Page 39 of His Reluctant Omega

“I know you don’t believe it, but Ididn’ttell Amberth—or anyone else for that matter—about the project. He already knew.”

“Sure.” Wilder stormed out without another word to Vaughn.

Vaughn followed him. “What can I do to help?”

“I don’t want your help, little brother,” Wilder seethed.

“Again, you refuse help when offered. Wild, youneedto take a step back. Delegate. See the bigger picture… or else you’re going to miss things. Now’s not the time for missinganything.”

Wilder turned toward Vaughn and stuck a finger in his brother’s chest. “If I wanted help… you’d be the last man I’d ask.”

Vaughn’s face fell, his eyes soon narrowing. “A mistake.” He paused. “But then… by all means, brother. Makeallthe mistakes you wish.”

Wilder watched as Vaughn spun and headed off toward the elevator, leaving him there to sulk.

* * *

Avery reachedinto his dresser drawer, where he hid hisHeatexpills. Doing a quick inventory, he realized he was low.Enough for this heat but not the next.The full moon arrived the following day… and so would his heat. With the increasingly prevalent slips happening, he wasn’t sure how difficult his heat would be. Would the medicine continue to fail him? And then what?

Thankfully, all his exams were finally over. It was a matter of days before he’d walk across the stage and graduate. No more classes. No more studying. Limbo. After the past years, the break was welcome, especially with all the incidents he’d had. He popped the first of his pills and swallowed them dry. Before he could shut the drawer, his phone buzzed in his pocket. An unfamiliar number showed up on the screen.

“Hello?”

“Is this Abraham Norcross?”

“It is,” Avery replied.

“This is Dale, Warren Reece’s executive assistant. He’s handling the interviews for the internship personally and was hoping you could come in today?”

“Today?” His heat was close… and since the pills weren’t working their best, perhaps it was smarter not to go into the AQ when he didn’t have to. “Is there any way we could set something up early next week?”

“I’m afraid Mr. Reece is going out of town unexpectantly—hence the last-minute notice for the interview. If he can’t get you in today, he couldn’t meet with you for well over two weeks. All the other applicants have been through their interview process. If we can’t get you in, we might have to move forward without the interview.”

Which would mean he’d be out. No way to shine in person.

Avery cringed, but forced a cheerful tone. “Today it is. What time?”

He jotted down the address and time, which gave him just enough space for a quick shower and change. After zipping in and out of the shower, he dressed and headed for the OQ gate. As soon as he queued up, he realized he’d left his pass at home.

“You coming through?” the guard asked.

“I left my ID at home.”

“Man, I’ve seen you in and out of here enough. Go on.”

The gate lifted, and Avery breathed a sigh of relief. How simple life was for him as a beta. “Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it,” the guard murmured, focusing on the next person in line.

Avery slipped onto a passing trolley and took a seat, allowing the warm spring air to wash over him. His stomach was a knotted jumble of nerves. He clutched his portfolio under one arm, which carried a copy of his nearly non-existent resume and a couple copies of letters of recommendation from various professors.

His mind kept drifting to his meeting days before and Dean Hightower’s comments about his lack of experience. Was he wasting his time?

And putting himself into danger for no reason?

He squirmed in his seat, checking to see if any slick was there, but felt nothing.

Thank heavens!

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