Page 121 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
Unlike some of my sisters, his omega always made sure I was included.
“I don’t know how you found me, but I’mnotgoing back with you to Vancouver,” I snarled, careful not to yell, since there were people around. “The dads can fuck off. I have a life. I’mhappy.Also,really,you? While you’re sort of a sock puppet given you work for them, I never figured that you’d do something like this.”
Turning, I took off, trying to put as much space as possible between us.
“Buttons, wait,” Matty called, running after me.
But I wasfast.Matty must skip cardio often, because by the time I reached the caged golf carts, he was gone. Still, my heart pounded as I flung myself into Clark’s arms.
“What’s wrong?” Clark asked, wrapping his arms around me.
“The dads sent Matty after me.” My body trembled. “I… I should leave, right? Go back to New York?”
“Gwen, breathe. Who’s Matty?” Clark stroked my hair.
“One of my brothers.” My heart pounded. “I knew I shouldn’t have come. I’m so stupid.”
“Can people even do that legally? Both track your ID and come after you? I mean, you’re not missing, you’re not a runaway, you’re an adult,” Clark said.
“That didn’t stop them last time.” Okay, that was out of context. In hindsight, they had a good reason to want me to stay in Vancouver.
At the same time, I hadn’t wanted to drop my classes, leave Austin, New York, hockey, and move back into my old room, because theythought it was best,without regard tomywants and needs.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t trust them to not do it again.
Clark looked around. “Last time?”
“When I crawled out the window. I… I should go back to New York, I…” I began to hyperventilate.
“Can they not go to New York? Would you be safer there?” Clark led me to a cart, rubbing my back. I noticed someone with a clipboard herding us into the carts.
I shook my head. “Not really.”
After all,he’dfound me in New York. Not that I had to worry about my stalker anymore, but I pushed that thought away.
“Let’s go on the tour, see some animals, take a breath, and we’ll go from there. You’re an adult. They can’t take you and make you go with them,” he assured, as we got into a cart. “I’ll keep you safe, so will everyone else. Stay close to me.”
I leaned my head on his shoulder as someone closed the cage–it was so the animals didn’t get too close. Usually people did this trail in their cars. “Okay.”
“How many siblings do you have again?” Clark turned on the radio that would broadcast the guide.
“Seven. Four omega sisters, two of which are twins, and three alpha brothers. Matty’s second oldest. I’m the youngest. Maricella’s the oldest–she’s nineteen years older than me.” And had always resented me.
I wasn’t sure why. When I was born, she’d been away at an omega academy, so it wasn’t like she had to watch me. I wasn’t given her room. She never got less due to me. If anything, she got more of the parents’ attention–and was the reason I spent so much time with my nonna. Mom always said it wasn’t me, but it still hurt.
Especially when she was no longer there to tell Maricella tostop.
“Isabella is the second youngest and is eight years older than me. All of my siblings were graduated and mated before Mom died. Well, except for my brother Joe.” I kept my head on his shoulders, but I opened my eyes. “I was the oopsie beta that just wanted to play hockey.”
The parents had been disappointed when I’d tested as a beta in middle school. Given Mom’s family’s disposition to have omega girls and alpha boys, it had been expected I’d be an omega like my sisters.
I’d been delighted to be a beta. But I’d naively thought it meant I could do what I wanted, which was attend school instead ofbeing tutored and be able to focus on hockey instead of figure skating.
Sadly, they didn’t agree, thinking it was a mistake. At fifteen, they’d still figured I’d be an omega–and at nineteen were surprised I wasn’t. Most omegas blossomed between eighteen and twenty-one, a little earlier or later not uncommon.
“I adore that oopsie beta that just wants to play hockey. She’s one of my favorite people,” Clark said. “You haven’t talked to any of them in years?”
“It’s better that way.” I sighed and leaned into him. He pet my hair like he often did. Why was that such a turn on?
