Page 87 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus (The Exchange)

My eyes dart around checking my surroundings, but my panic has no legitimate purpose.

This location of The Exchange is beautiful.

The entryway is lined with glass walls with frosted pieces in triangular shapes.

The edges are trimmed in silver and it’s majestic.

I don’t know any other word to accurately describe it.

There’s a runner of cream carpeting that leads toward what looks like a spacious waiting room.

The floor on both sides of the carpet is the same style as the lobby.

“You can go ahead,” a soft voice says from beside me.

“Thanks.” I step up since it’s my turn. “Melody Webber.”

Kara hands me a packet of papers. “If you head in, they’ll introduce you to Frank. He’ll be your security. He’s got your room key. All your belongings will be brought up within the hour.”

“Thank you.” I smile and head for the next line.

It takes a couple minutes to make it inside the next room, but when I do, it’s exactly what I thought. It’s an expansive waiting room with chairs lining the wall. There are people milling about and some up talking to the omega they’re paired with.

You can tell who works here because they all wear the black polo with the hotel logo embroidered on it and under it is the word security.

A younger woman about my age comes back from bringing another omega to his security person. She glances at her clipboard and asks my name.

“Last minute change,” the alpha from the elevator says.

I spin around at the sound of his voice, and he’s sliding around the few omegas behind me. He comes up to my side. He types away on his phone without looking up.

“They’re swapping it out in the system. I’m taking Melody Webber. Frank will be with Rayvn Zellar,” the guy says.

“Got it,” the woman with the clipboard says, scratching something out. “You’re all set. So you’ll be with Miller now.” She directs the last part to me.

My eyes fly up to Miller’s. His cheeks are red, even the beard can’t hide it, but he shrugs a giant shoulder and heads off. He leads us over to an older guy with short gray hair.

“We’re swapping,” Miller says. He reaches into his back pocket, pulling out a folded envelope and hands it over.

“No problem.” Frank smiles and laugh lines appear around his eyes. He hands Miller a similar package that has my name on it. He pats him on the shoulder and heads off.

The giant alpha turns to me.

“Come on, let’s get you settled in. You’re still kind of pale, and I can’t decide if that’s your natural coloring or . . .” He leads us down a hallway and to a staircase. “I thought this might be easier since you seemed uncomfortable on the elevator earlier.”

“Yeah, thank you,” I agree, following his giant form up the stairs.

“Maxim Miller,” he says, over his shoulder as I follow him.

“Melody Webber,” I reply.

We make it to the landing and turn to head up to the next floor.

“Are you feeling all right, Melody?” His eyes rake over my face. “I know you’re obviously anxious or nervous. I’m picking that much up from your scent, but do you need to see the doctor? I can get you in right away.”

The look of concern on his face makes my chest feel tight. I can’t remember the last time someone truly seemed to care if I’m okay. He peers down at me and I get myself together.

I probably look like a goofball, staring silently and blinking. “I’m good. I think all the traveling got the better of me.”

His pale blue eyes study me a second longer, and he finally nods. “Let’s get you settled in. Maybe some lunch and a nap will help.”

We hit the next floor, and the hallway straight down is lined with rooms. I move to head down it, but Miller gently grabs my arm. His skin is warm and scratchy against my inner wrist as I turn to face him.

“S-Sorry,” he stutters. “It’s actually this way. It’s all the same direction, but you can’t get to your room from that corridor.”

“Oh,” I whisper as he guides us around the staircase.

When we come to another set of doors, he pulls an ID badge off his belt and swipes it. This building is way bigger than I realized. The hallway is just as long as the other seemed. It has doors on both sides as we make our way down.

“This is the omega-only wing,” he says, clearing his throat. “Alphas aren’t allowed over here unless they’re part of the security staff.” He browses the doors and stops. “Do you have a pack? A scent match or anything?”

My eyes fall to the floor as I give a quick shake of my head.

“No.” I scuff my shoe against the carpet.

“I did the preliminary testing at a location in North Carolina, but when nothing pinged, they sent me home. Then you guys had an opening . . .” I shrug.

“I really needed to get out of my small town, and I’ve got a heat coming up.

I came knowing I wouldn’t have an initial match. ”

“Gotcha,” he says, pulling out my envelope and opening it. He grabs a key card and swipes it in front of the door. “Small towns are the worst, aren’t they? Everyone knows everybody’s business.”

“Yeah,” I agree with a forced laugh. “Middle-of-nowhere Texas. That’s exactly how it is.”

He opens the door and heads inside. “Do you want me to give you the tour or . . .”

“A tour would be great.”

It’s kind of sad, but I’m not ready to be alone just yet.