Page 2 of Talk About… Secrets
Work was the only thing I had under control and I was desperate for Hailey’s wedding for a week off of the constant projects. I made great money, but the cost was exhaustion.
“Okay, that’s it for me!” I called out. The moment I snuck away I was caught by Nash.
“Let me walk you back,” he said. There was nothing but a brotherly protectiveness in his gaze and I nodded, letting him follow me out.
The walk was quiet as I half-stumbled down the sidewalk the two blocks to the house I shared with Hailey. He made sure I got inside and gave me a worried look. I escaped into the house, avoiding any concern-fueled conversations.
When the door closed behind me and I was alone, I tried to breathe in the calm of the apartment but wrinkled my nose. Nolan and Hailey must have been here, I could smell them.
First thing after this wedding, I needed to find a place of my own, pack or not. I was tired of floating along in this limbo I’d let myself be pulled into.
An omega with no home of her own, no pack, and a family that was sure to give you a headache ten times out of ten.
I sighed at the thought of seeing mom and Aunt Candace tomorrow. Somehow, they’d convinced my sister to not just have a small wedding or elope, but have a big, extravagant affair.
We were viewing the two top places they found for her and I could already see them taking over.
Well, if I was starting fresh after the wedding, no time like the present to find the backbone Hailey needed me to have. Sheneeded someone to call off the firing squad, to stand up for her so she didn't have to be stressed.
I refused to let them ruin her special day like they had all the others. Every event was tainted by their narcissism.
That was okay, starting tomorrow, we were taking back the power. Hailey might not know it, but I was going to work my ass off to make this the wedding of her dreams.
Even if that meant tearing a rift between us and our family.
All under the radar, of course. I’d channel my inner Sidney and put them in their place while she wasn’t looking, make sure they don’t step a toe out of line.
With a bit too much alcohol and a whole lot of determination, I forced myself to go to bed.
Tomorrow, I’d wake up a brand new omega. One who didn’t take any shit and let herself have the things she deserved.
Maybe the universe would finally give that omega her dream pack.
Grace
“Look at this place!” Aunt Candace gushed as she spun slowly, taking in the ballroom that was far too big and gaudy. I risked a glance at Hailey who barely hid her revulsion. This was our second venue and it was clear our family had lost their collective minds.
“It’s the cherubs, isn’t it?” I hissed, making her cover her laughter with a cough. The creepy, little, baby angels rested at the top of the pillars surrounding the room.
“Oh, can’t you just picture it?” Mom asked, rushing forward. “There would be the cake, over here a big arch for you and Nolan, the chairs out there for all of us.”
They were twirling like little princesses, not grown women who’d had weddings of their own at one time.
Though, my dads had bailed years ago and didn’t look back. Lately, I was starting to see why. Even if it still hurt they never cared enough to stay a part of our lives.
Candace’s alpha and her pretended for a few years before divorcing. He was happy to give up half and just be a dad, spoiling her two daughters when he could.
It made for some terrible entitlement. Bianca and Celine were some of the worst omegas I’d ever met. Carbon copies of their mom and bits of my mom thrown in since she always gravitated to them more.
Don’t stir the pot, Grace.
They meant no harm, don’t be so sensitive.
You always have to be so dramatic.
Then it was followed by that light, condescending laughter of hers.
“Breathe,” Nolan’s soft words washed over Hailey, and she sank into him. That, that right there was why I was going to take care of every bit of this chaos that I could.
