She nodded and waited.
Giovanni asked, “What is he checking?”
“My status with the defense department. I mean, it is trashed the moment I sign a mate contract with you guys, but it has been where I made an obscene amount of money and have made my family nice and stable.”
Thomas nodded. “Because registered omegas aren’t allowed in standard workplaces. You are distracting.”
She laughed. “Right. Like giant thugs giving off pheromones are conducive to concentration.”
The guys blinked at her, and Richard said, “Thugs?”
She cocked her head. “You think this is the first time in five years that alphas have attacked me? Thugs.”
Giovanni rubbed her back through his coat. “We will have to offer you new experiences with alphas.”
Her sex fucking tingled at his low rumble. She muttered, “Don’t tease.”
Richard frowned and touched her cheek. “He isn’t teasing. We were just about to ask the Omega Centre for consideration.”
“Oh. Well, I am sure I can shop around for someone else if your dance card is full. I am trying to steer clear of the Omega Centre. They don’t play.”
Richard frowned. “But you are an omega. A tall one, sure, but still an omega.”
“True, but I wasn’t always. I bumped into someone when I was out for dinner on grad night. The other changes kicked in about three months later.” She grimaced and then winced. “The curves came in with determination, and the wings arrived last. That was a fun weekend.”
Ula’s voice muttered, “You gave me a heart attack and nearly dropped me.”
Merry winced and slowly turned her head toward her buddy. “But I didn’t, and that is what counts.”
Ula gasped. “Merry, what happened?”
“My mouth defended my dignity. The right hook was to be expected.”
“Merry. Let me see that.”
“You are seeing it just fine from there. It looks like your guys got organized. Hello, Walter. Sorry for making a disturbance at your club. I am the annoying friend.”
Ula leaned past Giovanni like he wasn’t even there. She touched Merry’s cheek. “Damn. I am sorry that we left you outside the office.”
“Sweetie, I didn’t want to see the examination that Walter was gonna give you. We have gone this far without seeing each other naked, and I wanna keep it that way.”
Ula smiled and tutted. “Why haven’t you healed it yet?”
“Witnesses, and the police have my identification.”
Giovanni murmured, “You can heal yourself?”
“Yup. It will come in handy when my heat kicks in.”
Thomas and Richard groaned. Giovanni’s hand just closed around the back of her neck.
“Ah, Ula, this is Giovanni, Richard, and Thomas. Walter can probably tell you more about them than I can. All I know is Giovanni smells really good, and he is picturing me on my knees... a lot.”
Giovanni jolted but didn’t let go of her neck. “How do you figure that?”
“You have grabbed my neck three times, and your fingers stroke and squeeze. You either think that I am gonna bite, or...” She met his rich green gaze and smiled. “Am I wrong, alpha?”
The heavy shudder that went through him made the other alphas look at each other. The hand on her neck tightened. He narrowed his eyes. “You are going to pay for that, omega.”