Page 17 of Harley

“A round of shots for us.”

I go to protest, but he just waves it off, his large hand landing on my shoulder, and I shrink down a little. What does he want from me? Hell, was it that recognisable? I didn’t think anyone paid attention to the guards at the Choosing day ceremonies.

“I can’t do anything about the meet and greet, if that’s what you think. I was fired today.”

Hell, none of the guards are allowed to be out in public like this. We live in a shared dorm together. Other than to escort omegas on Choosing Day, this is the first time I’ve been out of the Omega House in almost seven months.

They put me up in a hotel for a week...at least, until Harley’s Choosing Day. At that time, I’ll have to find a place of my own. If I’m still here then.

The shots come, and the alpha pays for them and gathers them up on a tray. “Come with me, boy. My pack is waiting over there. And we all like to drink our problems away...or solve them.” He gestures to a group of older alphas in a booth in the back.

I realize then that they’re much older than the other alphas in this bar. To be this old, these alphas have an omega already. They wouldn’t have been at the meet and greet, anyway.

I follow him, since I need to save every dollar I’ve got. My focus should be on finding a place of my own before I end up homeless. But first, I need to drink Harley from my mind. At least, until tomorrow...then I’ll do it again and again until I have forgotten her.

I flop onto the leather bench with the other alphas and nod to them in greeting. They wear leather cuts and all take a shot from the alpha who invited me over here. Bikers, huh? Well who cares, free drinks and all.

“Name’s Teddy. And we’re Pack Williams.”

I give him a tight smile and nod. “I’m Gage.” I take my shot, and the others follow. “If you happen to know of any work going, I could really use a new job.”

“Can I ask about the security at the Omega House?” the man in the corner asks. He’s lying back against the booth as he runs his fingers through his bushy beard as he watches me. I can’t even grow a beard like that. The scruff on my jaw is the best as I can do.

“Ask away, but there’s nothing I can say. NDA.” I shrug. If I’m not going to prison for what I did, at least I can keep out of prison by not telling alphas how to break into the Omega House.

As much as I hate Harley being trapped in there, I don’t want these guys breaking in and stealing any of the omegas especially her. Fuck, are these guys traffickers? I shift to leave when he speaks again.

“Our son...his pack. They were supposed to meet with Harley today. It’s very important that they get their name in that lottery. Our son needs...”

I shake my head. Not traffickers, just caring fathers. I can’t help him.

“What he’s trying to say is that Knight met Harley four years ago. They’re a scent match.” Teddy says.

I pause and process what he just said. The alcohol is already affecting me and making it longer than usual to register what he just said. Scent match?

“Where did they meet?” I ask. Because there’s no way. A scent match is so rare and impossible these days. No alpha’s can get near the omegas to even see if they’re a scent match.

But then I’ve only heard this story once, but I remember all the details. Where her town is and her brother, Aero. Her life back there. As soon as you enter the Omega House, that old life is dead, and no one can know about it. It’s to protect from threats and kidnapping of the families in hopes they might find another omega.

So, in the Omega House, the women only go by their first name. They’re not allowed to use their surnames or speak of where they were from.

“Riverton,” he answers, and I sit up a little too fast. He nods. “You know? She told you?”

Fuck. I need to play it cool. I shrug, trying to play it off. “Anyone can be from Riverton. You just guessed a beta-only town.”

“At a diner,” another says. “She was there with her brother and father.”

Fuck.

“What does his scent smell like?” I run my hand down my face. This can’t be. Her alpha’s fathers are sitting here with me and he didn’t get to meet her?

“Blueberry pancakes,” they all say together, and my heart drops into my stomach. He tried to meet with her, he’s her scent match.

“His name is Knight,” Teddy says. “He’s part of Pack Bentley. He went back for her, you know. Many times, they all went back to that diner, and she wasn’t there. It’s important that he get to her. He’s her scent match and...” He trails off.

My mouth feels dry.

“And what?” I ask. I feel like something else is going on too.

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