Chapter 3

chapter 3

. . .

Carmen

T wo days later, the moon cast a soft glow through the nursery window as I gently rocked the sleeping baby in my arms while his new mother slept in the next room.

His tiny breaths were warm against my chest, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of longing deep within me. I loved helping new omega mothers through the night, providing them with much-needed rest while caring for their precious little ones. As I thought about my tasks ahead—washing bottles and preparing the next round of milk for the baby—I realized just how much I craved having a pack and a baby of my own.

“Maybe it’s time to move on,” I whispered to myself. Lately, I had been remembering Tyler’s rejection, which still haunted me. I knew I shouldn’t dwell on it because he wasn’t my fated mate after all, but the memory still hurt.

As I placed the baby in his crib, I watched as his tiny fingers curled around his blanket. Making sure he stayed asleep, I quietly tiptoed out of the room and into the kitchen. I stood at the sink, letting the warm water run over my hands as I washed the baby bottles, lost in my thoughts about how I was going to find a pack. Maybe I’d have my mom help out, but the idea of talking to her made me anxious.

With all my tasks done for the night, I decided to call it a night. I yawned as I gathered my water bottle and snacks into my backpack before heading out.

As I walked home, I tightened my jacket against the chilly wind.

The narrow streets were lined with small houses constructed close together to keep the compound tightly knit. Occasionally, I spotted an alpha guard in wolf form patrolling the area. I didn’t worry about them—it was the alphas without uniforms I had to watch out for, the ones who harassed omegas like me.

My heart dropped when I saw Henry standing at my front door, a paper in his hand.

What the hell was he doing here?

My pulse quickened as Tyler, the alpha who had rejected me years ago, emerged from the shadows behind him. Our eyes met, and heat flushed my face, my body responding to his presence.

“Umm, hi, Henry,” I greeted, trying to sound polite even though fear clawed at my insides. Three a.m. was never a good time for a visit unless it meant something terrible had happened.

“Hello, Carmen,” he said slowly.

The anticipation of what he was going to say next built within me, making me feel nervous. But that was Henry; he liked to play games.

“Is something wrong?” I asked.

“Many things are,” said Henry. “But lucky for you, I’m here to personally invite you to the party I’m hosting this Saturday.”

Oh wow. My family and I were never invited to these sorts of parties. Only the elite were invited, and my mom would throw a fit if she knew I was asked and she wasn’t.

He handed me a card, and I looked at it, pretending to read it, but my brain was a jumble this late at night.

“Thank you, I guess, for inviting me. I have work though, and…”

“Nonsense,” he said. “Isn’t it your own business that you’re running?”

“How do you know…?”

“I know everything about you, Carmen,” he said, and I could see Tyler’s eyes flashing in the background. “It would make me really happy to see you there.”

I nodded wordlessly, my mouth dry.

He was acting like my presence at the party would be monumental for him. I couldn't fathom why he’d be interested in a poor omega like me. Then, just like that, he walked toward his waiting car. Tyler turned back one last time, his gaze lingering on me a moment longer before he followed Henry.

Quickly unlocking my door, I bolted inside and vowed never to leave my home again.

I couldn’t sleep that night; my thoughts were still racing from the invitation and the fact that Tyler was working with Henry. I knew some loyalists would die for Henry, but others disagreed with him. My emotions were all over the place, so I decided to call my alpha friend Logan, even though it was three in the morning.

"Are you insane ? It’s three a.m.," Logan groaned when he answered the phone.

“Logan, listen,” I pleaded, my voice shaking. “Henry came to my door tonight. He personally invited me to a party at his house this Saturday.”

“Wait, what?” His tone changed instantly from annoyance to alarm. “Are you sure?”

“Yes! Why would I lie about that?” I said, anxiety making me short-tempered. “He showed up with Tyler, of all people.”

“Shit,” Logan muttered. “This isn’t good, Carmen. If Henry went through all that trouble, he might be thinking about making you his omega.”

Dread rose within me at the realization. How could I be so dumb? Henry replaced his omegas all the time.

“Can you come to the party with me? Bring your pack if you want and any omega that you’re dating,” I said, desperate for any kind of protection from whatever Henry had planned.

“Fuck, Carmen, I can’t just take time off from painting,” Logan sighed, clearly hesitant. “And no, I’m not dating anyone.”

“Please, I need to show him that I have a pack,” I begged, on the verge of tears.

“Alright, alright," he relented. “I’ll be there.”

“Thank you,” I whispered before hanging up. The image of Henry's predatory gaze haunted me as I tried to fall asleep, shaken and uneasy.

The following day, I was jolted awake by a loud knocking on my door. Panic set in as I wondered if Henry had come to claim and mark me. Padding softly to the living room, my fear mounting with every step, I peeked through the peephole. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion as I saw Tyler standing outside.

“Shit,” I mumbled, racing to the kitchen to wash my face. I tied my messy hair into a ponytail with a scrunchie and glanced down at my polka-dotted pajama set. Tyler would probably think I was so immature when he saw my clothes. But who the hell cared what he thought anymore?

Flinging the door open, my heart pounded in my chest when I saw Tyler. He even looked taken aback for a moment.

“What do you want?” I snapped rudely, noticing his two packmates standing beside him. Their faces were unfamiliar; I’d never met them before.

“Can we come in?” Tyler asked, his voice serious. “We need to talk.”

“Sure,” I replied with a hard edge. They filed into my apartment, and I couldn't help but feel the tension in the air. I wondered what could possibly have brought Tyler here. “Why are you here?”

“Don’t go to the party,” he finally said, his expression grave.

I laughed, momentarily forgetting my nerves. “Why are you trying to control me now? I’m all grown up, you know.”

“Yes, I can see that,” he said, his gaze darkening as his eyes settled on my chest. “But it’s not that. I know Henry, and he’s dangerous for you.”

A pit formed in my stomach, knowing that he was right. But I wasn’t prepared to admit that to him.

“I’m going to go if I feel like it,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest, my face burning. “I don’t need your permission, and I don’t want to get on Henry’s bad side.”

Tyler’s jaw tensed as he looked at me. “My packmates Axel and Jaxon will be checking in on you often. Just to make sure you’re safe.”

“Safe from what?” My breath hitched, and I could feel the heat pooling between my legs as Tyler stared at me intently. “Why do you even care?”

He didn’t answer, instead getting up from the couch silently. Jerk , I thought bitterly. Why would he care if I was Henry’s omega or not? He threw me away like I was nothing.

“Hey there, I’m Axel,” one of the strangers said, holding out his hand. He was muscular, with short-cropped blond hair and warm blue eyes. His smile was welcoming, and I found myself smiling back despite my grumpiness as we shook hands. “Nice to meet you, Carmen.”

“Jaxon,” the other alpha, covered in tattoos, introduced himself, his eyes lingering on my lips. Jaxon was pretty good-looking, and it made my heart flutter just looking at his floppy brown hair covering one eye.

“Just to reiterate—I don't need any protection,” I announced to the pack at large. “Especially since I’ll be looking for a pack to mate with soon.”

At that, Tyler stopped in his tracks by the door, his back stiffening. He didn’t say anything, though, and continued on his way out.

“Bye then!” I shouted after him, slamming the door behind them.

Tyler

As I walked away from Carmen's apartment, I was at a loss for words.

Seeing her so grown up and sexy, dressed in those loose, flowing pajamas with her hair framing her face, had left me breathless. My cock was hard as I remembered the scent of her—a scent I knew all too well. Her scent was like fresh limes, invigorating and intoxicating, and it had an undeniable effect on me.

“Damn, Carmen is hot as fuck,” Axel commented, breaking me out of my thoughts .

“She is,” Jaxon chimed in. “Did you notice how much stronger her scent got the longer we were there? She definitely felt something, too.”

“Do you think she’s open to us being her pack?”

“Enough,” I growled, cutting their conversation short. “We’re not mating her. Our only priority is making sure Henry doesn’t put his knot in her.”

The thought of that happening made my blood boil, and I vowed silently to myself that I would never let it occur. I’d protect Carmen, even if she didn’t want me to.