Page 203 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus
“Each side of the building has two elevators,” she says, gesturing to the wall with buttons. “The exterior elevator is open glass. The interior is standard. If you have no preference, you can hit the button in the middle. Otherwise, select the button on the side closest to the elevator you’d prefer.”
I immediately sidestep to the one without glass walls. They arrive and we funnel inside. The ride up is smooth, and although the elevator is spacious, my stomach sloshes for the entire ride.
My eyes close, and I take a few deep breaths to keep from vomiting on their fancy flooring.
“Are you okay?” a growly voice asks.
My eyes pop open. I give a nod despite my dizziness. There’s a giant alpha leaning over in front of me and everyone else is gone.
Kara stands outside the doors, gathering up the rest of the group of omegas from both elevators.
“Do you get claustrophobic?” the man asks, taking a step back. He stretches out a hand nearly touching my shoulder and then clenches it into a fist. “If so, we should probably get you out of here.”
He’s tall, even for an alpha. Then again, I’m five-seven, so I guess it’s relative. His brown hair is longer on top and very short on the sides. It’s curly and thick, and the color matches his full beard. It’s not long, but it’s fluffy. His pale blue eyes are extremely expressive as he frowns at me.
“No. Sorry, I think I’m stressed.”
“It’s understandable,” he says, extending an arm for me to head out first. “But you’ve got nothing to be afraid of.”
“Thank you.” I push off the back wall and head out of the elevator.
“The way the building is set up, this floor is actually at ground level with the outdoor pool and the cliff face,” Kara says. “This is where we do check-in for The Exchange. We have a full-time nurse practitioner on staff and a few of you will need to see her at some point in the next day or two. All mingling activities are held on this floor.”
She begins sifting through her paperwork and another older woman joins her.
“Last names A through M with me,” the new woman says.
“N through Z with me,” Kara says.
I step over to Kara’s line and lean against the wall. My stress is definitely getting the better of me. My knees feel shaky and the urge to bolt is strong.
It’s one of the most frustrating things about being an omega. Our urges demand we please those around us. If that doesn’t work, instinct tells us to run at the first sign of trouble.
My eyes dart around checking my surroundings, but my panic has no legitimate purpose.
This location of The Exchange is beautiful. The entryway is lined with glass walls with frosted pieces in triangular shapes. The edges are trimmed in silver and it’s majestic. I don’t know any other word to accurately describe it. There’s a runner of cream carpeting that leads toward what looks like a spacious waiting room. The floor on both sides of the carpet is the same style as the lobby.
“You can go ahead,” a soft voice says from beside me.
“Thanks.” I step up since it’s my turn. “Melody Webber.”
Kara hands me a packet of papers. “If you head in, they’ll introduce you to Frank. He’ll be your security. He’s got your room key. All your belongings will be brought up within the hour.”
“Thank you.” I smile and head for the next line.
It takes a couple minutes to make it inside the next room, but when I do, it’s exactly what I thought. It’s an expansive waiting room with chairs lining the wall. There are people milling about and some up talking to the omega they’re paired with.
You can tell who works here because they all wear the black polo with the hotel logo embroidered on it and under it is the word security.
A younger woman about my age comes back from bringing another omega to his security person. She glances at her clipboard and asks my name.
“Last minute change,” the alpha from the elevator says.
I spin around at the sound of his voice, and he’s sliding around the few omegas behind me. He comes up to my side. He types away on his phone without looking up.
“They’re swapping it out in the system. I’m taking Melody Webber. Frank will be with Rayvn Zellar,” the guy says.
“Got it,” the woman with the clipboard says, scratching something out. “You’re all set. So you’ll be with Miller now.” She directs the last part to me.
