For The Love Of The Omega

Life’s not easy when you’re a late bloomer. It’s not any easier when you’re an Omega. “Tonight’s a special occasion, Arianna,” Dad tells me for the thousandth time today. “I want you to be on your best behavior. Don’t embarrass the family.” Though he’d admonished me not to embarrass the family, I know what he actually means to say: Don’t embarrass me. I grit my teeth at his words, managing to keep my expression neutral as I nod. The worst thing I’ve done is not be outgoing enough, not eye-catching enough, not enough like my bubbly and magnanimous twin. While she steals the spotlight and effortlessly drifts from conversation to conversation, I tend to hug the wall and fade into the background. That’s us: the wallflower and the social butterfly. For years I’ve tried to figure out how something so innocuous could be a stain on Dad’s reputation among the pack, but I always come up empty. “Yes, Dad,” I reply, for the thousandth time today. The corner of Dad’s mouth twitches and he shoots me a look when he slows to a stop at the light. “I mean it, Arianna.” His voice is as tight as his grip on the wheel. Through our psychic link, I can feel my twin sister wince. I’m not sure why, though. She wasn’t the living embodiment of our dad’s shame. No—she was his hope. He’d put her on a pedestal the moment Alpha Ryan had revealed his vision of a Mate Bond to her. “Everything depends on tonight.” I want to raise my hackles at him. Bare my teeth and snarl. Instead, I force a nod. “Of course.” Dad narrows his eyes, once again searching my carefully composed face for any sign of insincerity or disobedience. He must find what he wants, because he grunts and turns back to the road. Ari, please, it’s nothing personal, Marcella sends down the link. I know, I lie. But I know better, and I suspect Marcella must, too, because it’s always been personal. I don’t know how else to explain it. I shift in my seat, wishing I could be anywhere but here. The last place I want to be is stuck at some shindig at the Alpha’s house—especially when that shindig is celebrating the Alpha himself. Our last Alpha, Ryan’s dad, wasn’t my favorite person in the world, but at least it was easy to avoid him when I had to go to his house. With Ryan, on the other hand, things aren’t so easy. He is always there with some backhanded snipe up his sleeve and almost seemed to seek me out at these little get-togethers. It wouldn’t be so bad if he delivered his little insults by himself, but I couldn’t even have that small act of mercy. His hangers-on were always there to witness my humiliation. Tonight, I’d have to celebrate my bully and pretend to enjoy it. Tonight, I’d have to act like I’m happy that he’ll be Bonded with my sister. It’s enough to make me sick. Closing off the telepathic link with Marcella, I turn to look out the window. The thought of leaving drifts through my mind. It’s not the first time I’ve considered leaving—far from it—but something always makes me stay. Dad had taught me early on that a wolf is nothing without their pack. Rich words, coming from a former Rogue. But the lesson had stuck. Every time the thought of leaving crosses my mind, I’m quick to dismiss it. It’s no different now. “Arianna.” I glance up sharply at Dad. “Yes, Dad?” I bite my tongue. Whatever words I’ve been longing to say must be left unsaid. It’ll be better for me that way. “This is Marcella’s day. Don’t ruin it.” Marcella sighs softly in the back seat. All I do is nod. “I won’t mess it up. I promise.” Beta Silas greets us at the door with a smile. Music and laughter trickles out the open door, the party already in full swing. “Evening, Creed. Glad to see you could make it.” Silas’s smile doesn’t quite meet his eyes, despite all the politeness he exudes. I can even pick up the uneasiness in his scent. That uneasiness has always been there; as a former Rogue, Dad never quite fit in. Rogues were not to be trusted. Dad wanted to prove them wrong, to fit in like everyone else in the pack. But he’s been in the pack since before Marcella and I were born; at this rate, I wondered if he would ever be accepted. At least he had Marcella. If she could become the pack’s Alpha Female, then no one would ever treat him as an outsider again. At least, it’s what he’s always hoped. I can’t bring myself to care either way. I just want Marcella to be happy. Silas’s gaze lands on me. “Ah. Ari. Hello.” His smile turns bland. “Hi.” I give him an equally bland smile. A wave of irritation drifts toward me from Dad, but I ignore it. I’m doing nothing wrong, I remind myself. There’s nothing wrong with greeting the former Alpha’s second-in-command. “Come in, come in,” Silas says, stepping aside to let us in. A few of Marcella’s friends glance up, grinning, and wave at my sister. She flits past us and greets them warmly with a hug. I shuffle past Silas, feeling Dad’s critical gaze at my back. All I can do is sigh. He will never change. I could die tomorrow and he would find something to criticize about it. A crystal bowl of bright pink punch sits on an island table between the dining room and living room. I grab a clear plastic cup and fill it with punch. Eyeing a bowl of crinkle-cut chips, I take a sip of punch, savoring the sweetness on my tongue. I’m tempted to take a few, but already I can hear Dad’s voice in my head, telling me that I’ll never find a mate if I eat the chips. I wrinkle my nose and turn away. A Beta near the vegetable platter shoots me a smile. I quickly duck my head, my chest clenching in panic. So few members of the pack go out of their way to show me even an iota of kindness that I’m never sure how to respond when it happens. “They got the good Ranch this time,” the Beta says, taking a bite of broccoli. I look up at him. “Isn’t it all the same sauce?” He shrugs. “Some are better than others, depending on the brand.” I can’t believe I’ve gotten sucked into small talk about salad dressing, but I’ll take it. A small smile comes unbidden to my face. The Beta’s smile grows. Again, Dad’s gaze crawls across my skin and I shiver. I glance back down at my feet, clutching my cup in both hands. “I—I guess I’ll have to take your word for it,” I mumble before walking away. I wander through the house and take refuge in an upstairs library. The music has faded to a muffled thump, thump, thumping of the bass. I lean against the wall and suck in a deep breath. Letting it out as a sigh, I slide down to the polished hardwood floor. Already I can feel the weight of my status within the pack and Dad’s expectations dissolving away. I get to my feet and start browsing the dark wooden shelves. A lot of them are classics, old but gently-used and in good condition. I pull a copy of The Caprona Trilogy from off the shelf and sit down in a window seat to read. I’ve always loved anything to do with dinosaurs, and even have a two-headed T-Rex plush nestled in the pillows on my bed. Laughter echoes in the hall just as Lys and the narrator are boarding the German U-Boat. I look up sharply, eyes widening as Ryan throws open the door. Hovering over his shoulder is a pretty, curly-haired blonde. Her cheeks are flushed pink, as are Ryan’s. Looks like someone’s been raiding the liquor cabinet. I smirked at the thought. Our last Alpha would be pissed if he knew—he was just as strict as my dad, if not moreso. “s**t—Ryan, there’s already someone in here,” the girl exclaims. I cringe. Ryan snorts. “She won’t say anything,” Ryan laughs. Patting the girl’s cheek. She narrows her eyes, miffed. I freeze, stunned. Is this really happening?! I think wildly. Marcella is crazy about Ryan, absolutely certain she’ll be his Mate. And now, here he is, fooling around with another girl. Marcella would be heartbroken. “Out,” Ryan orders. I fight the urge to do as I’m told, instead lifting my chin and meeting his eyes. The girl gasps softly. “No,” I say a little softer than I’d like. Ryan stands a little straighter, hands balling into fists at his sides. “What did you say?” he growls. I stand, not daring to look away. “No.” The tremble is gone from my voice. “Is this how you’re choosing to spend the Mate Bonding party? Fooling around with another girl behind my sister’s back?” Ryan bares his teeth and I look down, shrinking away from the heat of his fury. If I was in wolf form, my ears would be pressed back against my head, tail tucked between my legs. I glance back up in time to see Ryan stomping toward me. I don’t move fast enough to avoid his gasp. He grabs me by the wrist and yanks me toward him, causing me to yelp in pain. Both of us freeze. In my mind’s eye, a glowing thread weaves itself into existence. It extends from my chest and across the space between us, burrowing itself into Ryan’s chest. We are connected. A Bond has been forged.