Page 24 of Claiming the Pack’s Omega (Riverwell Omegaverse #2)

Reyna

I don’t smoke, but God, does all that drama have me craving a cigarette.

Just like when I threw myself out of that window, I don’t feel the cold at first. There’s too much fire in my veins.

I guess having money, status, and power, as a Northside pack doesn’t mean life is all sunshine and rainbows.

I don’t know whether it means their problems are ridiculously huge, if they can’t fix their problems with the resources they have, or they’re just terrible at confronting the fact that they have issues.

I pull up my family group chat. I miss them already.

Rey

hi guys, how’re you settling in?

Sav

Good, dad is getting a tour at his new job

omg, he left already?

He wanted to start early

Mom

You left without waking me up!

I was so sad to hear you were gone

sorry mom, I just wanted you to get some rest

Mom

Well, next time you have to promise to say goodbye, okay?

i promise

Mom

How’re you doing, sweetie? Are you settling in well?

My hands shake as I try to type out a response. I type and delete the same kind of bullshit messages over and over again, but nothing feels right.

Rey

i miss you guys

i’m doing fine, though

Sav

Daisy says to send us pictures when you have them

She wants to see where you’re staying

I think she’s afraid your bedroom isn’t going to be as nice as her new room

will do, when I have a chance

i’ve gotta go though, I love you guys

Mom

We love you too

Sav

Love you!

I shove my phone in my pocket.

I don’t have to go anywhere, but I also don’t want to tell them I can’t send them a photo of my bedroom because I still have no idea where I’m staying.

The automatic doors behind me slide open and I instantly pick up on an expensive black tea scent that’s become all too familiar.

“Are you cold?” He asks softly.

I’m still pissed at him, so even though a bit of the chill is starting to seep into my bones, I shake my head no.

“Why do you care?” I huff.

“Because you’re under our care now, Reyna,” he murmurs.

“I see how well you guys take care of each other,” I huff. “I’m better off taking care of myself.”

“You’re used to taking care of yourself, aren’t you?”

I narrow my gaze on him, but he just stands next to me, staring silently out at the concrete parking garage in front of us in his stupid three-quarter zip-up sweater.

“So? Again, why do you care?”

When he finally turns to look at me, I’m instantly caught in his piercing green gaze. It seems to reach past my defenses and peel back all of my layers, leaving me feeling like a raw, exposed nerve.

“I know my apologies mean nothing to you, at this point. I have to back up my words with actions, but I do think another apology is in order,” he says, his gaze unwavering.

My jaw ticks, but I keep my mouth shut.

“I’m sorry, I know we’ve started off on the wrong foot here today,” he continues.

Scratch that, no, I can’t keep my mouth shut.

“You don’t seem to get the reason why I’m pissed at you.

I’m pissed because of the shit you’ve done today, not because of the ‘situation,’ okay?

We’ve already agreed to move on past all the lies that got me here.

” I lift my hands to emphasize the word situation with air quotes.

“You’ve got to take responsibility for your actions, Killian. ”

He nods intently, as if he’s taking in every single word I’m saying.

“You’re right. I’ve let my emotions get the best of me. I’ve lost sight of the things that actually matter, including the well-being of those closest to me.”

He pauses to lick his lips and goddammit, my eyes dart down to watch the movement.

Fuck, why the hell is he so hot?

His expression darkens, ever so slightly, as he notices where my gaze has moved, but I catch it. I know when a man is interested in me.

And Killian is interested.

“I spend so much time around stuffy alphas so set in their ways that everything is a fight,” he says, his words taking on a slightly slower cadence as he watches me intently, even though he’s talking about serious subject material.

“I’ve brought that same energy to you and my pack.

And for that, I’m sorry. I promise you that this is something I’ll work on. ”

Fucking hell, man.

It dawns on me then, that this is why Killian has been able to become the youngest council member in Riverwell history. He seems to have this innate skill that makes me feel like he’s actually understood everything I’m saying.

I believe him when he says he’s going to work on this. And I never believe alphas.

Sure, he’s sounded like a fucking politician during this conversation, but standing in front of him, feeling the weight of his unwavering gaze, almost tasting the remorse he has, I think he’s telling the truth.

“Lotta fancy talk,” I huff, crossing my arms over my chest. “I sure hope you’re bringing that same energy to your pack, and not just to me because you need me for the case.”

“Like with you, fixing my relationship with the pack will take action. But yes, I’ve started the conversation about my unacceptable behavior,” he says.

“Okay, good,” I nod.

“I’m going to get the car now, would you care to join me?” He asks.

It’s my turn to lick my lips, except for me, it admittedly comes from a place of nervousness.

His gaze immediately falls to my lips and his black tea scent thickens in the air around us. It gains the richness of tea steeped at the perfect temperature.

I know instantly that I can’t get in that car with him.

Not now.

Not when it would just be the two of us.

Because I can’t be held responsible for my actions when he looks and smells as delicious as he does. I just want to drink him down until he erases the memory of any other taste.

I take a step back and shake my head.

“No, you go ahead.”

I need a cold shower. Or to throw myself in an icy lake. I don’t know if a cold shower would be strong enough to knock some sense into me.

“Alright, princess,” he murmurs, his voice low. “Whatever you want.”

My petrichor scent picks up the charged undertone of ozone, telegraphing my lust like a neon sign.

Why the hell is he calling me princess like that? I can handle him calling me princess if he’s using it like an insult, but like that?

Like a whispered, reverent vow?

“Stop it,” I choke out, jerking my gaze away from him.

“Stop what?”

“Whatever you’re doing right now! Just go get the car.”

He stays still, unmoving, long enough for emotions I don’t care to unpack now to start swirling in my gut. Does he get off on making me feel all these strange things?

“You’re used to handling things alone. But now, you don’t have to. One day, we’ll earn your trust and you won’t have to keep up those walls you cling to.”

With those parting words, he starts walking towards the parking garage.

I want to scream. Or pull my hair out.

Or have him pull my hair.

Oh my god , why isn’t there a frozen lake when I need one?

Is it because I haven’t had sex for a while?

Honestly, the sex I had while I was working my job was perfunctory. Tab A go into slot B kind of thing. It was never about my pleasure and I was never attracted to any of the men I slept with.

I’m ridiculously attracted to every single member of this pack.

At least, when they’re not pissing me off.

A few minutes later, Theo is pushing Stone out in a wheelchair. Stone’s arm is in a sling. Good idea, he seems like the kind of guy who would use it, even when he’s not supposed to.

A nurse hands Milo a stack of papers, and he sends a panicked gaze towards me.

“Don’t worry, we’ll go over these together,” I say to him. “You did mean it when you said you wanted to learn, right?”

He nods eagerly and I can’t help but smile.

“Is the nurse gone?” Stone asks, glancing over his shoulder.

“Yeah, she’s gone, why?”

“Because I want to get out of this stupid chair.”

“Dude, you were fucking tortured less than twelve hours ago,” I say, blinking at him.

Even with him sitting in the wheelchair, we’re basically eye to eye, which says something about how tall he actually is.

He just blinks back at me.

“Did you just dude me?”

I shake my head, letting out a little huff of laughter.

“Bro, I think she totally duded you.”

“You guys are ridiculous,” I say, rolling my eyes. “My point still stands. At least wait until Killian pulls up with the car before you try acting macho.”

“Fine,” Stone huffs. “But I’m walking myself to the car.”

“Knock yourself out,” I say.

“Be careful, this meathead could take that as an invitation,” Theo teases.

“Shut up, you’re talking like I’m stupid,” Stone says. “I beat you in Scrabble, remember that Mr. Lawyer?”

“That was literally twelve years ago! And you haven’t played against me since!’

“Which makes me the all-time reigning champion, right, Reyna?”

He looks up at me, his eyes twinkling with the spark I was used to seeing. I’m glad he’s feeling better, now that he’s out of the hospital.

“I think he’s got a point, Mr. Lawyer,” I shrug, looking back up at Theo, who clutches his heart like he was just shot.

“Now you guys are just ganging up on me,” Theo says.

“Or we’re just pointing out the truth,” Stone says.

Killian pulls up with the car a second later.

“You ready to knock yourself out, meathead?” Theo asks, holding his arms out, just in case Stone stumbles as he stands from the wheelchair.

“Yeah, yeah,” Stone huffs, gritting his teeth.

Milo opens the car door for him and Stone manages to haul himself up into the car with his good hand. He’s looking a little pale, when he gets himself settled, but there’s a grin on his face.

“See? I did it,” he says.

“And no passing out too, good job,” I say. I turn to Theo and Milo. “Now then, where should I sit?”

“I can sit in the back,” Milo says, scuffing his sneakers on the concrete floor below us as he glances up at me nervously. “If that’s okay with you?”

“Sure,” I say, shrugging. “Doesn’t look like the back row of the car is up right now, so I’ll have to squeeze between two people anyway.”

“I’ll take shotgun, then,” Theo says, flashing Milo a big grin.