Page 5 of Brave New Omega, Part 2

Chapter 5

KATIE

T he air in the car is thick with unspoken words. Callum drives, his shoulders tight, eyes focused out the windshield. Loren sits up front with him, one hand occasionally squeezing Callum's knee. His blue eyes find mine in the rearview mirror, gentle yet searching. I swallow thickly, unable to hold his gaze for more than a moment at a time. Max grabbed one of my hands when we sat down and continues to stroke his thumb back and forth over my knuckles.

How do I fix this?

I didn't want to hurt any of these men. I just thought getting back home, back to Earth, was what my sisters needed — wanted . That we had to return to our lives. And that hyper-fixation led me to miss out on building a life here.

All my past relationships crumbled when the fun of it wore off; I was always too preoccupied with work or managing my family to really make time for my boyfriends. And I picked men who were also too busy to really make time for me.

I just don't know how to receive all this attention.

But maybe I can learn. Maybe if we can find our way through this, I can learn with them.

My Alphas.

We shuffle inside. Still, there's no speaking. The tension swells until it feels close to bursting. My skin feels too tight against my bones. My chest aches, the only part of me still sore after the painkillers kicked in.

"I'm sorry," I begin.

Callum cuts me off. "I am only going to ask once, so I want you to be honest with us." His back is to me, looking out the window into the darkened street. Max slides protectively to my side; Loren is caught in the no-man's-land between Callum and me. I nod, even though he can't see it.

"Are you planning on trying to return to Earth again?"

It's not the question I expected. I expected a demand for why I left. An explanation for my actions, my foolishness.

His tone is all commanding officer, no emotion other than a practiced calm that belies a deeper anger or frustration. I know it all too well.

"No." I lift my chin. If he thinks I'll cower before him, even now, then he's dead wrong.

"Are you planning on leaving us again?" Callum's voice is strained. His right hand fists at his side.

Max slides a hand in mine, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles again. I watch the movement, organizing my thoughts.

"I have no plans to do so. But I will return to the Conservatory if you want me to."

I don't plan to leave unless they want me to. Or we just can't resolve this. Or, well, or this relationship mess stays a mess.

Because there is no going back to Earth. No leaving Amaata, this new planet with twin suns and moons, and designations, and packs. No leaving Savolinna, this nation my Alphas served as soldiers.

And if I really let myself peek at those shadowed corners of my own heart, I have to admit that I don't want to leave. That I desperately want to stay with these men who want to care for and about me. I just don't know how to let them. And that hurts. My own lack of knowing, of realizing that I've gone most of my life without letting people care for me.

Maybe I should leave so they can find someone less broken.

I press my eyes closed, tears welling against my lashes. Exhaustion hangs heavily over my body.

I feel Callum move before I open my eyes. He's crossed the space between us and stands just a hair's-breadth before me. If I leaned only the slightest bit, we'd be pressed together. He takes my chin, forcing me to look at him.

"Don't ever run from me again, Katie. Because if I chase you, I will chase you to keep you. Do you understand?"

I blink, his midnight gaze somehow both cold as frostbite and hot as an inferno.

"Yes, Sir."

It's a reflex, drilled into me from four years of college ROTC and three and a half years of active duty. Callum's sharp angles soften, the ghost of a smile at the corners of his mouth.

"Good Girl," he murmurs, letting the rough pad of his thumb trace up my jaw. My skin erupts in goose bumps at his words and touch.

Then Callum spins on his heel and strides out of the room, not looking back at me.

What the hell was that? My body swings from cold dread to a growing heat of wanting. God, Omegas are horny. But Callum's touch is a reminder that he promised to chase me beyond stars. Fuck . I whimper reflexively at his absence.

"You must be exhausted," Loren says, interrupting my confused spiral of thoughts.

"I am," I say. Max squeezes my hand.

"Let's get you to bed." Loren takes my other hand and the three of us clamber up the stairs. Both men pause at my door. Even after everything that happened tonight, they respect my boundaries.

"Will you come in?" I ask, hesitating at the door. "I think I need company. I want to explain what happened."

"Katie, you're tired, let's wait for..." Loren begins.

"Whatever you need, Omega," Max cuts in, pushing the door open and shedding his coat and boots at the door. Loren waits, looking down at me.

"Are you sure? I know tonight has been difficult for everyone."

I press a palm against his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat soothes something deep inside me. Some bit of myself that frayed at the edges begins to knit back together, all from this single touch.

"Come inside, I need to explain this to both of you. And I want you both here. Together. With me."