Page 71 of Generation Omega: Claimed (Originverse #3)

I attempt, unsuccessfully, not to grin like a fool over that, but there is an inconvenient truth about attractive male alphas and a predominately female omegaverse fan base.

“No one is looking at or listening to me if the alpha muscle show is on display, so we have to postpone that alluring plan for now.”

“ Fine … it was just an idea.” Sage is adorably pouty, as I take my place on the chair of honor. “But let’s have some possessive alpha paws on your shoulders. People are going to legit lose their minds trying to decode this puzzle, and that’s the exact energy we want.”

While I’m still playing around with the words I might or might not say, Sage directs my alphas into position behind me.

It’s clear she won’t capture them all, which just adds to the intended drama.

With Ory and Gideon each placing a meaty hand on my shoulders, corresponding to where their bondmarks are located—and revealed to our audience—Kazimir, Ethan, and Jameson will barely be seen.

Thatcher’s standing behind Sage, which is fine.

I don’t need the world to know exactly how many alphas I have, and not just for the hype we’re attempting to generate.

If I have my way, Ethan and Thatcher will be flying under the radar indefinitely.

Sage adjusts her tripod, the lights, and her microphone, before nodding to me that she’s ready.

In the quiet that follows, I realize I know exactly what I want to say, but more importantly, the true audience for this first message. I take a deep breath, and with a confidence that feels true, I begin.

“My name is Tillie, and I am an omega. I revealed after meeting my first alpha at Omega-Palooza, and I’ve been hunted ever since.

I can’t share much, but I wanted everyone—every believer—to know that it’s real.

I was just like you. I dreamed it so often that I knew it must be true.

And it is—it’s all real.” I smile with a sassy edge.

“Heats are real. Scent matches are real. Knots are real. But what I never could have imagined is the power of an alpha’s bond.

It’s not magic like wizards or unicorns, but it is magic to be part of something so powerful and right in a world that is too often wrong. ”

I place my hands over my alphas’ hands that rest on my shoulders.

“My alphas are with me and will do everything they can to keep me safe, but we won’t survive without your help.

An omegaverse revolution began at Omega-Palooza, and whether it takes root or is ripped apart is up to you.

I’m here to honor this evolution that will transform all lives, awakening connection and hope for everyone.

I will give and risk everything for this cause that I’ve believed in all my life. ”

I pause and, more softly, add, “Will you join me? Will you dare to believe in the truth that’s been intentionally concealed from us?

Are you ready for this world to change? Are you here to battle for the future we all deserve?

Today is about survival. Tomorrow, the fight begins.

If you’re with me—with us —then share this message with everyone you know and be ready when I call. ”

My hands move to cover my omega heart—the origin point of all of this. “All my blessings and the blessings of my pack, I send to you, my friends, my fellow omegees, the true believers whose courage to believe the unbelievable is the rich soil that will allow the omegaverse to bloom at last.”

Sage slumps after she stops the recording. “Damn, Tillie, that was it. We’re done here.”

“You’re sure?”

Everyone in the room answers with a definitive yes .

Now, my shoulders droop. “I have to lose the flowers, huh?”

“Sorry,” Sage responds, shielding my alphas from the discomfort of disappointing me with that necessary reality check. “Come on. My services include flower installation and removal.”

“We’ll leave in ten,” Kazimir barks, and everyone is in motion.

Once I’m alone with Sage, who makes short work of her painstakingly majestic creation, she mutters, “Go ahead—what do you want to know?”

“What would you say to Sarah if you could tell her anything?”

“I’d apologize, not for what happened to her because that wasn’t my fault, but for what was my fault.

Shielding her from the consequences of her actions robbed her of the chance to grow strong and capable.

I don’t know whether that would have changed anything about her fate, but it’s what I regret most. I’m not suggesting Sarah needed to be battle-tested—or live a life anything like yours—but she did need to be life-tested , and I stood in her way.

Sometimes the worst things a person can do are the actions they take while misguidedly protecting someone they love. ”

Sage wipes a wet cloth over my cheek as she murmurs, “If life is a classroom, Sarah never even reached the board to show what she knew or the gifts she possessed. And why? Because her all-knowing , big sister stepped in front of her, actually believing I was safeguarding her from the crushing blow of discovering all that she lacked. You asked me before why Sarah was chosen, and I gave that horrible answer, because spewing that judgy vomit was easier than admitting the truth. So, here it is. I have no idea who my sister was, only who she became when none of us trusted her to shine on her own.” Sadness dulls the light in her green eyes.

“But you already got there, didn’t you?”

“If she’s alive, I’m going to find her, free her, and make anyone who hurt her pay forever .” Wow, my primal omega grabbed the reins, and she’s almost snarling.

“I believe you, but don’t you do anything that risks yourself. The world is more important than any one person, including my sister.” She leans back and assesses her work. “You’re good. Your alphas have some bags with more clothing, shoes, accessories, makeup, the works.”

“Thanks, Sage, for everything, and for letting my alphas pilfer some stuff from the only pretty room in this place.”

“You are quite welcome, and FYI, no one will be crying over that loss. The wife of the house hates florals, so that room was nothing more than the shocking climax of her husband’s home-improvement treachery.”

“I hope they get therapy,” I blurt.

“They’re both therapists, so yeah, therapy is covered, though probably less effective for them than most.”

Oh, dear god. How can one couple make my seven-on-one dynamic seem simple? “I guess all relationships are tricky.”

“They certainly are.”

I stand, and Sage accompanies me to the massive front doors that are stupidly tall.

If I lived here, I’d be worried that a flock of birds or mob of mosquitos would enter uninvited every time I opened the door.

But I’m not asking whose idea these doors were, because I’m now moving on to the second thing that must be faced before this day can end.

“Goodbye, Sage.”

“Goodbye, Tillie, and good luck.”

Beyond the doorway, I walk down the steps with Ethan on one side and Kazimir on the other.

Parked in front of the moving truck is a white SUV, so the pack is dividing up again, but that’s not the striking image in my view.

A massively displeased Ory lurks at the back of the moving truck, waiting for me.

Ethan pulls me into a hug, whispering, “You okay?”

“Yup.”

“You know what’s going to happen if this doesn’t go well?”

“Yup.” Violence— mountains of violence.

Ethan releases me, kisses my head, and then watches me fearlessly approach the alpha most likely to impale our enemies and mount them like hunted prey in our future omegaverse lodge.

“Hey, buddy, how are you doing?”

If a butterfly flapping its wings can cause a hurricane around the world, then Ory’s intense displeasure could certainly double the size of every landfill or even ignite a volcano to rain ash over the globe.

I love him even more for not tearing into me, despite his loathing for my plans.

Without a word, he lifts me into the back of the truck and holds my gaze like a man who would hang the moon to please me or launch a cannon to take it down, if that was my wish.

I softly pet his beard and share the love and certainty I feel in my gentle heart for this savage warrior. “Tonight, it’s you and me, and the old ways—whatever that means.”

The power of his presence only expands, but it doesn’t strike me. His fury soothes me, especially the primal part of me that knows his violence is a force I can always trust.

“Yes. Tonight, we’ll mate.” His teeth crash together before he grins.

Oh, wow—I think my new mate is going to bite me.

Damn, I can’t wait. He shouldn’t have more bondmarks than I do, and yes, this is a competition.

Before he leaves, Ory shares the most vicious, sexy smile I’ve ever beheld. “I’ll go get your captive.”

“Thanks, Ory.”

When he’s gone, I turn and glance around the interior of the truck, now decorated with all the floral and colorful blankets and pillows from the house.

The other upgrade makes me misty because I know exactly who thought of it.

Kazimir would have chosen to add more flashlights and lanterns, but the Christmas lights have Ethan’s name all over them.

Thankfully, they are battery operated. Even with the additions, I still don’t love the place, but it’s better than it was.

A vehicle door closes and then the scuffle begins, shouting and some highly questionable language.

I’m a little sad to have missed the show, but I witness the grand finale when Jameson is catapulted into the back of the box truck with me.

He hasn’t even fully landed when Ory jerks the sliding door down and latches it from the outside.

“What the fuck?!” Jameson storms as he scrambles to his feet.

I don’t answer him, but the sounds of closing doors and rumbling engines do, followed by rattling movement as the wheels turn over the gravel driveway.

Jameson’s usually gorgeous face is twisted with rage, lit by lanterns and Christmas lights as strange as that is. “What the fuck is going on? I want out of here.”

“Okay,” I say as dismissively as I can. “I’ll send Gideon a message, and he’ll set you free, but…”

He’s in my face, towering over me. “But what ?”

I don’t even pretend to be the woman he met during her first heat or even the woman he bonded.

Neither of those versions of me belonged on a throne—but this me, the one who sought this confrontation, absolutely fucking does.

“If you leave me now… if you leave me like this, you’re out of my pack.

You can call your daddy and run back home to your meaningless life. ”

Jameson jerks away from me, but his glare doesn’t stray at all. “But we’re bonded .”

“I know. I didn’t say it would be easy. But I have a plan. If you bail on me, then I’ll get all my alphas to bite me over your bondmark. I’m pretty sure if they work together, they can erase you altogether.”

Jameson looks like I hit him with a hammer. That’s fine, because after what he’s done, it truly is his turn to suffer.

“So, which is it? Stay or go? Because we don’t have time for this. You are either with me or against me, and I need an answer right now.”