Page 19 of Royal Omega

“Welcome, alphas,” he says, spreading his arms wide in that gesture he loves. “It’s time for your first dates with our omegas. I know you all must be excited to meet with these lovely creatures one on one, but there are a couple of rules I want to remind you about. First, no touching without permission. Second, no fighting over the omega. If someone else gets in your face, talk it out. Any physical altercations are grounds for disqualification from the show.”

He looks at me pointedly, and I wonder in alarm if he was reading my thoughts. I wasn’t really going to punch him... at least, I wasn’t planning on it.

“Now, are you ready to hear about your assignments for the day?” Willard asks with nauseating enthusiasm.

“Oh we’re ready,” says one of the tall, muscular alphas from Pack Four. His drawl is intense, which is strange; how can he have a strong Southern accent when he’s from San Francisco? Only people born in the city experience designations. I shrug inwardly. I’ll probably find out the guy’s whole life story when I watch the show; it’s not important enough to me to want to ask him directly.

Willard claps his hands together and says loudly, “Bring in the omegas!”

Almost instantly, that honeycomb-and-ginger scent washes over me. I watch as Carissa and the others descend the stairs. There are three other omegas left after the confession box debacle yesterday. The others smell all right; I can detect some sweet and some floral scents that should be appealing... but I can’t take my eyes off Carissa. She’s wearing a lavender-colored dress that drapes over her like liquid. Her hair is swept back and knotted casually at the nape of her neck. She smiles softly as she glides down the stairs like a damn goddess.

Watching her like this, I’m transported back to the night I first laid eyes on her. A night that will live in my heart forever.

***

IWAS SIXTEEN WHENI revealed as an alpha. It was a bit of a surprise; both my parents were betas, and while alphas can be born to betas, it’s not terribly common. But even so, my parents were determined to set me up for success with my dynamic.

Through some impressive networking, my parents managed to garner me entrance into the Omega Ball scene. At my first ball, held at the Castles’ estate, I joined the other newly revealed alphas. All of us were grouped together, uncomfortable in our own skins, glued to the wall as we watched the older, more confident alphas whisk omegas across the dance floor.

More omegas — younger ones — came in about an hour later, ushered forward with their chaperones and coaches. A lot of them looked nervous but excited, their cheeks flushing as they watched us through their lashes.

One girl caught my eye right away: Carissa Castle. She was so gorgeous in a deep purple dress that cut tight at her waist and bloomed wide over her hips. Her shoulders were bare, and her neck decorated with a tight black choker that made me want things I couldn’t even name.

Everything about her made me weak.

The older alphas were on top of her like wolves, pulling her back and forth between them all night. She tolerated it, of course. She went with each of them, dancing and laughing and accepting the low murmurs in her ear with pretty blushes and demure replies. And I watched from the shadows, falling deeper and deeper in love with her as the night went on.

***

“GOOD MORNING, BEAUTIFULomegas,” Willard says with that damn smile.

The omegas smile back demurely.

Willard claps his hands and rubs his palms together as if he’s about to dig into a feast. “Today’s dates are going to be epic. We’ve arranged for all of you to do something adventurous; something outside the mansion. I think you’ll find it truly enlightening. But first, we have to pair you off. Today we’re going to start with Pack Five. Pack Five, are you ready?”

I smile to myself. Perfect. “We are, Willard,” I reply.

There’s a gasp from the omegas, and my eyes flick over to Carissa, who is staring at me like she’s just seen a ghost. She staggers back a step, grabbing at her belly. She recognizes me then.Good.

Henry sidles up next to me. “We’re picking her, right?” he whispers in my ear.

His breath tickles my skin, and I feel a shiver of arousal. Pushing the feeling away, I turn to scowl at him. “No.”

Henry’s face falls, and something in my chest rumbles disapproval. I can feel my instincts urging me to make him happy.

“Why not?” Henry asks. “Why can’t we have her? At least for today.”

I grit my teeth, struggling against the desire to give in. “I don’t think you understand the plan here, Henry.”

“Henry,” Ransom whispers. “We agreed to let him have today, remember?”

His eyes flick away, that peppermint smell growing stronger. It stirs my blood, and I have to fight against the emotions that threaten to rise. I’m not going to dissect this now. I need to focus on what I’m here to do.

I force myself to scan over the omegas, refusing to allow myself to watch Carissa too closely. She’s on the far left side, so I start my examination on the far right.

First there’s the male omega, Randy, who was here last season. He’s good looking, but too clever for what I need. He’ll be too curious about ulterior motives.

There’s a girl with natural brown hair that spreads wide in a halo around her beautiful face. She’s tall and slim in a glowing goddess kind of way. She’s captivating, and I imagine she’ll have her fair share of admirers. Possible candidate for today, though her eyes look quick and clever, which might create problems.

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