Page 11 of The Violence of Love (The Black Market Omega #2)

I get it. Twenty-six is a little surprising for an unmated omega. But still. I’m not that old.

“It was nice to meet you.” His voice tightens, then he turns and walks away.

A pulse of humiliation flashes through me. Then comes the hot throb of anger. “Jerk,” I mutter, folding my hands in my lap. “I didn’t want you anyway.”

“Hey, Autry.” The sound of Charlie’s voice is a balm.

Warm. Steady. I turn and meet his gaze, and the breath leaves my lungs.

He’s here. Thank god, he’s still here. The beta crouches by the arm of the chair, close enough that I can see the faint line between his brows.

“How was he?” Charlie nods toward where Dom disappeared .

I shake my head. “He’s not a good match.”

Charlie grins, bright and sure. “That’s okay. He’s only the first. There are plenty more.” He straightens, already turning to go. “Remember to get their bidding numbers.”

My heart flutters in panic— don’t go —but I nod, forcing a smile. He can’t stay. We talked about this. He has to keep up appearances. Still, his absence makes the tent feel colder.

The next hour crawls by in a haze of small talk and fake smiles.

I try to laugh at the right moments, bat my lashes, and answer their questions like I’m interested.

Some packs flirt more aggressively than others.

One alpha asked if I could cook. Another wanted to know how “obedient” I was.

They all seem so impressed with my chest, but none of them made me feel anything.

I jot down a few numbers like Charlie told me to, but my hope thins with every new name. Every pack.

I press my hand to my stomach, trying to ground myself. This is not hopeless. Charlie has a plan. I just have to hold it together long enough for the right alpha to walk through that entrance. And when he does? I’ll know.

“You look a little sad, omega.”

I lift my head, prepared to lie with a sweet smile and a practiced “ I’m wonderful” , but the words catch in my throat the moment I see the alpha in front of me.

He’s stunning.

Cut jawline. Silver hair, streaked at the temples like storm clouds. And those eyes—dark and steady, curious in a way that feels like touch. And he’s alone.

No pack. No other alphas shadowing his every step. My heart thuds once, twice, hard against my ribs.

“I’m Autry,” I say, voice barely above a whisper. Then I inhale deeply, and his scent hits me like a slow, burning match. Hazelnut. Rich, toasted. But there’s something sweet underneath it—chocolate. Warm and sweet and utterly intoxicating.

Oh, my.

“I’m Rhett,” the alpha whispers his name, almost as if it’s a secret.

I can’t help but lean in. “You have a lovely scent.” I breathe, unable to help myself. My skin feels too warm, too tight. The space between us buzzes like an invisible thread is pulling me forward. There’s definitely chocolate in the air. I really hope it’s him.

“So do you.” Rhett laughs softly. The corners of his eyes crinkle a little, telling me he smiles a lot. I like that. “Lemon?” His nostrils flare. “With a hint of lavender?”

I can’t help but be impressed. Not many people smell the lavender…or at least that’s what I’ve been told. It’s not like I can scent myself.

“You have a good sense of smell,” I compliment the alpha. “Most people only scent the lemon.”

“That's a real shame.” Rhett's dark eyes sparkle as he scans my face, but they don’t drop down to my chest. He’s the first alpha to not blatantly stare at my boobs.

Maybe he’s a good one. “It reminds me of those tea cookies they serve at garden parties.” The way he says it—soft and fond—makes heat ripple down my spine.

My thighs squeeze together of their own accord.

“Does your pack attend a lot of garden parties?” I giggle as I picture this big, strong alpha standing under a rose arbor, eating tiny finger sandwiches, and chatting about the weather.

“My beta loves them.” Rhett pushes one hand into his pocket. He looks so relaxed and sexy. “Myrick would live in a garden if I let him.” His laugh vibrates through me. The sound is amazing. Deep and rumbly, making my stomach flip.

Feeling a little brave, I decide to be blunt. “And what about the rest of your pack? Do they love garden parties, too?”

Rhett’s smile pulls tight. There’s a flash of what looks like embarrassment in his dark eyes, but it quickly fades. “No alphas,” he says simply, but there’s weight in the words. “It’s just me and my beta.”

Just him .

My pulse kicks up again, faster this time, and a flush warms the back of my neck. This isn’t a coincidence. This is perfect.

And he’s still watching me—carefully, intently. Like he sees more than the number on my wrist or the cut of my nightie. Like maybe he feels this, too.

Maybe this isn’t just luck. Maybe it’s fate.

I look up into Rhett’s dark eyes and feel something shift inside me. I want him. And not because I’m supposed to find a match tonight—but because something in me has already chosen.

And from the way Rhett’s pupils dilate, the way his throat bobs and his stance subtly tightens, I think maybe—just maybe—he’s already chosen too.