Page 9

Lily

There were only two loaves of rosemary garlic sourdough left and one jar of peach jam. The flow of customers at the farmer’s market had died down, and most of the vendors had either packed up and left or were in the process.

Including the males who said they wanted to talk to me once everything was over.

I still didn’t know what they wanted to speak about.

Okay, I had an inkling but refused to believe it.

There was no way. They were all handsome and smelled like the best desserts in the world, but that didn’t mean they were my alphas.

I didn’t even know if I wanted alphas.

I’d just gotten my freedom, and I’d be damned if I gave it up for anyone.

Then again, they didn’t seem mean. Not like the alpha who once ruled over me and nothing like those assholes who rejected Rumor for her twin.

And Wilder, Vargas, and Penn blew my idea of what an alpha male was right out of the water and into outer space.

Still, they were the exception to the rule. They were rare and unique. Most men were like Rumor’s rejected mates.

I sighed and tried not to look their way. My gaze roamed over there several times anyway, but the more they did, the thicker my resolve became.

“I’ve already got sandwich plans for those two loaves,” Rumor said, standing next to me.

“You always have sandwich plans.”

“That’s true. Oh…” She drew out the last word and her eyes bugged a bit. She looked at me and then beyond me.

“What?” I asked, whispering since I had no idea what was going on.

“They’re coming over. And there are three of them.”

My turn to get all bug-eyed. “Let’s go before they get here.”

Rumor snorted. “It’s too late.”

“Hello, Lily.”

Fuuuck. I knew that voice even though I’d only spoken to the male once. He’d bought nearly all our products, asking if I’d made them myself.

I turned around as my heart thrummed a mile a minute. They smelled so good. I was glad I went with the slick-wicking panties today. “Hi.”

“If you’ve got everything picked up, can we speak to you privately, please?”

My heart sank. I dreaded this moment. It was too soon. I’d only begun to get to know myself.

“Um, sure.” My wolf spoke the words, I was certain. She wanted to do a whole lot more than talk to them, and my scent proved the point. If I could sense it, they probably could too. I walked around the last table and off to the other side of our truck. “Talk.”

Benji, the tallest one, stepped forward a bit. “We’ve already introduced ourselves. All three of us are a pack. We haven’t come up with a name yet, but we are. We…we think you are our omega.”

Yep, it was happening.

My ears began to ring. Droplets of sweat popped from my hairline and on the back of my neck. “I-I don’t know what to say.”

Roan nodded. “We would like to ask your permission to court you.”

“Court me? What does that even mean?”

“It means, we spend time together. Get to know each other. Dating. Everything in courting is your decision.” Harlan’s deep voice made my core tighten and my tummy flip-flop. All of them did. Goddess, I was in trouble.

I wanted to say yes. I did. Having a pack and a family called to me.

But what didn’t call to me? The loss of control over my life. The lack of choice. Everything that I’d become, stripped away.

Not a chance in hell.

“My decision?” I asked.

“Yes.” Benji nodded. “We, of course, would love for you to say yes. To let your pack court you, but we would respect any choice you made.”

I doubted that. Seriously.

“Then my answer is no.” Saying the words physically hurt me. My chest tightened into knots that I was sure would never unravel. “I reject your proposal. I won’t be anyone’s omega. I won’t ever allow myself to be treated like shit again. By anyone. No one will ever own me.”

How dare they.

They thought they could walk over with their good looks and panty-melting voices and declare I was their omega and I would just swoon in a puddle of slick.

Fuck that.

“Lily!” Rumor called. Holding Bernadette, she caught up to me and asked what was going on.

I shook from the inside out. My wolf wanted me to run back. To throw myself into their arms and trust what they were saying. That I belonged to them. I was their omega. Meant to be with them.

That they would respect my choices.

They were just words.

Alphas spewed lies all the time.

Or even if they meant it now, their respect would erode. Inch by inch, they would gain control over me like a frog in a slow-boiling pot. I wouldn’t know I was being cooked until it was too late.

Not this omega.

They didn’t call after me.

Didn’t say my name or try to stop me.

I got into the back seat of the truck and shut the door behind me. Rumor didn’t come in. I was glad for it. No one needed to see my tears.

Despite my resolve, my wolf knew they were my pack. I’d rejected them. It hurt. Constricted my lungs. Burned in my veins.

My wolf howled and clawed inside me, begging me to go back.

Run to them.

Let them be mine.

Saying no was the hardest thing I’d ever done.