Page 44 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus (The Exchange)

Chapter One

Anastasia

Ilean against the sales counter, staring out at the view. I lived in New York City my entire life until very recently. Even though I'm not used to the mountains and desolate landscape, I have to admit it's beautiful.

The North Carolina mountains make for a postcard-worthy image no matter the time of day. It's late in the afternoon and the sun peeks from behind the trees, casting an eerie orange and yellow glow that reflects against the wall of glass.

The back door opens and there's commotion outside. My boss is carrying a box and pushing another with her feet. Everly's wavy dark brown hair falls around her shoulders as she manages to push up her black-framed glasses that are sliding down her nose.

"Here, let me help," I say, heading for Evie. She hands me the box of books and spins around to grab the other off the ground. She shoves it inside and gives me a funny look.

"Aren't you supposed to be over at The Exchange mixer?" she asks, tucking her hair behind her ear. She plants her hands on her hips and frowns. "What's going on, Ana?"

I don't really want to talk about going to one of the meet and greets. I want to actually go even less.

I don't even know what to say. I'm sad. I have been all day. I shrug, kicking the toe of my shoe against the carpet.

"Anastasia," she says in a tone that means business.

My mind races, but I have no idea how to put what I'm thinking into words. Am I supposed to say I was hopeful Viktor would suddenly decide he can't live without me? No, that's ridiculous.

I refuse to utter those words out loud.

I shake my head. The longer he's gone the faster my hope dwindles. My stomach aches. I pull a hand up, rubbing it over the miserable churning that comes every time I think of Vik.

"Anastasia Androff," Everly snaps.

My eyes fly up to meet hers, and she gives me an expectant look.

I shrug again. I don't want to say what I'm feeling. It makes me feel weak and a little pathetic.

I thought Vik cared about me and wanted more than heat sex. I refuse to look even more absurd than I already do.

Evie quirks an eyebrow, and I look away. She reminds me so much of my mother sometimes that it makes it hard to keep my walls up. She's going to be a great mom. She's already got the expectant stares down pat.

I've never had real friends. Well, outside of my mom, but she's gone now.

I don't know how to do friendly chit-chat, let alone deep meaningful conversations.

It's hard to understand how she can stand to be my friend. My father sent me here with the intention of seducing the owners into bonding with me so I could covertly control them. I was awful to Evie the first few times we met.

I shake my head, and try to hold back the sob, but fail miserably. Oh no… it's all going to spew out if I'm not careful.

"Okay." Evie comes over, wrapping her arms around me. "You, my friend, need a hug."

I've got probably three or four inches in height on her and it's awkward, but that doesn't stop me from latching onto her and hugging her tight.

Sometimes lately it feels like I'm drowning on dry land. I've got no one. My mom is dead. My dad made it clear if I didn't do as he said that I was dead to him, too. All my "friends" in New York vanished about the time my family money did.

If Everly and her pack hadn't invited me to stay at the lodge…

I'd literally be homeless right now.

I went from having access to my father's money to living on a part-time, ten-dollar-an-hour job. I had three suitcases full of clothes and nothing else when my father dropped me like week-old garbage.

"I'm so overwhelmed," I sob into Evie's hair. "And I thought Viktor liked me. He made it seem like there was something there. Then he abandoned me, too."

Apparently, I'm letting it all spill out.

"You're not alone," Evie assures me, squeezing me tight. "Aww, crap. My boobs are tender as hell lately. Okay, side-hug only."

I laugh as she pulls back so I'm not squished to her chest. I swipe a hand under my eye, trying to make sure my makeup hasn't run all over my face.

"Vik doesn't seem the type to play games," Evie says, grabbing a handful of tissues. She comes back, offering them to me.

I take them, blowing my nose.

"Yeah, he didn't seem that way to me either. I think I misinterpreted things." I sigh, shaking my head. "We were like oil and water anyway. It never would have worked long-term."

"My guys and I couldn't be more different from one another," Evie says, guiding me back into the office and nodding for me to have a seat on the couch. "You two obviously have chemistry. That much was plain to see, even to me. Hell, I could've seen that without my glasses."

I snort. She really is cute sometimes. Is there such a thing as cheesy mom jokes? Because, if so, Evie will be the carpool mom busting them out left and right.

It's so hard to think of Vik. Yeah, the sex was off-the-charts incredible, but it was heat sex. I'm pretty sure there's no bad sex during a heat. But it's not the fucking that made it so unforgettable.

It was the way he took care of me.

My entire life, I've always sworn to myself that I'd never get involved with a guy like my father or any of his men.

That unrepentant alpha who takes and barks to get what they want.

Sometimes, Vik reminded me a little too much of my father. Other times, the differences were clear. I never thought he'd be the type to disappear, but I've learned that I'm not a good judge of character.

"He's coming back soon." Evie takes a seat on the edge of her desk. "I know things are complicated, but I do think the two of you should talk."

"He's not the talking type," I say, laughing. "He's more the kind to grunt out demands, then get pissed if you don't follow orders."

"Yeah, I've got one or two of that kind myself," she says. "I know it's been hard on you. It's a huge adjustment from what you're used to, but you are safe here."

"I know," I agree, wiping my eyes. "I think I let myself believe that he'd be a more permanent fixture in my life and…" I shrug. "I needed that stability."

I shake my head.

We only spent a couple of weeks together before he left. I think I became the woman who goes on one date and starts planning a wedding.

My stomach churns. I'm supposed to be stronger than this.

I thought I was more resilient than to fall apart at the seams over a man. Everything feels so out of control lately. I don't know where to begin fixing it. My impulses demand I hide, but I don't even have a nest of my own. Not really.

"I get it," Evie says, drawing me out of my thoughts.

"It's even harder, because as an omega your system seeks an alpha for protection and validation.

Without it…" She sighs. "I totally get it.

But Ana, you're going to have to talk to him or make some kind of other arrangements.

Your next heat will be here before you know it. "

"I know," I grumble. I'm not looking forward to meeting alphas or putting myself out there again. "Honestly, I don't know how you did it and managed to stay so upbeat and positive."

"It's not easy," Evie says, sighing. "Especially because our instincts demand we please alphas. And being rejected?" She hums. "It was very bad for my self-worth. In all honesty, I don't think Viktor is rejecting you. I think he had some things he needed to take care of."

"Yeah." I laugh derisively. "Something that takes a month to accomplish? Sorry, I'm not buying it." I blow out a breath. "I didn't mean to snap at you."

Evie smiles. "I know. I get it. You're frustrated with Vik.

And seriously, you have every right to be.

He should've made it clear if he knew he'd be away this long.

He also should've clarified what he was doing.

I guess all I'm saying is don't lose hope.

Don't completely write him off until you know for sure the specifics of the situation. "

Evie really is too sweet for her own good. In the real world, when a guy ghosts you for four weeks you don't give them the opportunity to lie and cover their ass. You ignore their bullshit excuses and move along to the next well-shaped dick.

Which would be a whole lot easier if my impulses weren't demanding I track him down and make him… like me?

Love me?

I don't even know.

All I do know is I hate it. Every instinct in my body needs his approval, and it makes me feel entirely too vulnerable. And seriously pathetic. I want to bang my head against the wall until I locate some sense.

He hasn't even reached out. Not that I have my cell phone anymore. My father canceled it immediately upon hearing from Byron Frasier.

I could probably afford the bill, but there's no one to call me. It's really hard to understand how the phone itself is so damn expensive.

I'd have to work an entire month without spending a dime to buy just the phone. Not to mention I unplugged the phone in my room, because every time it rang I felt a giddy excitement thinking it might be Vik.

After the second time it wasn't him, I decided to cut my losses. The only two people who ever look for me around here know to come and knock on my door if they need me.

My life is a shit show. A weird whiney sound escapes my chest.

"Hey," Wolfe calls out. His slightly Southern accent cuts through the air.

It's nowhere near as deep as Luke's country twang, but his voice fits him perfectly.

Wolfe just so happens to be the only other person who occasionally cares that I'm alive.

A shiver runs down my spine at the sound of his deep, growly voice. "Are y'all hiding in the office again?"

My eyes widen. He's not allowed to see me like this.

"No," I hiss. "Tell me that I'm not red from crying…"

Evie grimaces.

I whisper, "Awesome."

"Go." Evie nods to the bathroom. "Clean up. I'll keep him busy."

"Thank you," I whisper, bolting for the bathroom.

I make it to the door right as Wolfe spots Evie. His short blond hair falls in his deep blue eyes as he peeks around the corner.