Page 49 of The Omega's Fake Mate

Hemustremember.

And yet… he still cared about me. He wasn't like the alphas in this communityat all.

“I really don't know what to say,” I told him honestly.

“Doesn't matter,” he gave back. “We're here. House number 17, that's your brother's.”

He was right. When I looked out the car window, we'd stopped in front of a two-story house. The exterior light came on as Zander parked the car, and in the orange glow, I could make out the number 17 in copper letters next to the front door. The house was built of blue wood. It looked almost... cute.

This was so not what I'd expected.

What, did you think there were going to be cobwebs and spiders and crying children in the street?

Just because this was a horrible place didn't mean it had to look the part. That it didn't actually made it creepier in a way.

“You look shocked,” Zander noted.

“I'm fine. I've just... thought so much about how to get here that I never prepared a plan for what I'd do once I achieved that goal.”

“The plan was to see how your brother is and talk some sense into him if needed,” Zander reminded me. He squeezed my hand again, and only then did I realize that I'd never withdrawn mine. “You got this.”

“You're right.” I squeezed his hand back. And then I unfastened my seat belt and got out of the car. “Show time,” I whispered to myself.

Together, Zander and I walked up to the front door. When we reached it, we shared a look.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Ready,” I said, grabbing his hand again before I knocked.

Footsteps sounded on the other side of the door, and then it opened. Before me stood my brother. Without wasting a second, I jumped at him and threw my arms around his back.

“Rhys!” God, it felt good to have him close again. He returned the hug a bit more cautiously at first and then he pressed me to himself just as hard as I was holding him. He'd lost weight, I could tell. He'd always been super thin, forgetting to eat when he got absorbed into his studies, but this was extreme. Even for him.

After a moment, I took a step back to look at him. “Sheesh, Rhys, have you looked in a mirror lately?” He had bags under his eyes the size of Texas.

“I'll not have you talk to my mate that way.” Rhys' husband stepped into the hallway, a beast of a man. He was putting on his best smile as if that could fool anyone. This man had isolated my brother from his family, and I knew what his cult thought about omegas.

“I'm only concerned, that's all,” I said. “Your mate and I are family, after all.”But you and I are not.

“There's nothing for you to worry about,” Rhys said, obviously not wanting to see a fight break out between me and his husband. “Nick, this is my mate, Jeremiah. Jeremiah, this is my brother Nick. Oh, and his husband, Zander.” Rhys turned to Zander. “It's nice to see you again. I always knew you and Nick would end up together.”

“You were quite right,” Zander said. “We're perfect together.” Laying an arm around my shoulder, he pulled me closer. Naturally, I leaned into him. His scent drifted into my nose and made me close my eyes for one second, inhaling it.

This role was so easy to play.Tooeasy.

“I'm so glad you found someone,” Rhys said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Yeah, me too.”

“Why don't we go into the living room to talk? You must be tired from the long trip. I'll make some coffee.”

“Good idea,” Rhys’ husband agreed. “Strong coffee, though. Not the weak stuff we had this morning.”

“I'll do my best.” Rhys went off to the kitchen with a light bow, like some kind of servant. I glared at Jeremiah, the asshole of an alpha my brother had married, but Zander pulled me closer before I could take any drastic action to defend my brother's honor.

“Wait,” he whispered into my ear.

I knew he was right, too. We'd only just arrived. If I got us kicked out before I could even really talk to my brother that would accomplish nothing. So I ground my teeth together and remained quiet.