Page 222 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus

Murdering a friend without prior planning would lead to me getting caught. Meaning I have to be smart and fight the alpha fog that’s trying to slip in.

“How did you get in?” he mumbles. He’s the only one of us not staying in Nik’s moms’ penthouse. He could have, but he’s not part of our pack.

I guess he wanted his own space.

“I used a key card. Catch up,” I snarl. “What happened between you and Melody last night? Who was on the phone?”

I frown, swiping curls away from my face. They’re so annoying. I bump my glasses and haphazardly rearrange them because I need to look serious and imposing right now.

I wasn’t supposed to mention that I spent the last few hours watching every second of their interactions from the time they left her suite until he returned her over an hour later.

I’m pretty sure that would make me sound creepy, which I’m not.

“I’m sleepy,” he groans, grabbing my arm. “Cuddle with me and think soothing, sleepy thoughts.”

“I’m going to murder you.” I slap away his hand, but he’s stronger than he looks. He yanks me into the bed with little effort.

“She called for a security escort. I wasn’t about to let any of the night shift guys take the call, so I brought her to the gym...” He goes on to explain about her drunk ex calling repeatedly. He pulls up the blanket. “I’m cold, snuggle close.”

I frown.

We’re coworkers and I guess friends, but not the type of buddies that cuddle in bed on a Sunday morning. However, it is kind of chilly in his room, so I kick off my shoes and pull my legs up onto the bed.

“Stay on your side,” I grumble, crossing my arms over my chest. “Are you interested in her too?”

“She’s really fucking pretty,” Carver mumbles, tossing an arm over my stomach. “Just enough curves that you can tell she’s an omega, but it almost seems like she doesn’t realize she’s the one in demand. By the way, her ex is a fucking dick.”

I continue to frown at his heavy arm, which isstilltouching my person.

He goes on to explain everything that her ex said. It sounds like he’s an absolute asshole.

It would be nice if humans were programmable like video game characters. I wouldn’t turn down the ability to psychically murder him from across the country.

“I get the feeling the way he was talking last night wasn’t unusual,” he finally finishes. “I think he convinced her she was lucky anyone wanted her at all.”

My mind races. I nod my agreement. She didn’t seem aware that the masses will descend upon her at the first mixer or group activity she attends. That succeeds in sending a pang of pure panic through my system.

“You’ve never had a girlfriend, and she’s coming out of a problematic relationship with an asshole who didn’t know how to keep his dick in his pants,” I say, gripping the caveman’s arm and lifting it off my middle. It falls to the mattress with a heavy thump. “If you do a single thing to fuck up my pack’s chances of courting her... then I’ll find a very obscure way to murder you. It’ll be so completely random that no medical examiner would ever think to check for it.”

I shove off the blanket and prepare to push myself out of Carver’s bed.

“You’ve never had a girlfriend either,” he muses, petulantly tossing up his middle finger.

“Yes, but I also don’t have a reputation of sticking my cock in anything that moves,” I retort, rearranging my glasses.

“That was unnecessary,” Carver says, grabbing a pillow and chucking it at my head. I barely duck in time. “Get the hell out if you’re going to be an asshole.”

“Remember what I said because I meant every word,” I assure him before spinning to leave his suite. “Keep your distance if you aren’t serious about putting in the effort required.”

By the time I make it to the restaurant I’ve already pulled up everything I can find on Melody Webber. I’ve got her family history at least as far as legal documents and medical records go.

I’ve also got the basics on Benjamin Hall. He’s a total dick. He’s been arrested multiple times for drunk and disorderly conduct and fighting. He’s a stereotypical alpha on the edge of going feral.

It’s concerning because my doctors have made it clear that I’m edging my way there faster than they’d like. They make it seem so easy to find an omega and soak up their soothing pheromones.

It’s fucking not. Not by a long shot, even being at The Exchange hasn’t helped.

Over the last two weeks, I’ve sniffed scent cards all day and never felt so much as a twinge of attraction...