Page 6 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus
Even Neela doesn't know I saw a second doctor.
Honestly, I have no idea what I was thinking. My impulses were firmly in control. Logically speaking, I know what I did was wrong. But I'm also desperate to have a child.
Omegas almost never conceive outside of a heat, and even during a heat artificial insemination has less than a three percent success rate. I know, because I frantically scoured the internet for facts trying to give myself some hope. Unfortunately, it had the opposite effect.
"List off some good ideas," Neela says, shooting me a look that saysget on with it.
"Find a pack, bond, and have a baby," I grumble, swiping a hand over my face.
Neela snorts. "Okay, you suck at this. I'm adding the following: have a one-night stand, do a walk of shame, kiss someone under the mistletoe." She grins mischievously. "I leave where you kiss them up to your discretion. Oh yes, let someone deck your halls." She cackles. "Sit on Santa's lap. Just so you know, it's more fun when you're on the naughty list."
I glare, but she only laughs harder.
She smirks at me. "Make a gingerbread house and play in the frosting. Drink hot cocoa by a fire?—"
"That one's actually sweet," I concede.
Neela laughs. "You didn't let me finish. It says drink hot cocoa by a fire, naked, after toe-curling sex with multiple partners."
"Okay, you're cut off," I tell her, grabbing the notebook. I pick the green pen up off the floor, crossing out one-night stand. I add: make a meaningful connection, fall in love, have a snowball fight, and bundle of joy.
"What the hell is the last one?" Neela asks, frowning.
I shrug. "I just want to be happy."
Neela wraps an arm around my shoulder, pulling me into her side. "I know you're nervous, but trust me," she says, giving me a squeeze. "You're going to get all you dreamed of, and more."
"I sure hope so," I whisper.
"Give it a chance," Nee says. "Knock a few things off the list and have fun doing it. That's all I'm asking."
"I'll try," I agree.
"Excuse me," a soft voice says. I slam my book closed on my hand, and glance up awkwardly. I was in the middle of reading an incredibly dirty scene. "There's a big group over there. They all know each other. Could I possibly be your seat buddy?"
My nose twitches. She smells like black licorice.
"I'm Stephanie," she says, glancing back toward the front of the small shuttle bus. "Please?"
"Of course," I agree, sliding my legs to the side, and letting her scoot through. "Everly."
Stephanie is short and slender for an omega, and not like she's unhealthy. She looks like she's naturally more athletic. The light dusting of freckles on her cheeks is even more noticeable with the blush that covers her face.
"I got stuck in between two of them on the plane," she whispers, setting her bag at her feet. "I offered to switch places so they could be closer, but one wanted the window and one wanted the aisle. There's a whole group of omegas who all know each other." She's frazzled, and smells stressed.
"Well there are only two seats here and we're in them."
"Thank God," she says, flashing me a tired smile.
The peaceful atmosphere of the bus changes as the five omegas climb aboard. The energy gets heavy. They're all dressedlike they're hitting a fashion show rather than arriving at their destination after a day of traveling.
Glancing down at my soft cable-knit dress, I suddenly feel very out of place.
My eyes slide to Stephanie. She's dressed in a fancy dress I don't know the name for.
No wonder I've been repeatedly passed over. I'm pretty sure omegas aren't meant to come in a frumpy package.
Tuning out the loud omegas near the front of the bus, I open my book and get sucked back into a nonexistent world where men are always faithful and dedicated to their female…even if she is a bit boring or plain.
