Page 7 of Broken Harmony (Heartbreak Melody #2)

Whimpering, I wrap my arms around my waist, rolling onto my stomach. The pain isn’t too bad, like a dull cramp, but it’s still uncomfortable.

What the hell is going on? Did I eat something I shouldn’t have? Fuck, the last thing I need on my birthday is food poisoning.

The guys have this whole day planned. And I’m supposed to have a birthday breakfast with my uncle. Who wants to spend their eighteenth birthday sitting on the toilet?

When the cramp passes, I let out a breath and roll onto my back again. Stretching out, I groan as a wave of dizziness hits me.

“What the fuck?” I whine, blinking my sleepy eyes up at the ceiling. I feel gross. Like maybe I’m about to get the flu? “No,” I moan, rolling over again, burying my face into the pillow. “We’re not getting sick!” I shout.

My eyes snap open as I feel a gush of something leave me and fill my panties. Horror hits me, and I’m scrambling to my feet, rushing to the bathroom attached to my bedroom, scared I either just unknowingly pissed myself, or worse, shit myself.

But when I sit on the toilet and look down, I see... an almost clear, white-ish substance... a lot of it.

And then the scent hits me. Peppermint cheesecake. Huh. Well, fuck. I know exactly what this is. Slick.

“So I’m an Omega,” I murmur, staring way too long at the sticky white substance. Letting out a deep breath, I lean back against the toilet and close my eyes.

I knew I was going to present any day, but why did it have to be exactly on my birthday? Isn’t there normally like a week-long window when it could happen?

After I’m confident enough to stand, I change out of my sleep clothes and go to my bedroom to grab something to change into.

There’s a trickle of slick that keeps leaking, almost like if I were a Beta or an Alpha, I’d have my period. But instead of blood, it’s slick.

While the smell is a lot more pleasant, I’m sure, I know that it’s going to cause issues if I don’t find a way to mask this a little bit right now.

I’ve been meaning to go out and grab regular pads and scent-blocking ones just so I was prepared for whatever I might present as, but I’ve been so busy the past week with signing contracts and working out schedules for my upcoming album that I’ve hardly had the time to do anything but move into my uncle’s place.

There was no point in living in the hotel long term, and I didn’t feel ready to move out on my own officially yet. When he offered to let me come stay with him again, I took him up on his offer.

After having a much-needed cold shower to wash off the clammy feeling, I get out and dry off.

Letting the towel drop to the ground, I take a moment to look at my body in the mirror.

There aren’t many changes, but I see some.

My breasts are a little bigger, and my tanned skin is almost glowing, but it’s the feelings raging war within me that says it all.

When you present, there are little to no changes on the outside, but on the inside, your DNA is shifting into something new. I feel like I want to cry, to scream, to find a big Alpha and bury my face into his chest, to have him hold me and tell me everything is going to be okay.

Tears sting the back of my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall.

This isn’t a bad thing. I’m not upset that I’m an Omega.

I knew I had an equal chance to be any of the three, and I have no issues with any designation.

I have an Omega for a mom who made sure to let me know everything there is to know about being an Omega, in addition to what I’ve learned in school.

What sucks the most is that I’m exactly what Lulu’s parents hate. Bisexual and an Omega. If I wasn’t allowed around her before, I sure as hell wouldn't be now.

I keep wondering what her designation is. And keep praying it’s a Beta.

Omegas run the packs, and Betas are good to have in packs. She’d fit in. I’d make sure of it.

“Get ahold of yourself, Ally,” I groan, rubbing at my sore eyes. “She’s not going to be in your stupid non-existent pack. She doesn’t want you.”

Trying not to let the pain in my chest get to me, I get dressed and do my best to shove a ton of tissues between my legs, hoping it does the trick until I can go to the store.

“There she is!” my uncle says with a cheery smile as I step into the kitchen. “The birthday.... “ His eyes widen as his nose twitches. “Girl. Holy shit, Ally. You're an Omega.”

“You can tell from all the way over there, huh?” I grumble, taking a seat at the table.

“Seeing how your perfume is coming off you in waves, I’ve got to say yes.”

“Lovely,” I whine, putting my forehead against the table. “Just how I want to spend my birthday.”

I hear him move over to my side, taking a seat next to me. “How are you doing, kiddo?” he asks, rubbing my back. I sigh heavily and sit up.

“I feel weird? A little crampy, but nothing too crazy.”

He nods his head. “It can often feel like the flu. It can be worse for others. But you seem to be having a better reaction.”

“I’m hoping it doesn’t get any worse. At least not today. The guys have plans.”

“I’m sure you can all do something another day.”

I shake my head. “Nope. I’m not letting this ruin my birthday. I’m just going to go out and get some scent-blocking products and power through.”

Chase grins, lifting an eyebrow. “I think that might be a good idea. Seeing how you're about to be around three Alphas.”

My eyes widen. “I’m not going to want to fuck them, am I?

” I’ve messed around with a handful of people over the years, but I’ve never gone all the way.

I’m still a virgin, and I plan on staying that way until I find the right person.

Or until my first heat. Whatever comes first. I sure as hell don’t want to jump into bed with guys I see as family.

He snorts out a laugh. “Ah, I’m not sure. But I wouldn’t be surprised if the urge is there. But unless you're going into heat, those men should be able to control themselves,” he growls. “Even then, consent is key.”

I roll my eyes. “They’re not going to jump my bones. They don’t see me that way.”

“Doesn’t matter, Ally. Our instincts overpower everything.

Your body isn’t going to care if you don’t see them romantically.

It’s an Omega seeing a pack of Alphas. No, not every Alpha has an effect on an Omega.

And not every Alpha or Omega wants to jump each other’s bones, but the primal urges are there more than not. ”

“So you’re telling me I’m going to want to fuck my best friends even if I don’t like them that way?” I ask, raising a brow.

Chase groans, rubbing his hand over his face. “This is not the conversation I thought I’d be having with my eighteen-year-old niece.”

“Welp, you're an Omega, buddy. And my uncle. So help me!”

He chuckles. “You're going to be okay. It’s not the end of the world. Have you called your mom?”

My eyes widen. “Shit. No, I haven’t.”

“Eat first.” He nods towards the pancakes and bacon. “Then call your parents and fill them in.”

Because my stomach speaks for me right now, I do as he says and scarf down the plate of food, trying my best to have a casual conversation with my uncle about my plans for my birthday, while inside I’m kind of freaking out about what this is going to mean for my future.

Is this going to affect how the world sees me as an artist?

Omegas are well respected in this world, cherished really. They can be anything they set their minds to. But there are still a lot of people who see Omegas as overly sensitive and weak. They think we let our emotions get the better of us.

“Hey, my sweet girl!” Mom’s voice sounds excited, filling the other end of the line. “Happy birthday!”

“Happy birthday, baby girl!” my dads all echo somewhere in the background.

“You're on speaker by the way,” Mom fills me in.

“Thanks.” I laugh. “And perfect. Because I need to tell you all something.”

“Oh?”

“I presented,” I tell them.

“You did?” my dad, Calvin, asks, sounding excited. “And?”

“I’m an Omega.”

“Really?” Mom gasps. “Oh, honey. That's so exciting! How do you feel about it?”

“I’m not upset or anything. Not going to lie, I thought I’d be an Alpha.” I laugh.

My dads laugh too. “So did we,” Ryder says.

“Nah. I always thought she would be an Omega,” Malcolm says. “She’s always had that feisty Omega in her. Just like her mama.”

“Stop it.” Mom giggles and I roll my eyes, but smile.

“Whatever you thought I’d be, this is what I am.

I’m not upset. Just... kind of nervous, you know?

If I were a Beta, I’d be living my life just like I was yesterday.

No changes at all. And if I were an Alpha, everything would have shifted into a more primal dominant way, you know?

Something that would go great in a career like this.

But now, I know I’m going to be a little bit more sensitive to things, and I’m just..

. I’m just going to have to work harder for the things I want. It’s going to be okay.”

“You have your uncle. Don’t ever be afraid to ask him for anything. And if you feel like you can’t go to him, come to us. We’re going to come and visit soon, alright? Thanksgiving or Christmas. One of those, but we’re going to be down to see you soon, okay?”

“Okay,” I whisper, an overwhelming wave of homesickness hitting me. “Maybe I should come back, you know, to visit. It would be cheaper for me to come up than for all of you to come here.”

“No!” Mom says a little too quickly, and I startle.

“What? Why? What's going on? Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine.” She laughs awkwardly. “It’s just... it’s LA. We haven’t been. It would be nice to get away from the cold and snow for some sun and beach! A family vacation we haven’t taken before.”

“Yeah...” I say slowly, not sure why she’s being weird. “I’ve been meaning to ask you. Do you have any updates on Lulu?”

“Ally!” Uncle Chase shouts. “The guys are here.”

“Shit,” I mutter. “My friends are here.”