Page 4 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus (The Exchange)

Chapter Four

Connor

"We've lost an omega," I repeat, blinking profusely at Eileen.

"Misplaced," Eileen corrects. "We misplaced an omega."

"What the hell does that even mean?" I demand.

My secretary frowns. Her brow furrows as she stares at me like I'm stupid. "I'm not sure how I can be any clearer. She was here at check-in. Her pack was delayed, and then we had that huge group of omegas…" She rolls her eyes at me. "I did recommend refusing them, if you remember?"

I sigh, glancing away. Eileen is right about that. When my fathers purchased this place, they'd been sold on the gimmick. An omega sanctuary with locations around the globe…

Who wouldn't want to be a part of that? The idea was sound, offering omegas the chance to escape a bad situation, get out of a potentially abusive courtship or relationship, or even an opportunity to meet alphas outside their general geographic location. It sounds delightful.

What was a great idea in theory, quickly became a way for pampered omegas to seek out wealthy and elite packs.

Granted, not all the omegas we take on are like this. But over the last ten years or so it's become more frequent.

"Are you listening to me?" Eileen asks with a scoff. Even being in her fifties, she's spry and excellent at her job. Perhaps I should listen to her more often. She's generally right about these sorts of things.

I had a feeling that group would be trouble, but sometimes the risk feels worth the reward. What if I turned away an omega in genuine need?

Could I live with that?

No, I don't think I could. And that's the problem.

"Having a group of pampered omegas who all know each other outside our facility is never a good idea. We've been through this in the past, when your fathers were still running the place." She shoots me a meaningful look. "Although, they always listened to my advice."

"What does that group have to do with losing an omega, and what's being done to find her?" I growl, pushing my chair back so I can pace the room.

"The pack we intended to introduce her to was delayed.

I informed the omega, and then had to de-escalate a disagreement between two of the omegas over who would be the first to meet the packs that weren't pre-matched.

The missing omega, Everly Chastain, already had her welcome packet and room key.

I assumed she headed to her room. However, she wasn't at lunch and didn't appear for dinner.

We've checked. She's not in her room, and security is currently sifting through the feeds and scouring the property. "

"Good God," Archie says, pushing himself off the sofa. "She's been missing for several hours?"

Eileen grimaces. "Just over seven." Her shoulders pull back, and her chin tips up.

"There are only twelve omegas in the lodge," I growl.

I should fire her ass. Unfortunately, she's generally very good at her job.

"Possibly eleven now," Archie snaps, his Scottish accent thicker than normal. He swipes a hand over his face. His blond hair is messy, like he's been running his hands through it during this entire cluster-fuck of a conversation.

"It's too cold for her to have gone far," Eileen says, clasping her hands in front of her. "Everly is around here somewhere."

Archie growls. His blue eyes narrow at Eileen. "This is completely unacceptable."

"You think I don't know that?" she snaps back.

"This is her picture from her application?" I ask, nodding to the open folder on my desk.

"That's correct," Eileen agrees.

Archie takes the few steps to my desk and lifts the folder. He studies the picture of the missing omega.

She's quite beautiful—but, then again, most omegas are. She has dark brown hair past her shoulders, big blue eyes, and full, pouty lips. She wears black glasses that fit her to perfection.

The picture is only from the waist up, but it's clear she's wearing a cardigan sweater.

Fuck me.

This omega is every librarian and naughty school girl fantasy I've ever had, wrapped up in one woman.

"I'll find Murphy and join the search," Archie says, shaking his head and adjusting his vest. "You better pray we find the lass quickly, or you'll be out of a job."

Archie saunters out, slamming the door behind him.

"Omegas are to be escorted at all times, either by a member of the staff or one of their alphas if they are outside their room," I recite the line from memory.

"I helped write the damn handbook," Eileen retorts, bristling.

"Then why wasn't protocol followed?" I growl, pacing. This is a nightmare.

"She slipped through the cracks. I meant to assign someone to her, but I was distracted by the group of five that you indicated we should accept despite our policy of not taking groups!" Eileen spits the words in my direction, swipes a hand through the air, and walks out.

"Would you like the good news or the bad news?" Archer asks as soon as I answer the call.

"Fuck if I know," I say with a sigh.

"The good news is we've got her. The bad news is…"

"The bad news is what?" I hiss.

"Just get to the library," Archie says over the crying in the background.

A shiver runs down my goddamn spine.

"Did someone hurt her?" I ask around the rocks in my throat as I pick up my pace.

"No. God no," Archie says. "Nothing like that. Thank the Lord. Someone frightened the hell out of her, though…"

"Who?" I snarl into the phone. I reach the huge staircase and barrel up to the next landing.

"Reynolds," Archie replies as I push through the door and into the library.

"Fucking Christ," I grumble. Of course. Our groundskeeper is a crotchety old man who doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut.

"Murphy interceded," Archie tells me. I spot him leaning over the railing on the second floor and make my way to the closest staircase. "You're going to want to see this in person."

I hang up and follow the staircase the last few steps to the landing.

My eyes blink rapidly, and I nearly miss a damn step now that I'm on a flat surface. The curvy little omega is wrapped firmly around Tom Murphy, my packmate.

Murphy is a mountain of a man, at closer to seven feet than six.

His curly black hair and shaggy beard usually put women off.

He's an imposing sight even if you're expecting him.

His huge hand is wrapped under the omega's ass as he holds her to his chest. She's sucking in deep breaths of his scent and nuzzling close to his throat.

At least she's no longer crying.

Reynolds grumbles something under his breath, swipes an aged hand through the air and heads off toward the back stairs.

My jaw falls as Murphy murmurs softly in the omega's ear. His words are too quiet for me to pick up, but when I glance at Archie, he's grinning like an idiot.

Murphy rarely talks to anyone, even us. Our security leader can convey a lot with a look and a grunt.

"I didn't mean to fall asleep," she says with her face still buried in Murphy's neck. "I'm sorry for the chaos I caused. I'll apologize again. I didn't mean to cause any trouble." She sniffles, and I dig in my pocket for my handkerchief.

"Reynolds is a grumpy old man," Archie says, taking a few steps forward. "He complains anytime he has to do anything that's considered actual work."

Murphy grunts his agreement.

The darling omega blushes furiously as she makes eye contact with me and Archie. "Still, how embarrassing. I've caused quite the scene, haven't I?" She stretches her legs and glances at Murphy. "You can put me down. I'm very sorry for invading your personal space."

Archie laughs behind his hand. I shove the handkerchief at the omega. She takes it, giving me a soft smile.

"I didn't mind," Murph says, finally releasing her.

She wobbles a bit, and Murphy holds her in place. She smiles shyly at my packmate and a slow grin crosses his face. It's strange as hell to see him smile at anyone… and a bit terrifying.

At least he's trying.

The sight causes a bizarre fluttering in my gut.

Everly wipes at her eyes. She fidgets with the handkerchief rather than looking at any of us. It makes sense, she's an unbonded omega surrounded by three very large, unknown alphas.

"You truly have nothing to apologize for," I say, taking a few steps forward. I extend a hand. "Connor Hastings."

"Everly Chastain," she says, placing a cold, delicate hand in mine. She smells like apple pie.

Fuck me, that scent is delectable. There are notes of fresh green apple and a hint of cinnamon. I swallow thickly to avoid shoving my nose in her neck to get a good whiff of that sweet scent.

"I'm sorry for any trouble I've caused. You're the owner, right? I mean, are you… D-Do I need to leave?"

"Why would you need to leave?" Archie asks, shooting Everly a frown.

I finally release her hand. She shrugs, pushing her black frame glasses further up her nose. My handkerchief brushes her soft skin, and I stifle a growl. I'm going to need that back without being washed.

It'll smell like apple pie.

"I've been rejected several times," Everly says, drawing me out of my thoughts. "Did my intended pack show up and catch sight of me while I slept? It's kind of becoming a thing." Her face is bright pink with a blush.

"What?" Archie stammers.

My mouth opens and closes, but no words come out. She's serious?

"They haven't arrived, to my knowledge," I say, trying to calm her nerves.

My brain is having trouble processing the thought. She's adorable; physically, she's everything you could ask for in an omega. She's wearing a black sweater dress that accentuates her curvy body in all the best places. And don't get me started on the glasses.

"I should head to my room then," Everly says, taking a step toward the stairs. "I promised myself I'd put in real effort toward finding a pack tomorrow." She shakes her head, staring at the floor. "I'm sorry, I think I'm still half-asleep."

Archie offers her a hand. "Archer Daniels, these brutes are my packmates. We run the lodge."

They shake as Everly glances between the three of us. Yes, we are quite the mish-mash pack. We've heard it before.

"How about you join us for dinner?" Archie asks. He flashes her a dazzling grin. "Eating alone is hardly palatable."

"That's very kind of you," she says. "But I've put you out enough for one day."

"Nonsense," I say, offering her a smile. "We'd love to have the company. Consider it our apology for your terrible introduction to the lodge."

Murphy grunts. He slides up behind the omega and takes her hand. She gives him a small smile, and my heart tries to take flight out of my damn chest.

She's incredibly precious, and absolutely not meant for us.

Just my fucking luck.