Page 1 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus (The Exchange)

Chapter One

Everly

My nephew giggles. The little monster dumps his bucket of sand on my head, and runs off laughing like a fiend. He stumbles, falling to his knees in the grass. I pop up, shaking the sand off into the sandbox as I prepare to grab him.

"I'm okay," Colin declares before running over, and climbing onto his trike.

He's two years old and full-blast all the time.

He keeps his feet on the ground, and mostly walks the trike around the yard, because he's not coordinated enough to pedal.

It's adorable. I head back to the patio to read a bit while he plays.

It's not fifteen minutes later that Colin climbs into my lap. He rests his face against my chest and falls asleep faster than I can finish my chapter.

I should probably carry him inside and put him to bed.

My younger sister is very worried about him becoming too spoiled, but I'm on babysitting duty. A few minutes can't hurt, right? I need all the baby snuggles. My hand brushes over Colin's hair as I breathe in his sweaty baby smell.

The fact it's November and still warm enough that we can wear shorts and t-shirts is unreal. I'm not in any hurry to get back to the cold, but I do have to admit it's hard to feel in the holiday spirit when it's nine-thousand degrees. Florida makes it hard to feel festive.

It feels like no time passes at all as I cuddle my cheek to Colin's head and soak up the moment.

I try to talk myself into carrying Colin inside, but the effort is half-hearted.

A few minutes later the sliding glass door scratches open. My sister, Cassie, and one of her alphas step outside.

Josh comes over. "Here, let me carry him in. I know he's heavy."

Josh is the only one of my sister's men who doesn't act completely uncomfortable around me. Then again, he was the last addition to their pack. He wasn't around for the great sister debacle.

I sigh, but lean forward, making it easier for Josh to scoop up Colin. My brother-in-law carries the little guy inside. Cassie takes a seat in the chair next to mine.

"Thanks for watching him," she says, picking at her nail. She's not meeting my eyes, and the vibe in the air is tense. Which is perfect, it's not like this visit could get anymore uncomfortable. Right?

"It's no problem," I say, setting my book down. "You know that. What's up?"

Cassie swallows, and her eyes fly to mine. "I'm pregnant again, and they think it's twins."

Two things happen simultaneously. A hollow pit forms in my gut, and I immediately feel like an asshole for being anything other than excited about her news.

How big of a jerk can you be? I ask myself.

This is exciting, life-changing news. I plaster on the biggest smile I can manage and congratulate her.

"Oh good," Cassie says, giving me a weak smile. "I wanted to tell you first, but I was so afraid you'd be upset. I know how much you want a family of your own."

I know she's not purposely trying to rub salt in the wound, but it doesn't lessen the ache in my chest.

Three years ago, I came to visit my family for Christmas with who I thought would be my future pack. Only, I left before New Year's Eve, heartbroken and alone.

I'm not spiteful or ridiculous enough to begrudge my sister happiness. Honestly, Cassie and her pack are meant to be together. Those men never looked at me the way they look at her.

To say family get-togethers since then are awkward would be a gross understatement. It's worse for them than it is for me.

Maybe.

When Cassie approached me on the second day and expressed how attracted to their scents she was, I laughed it off.

I wasn't expecting the three guys I'd brought home to join us for the world's most uncomfortable conversation, but they did and it was clear they were as attracted to her as she was to them.

I was dumbfounded. It had only been a day, and yet they knew she was meant for them?

The news spread to our family. Their advice was: "Family comes first." They wanted us to figure it out amongst ourselves.

My guys wanted her, she wanted them… I was the unwanted extra in that situation. There was nothing to fight for.

I love my sister. A relationship with her is more important than guys who would leave me behind for someone else. So I've kept the peace, and done my best to be the most supportive human being on the planet.

I wished them luck, and bolted back to New York.

Thankfully, her pack moved to Florida to be with Cassie, thus ensuring I never have to run into them in the City. It's taken three years to get to a place where I'm okay being around Cassie and her guys, and now she's pregnant again, and I'm still alone.

Over the years, I've played that one decision over and over in my mind. If I'd waited until we were bonded to come home… Would they have been happy with me? Or once they met Cassie would they have regretted being stuck with me? So many what-ifs.

My chest throbs with a painful ache. It burns so badly it takes my breath away. But if I want a relationship with my sister and nephew then I have to suck it up and pretend like I'm fine.

So that's what I do. For the rest of my visit I try to be the most supportive sister possible. I tell myself I'm not still heartbroken over what could've been and what I lost out on.

It's hard, though. I'm not sure I believe the lies I tell myself to struggle through the last few days of my visit. The smiles feel brittle, but I put on the best show I can muster and cry myself sick once I'm alone in the cab on the way to the airport.

The trip from Florida back to New York is a pity party for one.

Then even more disappointment.

I know people's lives progress at different speeds, but I can't help but wonder when will it finally be my turn?

I came back determined and hopeful that I'd finally have a successful match, but it just hasn't turned out that way.

My best friend glares at me from across our living room.

"It's a free vacation," Neela shrieks. "Why the hell would you consider turning it down?" Her dark eyebrows rise as she searches my face.

I work my hands together as I pace around the coffee table.

"Why would I go?" I counter. I know I'm being petulant, but I'm starting to freak out a little. It's hard to imagine putting myself out there again.

"Everly, you have to go," Neela says. "You were accepted at the North Carolina location. They have several packs they think could be a good match for you."

My eyes ache as I try to find the words to explain what I'm feeling.

Neela hasn't been matched before. She hasn't even stopped her suppressants. She doesn't understand the feeling that comes each time a match falls through. And luckily for her, she's unlikely to ever experience it.

I've been passed over twice since that stuff happened with Cassie three years ago, and it didn't get any easier the second time around.

The center assured me the first time was a fluke. A random oddity of chance that absolutely wouldn't happen again. Only it did, and the second go-round hurt worse than the first, probably because I'm still feeling raw from seeing Cassie and her pack.

Blowing out a heavy breath, I shake my head. My chest throbs as I recall the fiasco.

"She'll be with you in just one minute," the normally bubbly receptionist says. She doesn't seem as excited as she normally does, but I shrug it off and take a seat. Everyone has an off day now and then.

Ten minutes later, I sit across from my OPA coordinator in the small but modern office we always meet in.

"Everly, how are you?" Leann asks. She leans forward, giving me an awkward smile that instantly puts me on edge. "Did you have a good trip?"

"I'm fine, it was fine," I say, glancing around uncomfortably. "Why am I here?"

I thought getting a call to come in so soon after getting back was a good sign, but now I'm starting to wonder.

Leann's emotions are bleeding into me. She's worried about something… likely me and how I'll take whatever news she springs on me.

Her eyes meet mine, and she winces.

"I'm sorry, Pack Frasier isn't going to be an option for a match with you. This is a small setback—"

"They accepted the scent match," I say, shaking my head. My glasses slide down my nose, and I shove them back up.

History is repeating itself again. Everything seems promising until they met me.

Maybe the first time could qualify as a fluke, but it's pretty clear now the problem is me.

My eyes ache as I stare at the ridiculous penguin paperweight. My chest throbs painfully as I try to hold back the tears.

"We've got several other possibilities, including—"

I cut her off, pushing myself out of the uncomfortable chair. Why couldn't she have told me this on the phone so I could break down in private?

"I'll let you know if I want to try again," I say, heading for the door. "Thank you."

"Everly, wait…"

I don't hear what comes next. The door closes behind me. I head straight for the elevator and step inside. It seems like forever, but the doors finally close. My head falls back against the cool metal wall.

Staring at the ceiling, I shake my head. I really should have known better. Omegas are supposed to be coveted. It's common knowledge that every pack wants an omega.

Any omega except me.

The doors open, and an older man with a fluffy white beard steps into the elevator. I never even hit the button to head to the lobby.

The man frowns as he takes me in. It's barely Thanksgiving, but he's wearing a hideous Christmas sweater.

It's so ugly, it's cute.

"I like your sweater," I say, sniffling and hoping my face isn't red.

"Are ye all right, lass?" he asks as the doors slide shut. He runs a hand down his generous belly. "And thank ye. It's my favorite."

"I'm fine." I offer a weak smile.

"Right, of course," he agrees with a hum. "You know, sometimes things don't work out…"

I freeze, staring at him in shock.

"That only means something better is waiting in the wings," he says, patting my arm. He hands me a business card. "Don't give up hope."

The doors open, and the man shuffles out as a few people step inside. I carefully move past the incoming people, but by the time I make it out of the elevator he's gone.

Glancing down at the card in my hand, a startled gasp escapes. It's a card for The Omega Exchange.

I shake myself out of the memory and say, "I don't think I'm going to go."

"What the hell is going on, Evie?" she asks, spinning around in her chair to face me. "Why would you back out now?"

Maybe I was feeling brave that day? Or extremely stupid? They're equally as likely as far as options go.

Packs are only interested in me until they meet me. I'm the common denominator in why these things don't work out.

"They'll reject me, too," I whimper, burying my face in my hands. "I don't think I'm meant to be matched, Nee."

"Oh honey." Neela pops off her chair and comes over. She's a few inches shorter than me, and it's awkward as she tries to comfort me. "You're having a moment, but you can't let it get to you. People don't mesh all the time. Do you know how many terrible first dates I've had?"

I snort. I wish I had her bravery.

My hand flies up, and I pull my glasses off.

"You're beautiful, smarter than anyone else I know, and an amazing person. Fuck those guys," she says. It takes me a few seconds to realize she's still talking about the packs who rejected me.

"You'll never know if you don't try," Neela says. She pats my arm, and heads back to the laptop. "You're going. What's the worst thing that can happen? You turn a few packs down for a change? You'll be so close to your heat they'll be the ones begging."

Taking a seat on the edge of the couch, I give her a shaky nod. I did agree to go. Finding a successful match would be everything. I want a pack of my own.

I'm almost twenty-five. It's nearly unheard of for an omega to reach my age without being matched, but there's no chance I'll find my future if I'm sitting around moping about the things that didn't work out.

Even if I don't mesh well with a permanent pack, they'll have alphas on standby to help with my heat.

If I can't find a forever pack, maybe I can at least leave with the best gift my aching heart can imagine?