Page 163 of Stolen Omega

He couldn’t be who he wanted to be in high school. He was stuck in a mold back then.

I was his only real escape from that, and we had to keep our relationship a secret.

I let him pretend Marianne was his girlfriend in public until high school was over.

There was no way I could let him risk ruining his dad’s life because of her.

It’s funny how easy it was to be together and stay together back then.

As soon as he had other things that were his, it got easier and easier to argue our way into breaking up. The truth was, he didn’t need me. I was always the one who needed him.

That’s why I can’t make myself ask him to stay. He’d only do it for me, because it’s what I want.

It wouldn’t matter what he wanted.

He’s never been able to say no to me.

It wouldn’t feel right to ask for what I want, when I don’t think it’s what he would want.

I saw the way he looked at Zane when we stepped into the lobby and found Archer leading him from the kitchen to the dining room with his hands tied behind his back. Russ had come over to let us know what was going on. I was a little stunned to find out the two of them are also mated to Zoey, but I’m definitely not mad about it. The Beta is cute. The Alpha might take some getting used to, but he has a top Alpha kind of vibe. I can already tell he’s going to be the pack leader.

Archer asked Cameron to stick around for a while, but he doesn’t seem too keen to do that despite telling his Alpha friend he’d stay until he knew what he wanted to do.

“Sounds like we might have some time on our hands,” I tell him, hoping he’ll want to spend it with me.

“Yeah,” he says with a sigh. “I should probably go refuel the copter.”

Damn. One last little glimpse and he’s ready to get away from me again.

I knew these dumb neon shorts weren’t flattering. Stupid Zane and his non-existent fashion sense.

“I can’t believe she’s really Zoey,” I blurt, trying to find a reason to keep him talking.

“I guess Zane wasn’t completely crazy after all.” He gives me a wry smile.

“Well, that’s debatable,” I joke. “He built this place for us, and he did kind of kidnap us to get us here. That’s pretty damn crazy.”

“He built you guys a hotel on a private island. That sounds like typical Alpha ready-to-be-mated behavior to me.” His gaze moves to my throat, and I know he’s telling me he can’t see a mark.

“We haven’t been here quite that long, yet,” I murmur, my face flushing with heat.

He might not be an Alpha, but Cam has been mad at Zane for almost as long as I have.

The scowl he gives me tells me he’s still not pleased with my Alpha.

“If he marks her first …” Cam growls, trailing off suddenly.

It takes me a second to notice the faintly tropical scent on the air.

Smells like a cocktail. The kind that would have fruit sticking out of it.

It would probably go well with my glaringly bright outfit.

I start to look around before I realize it’s not a drink. It’s me.

That sweet, fruity scent is my perfume.

“Holy fucking pineapples,” I mutter, looking up at Cam and seeing my shock mirrored in his gaze.

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