Page 5 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus (The Exchange)

Chapter Five

Everly

So that happened. I guess I can cross that one off the bucket list. Wake up being screamed at by an old man and climb a mountain of an alpha in thirty seconds flat.

Except, that would be a really weird thing to have on my bucket list next to visit the Grand Canyon and see the pyramids in person. Although, the alpha who smells like gasoline and freshly cut grass is pretty monumental.

Maybe it wouldn't hurt to add him to my list of things to do before I die? I can put him on Neela's ridiculous Christmas Fuck-It List. The thought nearly makes me giggle.

Murphy, the giant alpha, walks quickly out of the library and toward a set of stairs that lead up. He's got very long legs, and I struggle to keep up.

Archer gently links his arm with mine, and Murphy releases my hand. Archer guides us… somewhere. I'm not exactly sure where.

Eventually he drops my arm, but his hand on my back practically burns through the fabric of my dress. My heat is creeping up faster than I anticipated.

"One more flight of stairs," Archer says, brushing his long blond hair back from his handsome face. "I promise the view will be worth the extra work.”

He has a soft lilt to his voice that I think points to a Scottish accent. Although it's the kind that's been Americanized.

My hand falls to the banister as we continue our trek up. The lodge is regal. The pamphlet boasted incredible panoramic views of the North Carolina mountains in the background of every shot. But even the pictures don't do the old building justice.

Archer continues following Murphy, and my gaze takes in every bit of the architecture. The exterior walls are made from some type of natural rock in various random shapes and sizes. Up close it looks a bit chaotic, but on the trip up the long driveway the building literally took my breath away.

It's got a charm that's completely opposite from what I grew up around. Big cities have their own appeal, but seeing the lodge surrounded in snow with the mountain backdrop? It's incredible. It feels like a Christmas wonderland.

Murphy opens a door at the end of a long hallway, and Archer guides us inside. Connor follows us in.

"Feel free to have a seat," Connor says, heading over to a bar in the corner. "We've got a menu around here somewhere."

"Before you sit," Archer says, guiding us to a set of French doors, "have a look at this, lass.

" He pushes open one of the doors, and we step out onto a small private patio.

Biting wind laps at my skin as I'm drawn toward the railing.

The metal feels like fire on my unprotected skin, but I'm transfixed.

This side of the lodge backs up to the side of a mountain. It's incredible. You can see all the way down into the valley below. Tall trees line the various paths that I'm guessing are used for skiing. It truly is a winter wonderland.

"It's gorgeous," Archer says, flashing me a grin, "isn't it?"

"It really is," I agree. My knees go a bit weak, Archer Daniels is a beautiful man. His blond hair is long on top and shorter on the sides. His strong jaw has a short scruffy beard that fits his face to perfection. He's tall and slender, but in a muscular way.

Archer grins mischievously. Good God, he's got dimples hiding under that beard. His blue eyes twinkle in the low light.

Murphy appears at my side. "It's too cold," he says in his low, growly tone. "Put on warmer clothes or come inside. You're asking to catch a cold."

I laugh. "I'm not sure that's how that works."

"We're not gonna find out," Murphy says, gently taking my arm and pulling me inside. My eyes fly up to meet his.

Tom Murphy is one of the largest men I've ever seen.

All four of my sisters are mated to alphas, with a few betas sprinkled in.

Murphy is bigger than any of their men. His hair is curly and falls past his jaw.

I'm pretty sure on anyone else it would look messy; however, he pulls it off, managing to look rugged and imposing.

His skin is a warm deep tan, and his beard is full and scratchy.

I felt it for myself during that unfortunate exchange in the library.

My cheeks heat as I recall how I latched on to his neck and climbed him. Murphy directs me over to the couch. He nods for me to have a seat. I comply and take the menu he holds out.

"Pick something you like," Murphy says.

My nostrils flare, breathing in his gasoline scent. It's manly in a way that makes my knees weak every time I get a whiff of it.

The plush gray couch molds around my back as I sit. I fight the urge to curl up against the arm. The entire room smells like a combination of the three alphas, and it's making it difficult to focus.

"Would you like some recommendations?" Archer asks.

He takes the seat closest to me rather than the other end of the couch.

His perfect straight white teeth bite into his plush lower lip as he grins.

"The filet with alfredo is fantastic. It comes with a scrumptious Caesar salad.

" The way he says that word makes it sound incredibly sexual even though I'm not sure he meant it to.

"Or you could go with the blackened chicken; it's one of my favorites. "

My eyes scan the menu, but my brain is overloaded with the smell of several compatible alphas so close. Archer smells like whiskey and that potent scent of a delicious man. It's partially covered by the cologne he wears, but it's not enough.

My thighs clench as I take a ragged breath. I'm too close to my heat to be able to hide how their scents are affecting me. Crap, that was one benefit of the suppressants. They deadened my sense of smell to almost nonexistent. I'm about to start perfuming in their living room.

"I'm so sorry," I say, laying the menu on the arm of the couch and popping up.

"Is it possible to have dinner delivered to my room?

I should probably settle in for the night.

I'll take either option you mentioned." I stumble back the way we came in.

My feet get tangled in the area rug, and I trip forward.

Luckily, Connor moves just in time to catch me before I face plant in a very unladylike manner.

"Shit," I whisper as he pulls me into his chest.

"Are you all right?" he asks. His dark olive complexion makes his blue-green eyes stand out even brighter. He stares at me, and the air seems to evaporate from my lungs. His scent is incredible. It's like espresso or rich coffee.

A horrifying little whimper escapes my lips as my nose plasters itself to his chest. I'm like a drug-sniffing dog as my nose dances from his pec to his armpit and up toward his neck. My hands grip at his shoulders, yanking him down until I can bury my face in his throat.

A low chuckle fills the air behind me, and I gasp. My face burns. My system aches with the urge to melt into Connor's strong frame, but my brain is mortified.

I climbed Murphy like I had the right and my stupid impulses had me on the verge of doing the same to Connor.

Please tell me everything since I woke up in the library was all just a bad dream.

My eyes squeeze shut, but when I open them Connor is staring down at me with a look I don't know how to decipher. His dark hair falls around his forehead as he watches me. He's nowhere near as tall as Murphy, but he's well over six feet tall if I had to guess.

I take several steps away from him to prevent my ridiculous body from doing something even more embarrassing. Warm hands wrap around my waist, stopping me in place. I can tell it's Archer from his whiskey scent.

"I'm sorry," I mumble. Why the hell isn't the floor opening up and swallowing me whole?

A loud echoing bang fills the air as someone knocks on the door to their suite.

Archer's warm breath fans over my neck as his heat cocoons my back. He tilts his head, grinning down at me. Gosh, I've put on quite the show.

Connor immediately heads over, opening the door.

There's a man in combat boots, very dark jeans, and a polo shirt with the word security embroidered on the chest. He’s leaning against the door frame. His blond hair is long—longer than even Murphy's hair—and it's pulled up in a bun on the back of his head.

"Hey, boss," the man says in a jovial tone. He cracks an easy smile. "Eileen found these in the library. She asked me to bring them up since I was clocking out." He holds out a packet of papers and several books.

"I think those are mine," I say, taking a few steps toward the door. Archer's hands finally leave my hips.

Connor steps in front of my path. "Yes—thank you, Luke."

"Guess they found you," Luke says, ignoring Connor. "You had all of us worried. I bet you were great at hide and seek when you were a kid." His eyes sparkle with mirth. He's got a deeply Southern accent, and dimples when he smiles.

I take the last few steps and skirt around Connor. Luke hands me my stuff.

"Thank you," I say, spinning around and giving a little wave. "I'm so sorry for the hassle I caused."

"It was no trouble," Archer says. He pulls at the bottom of his vest. It causes his powerful shoulders to flex under his jacket, and I lick my lips.

Get yourself together.

I'm supposed to be focusing on packs in the program… Ones I might actually have a chance with.

"Could someone point out where we are on the map?" I ask, glancing at the papers in my hand to refocus my attention.

"No way, darlin'," Luke says with a laugh. "I'm headed down that way. I'll be happy to walk you to your room."

"That would be great, thanks." I give one final wave. "Have a good night."

"We'll have dinner delivered to your room," Connor says. He glares at Luke. I actually take a step back.

"T-Thank you," I stammer.

"Of course," Connor says, his tone much friendlier. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out."

"Right this way," Luke says, extending an arm. We head down the hall, and I very quickly realize I have no idea who this man is.

"You, uh, work here?" I ask as Luke heads down the stairs.