Page 221 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus

“Have a good night, Melody.”

The door closes. Even though I know it has an automatic lock, I still flip the bolt catch thingy.

My head falls against the door as I stare at the ceiling. I need more out of life than waiting around for an alpha who is never going to appreciate me or see my worth.

It’s the entire reason I’m here—to find a future outside of our gossip-ridden small town.

I want to build a future with trust at the foundation of my relationship.

I don’t trust Ben.

I know this.

I haven’t in a long time.

I don’t know if it’s even fair for me to be here. I’m still in love with someone else, so how the hell am I supposed to build anything new?

Can I really afford to go back home and spend the next year healing from a relationship that was broken longer than it was healthy? No, I don’t think I can.

I’m here now, and it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s time to put myself first for a change. I won’t be dishonest with any of the packs that might consider courting me, but I also can’t see letting my past hold me back any longer.

Chapter Eight

Oliver

Being genius-level intelligent is a gift, but it’s also a curse. Add in the fact that I have off the chart eidetic memory skills, and it’s easy to get trapped in replaying events.

In the moment, I rarely realize when people are making fun of me or someone considers my behavior off-putting.

It’s later once my anxiety and adrenaline settle down that my brain decides it would be an excellent time to replay every nuance of the conversation. That’s when I tend to recognize that I did something embarrassing.

I spend hours obsessing over every second of my time with Melody. The only thing that gives me a glimmer of hope is that in all the times I replay the conversation, she seems more amused than mortified or appalled.

I might be crossing a line right now, but I don’t care. Ineedanswers. I use one of the all-access key cards to open the door and carefully slip through the suite.

It’s dark with all of the curtains pulled.

As quietly as possible I open the door to the bedroom and tiptoe inside.

This is a covert mission... Until I spot Carver all sprawled out like he doesn’t have a care in the world. The urge to smother him with a pillow is strong.

“Why the fuck were you all over Melody last night?” I snap, leaning over his bed.

Fine, maybe my covertness was unnecessary, especially since I just ruined my advantage.

I easily recall details once I’ve learned them, and I reada lot. It’s not unusual to come across random facts that can be used to cause pain and suffering.

He really should be more aware of his surroundings.

He was in the military just like Miller. It’s why they both go by their last names, or maybe it’s because they’re part of our security team. I don’t know, but I’m annoyed by everything to do with him at the moment. Especially since I know how easily women seem to fall for his tacky charm.

“Are you ever going to answer me?” I snap.

My glasses slide down as I lean over. I shove them up, but I end up jabbing myself in the nose. My ADHD is always worse when I don’t sleep. I’m a jittery mess, but this is serious.

“Oliver?” Carver groans, rolling over to face me. “What the hell, man? I worked a double yesterday. What time is it?”

“Five after eight,” I reply, reminding myself that I don’t want to end up incarcerated.