Pack Hodges

Cyrene-Chapter 4

I scowl at my face in the mirror while the chatty omega finishes my hair. My black hair now hung around my face in loose waves and my deep blue eyes were now (I’ll admit it) stunningly complimented with eyeshadow and mascara. But I hated it. I had been personally led from the office by Eve to the OC’s beauty salon and apparently word had gotten around just based on the hatred in every omega’s eyes as I walked one step behind her. Now as I looked at myself in the mirror, all I could see was my beautiful mother. I had her high cheekbones, small pert nose and rose bud mouth. But she had been full of joy and I had never had that. What I had now was a mission to finally be free and as I gazed at myself in the mirror I knew I would do whatever it took to survive this month. With four alphas. I exhaled deeply, breathing in the scents of the salon and the overly sweet scent of the omega behind me going on endlessly about her mates.

“And so I told him not to ever come home late again or I…”

I blocked her out. After this I would be taken straight to HI headquarters where most employees also reside. I glance at the clock and see it’s almost time and my stomach tightens in more knots. Well..better these knots than another kind.

When we’re done and I’m dressed in a beautiful light pink dress with small gold appliques that I absolutely hate (when was the last time I wore a dress?) I’m led out to a black SUV by Eve.

“You must think this is your big chance,” she says looking down at me with a cruel smile. I stare wordlessly at her. She has to think I’m dumb by now.

“It’s not. They’re going to eat you alive.” With that comforting thought she glides away from me and I gratefully climb into the SUV hopefully seeing the last of the OC.

The drive to HI headquarters is beautiful. I haven’t left the center in years and I had no idea the city was so beautiful and full of life. People are out everywhere, with children and couples smiling at each other. A twinge of longing I refuse to acknowledge pings in my chest. There are old gothic buildings I don’t remember and new sleek skyscrapers dotting the skyline. Eventually we pull up at what has to be the largest one. The driver gets out and opens my door and I gawk at the building. It has to be 50 stories of glass and smooth angles. As I walk to the revolving door, I grip my bag tighter on my shoulder. In it are my very few belongings and a Spencer Strider baseball card Mira snuck me to “remember” her. Apparently she has a thing for his butt.

I walk across the lobby to the front desk and as an unawaked omega, I attract little attention.

“I’m here to see the Hodges Pack?” Is that the way I should put it? I’m here to fade in the background for one month?

The security guard looks me over and says “Cyrene Gerner?”

I nod. He gets up and motions me towards a long line of elevators and further to one marked “private”. Getting a keycard out he scans it and the doors open. “48th floor,” he says.

Well okay then.

The ride is swift and my nerves escalate. When the doors finally open I cautiously step out into an empty massive apartment. The first thing I see is a grand piano and my heart leaps. Then I hear raised voices.

“Don’t want a f$cking omega, Cash”

“How long does she have to stay?”

“Did Eamon mention-”

The elevator belatedly pings and the voices stop.

Three huge men round the corner and I’m assaulted with a wave of burnt sugar, fresh spearmint, salty ocean waves…scent. F$cking. Match.

I throw up right on their marbled floors.