Page 23 of Brave New Omega, Part 2

Chapter 23

LOREN

K atie is wedged between Max and I at the breakfast table. I’m not sure why Max insisted we sit for our toast and eggs, but their mingled scents makes my mouth water. I’d heard them this morning – Callum and I both had. Her shouts and his growls. We’d been doused by a thick wave of her perfume, like incense in a holy shrine as it crept through the townhouse.

A tiny muscle over Cal’s right eye twitches, an old tick from the war. It was a sign his control was snapping. I’m not sure if this is a good sign or a very bad one.

But he’s here with us now, all of Pack Murphy, sipping coffee and sharing toast. It’s so domestic, so natural . Like all we’ve ever needed to smooth our rough edges is an Omega. Not just any Omega– Katie .

I hate to break this tranquil moment, but Celeste has pinged me again this morning.

“I need to send Celeste a final headcount for the dinner party tomorrow. It would be fine for me to go alone– no need to subject everyone to my family pack.” I try to sound casual, but the thought of managing my father and the other Alphas of Pack Bellrose – not to mention the new Beta they added after mother’s sickness – makes my guts coil.

“I told you I wouldn’t let you face them alone,” Callum says, his eyes as sharp as obsidian daggers. “Don’t be stubborn about this, Lor. Pack is pack.”

Pack is pack .

So simple and yet so profound. Like a magical incantation hiding in plain sight.

I nod. “Then, Max you can stay here with Katie–”

“You don’t want me to meet your family?” Katie asks, interrupting me, and crossing her arms. “Is it me or them that’s the problem?”

Damnit.

I don’t want to hurt Katie. Having her there is what I want most. But having her face Pack Bellrose…

Max laughs, deflating the tension before it can crescendo. “Oh it’s them , Tough Girl. They are an old money pack. Like silver teaspoons and servants to iron the bedsheets, old money.”

Katie makes a face. “People iron sheets? What a waste of time.”

Callum chuckles, grabbing a piece of toast. They lock gazes for a moment and a look of such heat, both lust and anger, passes between them that my skin feels warm from the proximity. Max glances over at me and raises his eyebrows. I only shrug. Hopefully, this is progress.

“So it’s settled. Pack Murphy will be in attendance.” Callum announces, standing. “ All of Pack Murphy.” He looks back at Katie, some unspoken communication passing between them, as though they’d already bonded and could read each other's feelings like words on a page.

But I know Cal hasn’t made love to our Omega. There’s no sharing of their scents.

I roll my shoulders back and run a hand through my hair. I don’t need to worry about them. They will work it out.

“Great, I’ll ping Celeste,” I say. “She said the dinner was formal but not as extravagant as a Bridal Toast.”

Cal calls over his shoulder, “Fine, just take my black suit to be pressed, will you?” Then he disappears down the stairs to the garage.

“Yeah, I’ll need to get my gray suit pressed too, so we can take all of them over today. I’m sure Bruno’s can get them done by tomorrow afternoon.” Max pauses and nods toward our Omega. “But what about Katie? Do you have an evening gown stashed in that duffle you brought?”

Katie shakes her head. “I’m not really an “evening gown” kind of girl.”

I can’t help the grin that crosses my features. No, Katie Wilder isn’t. And I love her even more for it.

My chest tightens.

Gods above do I love Katie.

I need to tell her, but I don’t want to overwhelm her. Not when she’s finally settling in, finally giving us a real chance.

“I’ll ask Celeste about a place that caters to unbonded Omegas and has a quick turn around.”

I pull out my phone.

Katie sighs. “I hate ruffles and flounces,” she grumbles.

Max punches her arm playfully. “Oh buck up, Tough Girl. We’re going shopping!”

“Fine. But I need something comfortable enough that I can still throw a punch. You know, just in case they insult my pack.” She grins up at me, the sharp edge gleaming in her mahogany eyes. My pack .

My heart skips a beat. She feels it too.

Maybe she is ready to hear all that my heart wants to say.

“But you won’t need to,” Max says, pulling her up from the chair and swinging her in a circle around the dining room. “Because I’ll beat you to the punch.”

“Don’t count on it,” she says, laughing.

Oh my perfect Omega. Nothing about you will ever stop surprising me.