Page 12 of Brave New Omega, Part 2

Chapter 12

KATIE

H is sister.

I remember them mentioning something about her, but no details. Now that I know she’s a sibling, I can see the resemblance: the blue eyes and the same sharp nose and she has a light dusting of freckles.

“Oh Loren, you didn’t say you’d found an Omega! Are you courting? Which of the Conservatories did you go to? I haven’t seen you at any of the parties here in Halvassa.” Celeste gushes, taking a step forward and pulling me into a brief hug before stepping back.

“I forget myself. This must be new if Papa Alfonze didn’t mention it. Father said he was hopeful you’d attend the Engagement Dinner.” She looks between us.

Loren shifts uncomfortably. “We are considering it. Clement has always been welcoming. But Celeste, you know what my father said...” She waves off his words.

“Loren, it's my engagement dinner! I insist–and so will Rafe and Jean Paul and Giovanni.” She offers him a sly smile. “Papa Alfonze won’t want to make my new Pack angry.” She winks.

Max laughs, breaking the building tension. “Can’t argue with arms dealers.”

Celeste offers an exaggerated frown. “ Not arms dealers, Max. They’re in private security now.” She turns her gaze back to Loren looking down at me then up to her brother several times.

“At least promise me you’ll think about it? I mean it, Loren. Really think about it. It will be so much better with my big brother there.”

Loren’s shoulders sag, and he nods. “Of course, Les.”

She pats his arm. “You're the only one who can still call me by that childhood name without irritating me. Proof you’re my favorite brother.”

Loren snorts. “Don’t let Timothe hear that.”

Celeste laughs, a bright, joyful sound. “Oh, he knows you’re my favorite. He takes solace that he’s Papa Alfonze’s favorite.” Her face softens. “I’m glad I ran into you. Congratulations to all of you on finding your Omega.”

She places a light hand on my arm. “Loren and Max will spoil you absolutely rotten–let them do it. And Callum, underneath the frozen ice shell, I promise he’s a good guy.”

I nod, not really sure what to say.

“Les, keep this to yourself, will you?” Loren says, before wrapping her up in a tight hug. “This is new for us and we want to tell the family packs when we’re ready.”

Celeste snorts but nods as she extracts herself. “Of course. Your business is yours. But I hope you bring her to dinner. I promise I’ll keep the sharks away. Besides, I’m the talk of the town right now. So, you should be able to fly under the radar of Alfonze and his little gaggle hangers-on.”

We exchange a last parting pleasantry and Loren pulls us out into the bright midday sun. I blink, the relative coziness of the store abruptly shattered by the bright sunlight.

“Well, that was unexpected,” Max says, wrapping his arms around my waist and taking wide steps as we walk. I slap playfully at his arms, but am glad for his grounding presence.

“There’s a lot there I probably should know,” I begin, and Loren turns away from me. I feel the way he’s unsettled, his scent both pleased but also carrying a hint of something sour–like anxiety.

“Nothing you need to know today, Love.”

He gives me a tight smile. I want to push him, to dig for more intel. But that’s not what he needs–I can feel it. And… I can smell it. His scent is slightly sour, just the hint of vinegar or tart lemon.

“Fine. But I expect you to tell me all the things,” I say, as I pull him toward the front of the shop. “After you’ve given me another seven orgasms.”