Page 65 of Claiming the Pack's Omega

“Of course,” she winces a little. “You should’ve seen me when I first got to the Northside. I was a mess, in every sense of the word. For what it’s worth, I think you’re incredibly strong.”

“I just threw myself out of a window to run away,” I say, narrowing her eyes.

“I still think my statement stands,” she shrugs. “You can still be strong, even when you’re afraid. If anything, I think staying strong even if you’re terrified means you’re even stronger. I read somewhere that strength without fear is just stupidity.”

I lick my lips and nod slowly.

“Well, then I guess I am scared,” I say softly, staring down at the floor. “This is everything I’ve ever wanted, to be able to make sure my family is safe and taken care of. I just… I just wish it didn’t have to hinge on me and this—this pack.”

Luna listens intently, nodding along as I talk.

“Is it the Graylock pack specifically? Or just alphas in general.”

“You know what?” I purse my lips. “I honestly think I’d be less afraid if it were just another random pack who wanted to use me for my body, or something. I’m used to that sort of thing. But this pack… they want more from me, and I don’t know if I’mcapable of it. I’m a bitch, what if it takes them too long to realize that and they drop me and my family?—”

Luna reaches out, gently grasping my shoulders. My gaze jerks to hers.

“Hey, take a breath with me.” She waits until I inhale with her before continuing. “Have you noticed the way they look at you?”

“What do you mean? They just—I dunno—look at me,” I shrug.

“They look at you like you steal their breath away.”

I let out a huff of laughter. “Seriously? You saw us for like, a few seconds before I threw myself out the window.”

“I also saw how they all reacted when you did so. Archer, one of my bond mates, had to hold Killian back from chasing after you.”

“He just wanted to chase after me because I’m his case’s golden ticket,” I say. My words are bitter, but as I say them, I water a seed of doubt that’s been planted in my head.

Is that the only reason why this pack seems to be interested in me?

Could it be that they’re interested in more than that?

Am I capable of more?

“He wanted to run after you because he was worried about you,” she insists. “I totally get the impulse, but it’s not exactly normal to throw yourself out of a window and run.”

“You have a point,” I say, letting out a huff of laughter, reaching up to hold her wrists. “So what do you think I should do now?”

Her gaze darts down to my hands and her eyes go wide.

“Oh my god, you’re bleeding.”

I jerk my hands away from her instantly. Fuck, I forgot my hands were still fucked up.

“Shit, I’m sorry,” my eyes go wide with panic when I see the bloodstains on her sweater. Her expensive-looking sweater. “Fuck, I—I’ll pay to get that cleaned.”

“Hey, no need to worry about that,” Luna says.

I shake my head.

“No, please?—”

“Seriously, my pack has more money than they know what to do with, I promise, I can get this dry cleaned no problem. You know what you should focus on? Getting that taken care of.”

She takes my wrist gently in her hand and starts guiding me back towards the hospital.

“Luckily, we’re at just the place,” she says, smiling back at me. “And once we’re done with this? I think you should talk to your pack. I don’t think you should jump right into anything, of course, but I think you should hear them out. Don’t let your fear ruin something that could be good.”