The Rogue Omega

Chapter 18

Cora gave me an embarrassed smile as she looked at me. “Uh, I might have forgotten to tell you that the best place to ask about rental homes, and even jobs, is through these two packs. One apartment building belongs to Blackthorn, while the other belongs to Stormfang.” Her cheeks turned slightly pink. “About the job, you told me the other night that you wanted to work in a restaurant, café, or bar. Most of those businesses are also owned or managed by these packs. So, it makes the most sense to begin here. Which pack would you like to visit first?”

It was obvious she had left out that detail on purpose, and I completely understood why. After the way I had broken down yesterday, it made sense that she would be careful about bringing me this close to my own pack.

“Let's start with Blackthorn,” I replied, deciding I was strong enough to deal with it. “If I can't leave Shadow Crest, then there's no point hiding from them forever because they scare me. That isn't a real solution, so I need to face them like an adult.”

Cora quickly added, “You can stay with us for as long as you need. But after a while, your wolf will want its own space and territory. I understand that feeling completely. I would never leave my pack or my home, but that's why our house has two separate wings with the guest rooms in the middle. Every bonded couple likes having their own private space.”

I smiled for only a moment, but the pain inside my chest stayed much longer. “If I had what you have, I wouldn't want to leave either. I don't know much about love or friendship, but you and your pack have shown me how wonderful the family we choose can be. I just hope that even after I move out, I'll still be welcome for family dinners.”

Without warning, Cora stepped forward and hugged me. The unexpected embrace made something twist deep inside me. “Always,” she said warmly. “You'll always be invited. Now come on, let's help you begin your new life. And I have to say, I really admire how brave you are for facing your pack and asking for your independence.”

As I stood there after that perfect hug and her encouraging words, I felt like I was falling apart just a little. She had hugged me the same way she hugged Kael when he came home. It was the kind of hug I had watched from a distance before, wondering if it truly felt as comforting as it looked.

It did.

I quickly wiped my eyes to hide my sadness. I realized hugs could become just as addictive as pack life, and I was dangerously close to wanting both.

It had been much easier to fight against this life when I had no idea what I had been missing.

“Come on,” I muttered, clearing my throat before walking toward the stairs leading to the automatic entrance doors of the office building. Above them was an elegant sign that read Blackthorn Technologies. Beneath it were the names of two pack members: Ryker Blackthorn, CEO, and Silas Ashfang, CFO and Securities.

Silas.

Orion had mentioned him before, and I wondered if I would end up meeting him today. Not that I wanted to know the remaining two members of the pack. The two I had already met were taking up far too much space in my thoughts.

The moment we walked inside, cool air greeted us as we crossed the polished marble floor. The reception and security desk stood in the center of the entrance hall. As we approached the receptionist, I silently hoped I could finish everything without seeing Ryker... or anyone else from the pack.

“Good morning. Welcome to Blackthorn Technologies,” the woman greeted us with a professional smile. She wore a white blouse with the top button undone, revealing just a hint of cleavage. Everything about her looked neat and professional. Her dark hair was tied into a smooth low bun, her makeup perfectly highlighted her pale skin and natural beauty, and her fresh mint scent told me she was a delta bear. As far as I knew, bears and big cats were second only to wolves in both numbers and strength.

“Hi, Fee. How are you?” Cora asked.

The moment Fee recognized Cora, her formal smile became much warmer. “Cores! What are you doing here during the day? Aren't you supposed to be setting up the Norman pack's new games room?”

From what I had gathered, Cora was a very popular interior designer.

“I'm going there tomorrow to begin the first setup,” Cora explained. “Today I'm helping a new friend. This is Aria. She just moved to Shadow Crest. We're looking for information about available jobs and rentals in the apartment building with the higher security.”

Fee looked me over before smiling kindly. “You've definitely come to the right place, Aria. Please have a seat while I make a few calls and see if the departments that handle jobs and rentals are available to meet with you.”

“Thank you,” I replied, hoping I didn't look as nervous as I felt.

Cora and I moved to the waiting area, and I settled onto a soft beige couch. I tried to ignore the light pounding beginning behind my temples. Being here was much more difficult than I had expected, especially knowing my mate was somewhere above us.

King of the world.

I reminded myself that a CEO wouldn't personally handle rentals or job applications, so there was no reason to think Ryker even knew I was inside the building.

“You probably won't have to see Ryker or Silas,” Cora said quietly, as though she had guessed exactly what I was thinking.

I didn't answer. Instead, I watched Fee speaking on the phone.

She had barely placed the receiver down before it rang again less than ten seconds later. As she listened, her eyes shifted directly toward me. She nodded a few times before hanging up and quickly walking toward us in her fitted black skirt and heels.

“I'm so sorry for the wait,” she said, slightly out of breath. “If you'll come with me, Aria, I'll take you upstairs to the correct floor.”

Cora immediately stood as well, but Fee gently stopped her.

“If you don't mind waiting here, that would really help. There's some paperwork that needs to be completed while Aria discusses her options.”

My stomach immediately tightened, but I forced a smile.

“No problem at all,” I replied. “I can manage on my own.”

“I'll stay right here if you need me,” Cora said, watching Fee carefully as though she wasn't completely convinced. “There is security on every floor, right?”

“Every floor,” Fee assured her. “Aria is completely safe here, I promise.”

Then she quietly added something that sounded very much like, “She's safer here than anywhere else.”

Cora kept watching me as Fee led me to the elevator.

When I stepped inside, I noticed the button for the twentieth floor was already glowing.

The very top floor.

And I knew exactly who was waiting for me there.

My wolf let out a soft whine as the elevator climbed higher. Part of it was because we had never liked being trapped inside metal boxes flying into the sky. But another reason was that every floor brought us closer to our mate.

Ryker Blackthorn.

How had that arrogant, controlling asshole found out I was here so quickly?

I looked up and spotted a security camera with a blinking red light.

My skin immediately crawled.

He was watching me.

I narrowed my eyes into a glare, hoping he knew exactly what kind of attitude he would be dealing with once these doors opened. I could have sworn I heard a low, dark chuckle, so I lifted my hand, flipped the camera off, then folded my arms and leaned back against the railing in the corner.

The elevator reached the top floor quickly.

As the doors slid open, I stayed exactly where I was except to press the button for the first floor again.

Nothing happened.

I was trapped high above the ground with a controlling, dangerous alpha.

“Well, well,” a deep voice said. “What do we have here? Who would have guessed the little lamb would walk willingly into the wolf's den?”

His voice sounded far too familiar and personal, considering I had only heard it twice before.

I wanted to fire back with, Who the f**k are you calling a lamb?

Instead, I stayed silent.

I had a feeling nothing would frustrate him more than being ignored.

No one ignored a powerful alpha.

“I understand why you'd be afraid to face me,” he continued as he appeared in the elevator doorway.

The small space suddenly felt even smaller as he lowered his head and stepped inside. It honestly felt like the elevator shook under the weight of all his muscle and overwhelming alpha presence.

I sincerely hoped this elevator had been built strong enough to handle an alpha.