Page 21 of Omega's Faith

"They're not here," Shar says seriously. "In the photos, it's just you two. Lost in each other."

Jonah makes a sound like a stepped-on cat and I try not to laugh again.

"Jonah, you here." Shar positions him on the blanket, adjusting his posture. "Alexander, beside him. Closer. Closer. Hands there please. Lean back a little. Closer! You're in love, not allergic."

I settle next to Jonah, careful not to actually touch. This close,his scent drowns me. His sweetness that makes my teeth ache. His breath comes quick, shallow.

"Look at each other," Marcus commands.

Jonah turns to me. His brown eyes are huge, pupils dilated despite the bright morning. There's fear there. And fury. And...

Want.

Just a flicker, but I see it. Feel it in the way his scent shifts, honey going darker, richer.

"No, no, no!" Marcus waves his hands. "You look like you're at a funeral! Where's the chemistry? The passion? You're a prime match!"

"We're also strangers," Jonah mutters.

"Then get acquainted," Diana calls from behind the photographer. "We don't have all day."

Shar tries again. And again. Every pose looks forced, awkward. Jonah won't relax, sitting rigid as a board. I'm not helping, keeping careful distance between us. The photos probably look like hostage negotiations.

"Five minute break!" Shar announces finally, clearly frustrated.

The crew scatters to adjust lights and flowers. Jonah starts to rise but I catch his wrist. I can’t help it. Some instinct in me doesn’t want him to leave. He freezes.

"Where you going, church mouse?"

"Anywhere you're not." But he doesn't pull away.

His skin is warm under my fingers. Soft. I can feel his pulse racing.

"Scared of me?"

"No." His chin lifts, defiant. "Should I be?"

No. What am I going to do to him? Absolutely nothing, other than disappoint him so thoroughly that I spend my marriage the recipient of disdainful looks. Exactly what any alpha wants from a life partnership.

But instead of saying that, I stroke my thumb across his wrist. Just once. Light as air. I do it for no reason other than I need to get some revenge for what he is going to put me through.

He gasps. Actually gasps. And his scent...

Fuck.

"Alex." Diana appears beside us, smile sharp. "A word?"

I release Jonah, who immediately scrambles away like his ass is on fire. Diana waits until he's out of earshot.

"What are you doing?"

"Following directions. Sitting for photos."

"You're sabotaging. Again." She steps closer, lowering her voice. "I don't care if you hate this arrangement. I don't care if you find him beneath you. But you will make this work."

"Or what?"

"Or the board finds another solution to your... problem." Her smile could cut glass. "Perhaps a conservatorship. Or mandatory rehab. Again. Would you prefer that to marriage to a sweet little omega?"