The Rogue Omega

Chapter 11

By the time Kael opened the front door and walked inside, a woman rushed straight into his arms.

Cora.

Warmth seemed to surround her as she quietly told him how much she had missed him. Then she noticed me standing awkwardly in the doorway, trying not to look like I was staring at all the love and happiness flowing between them.

No one had ever hugged me like that before.

Even when my mom was still alive, she had always been cold and harsh, so I had become used to living without physical affection. My skin almost tingled as I watched them, my emotions fighting inside me as I felt both annoyed and jealous.

I had never asked to be here, watching people have something I could never have.

Before the packs dragged me off the streets, I had been fine with my life.

I had been completely f*****g fine.

This didn't feel fine at all.

Cora stepped away from Kael, and the kindness on her face stayed as she turned toward me.

I noticed her fair skin and dark hair tied into a high bun that showed off her slim shoulders and neck, along with her claiming bite mark. She moved with natural grace and beauty as she walked over to me.

“Hello, I’m Cora. It’s so lovely to meet you.”

Her accent was soft with a slight British sound.

When she offered me her hand, I shifted awkwardly, wishing I wasn't wearing old gym shorts and a worn-out shirt.

She wore a beautiful pink and purple bohemian skirt that flowed around her ankles, along with a white ruffled crop top that showed her curves and smooth, flawless skin. She didn't look as old as Kael, but something about her deep blue eyes carried the calm confidence of someone with plenty of life experience.

I accepted her hand, and my smile was completely genuine.

It was impossible not to like Cora right away.

“I’m Aria, and it’s nice to meet you too. I’m sorry Alpha Kael brought me here without warning you, and I promise I won't stay longer than a couple of days.”

I wasn't sure if Kael had already explained why I was here, but judging by the fact that her warm expression never changed, I guessed she already knew something.

“You're welcome to stay for as long as you need,” she said, giving my hand a gentle squeeze before letting go. “We have plenty of space, and I can't imagine how difficult it must be to have your whole life turned upside down like this. Let us help you get back on your feet.”

These shifters were completely destroying everything I had believed about pack life.

They were unbelievably kind.

Which, of course, only made me pull even farther back into myself.

“Please don't go out of your way for me. I don't need any special treatment.”

Kael seemed to understand how uncomfortable I felt. He wrapped his arms around his mate and half carried her through the entrance.

“Come on,” he said. “Let's go find the others.”

The downstairs of their house felt like something from a dream.

The furniture looked soft and comfortable, thick cushions covered the couches, plush rugs lay across the floors, and warm lamps filled the rooms with a cozy glow.

Everything was expensive and beautiful, but it also felt practical and truly lived in.

“They're outside on the patio making dinner,” Cora called as I followed them past two living rooms and a beautiful white kitchen toward a pair of double doors that opened onto a large paved patio.

The moment we stepped outside, I heard people talking and smelled steak cooking on the grill.

A desperate urge to run away filled me before I became too used to living like this.

This isn't yours to keep.

I knew I would have to keep reminding myself of that for as long as I stayed here.

I looked toward the large outdoor couch where three people were squeezed together with their arms around each other.

One man, who looked almost exactly like Kael except for his longer hair, quickly stood up.

“Brother!” he greeted happily. “We were hoping you wouldn't miss dinner.”

I walked over more slowly while Kael quietly whispered something to him.

Then they both looked at me.

“This is Richard, my younger brother.”

Richard laughed as he confirmed what I had already guessed.

“By two minutes, asshole.”

Then he smiled at me.

“It's a pleasure to meet you, Aria. We're happy to have you here.”

He waved toward the other two shifters.

“These are my mates, Sierra and Marcus.”

Richard's shifter presence wasn't as overwhelming as Kael's, but he was still a strong beta.

His mates were both deltas.

Sierra was tiny, barely reaching five feet tall. She had bright red hair, skin even fairer than mine, and striking hazel eyes. The green in them was sharp and vivid, while the brown tones softened the color.

She smiled as she took Richard's hand and leaned comfortably against his side.

Richard bent down and kissed the scarred claiming bite where her shoulder met her neck.

Marcus stepped forward next.

He was about my height with warm Mediterranean features. His skin was a rich brown, his dark hair was perfectly styled, and when he wrapped himself around Richard's other side, Richard also kissed his claiming bite.

I wasn't sure whether they were quietly testing how I would react to the relationship between the three of them.

But the only thing I thought was how adorable they looked together.

I also felt a small stab of jealousy over the obvious love and bond they shared.

“It's really nice to meet all of you,” I said, surprised that I truly meant every word. “Sorry for interrupting your pack life, but I promise I won't stay long, no matter how tempting your beautiful home is.”

They all laughed and brushed my apology aside, reassuring me that I was completely welcome.

Cora led me to the outdoor sectional sofa, where I settled onto thick blue cushions.

She placed a glass of wine in my hand while she and Sierra sat on either side of me.

The men wandered off to finish preparing dinner, leaving me with their mates.

“Kael warned us to keep male scents away from you,” Sierra said in her soft, airy voice. “And I've been hoping we'd have another woman around. I'm badly outnumbered here in Pack Ravencrest.”

Cora threw her head back and laughed.

“Oh, please. You've never complained about being outnumbered in your little trio. I'd say you're more than happy with the arrangement.”

A laugh escaped me, and I nearly choked on my sip of wine.

That only made Cora and Sierra laugh even harder.

To my surprise, I found myself feeling strangely relaxed, especially after everything that had happened during the last twenty-four hours.