Page 79 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus

"Why areyouhere?" Archie asks Anastasia. He's glaring at her like he's put some piece of the puzzle together.

I'm still lost as fuck.

I hopesomeoneunderstands the bigger picture.

"My father owes Pack Frasier a favor," Anastasia says, glancing away. "It was this or end up being auctioned off like they intend to do with omegas if they find a way to own one of these places."

"What?" Archie and I growl in unison.

"Exactly," Kiernan says. "We may be independent of the OPA, but there are still strict guidelines we're required to follow to stay in business. Men like those assholes would put the entire company at risk. They planned to let packs pay a higher fee to be matched to omegas with desirable traits."

"What was your goal?" Archie asks Anastasia.

"I was meant to seduce you into bonding and convince you to sell, or…" She shrugs, bending over, and cupping her middle. "God, the post-heat cramps really suck." She shakes her head. "Sorry, I was supposed to make enough trouble that Connor wanted out and chose to sell."

"Jesus Christ," I hiss.

"We're leaving now," Viktor says, standing and helping Anastasia up from the couch. "If you have any other questions for her, let me know. We'll be around, but try to give it a few days until she's feeling better."

Anastasia turns back as Vik tries to lead her out the door. "I really am sorry. I'd normally never do something like this, but it was under duress."

Archie sighs, nodding his acceptance. I'm still feeling a bit like the village idiot. I have no idea what the hell is going on orhow my desire to sell spread so wide that Pack-fucking-Frasier heard about it.

Vik closes the door behind them, and I look at Kiernan.

"Get to the part where you explain everything," I growl.

"How did you end up with Evie in that elevator?" Archie asks, glaring at his uncle.

Kiernan sighs. "As I said. I wasn't pleased with the way they spoke about her. I didn't know her full name at that point, but I had their information. I approached my local OPA liaison, and with a bit of a gift to the office she works in, I gained Everly's information. I convinced Leann to cancel the match. She was to tell Everly that Pack Frasier decided to pursue other options. I intended to speak to Everly myself to explain more of the situation, but she was very upset. I didn't have the heart to further worsen things so I offered her the card and…" He shrugs. "That was that. I told Eileen to keep an eye out for her application." He shoots my secretary a look of soft affection. It's weird as hell. "I had no way of knowing if she'd actually apply, but if she did I had every confidence she’d be in safe hands and away from Pack Frasier at the very least.”

"She was our present. You tried to give the gift to thewrongbloody pack," Archie accuses, indignation lining his tone.

"Did I?" Eileen grins viciously. "Who exactly did she end up with?"

Both of us close our mouthsrealdamn quick.

"Exactly." Eileen chuckles. "I know you three well. You've been stagnant for too long. Do you believe you would've acted so quickly if there was no threat looming on the horizon?" Now it's her turn to shrug. "You needed a push. I gave it to you. It's over and done with. Things worked out as they should."

Christ, she might be right.

"What's to be done about Pack Frasier?" I ask, shaking my head.

"You're not selling," Kiernan says with a shrug. "I've let everyone who'd listen know not to give them the time of day?—"

"They're here now,” Archie snaps. "Everly could run into them."

“They aren’t here for her,” Kiernan says. “They’re here to purchase thinking their plan with Anastasia worked and you’ll sell to be rid of the headache.”

“And Everly is well-protected now," Eileen says in a gentle tone. "We'll leave it up to you if she ever needs to know the details of how she ended up here."

"They planned to use her as what? A pawn so they could bond and qualify for purchase?" Archie asks in a disgusted tone.

"From what I heard." Kiernan frowns. "Yes. They thought she'd be easy to control because of her past. Let her have a couple children, and annex her to the house, to be seen and not heard."

Archie and I share a look. A low, feral growl erupts from my chest at the thought.

"Thank you for giving us the information," Archie says, swiping a hand over his face.