.” Shayne is Nora’s co-director. She takes the day shift while Nora works nights.
Gorgeous folds his arms over his chest and shakes his head. “You are not leaving me with all those government yahoos, Jacobs.”
She smiles sweetly at him and pats his cheek. “I am. Family emergency.”
