Page 69 of Their Perfect Omega

“They’ll be in to remove the IV and monitor when we’re done here. The doctors would like to keep her a few hours after that just as a precaution.” The agent pulled up a chair next to the bed and sat down. “I’m Lena Clarkson, and this is Mary Lee from Omega Protective Services.”

Kayla snorted. “Enough with the pleasantries. My sister wants to return to her pack immediately.”

I put my head on Kayla’s shoulder. There was nothing worse than feeling helpless, and that was exactly how I felt all drugged up. What would I have done if Kayla hadn’t come to be by my side?

Lena pulled out a tape recorder and pressed a button. “Right now, we need to follow protocol and that includes recording all conversations from this point forward.”

Kayla and I both knew the drill when it came to OPS. Everything was documented to make it easier for their agency and us. I knew they were just doing their jobs, but that didn’t mean I had to like it.

“Do I have to go back to the compound I was at? Can I move to the one in Los Angeles so I’m closer to my sister?” I somehow managed to string those two questions together, but it felt like I’d written an essay.

“That wouldn’t be a good idea.” Mary paced at the end of the bed. This whole thing made her nervous, probably because she was a bonded omega. I could see the silver scars of her claiming bites peeking out from the collar of her shirt. “If the Estrada pack is released and knows you are there...”

“But the match is soon, and when I match to them...” I didn’t finish because the looks on their faces told me everything I needed to know.

“As you know, and have been taught, one of the many reasons Omega Match is in place is so that omegas can be free to make their own decisions without their hormones or other people making the decision for them.” Lena was a beta, so she just didn’t understand.

“Itismy decision. What does it matter if we’re together now or during an authorized matching time? We’re only going to put each other on our match lists. They’re mine and I’m theirs.” I was starting to become a little more focused, but I already felt like I could sleep another twelve hours.

Mary stopped at the end of the bed, concern written in her eyes. “They were practically feral a few months ago. Pack Health was ready to put chips in them to monitor their every move and keep any and all omegas away from them. Two in particular would have needed time in a facility.”

“That’s ridiculous!” Kayla couldn’t sit still next to me any longer and stood on the opposite side of the bed from the agents. “They were around me and I was unbonded! They were perfect gentlemen. So what if they have analphareaction to scents? They don’t act on them!”

“You put yourself at great risk. Anything could have happened. All it takes is one hit of an appealing scent and they could have attacked you and gone into a rut without consent.” Lena looked at my sister like she was insane for putting herself in that situation.

“But nothing happened because they’re amazing alphas! Nothing happened to my sister either, and trust me, they were into her scent.” Kayla crossed her arms defiantly. “Kara is a four-timeOmega of the Yearaward winner. Do you really think she’d pick a pack that was bad for her?”

Lena kept her eyes on me the entire time my sister was fighting my battle for me. “There’s a reason they aren’t in Omega Match.”

“I know why. It’s such a ridiculous reason. It’s not their fault an omega couldn’t handle the situation a little better. How many times do children get lost in the store and there are no consequences? She could have just gone in after them.” I put my head back against the bed and wondered if the girl regretted acting irrationally.

“She didn’t feel safe, and maybe things would have been different had they noticed she was missing sooner. She wouldn’t have been able to get into that club as crazy as it was. They should have never made the decision to take her there when they had no connection with her yet.” Lena glanced at Mary and then back at me. “Did you mate with them?”

My cheeks heated, and I looked down at my hands clasped in my lap. “I think you know the answer to that question. Just seeing them step on stage after building a connection with them over the last few months sent me into a breakthrough heat.”

My sister was back on the bed, patting my arm to comfort me. If it had been any other omega, I would have smacked her away. What I needed was the comfort of my alphas’ purrs.

“How did you meet them? Through Kayla?” Mary asked, genuine curiosity and support in her voice. She wanted me to have my pack. The problem was convincing those that didn’t understand.

“No. Well, sort of. I... I borrowed someone’s car and went to visit my sister. The first night I was there I went back out to the car, which I’d parked down the street, and...”

I told them everything. From being chased by Gizmo, to falling into the pool, to how they took care of me. One of the hardest parts to share was how we made the decision to do the match the right way and we were separated for months.

“You can’t blame them for this. I was the one that went to their bus. I wanted them for my heat. I was selfish and now-” I took a sharp breath to stop the sob welling in my chest. “Now, they might never be happy or have the love they deserve.”

The room was quiet besides sniffling from me and my sister. I had to give the two agents credit for keeping their composure because they both looked ready to cry too. Even Lena, who I had pegged for a hard ass with no heart.

“I think we’ve heard enough for now.” Lena turned off the tape recorder and leaned forward in her chair to put her hand over mine. “I know I come off as uncaring and detached, but my job is to make sure all omegas are safe with or without a pack.”

“I’m safe with them,” I whispered, my eyes burning as new tears continued to well up. “They’re going to take time off once we match. I know exactly what I’ll be facing with a famous pack, so please just... fight for me.”

Kayla sighed. “It would be an absolute shame if everyone found out about the dangers of Omega Match and how they are keeping an omega apart from her pack.”

Lena finally looked over at my sister with raised eyebrows. “If Omega Match fails, then we go back to arranged matches or something even worse. Is that what you want?”

“We know Omega Match isn’t ideal for everyone, but it’s the safest and easiest way for omegas to find a pack right now. There are some things that need to be fixed, and maybe with all the technology there is now, there can be a little bit more to it than meet and greets or speed dating.” Mary looked at her watch. “We’ll be back in a few hours to take you back to the compound.”

What she really meant was she’d take me back to my prison.

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