Page 42 of Carmichael's Omega

One lone eyebrow quirks up. "That was not the answer I wanted," he growls softly.

I heave a sigh. "Fine."

He smiles, and I return it, helpless to do anything else. I love watching his harsh beauty soften a bit.

Gently, he tilts my chin up and kisses me. It's not like the drugged, passionate kisses he's been laying on me all week. This is sweet and smooth and incredibly gentle.

He pulls away first. "Alright,Corazon. Let's get you moving, ey?" He helps me stand, patting my bottom, then leaving his hand there as we walk back to the bike.

"There we go," he murmurs, arranging me behind him. "You feel better, Conejita?" he asks over his shoulder.

"Much," I reply.

We roar off down the road. I look around for the Alpha-Ups, but I don't see them anymore. Hopefully, they really did go to the clinic.

We pull up to Mattie's apartment building an hour later. I climb off the bike, and Carmichael helps me adjust my backpack. "This is where he lives?" a dark eyebrow shoots up.

"Teague wanted him closer to me."

"Is it the penthouse?" Carmichael asks oddly, his teeth gritted.

I shoulder my bag more firmly into place. "Of course not? He's just one person, Carm. I think he has a studio."

He nods, a muscle in his jaw flexing. Pulling me in, he brushes a kiss over my lips. "Say hello tosu hermanofor me. Keep your phone on you,sí?"

"Love you, Carmichael," I tell him.

He drops another quick kiss on my lips. "Be safe,Conejita."

I smile at his back as he rides out of sight. Sighing, I buzz myself into the building and walk to Mattie's door.

It swings open, Mattie's frown greeting me. "Who wasthat, Cassidy Morgana Daschel?"

---

Carmichael

"Shit, Alpha, when she blinks those lookers at me, it's OK that she drilled me with a book, ya know?" José rubs his head on the unwounded side in agitation. "Tell you the truth, I feel like aputofor making her so upset,no?"

"She's an Omega," I confess quietly, but it's starting to feel like that excuse explains nothing like I thought it did. What sort of she-wolf has a panic attack because she hurtsomeone else? A male that she doesn't even know? It wasn't an act. Her dilated pupils and racing heartbeat told me, clear as a bell, that it was an honest reaction. Both Cassidy and her wolf were howling in panic and shock at their violence. Is that really normal? Why the hell don't I know this about Omegas? I never questioned it before, but the more time I spend with Cassidy, the more I wonder how deep my ignorance goes.

If an Omega can't commit violence, then everything I've ever believed about them is wrong. If Cassidy can't hurt someone, then how did Lily ever killmama?

I lean against the tree and light a cigarette. I hate these fucking things, but ironically, it keeps the wolf females off of me. Even fucking an alphason isn't worth the stench of smoke.

"I want you to end this shit with the LaNu's," I tell Holt.

He chuckles darkly. "She getting to you, Carm? You think that shit can cover the scent of your luna all over you?"

I grimace. "She's gonna get in trouble with this shit, Holt. Finish it."

He sighs and looks out over the campus. "I hate being the Pres. Why did you sign me up for that shit?"

"I'm too busy," I tell him. I have to leave campus tonight, and it's killing me to leave Cassidy while the Alpha-Ups are bothering her.

"I want this to end, too, Holt. You're not the only one with a stake here,si?" Rique says quietly from the bench he's sitting on, hands dangling between his legs.

"So do I,güey!" Holt snarls. "More than you, ey? Miranda isn't your mate!"

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