Page 132 of Pack Choice

“You understand you’ve broken about a dozen company rules and if it were any other omega, her family would probably be suing us for a small fortune.”

“Yes.”

“You realize it’s not just that you broke the rules, you broke the moral code too.”

I sigh. “Yes.”

Silver’s silent down the end of the line and I wait for my marching orders. I have money saved up. Being away on assignment for the last few months, plus all the years in the army beforehand, has meant I haven’t had cause to spend my wages. Of course, I had been planning to shower Molly with gifts – not that she needs them. The woman has one hundred times more money than I do. But now I’ll need that money to pay my rent while I search for a new job. I just hope I can find one without a reference.

“Of course, it would be damn hypocritical of me if I did fire you,” Silver says next and I blink.

“What?” I say. Did I hear that right?

“It would be hypocritical. You think I never fell victim to a tempting little omega begging me for … well … and Molly … I can imagine it would be near impossible to say no to that girl. She has a way of getting what she wants.”

My lips twitch. She sure does.

“It was still inappropriate of me and I’m sorry for that, Sir.” He hums down the phone. “But I’m not sorry for helping her through her heat.” Before he can threaten to end my life, I add, “She means a lot to me.”

“Yeah, seems you mean something to her too.”

Now my lips don’t just twitch, they break out into an inane smile and that warmth bubbles in my chest once more.

“I don’t deserve her.”

“No, probably not but you’re a damn improvement on the usual assholes she runs around with and if I’m honest, I feel happy knowing you’re with her. It’s different when they’re your omega, you know.”

“Yes,” I say, “I know.”

“But,” he adds, “you should also know that if you hurt her–”

“I won’t hurt her, Sir.”

“If you do, losing your damn job will be the least of your worries.”

“I understand.”

“Good. Of course, Axel thinks I should cut your pay. Doesn’t think you should be paid to,” he coughs, “his sister.”

I feel my ears warm. “He’s right.”

“No he’s not. You’re not looking out for her safety for free, Ford, a man needs to eat. As much as us alphas protest it, we can’t live on omega slick alone.”

I consider arguing with him on that point. I think I could as long as it was hers. My stomach rumbles picturing it and I calculate how many hours it is until I can see her again.

“Look, it might be that we find you another role in the company, one that won’t take you away from Molly but allows you to earn a more honorable wage.”

“I’d appreciate that Sir.”

“And I’d appreciate it if you take good care of her, Ford. We’re yet to find the remains of the Snakebite Pack.”

“You still think they’re a threat to her?” I ask, that warm sensation fading away and the hair on the back of my neck bristling.

“That’s the problem. I just don’t know.”

35

Molly