Page 48 of Omega's Reign

Unknown: No. It is the youngest of the pack. His nephew. His sister died just after giving birth, and Hector stole his nephew from her pack. After Righteous Waters was arrested, the nephew manifested as an omega in prison. Omegas aren’t housed with alphas or betas. They ended up releasing the nephew to his mother’s pack. They’ve been helping him by giving him suppressants all this time, and then when Hector was released, the nephew had to go back with him or risk him going after his family.

I stare at the text message in complete shock, my mind reeling. This is exactly the information we needed.

I bounce in my seat, hope blooming through me. Turning to Andrew, I cup his cheeks and kiss him. “Who is the source?” Because I want to reward them. They deserve the wealth of their dreams. They deserve strong allies to our pack. This information is miraculous. I had no idea. Not when I was betrothed to Righteous Waters. Not when they were framed for my death and went to prison. I guess only the nephew knew.

“It was easy to find someone from former Righteous Waters territory who hated Hector. Actually, he has a horrible reputation and they celebrated when he went to prison. The guy was one of his former leaders. I guess Hector murdered his brother.” Andrew remains expressionless with his words. “When you lose your pack, you kind of gravitate toward people who have experienced the same. We have a mutual friend.”

I hate that it took a tragedy to create something good, and I feel so deeply for Andrew in this moment that I kiss him again, showing him the affection he craves, my body turning wild with an unbidden need. Slick pools between my legs, and I pant, the Jeep suddenly suffocating me.

Andrew flares his nostrils, groaning under his breath. Pulling away, he gives me a once-over. “We need to get moving. Demand the Pack Regimes meet us immediately. I think you’re going into heat.”

What? Just hearing the words out loud startles me. I thought it was just about lust. I’ve never been in heat because of the suppression pills, and I don’t really know what to expect.

“No,” I say, my denial getting the best of me. “I just stopped taking the pills. It’s going to take a bit of time.”

Andrew squeezes my knee. “The scent of your body says otherwise.”

My mouth rumbles. “Then we need to get our pack back now. I can’t do this without them. I’ve never been in heat before.”

Andrew blinks a few times. “Never?”

I shake my head and lick my lips. The more I think about his words, the more aware he becomes of my body. Maybe it was the trauma and the adrenaline that helped me ignore it, but now that the thought is fresh in my mind, I realize the subtle changes with me. How Andrew smells stronger. Better. And how awful the other guys, especially Spencer, smelled. And now my legs shake, my stomach twisting. I expect there to be pain soon enough, but no pain will be stronger than the ache in my chest. My need to find the Silversteins and bring them home.

“It’s fine. I’m fine. Let’s just get moving. We need to figure out how to get in touch with Hector’s nephew.” I rub my palms on my legs, trying to rub away the sweat. Damn. Kinsey wasn’t kidding when she told me that it goes from annoying to intense pretty quickly.

“I’ll drive, but you need to look at the feeds. This will be the best way. We’ll just find him and take him. I doubt they’ll be focused on him because they have other matters. I’m sure Spencer will have them busy.” Andrew puts the Jeep into drive, pulling away from the curb.

I huff out a breath, trying to settle my nerves. I hope this is quick. I hope this is easy.

But I know that kind of hope is fleeting.

Nothing will ever be so simple.

“Yeah, he’s in the database. I can send his information to you ASAP,” a deep, rumbling voice says. I’d recognize the man anywhere. He’s Mr. Donahue, one of the distributors of suppressant pills. My brothers have a history with him, and I know he wouldn’t do something to warrant their wrath. Not after they gave him everything he could want.

“Thank you. You can check your account. Don’t tell anyone.” I quickly hang up the phone and lean back in the seat, wishing I were anywhere else besides this damn vehicle. I’m uncomfortable. I just want to cuddle up in my nest and hide for the rest of eternity.

But I have to keep pushing through. I don’t have a choice. I refuse to go through my heat alone with only Andrew. I need Beckett. I need Jordan, Isaiah, and Wesley. I just need peace.

“It looks like Jose will be due for a refill soon. I’m going to bribe him. It’s the best I can do.” I wiggle, my body begging for me to give it my attention.

I feel sick. Tired. I just—

Fuck me.

“I don’t even think you’ll have to do that, Holly, his order is a secret.” Andrew’s jaw twitches.

He knows how I feel about outing someone as an omega. It’s completely wrong. I would hate for someone to do that to me.

But what else can I do? He’s right. It would be much simpler.

I open the message on Andrew’s burner phone, pulling up the information Mr. Donahue has given. Jose’s address is listed in Calico Proper with City Dynasty as his home territory. This must be his mother’s pack.

“The number listed is a different area code. Do you think he has a secret phone?” I ask, hovering my finger over the number, ready to click it.

“Possibly. The only way we’ll find out is if you try. It’ll be quicker than locating him with the feeds.” Andrew turns down another street, keeping us moving. The last thing we need is to become an easy target. I don’t know how many people are in on staging a coup with Spencer.

I’m usually not so anxious about calling someone, but what if we’re wrong about Jose? What if he immediately tells Hector and they hurt my pack? I don’t know what I would do if that were to happen. I don’t think I’m strong enough to burn the world down. I’d prefer to help it thrive and grow. I’m not an alpha. Spencer was wrong about me pretending to be one. I will prove it.

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