Page 34 of Omega's Reign

Fuck my life.

I don’t even want to think about the fact that Beckett probably saw everything.

He probably didn’t answer his phone because if I were him, I’d be pissed off. I’ve probably offended the entire Silverstein Pack all because my dumb brain wanted to glitch on me.

Me: Thank you.

I consider typing out a dozen excuses, but he’s not the one that needs to hear me out. Holly is our leader, and she is the one that matters most.

Beckett doesn’t respond, and I tuck away my phone and slap my hand to the security pad. I enter the short corridor that leads directly into the small apartment-like panic room. I find the other door across the way, hidden in a tall cupboard and enter into the tunnels that wind through the palace. Security cameras blink every dozen feet, and I cringe at the fact that Beckett probably watches my walk of shame. I keep my head up, staring ahead of me as I make my way down to a set of stairs that’ll take me to the panic room Beckett told me Holly was in.

I stop at the metal door, inlaid into the wall without a handle or anything and just stare at it. What am I supposed to say to her? I’m afraid of what I’m about to walk into. Facing brutal, murderous alphas is easy compared to this. I can handle myself when it comes to people who try to put you in your place. I have looked down the barrel of several guns, and even then, it doesn’t compare to the anxiety I have now.

Hurting an omega’s feelings is one of the worst offenses in my book. It’s one of the reasons why I gladly took the position as Holly’s bodyguard. I wanted to be able to protect her from evil men—the type of man I have apparently become.

I raise my hand to knock on the door, not even knowing if Holly would be able to hear it. I want to give her enough of a warning to hopefully help her steel herself against me. It would be utter torture if she doesn’t, but I would deserve it.

Banging my fist, I wait a moment before pressing my hand to the palm pad. The door clicks and swings inward an inch, giving me the leverage I need to push it all the way open. I don’t see Holly immediately, and I wonder if I have the wrong room.

But then a small whimper strikes me right in the heart, stealing my breath away.

The coward in me wants to run, but the protector in me closes the door and strides forward into the room.

Holly doesn’t come out from her hiding spot, and I stop in the middle of the room and look around. The couch and bed are both empty and so is the table. I noticed that the pillows are missing from the furniture, and I spot a desk in the corner of the room with the chair pushed out.

Holly’s bare feet peek out from the desk where she has created a nest to bury herself in. My heart aches at the sight of her. The sole reason she’s doing this is for comfort because I caused her such distress. This is why I’m unfit to be a part of her pack. If I were good enough for her, we wouldn’t be in this position in the first place. I wouldn’t be standing here, listening to the soft whimpering cries of the most beautiful omega I’ve ever seen in my life. One that shouldn’t be mine. I lost my chance when I lost my pack.

“Holly?” I ask, shuffling closer, trying my best not to let my nerves get the best of me. I have never felt this kind of fear. My weakness happens to be tears. It’s as if my brain implodes at just the sight. Especially because I don’t know how to make them go away. She is not mine to comfort. She is not mine to hold or to make promises to.

And it kind of pisses me off. I’m torn between what is right, and what I want.

“I didn’t mean to upset you,” I add, standing beside the desk.

Again, she doesn’t respond, staying hidden with a blanket covering the entrance. I have never seen an omega’s nest before. It’s such a luxury to be this close with her in a place she feels safe. I wish I wasn’t the one responsible for sending her running here.

Plopping on the floor, I pull my knees to my chest and rest my chin on them. “I was an idiot. I wish I could explain why I reacted like I did, but none of it really justifies the fact that I hurt you. That’s the last thing I ever wanted to do. It is my job to protect you.”

“I understand. You didn’t sign up to be assaulted by an omega. It was wrong for me to assume anything.” Holly sniffles, her shaking voice like a burning knife to the chest, slowly cutting out my heart to bleed all over me.

“You didn’t assault me. If I didn’t want your affection, I would have easily avoided it. And that’s my problem. I’m so attracted to you. So much so that I wish I could turn back time and react more appropriately.” It’s as if her closeness drags my desires from me, my heart battling against my mind and what I know I should do. I should reject her. I’m not in a place to suddenly start making plans for my future involving her. I should let her down easy and take a more practical approach.

But I’ve never been good at doing what is right. I will always do what feels right to me.

And that’s Holly.

“So I wasn’t misreading you? I’m sure I could’ve handled this better, it’s just…I don’t know what I’m doing. I have always had my decisions made for me. And now that I can make them for myself, I’m just…” Holly pulls at the blanket, dropping it from the opening of the desk where she sits sideways among pillows.

I’ve never seen her look so vulnerable. She’s always carried herself like a true leader, guarded and powerful, never hesitating when it comes to danger. A part of me hates myself for doing this to her. She shouldn’t be hiding. She should be yelling at me for my idiotic behavior.

Crawling closer, I shove myself into the small space to get a better look at her. Her bittersweet scent, like coffee and vanilla, permeates the small space. Her delectable fragrance gets to me in a good way, and I inhale a small breath, holding it on my palate.

Something steals away my good senses, maybe her closeness, her scent. My desire. It gives me the push I need to stretch closer and touch her cheek, smearing the tears away. Her gaze travels from my eyes to my lips. Her fascination with my mouth sends desire traveling right to my cock, hardening my body. The fact that she doesn’t scream at me to leave the space speaks volumes. She considers me safe. It’s something I didn’t know that I needed. I knew it was an expectation, but I also knew that such feelings have to be earned, and I thought I ruined it.

“I would like to kiss you,” Holly says, her voice soft and alluring.

I swallow at her comment. She’s giving me another chance, and I can’t fuck it up despite my brain screaming that this shouldn’t be happening. I’m not a part of her pack. I have no one. I don’t deserve an omega.

Stupid fucking head. I’d rather listen to my heart.

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