Page 32 of Omega Inked

"I don't know what to say," I whisper, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"You don't have to say anything," Phoenix says, stepping closer to me. "Just let us take care of you. Let us love you."

I can feel the pull of their alpha pheromones, and it's intoxicating. My body is humming with desire, and I can't resist any longer.

"I want that," I say, looking up at him.

He smiles, and I feel his hand on my cheek, his thumb tracing my bottom lip. "Good," he says. "Because we want you, too."

And then his lips are on mine, a sweet kiss from a man I never expected to sacrifice everything for me. A cloud of doubt comes over me though, and I pull away with a gasp.

"What, Olivia?" he asks. "What's wrong?"

I shake my head. "There are things you don't know about me."

"Like what?"

"Like..." I trail off, thinking about my conversation with Mercer. It's only a matter of time before he tells them; I have to come clean. "I have secrets. Things you and Liam should both know about before you agree to tie yourselves to me like this."

Phoenix cups my face in his hands, runs his thumbs along my cheekbones.

"Tell me," he whispers.

Our mingled scents set me at ease. I'm terrified of how he'll react...but for some reason, I'm compelled to tell him.

Maybe because I'm already falling in love.

Because I'm certain we're meant to be.

"I wasn't entirely honest about who I am," I say. "I'm not just any omega on the run."

He frowns. "I don't understand."

"I'm..." I pause, holding my breath. But I really need to take the plunge. "I'm Olivia Cruz. The daughter of the head of the ACB."

Phoenix's eyes widen in shock and he steps away from me.

This is bad.

"The ACB?" he repeats. "As in, the Alpha Control Bureau? The one we've sworn to fight?"

I nod slowly, feeling the weight of my confession settling over me. "My father is the director. I'm sorry."

Phoenix takes another step back, his hands falling to his sides. I feel cold without him. "Why didn't you tell us that before?" he asks, his voice low.

"I was afraid," I admit. "I didn't know how you'd react. And I didn't want you to treat me differently because of who my father is."

Phoenix runs a hand through his hair, pacing back and forth. "This changes everything," he mutters. "Your father...do you know the fucking horrible things he's done?"

"Of course I do," I say. "It's why I ran in the first place."

"Not like that," he says, shaking his head. "Do you know what they did tome?"

I go still, my eyes widening. "Phoenix...what do you mean?"

He shakes his head, raking his hands through his hair. He looks around like he wishes he could jump right off the boat--then he exhales.

"Fuck...I can't do this right now."