Page 21 of Claiming the Pack’s Omega (Riverwell Omegaverse #2)

Reyna

T hrowing yourself out of a window isn’t fun, let me tell you.

Luckily, it was only a first-floor window, but I still threw myself out headfirst.

My hands are bleeding from where I caught myself in the mulch before making a run for it. I’m sprinting like a bat out of hell, my arms and legs pumping like I’m running for my life.

Because there’s a part of my brain that feels like that’s what I’m doing.

The entire room erupted into shouts of shock and alarm when I ran, but I didn’t know what else to do. There were eight alphas in that room. There was no way I was running away through the main door.

The thing is, I know that pack. Well, not really. I’ve never actually met any of them in person.

I do know their omega, though.

Luna Ward.

She’s got golden blonde hair and these big, blue eyes.

The picture-perfect definition of innocent. Of an angel, or some shit.

I met her when a Northside councilman locked her away in the basement of another club. I was covering a shift for Roxie, just dancing on the floor for some tips, when I caught wind of a girl in the basement with a fucking gunshot wound.

When I went down to see what I could do, I found Luna.

She was a sweet little thing, far too sweet for the world I was living in. Plus, she had a rich, Northside pack who apparently treated her really well.

So I did the only logical thing to do: I called the Southside member of her pack from a payphone to let them know where she was. It wasn’t like their contact information was hard to track down, considering they posted it on their website.

I found out later on the news that she was rescued.

No one other than her knew it was me and I intended on keeping it that way. If anyone in my life—my old life, fuck I have to get used to thinking like that—found out I did that?

I would’ve been screwed. I mean, you only have to take one look at Stone to know the people I worked for didn’t take well to Northsiders. Or people who worked for Northsiders.

“Wait! Oh my god, stop running so fast!” I hear from behind me.

Except, it’s not who I expected.

It’s a woman’s voice.

Luna’s.

I glance over my shoulder as I run into the parking garage, seeing Luna panting as she tries to catch up to me. One of her alphas, the big, jacked, tattooed Southside one is following behind her.

It doesn’t look like he’s trying to chase after me, though. More like he came so he can keep an eye on his omega.

Considering she was kidnapped only a few months ago, that makes sense.

Throwing myself out that window and running for my life felt like the right thing to do in the moment.

I’ve spent these past few months terrified that someone would find out that I was the reason that Northside councilman got arrested. God only knows what would’ve happened to me if people figured that out.

I think my body hasn’t quite caught up to the fact that I’m not stuck in the Southside anymore.

“Sorry,” I say softly, tucking my stinging hands into the pocket on the front of my hoodie.

She catches up to me a few seconds later, taking a second catch her breath

“Oh—my god—you—” she lets out a little cough. “Give me a second.”

“Hey, take your time, I’m not going anywhere.”

She glances up at me through her blonde curls with a wry look and I let out a small huff of laughter.

“I’m not going anywhere anymore,” I acquiesce.

“Do you need water, Angel?” Her alpha asks her.

“No, Madden, I’m okay,” she says, standing up straight and offering me a soft smile.

Ah, yeah, Madden. That was his name.

He’s the one I called. Like hell was I going to talk to a Northsider, willingly. Not when I had the option to talk to a Southsider.

“Surprised you managed to fit through the window,” I say, jerking my head at his bulky form.

“It was a bit of a squeeze,” he shrugs, making sure to keep his distance.

Smart.

If it at all felt like he was the one chasing after me, I would’ve run a lot longer.

My gaze darts back to Luna, eyeing her off-the-shoulder sweater, which showcases her bondmarks.

“Those are new,” I say, jerking my head towards them.

She lifts up a hand to where her neck meets her shoulder, touching one of them, a wistful expression on her face.

“Yeah,” she says, smiling. “They’re a few months old at this point.”

What does someone say to something like a bond? Something that symbolizes the kind of commitment that goes beyond the traditional kind of marriage?

Marriage is already a contract of sorts that ties together the lives of two people, financially and emotionally.

Bonds, on the other hand? They tie people together physically, too.

If you asked me how I felt about them twenty-four hours ago, I’d say I hate what they represent. I hate how those sorts of ties can very easily become yet another layer of bonds used against an omega, especially if she’s caught between the web of multiple bondmates, in a pack.

Now?

Now as my eyes trace each of the four marks on Luna’s neck, I can’t help but imagine what it would feel like to carry the bonds of the Graylock pa?—

What the hell am I thinking?

I’ve barely known them for twenty-four hours. Sure, I’ve known some of them for a few weeks now—which really isn’t better, in the scheme of actually getting to know someone—but those few weeks were built upon lies.

I shake myself, trying to get a hold on my stupid thoughts and emotions.

“Congratulations,” I say, mustering up my best attempt at a smile. I take a deep breath, letting the cold seep into my lungs. “It’s good to see you, again. Without a hole in your arm, you know?”

“I never got a chance to thank you,” Luna says, clasping her hands in front of her.

“For?”

“For everything. For taking care of my gunshot wound. For calling my bondmates. You saved my life, Reyna.”

I give her a slow nod.

“You’re welcome.”

Helping her was the beginning of the end, I suppose. I’m pretty sure Stone got his undercover cop assignment because of the attention Luna’s kidnapping got.

“How did you end up here?” Luna asks, slowly.

I glance at Madden, who seems to be content keeping his distance and letting us talk.

“How much do you know?”

“Nothing, really,” she says. “I heard from my pack that a Southside omega helped get Officer Stone out of his undercover mission when things went, well, south, but I didn’t know it was you.”

“Surprise,” I say, shrugging, a tight smile on my lips. “I didn’t expect you to show up either, I didn’t know your pack was involved.”

“They were the ones who completed the extraction mission,” Luna explains.

“Ah, I see.”

“So, how did you end up on the Northside?” Her expression is earnest. She’s not talking like she thinks I’m trash that doesn’t deserve to be here. If anything, there’s a small crinkle between her brows that makes me think she’s a little concerned about me.

I drag my worn sneaker against the smooth concrete of the parking garage.

“Well, long story short, it looks like I’m going to be the Graylock pack’s star witness in their big case.” I glance up at Luna. “Technically, one of their star witnesses.”

“Oh, my testimony mostly has to do with my situation and kidnapping. The Graylock pack’s case is a lot bigger than that, from what I understand. I was only pimped out of my adoptive parents’ basement, not…” She winces, clamping her mouth shut.

“Not being pimped out for real?” I say, letting out an ironic bark of laughter.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like?—”

“No, it’s okay, you don’t have to apologize.” I continue dragging my shoe against the concrete. Why the hell would you make concrete this smooth anyway? “It’s the truth, right?”

“I—I?—”

“It’s fine, Luna, really,” I say, glancing up at her and softening my voice as much as I can.

From the first moment I saw her, curled up in her PJs on the floor of that basement a few months ago, I thought she was sweet as pie. Too sweet for the life I lived.

I know now, talking to her again, that I was right.

“So, the Graylock Pack is taking care of you?” Luna asks, changing the subject.

“Yeah, you could say that. They managed to get my family a house, here on the Northside, and I guess I’m expected to stay with them.”

Luna’s brows draw down in confusion.

“You—you don’t seem to be very happy about that. Do you want to stay with them?”

Yes.

No.

Why would I want to stay with a whole pack of alphas? Alphas who lied to me. Alphas who got me into this whole fucking mess.

Alphas who’ve offered your entire family a fucking golden ticket you should be grateful for.

Alphas who did stupid shit, forcing my family to move away from everything we’ve ever known.

But was everything you knew really all that good?

I grit my teeth. Look at me, arguing with myself like I’m insane.

“I don’t know,” I whisper, my voice barely audible, even to myself.

“Well, that’s not a no,” Luna says, kindly. “Or at least not an automatic no.”

“And that’s a good thing?” I let out a soft, bitter laugh.

She shrugs. “I’m not going to pretend to know what you went through, but—but I do know what it’s like to be a terrified Southside omega thrown into this ridiculous Northside world. The fact you’re not running screaming is a good sign, in my book.”

“Good sign for what, exactly?” I glance to the side, clenching my hands into fists in my pockets, relishing the sting of the cuts there. “And technically, I did run. Just not screaming.”

“Well, you’re not running anymore,” she says. How can she smile so effortlessly? She was kidnapped and tortured a few months ago. Is it because of her pack? Do they seriously make her that happy? “And I think you not saying no automatically is a good sign for your future with the pack.”

I jerk backward like I was just slapped by her words.

She says them so casually. Like she’s certain that there is a future with the Graylock pack.

“Wh—what?”

She tilts her head, her gaze assessing. I don’t like how vulnerable I feel, standing next to her. It’s like she can read my mind.

“I think you’re afraid,” she whispers.

“What? No I’m not—” I say, far too quickly.

I clench my jaw so hard it aches.

Okay, maybe she’s right.

“Fine,” I huff, lowering my voice and glancing warily at her bondmate. The last thing I want is a nosy alpha listening in on this part of the conversation.

“Madden, baby?” Luna asks, without even turning around. “Could you wait a little further away?”

Madden nods wordlessly, before leaving the two of us to talk.

My shoulders deflate a little.

“Thank you.”

“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’m capable 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.”

“You really think so?”

“I do.”

Maybe if it were the pack who had saved me that horrible night, instead of Dom, I’d actually believe something between us were possible.

But as Luna smiles at the nurses who immediately take me back to look at my hands, I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve lost too much of myself these past six years to have anything left to give them.