Page 18 of Omega's Faith

"I haven't... we haven't discussed..." The words come out strangled. I suppose some part me knew that I’d be leaving my family but I haven’t let myself admit it yet.

"Don’t worry. Ricky will handle the logistics." She waves dismissively.

Ricky nods, already typing notes. Of course, Ricky will. Don’t let the grooms do anything.

"Speaking of logistics," Diana adds. "We need engagement photos. We'll want something that captures your... dynamic. I’ve arranged for a shoot tomorrow morning. I’ll ask Ricky to send a car for you."

Alex's grip on my thigh tightens almost painfully. He puts his phone down on the table.Finally."We're not performing monkeys."

"No," Diana agrees. "You're a highly compatible match. Act like it."

The silence that follows could choke someone. Alex finally releases my thigh, leaving cold absence behind. He stands abruptly, tossing his napkin on the table.

"Not in the mood for this.”

He's gone before anyone can respond. Ricky half-rises to follow, but Diana waves him down.

"Let him sulk. He'll come around." She turns back to us withthat sharp shark smile. "He always does."

But I can still smell his barely controlled fury. I can still feel the ghost of his touch on my skin. My omega instincts whine at his absence, even as my brain insists it's for the best.

"Well," Diana closes her portfolio. "I think that covers the essentials. Ricky will send you the full schedule as soon as it’s finalized."

We stand, clearly dismissed. Mom grabs my hand, holding tight.

"Oh, and Jonah?" Diana's voice stops me. "Do try to... soften him. This works better if Alexander plays along."

Like I have any control over Alexander Colborne.

Outside, the paparazzi have multiplied. They surge the moment we exit:

"Jonah! Where's Alex?"

"How much of his money are you going to siphon to the church?"

"When is the wedding?"

The security guards create a gauntlet for us as we move. Dad tucks Mom against his side, shielding us as we push toward the valet stand. Cameras flash, voices shout. By the time we reach our car—returned with another smirk from the valet—we're all shaking.

"Animals," Mom mutters as we pull away. "Absolute animals."

I stare out the window, watching the photographers shrink in the distance.

Mom twists around from the front seat. "Jonah? You okay, sweetheart?"

I want to tell her about Alex's touch under the table. About the way my body betrays me every time he's near. About how I can hate someone and want them with equal desperation.

Instead, I force a smile. "Yeah. Just tired."

She doesn't believe me, but she lets it go. We drive home in silence, each lost in our own thoughts.

If this was what family means to the Colbornes, then I have already lost everything.

5. Alex

Someone's built a fucking forest on my lawn.

I stop dead as I walk outside onto the terrace, blinking through sunglasses and the remnants of last night's whiskey. When I went to bed, this was a normal country property. Excessive, sure—twelve acres of manicured grounds and another seventy of fields, forest and pastures—but normal.