Page 4 of Brave New Omega, Part 2

Chapter 4

KATIE

M y sisters crowd around me as we follow Aurelia into the foyer. I really don't want to face Loren, Max, and Callum right now.

My Alphas .

The thought sends an uncomfortable ripple through my chest. The painkillers have eased the worst of my knee and hand pain, but my chest still throbs like an open wound.

Are they still my Alphas? Has every fragile thing we started to build all been shattered by my relentless need to go home? To accomplish the goal, even if it was a foolish one?

"Remember, if it's too much or you need space, you have a place here at the Conservatory. All Omegas do." Aurelia pauses before the doors. Two Beta guards in black flank our little group. I would have thought guards overkill, but after my encounter with Roark…

A shiver trips down my spine. Maddie squeezes my shoulder.

"I can absolutely kick their teeth in," she says. "You just give the word. If they harass you or try to coerce you…"

I shake my head. "No, it's not like that. They're good men."

"Then maybe stop trying to run away from them, okay?" Maddie raises her eyebrows as she looks down at me.

My mouth opens in shock. Since when did my baby sister manage me ?

Since I decided to act like an idiot and put myself in harm’s way to prove a fucking point.

I sigh.

The doors open, and Aurelia walks forward, posture proud and tall, despite the late hour and informal clothing. Next to her, I feel shabby and worn. I want to sleep for a week. And scrub my skin raw. And eat a pint of Ben and Jerrys. Any flavor.

"Pack Murphy, your Omega has been officially discharged and is ready to return home. We're running a full spectrum of blood tests just in case there are any concerns we've missed," Aurelia says, her voice calm. "But I want to make a few recommendations."

Callum crosses his arms in front of his chest. Loren nods, and Max shifts his weight, his eyes fixed on me. I can feel the heat of their gazes moving over me. My sisters form a protective semi-circle around me, and I can feel the tension in Maddie's frame. I want to hold her back, to tell her all of this is my stupid fault. But Aurelia continues, oblivious to the tension between us.

"Katie arrived with you over a week ago, but has yet to have any scheduled visits with her sisters. I think that given her extraordinary circumstances, regular visitation would help all of the Omegas feel more settled and at home." Aurelia stares hard at my Alphas, then looks back at us.

"We also recommend a home check to ensure her nest and other Omega comforts are being met—"

"You can't be serious," Max explodes. "Do you think we're neglecting our Omega? Come on, Aurelia!" He paces back and forth, gaze wandering from the caseworker back to me. "She hasn't said… she isn't…"

"Captain Wilder has not mentioned any concerns with her housing arrangement. However, given her late blooming nature, she may not know what an Omega needs, particularly concerning home comforts."

Max relaxes. "Tough Girl, you can have whatever you want. Just tell us ."

His words sting. Tell him. I should have told him; Max might even have come with me. Have understood my needs, my drive. I stare at the ground, all my fight gone out of me. I feel weak. I hate the feeling, the loss of control and clarity. I hate feeling useless and like a burden. Tears threaten, and Layla wraps an arm around my shoulders.

I will not cry. I will not shed a single tear in front of them. I am the strong one, damnit!

"We can arrange all of that, of course," Loren says gently. "We just want to ensure Katie is safe and well."

Behind him, Callum grunts. It hits like a blow, and I almost stagger back. It feels like a rejection, or a dismissal. Do they even want me to return? When I finally force myself to look up at him, it's not anger I see written across his features, but pain.

"Anything our Omega needs, we are more than happy to give," Loren says again. "Katie, you know that, right?"

I run my lower lip between my teeth, then nod. I do know.

Loren extends his hand. His palm is wide, little half moon scars betraying his battle practice. These hands traced patterns on my bare back—was it just yesterday? Laying sprawled on a blanket surrounded by wildflowers. And I ran away from him, from all that he and his pack offered me. To chase a flimsy lead that might take me home – but home to what?

My throat constricts, making it hard to breathe.

If I take it, I am accepting all he has to offer. All the hurt he carries from the last twenty-four hours, but also all that passion I'd just begun to glimpse. If I take his hand, I accept that we will try to live as true Pack, a promise I made to him. No searching for a way out. We try to build a pack together, or I come back here.

I force myself to swallow, then meet his gaze. His blue eyes are intense, fear and worry warring with lust and anger and need. I see them like dancers flitting across his pupils.

I slide my hand into his.

"Take me home."