The Rogue Omega

Chapter 12

The women spent the evening talking about random gossip including their local group of friends, and they made me promise that I would come to their next book club meeting.

I didn’t have the heart to tell them that I had never read a book in my entire life and, for reasons I wasn’t willing to explain, I couldn’t imagine ever reading for fun.

Still, it felt nice to be included.

After a while, Cora finally brought up my scent match.

“Is it true that Ryker Blackthorn claimed you in the council chambers today?”

I could tell she had wanted to ask that question for quite some time. Since I also liked having my own questions answered, I nodded.

“Yes. And honestly, I don’t know what to think about it. Everyone in that room treated him with a lot of respect, but no one forced me to join his pack.”

Sierra immediately sat up in surprise.

“Oh my goddess! That would never happen in Shadow Crest. Some of the other cities are less open-minded than ours, but here we don’t allow anyone to force mate bonds anymore.”

Cora quickly agreed, looking just as shocked.

“It’s against the law here. About fifteen years ago, something happened that led to new laws being carved into the shifter stones. No one can force you to join their pack, Aria. You’re safe.”

I had no idea what the shifter stones were, but hearing about those laws made me feel relieved.

Sierra sat up straighter and took another drink of her wine before studying me more carefully.

“Just so I understand... What exactly do you have against Alpha Ryker and the Blackthorn Pack? I mean, we’re talking about the hottest, richest, and most powerful group of four alphas this city has ever seen.”

“I heard that, mate,” Richard growled as he walked over carrying a stack of plates and cutlery.

I tensed, expecting some kind of fight, but Sierra only gave him a playful smile.

“No one compares to you and Marcus, my love. But... I’m not wrong.”

Richard tried to stay annoyed but eventually let out a long sigh through his nose.

“Yeah... you’re not wrong. If Ryker Blackthorn ever asked me out, I’d probably think about it.”

Everyone burst into laughter.

I had absolutely no idea what to do with these people.

The little experience I had with packs had always been full of anger, fear, and destruction.

These five were completely different.

They were so calm and comfortable with one another that it was hard to believe they were even shifters.

“Sorry, mate. The Blackthorn Pack doesn’t swing that way,” Marcus joked as he gave Richard a playful slap on the butt. “You’re stuck with us.”

Richard smiled, kissed Marcus on the lips, and took the large serving dish from his hands.

“There aren’t any shifters I’d rather be stuck with.”

Seriously...

Their relationship was so healthy that it made me question everything I thought I knew about shifters and pack life.

The men returned to finishing dinner while Sierra poured me another glass of wine.

I couldn't stop myself from asking,

“So... who else is in the Blackthorn Pack?”

Both women immediately smiled.

I quickly threw my hands into the air.

“No, wait! Don't tell me. I don't want to know. I'm already far too curious about them.”

Cora had just opened her mouth to answer when Kael walked over carrying a large tray piled high with perfectly cooked steaks.

The thick, juicy pieces of meat immediately stole everyone's attention.

The next hour passed with us eating, talking, and laughing about everything except the Blackthorn Pack.

I had never experienced a night like this before.

By the time Cora took me upstairs to the spare bedroom and handed me a pile of clean clothes along with some toiletries, I felt confused...

And just a little suspicious.

This pack seemed far too perfect.

Not once during dinner had anyone even mentioned the fact that I was an omega.

It was almost as if it didn't matter to them.

Even though being an omega didn't really benefit anyone unless I joined their pack, I still had value in the eyes of other shifters.

Until I knew without any doubt that they could be trusted, I had to stay careful.

Nobody could hide who they truly were forever.

The bedroom they gave me had its own bathroom.

I enjoyed a long, wonderful shower, carefully washing every part of my body.

Every injury I had received in New Mexico had completely healed.

When I stepped out into the warm, steamy bathroom afterward, I felt like a brand-new wolf.

After drying my long hair with a towel, I brushed my teeth using the toothbrush they had provided.

Then I changed into a pair of soft gray pajama shorts and a matching tank top.

Since I was much taller than both women in the house, the shorts showed quite a bit of my booty.

Still, considering I usually slept naked, they covered more than enough.

I needed to find a job as soon as possible so I could replace everything I had lost.

It still frustrated me that when they captured me, I also lost all the money I had spent two long years saving.

I wouldn't have another two years to save it again here.

But I would do the best I could.

The spare bedroom was simply decorated with white walls and a soft burgundy rug.

The bed, however, was unbelievably comfortable.

As soon as I climbed under the thick duvet, it felt like lying on a cloud.

There were almost no scents in the room.

This pack could clearly afford expensive detergents that removed lingering scents from everything.

It felt like heaven.

I was almost asleep when a faint pulse of energy ran down my spine.

It was only the slightest feeling, but despite how exhausted I was, I slowly opened one eye.

A shadow was moving quietly toward my bed.

Then powerful alpha energy crashed over me.

Along with it came a familiar mocha scent.

Ryker.

His fingers gently brushed my cheek.

Half asleep, I didn't pull away.

Instead, as his warmth and power surrounded me, I drifted even deeper toward sleep.

“Sleep, little omega,” he whispered softly. “You’re going to need your strength.”

My wolf let out a quiet whimper.

Not because she was frightened.

Not because she was hurting.

The horny b***h wanted to pull him into bed with us and roll around in his scent and power.

The warmth of his touch disappeared.

By the time I forced my eyes open again, the room was empty.

There was no sign that Ryker had ever been there.

For a moment, I wondered if I had imagined everything.

Had I simply fallen asleep and dreamed that an alpha had come into my room?

After lying awake for almost an hour, feeling slightly panicked, I finally gave in to my exhaustion and allowed sleep to take over.

Ryker was probably the biggest threat I had ever faced.

There was no way I could stand against him if I was exhausted.

No matter what happened, I refused to let him destroy me.

I would keep fighting, whatever it took.