Chapter 61

Chapter Sixty-One

FREYA

" W ho is this sexy bitch and what did she do with my bestie?!"

My god, even deaf in one ear, I could have heard Kate's squeal from across town. "Oh my god, shhhh!"

Hustling over to her where she sits clutching our coffees on the outdoor bench with our bags beside her, I look around and am surprised to see people smiling at us. Nobody's scowling or ready to reprimand the two omegas outside the salon for being too loud.

"Freya," she breathes, eyes wide. "Your hair is fucking fire."

I blush and run my fingers through the shorter strands. My hair, which used to be waist length and platinum, now has honey blonde highlights and just brushes the underside of my boobs.

"Thank you," I say. "Do you think the guys will like it?"

I was feeling so confident after ordering my iced white mocha with two pumps of hazelnut, and shopping with minimal anxiety, that when we passed the hair salon, I declared a change was needed.

Now I'm second guessing the spontaneous recklessness, even if it felt good to donate the hair that was chopped off.

"Are you kidding?" Kate screeches again. "They are going to love it. Not to mention, I'm pretty sure they are going to be drooling all over you and the new clothes you picked out."

She winks, and hands me my drink, flashing her sharp red nails at me she got done while I did my hair.

Peeking at my five bags of clothes, I feel giddiness rush through me remembering what I got. I've felt really good in skirts and tight tops. Dresses are a no go because they feel too much like what I wore in that basement.

It's too hot for jeans, so I haven't even tried them yet, but I like my sweatpants at home. With a tight top though. The only time I feel comfortable with a baggy shirt is when it's one of my mates'.

There's something about drowning my small frame that brings me back to my time spent at the academy. Plus, now that I've filled out a bit, I enjoy showing off my healthy frame.

Kate has made it her goal to send me links to female empowerment posts on social media to help me realize that how I dress isn't always meant to be seductive. It can just be because I feel good in it. And I do.

"So, what do you think you're going to do about the pamphlets the OPS sent us?" I ask.

We've been hanging out for hours. We did the boy talk, which I was more than happy to get an update on her new alpha situation. Remy took her on another date the other night, and from what I've heard, they are doing really well. Not bonded yet, but her pack is moving forward.

I'm so happy for her, not all that thrilled to hear about her sex life with my brother, but I'm excited for them. They are finally getting the lives they deserve. Now, for the hard topic while we finish our lattes.

She sighs. "l probably will enroll for a few basic courses just so I can understand myself and my pack better. But no way am I going to a campus for it."

I nod, understanding the reservations about attending a designation academy again. The thing is, though, we weren't taught anything we truly need to know about being an omega, let alone pack life and coping strategies for building a life together.

"What about you?" she asks softly.

I harumph, frustration peeking because I have no idea. I mean, I have an idea, but I don't know if it's a thing.

"Spit it out."

I shoot her a glare before focusing on the melting ice cubes in my plastic cup. "I can't go back to school, Kate. I just can't. But I also know I need to be educated on my designation. Not only for myself, but for my pack, you know?"

She nods.

"I want to ask Ronan if he can help me find a tutor. An omega tutor, but like someone who knows about scent matches, pack life, and what it means to be an omega in this generation."

My friend hums. "So someone younger than thirty-five, an omega, with a pack of her own that specializes in scent-matches."

"Yeah!" My excitement builds.

"Sounds like an excellent plan, Star."

Jumping up from my seat, I turn and jump at my alpha, my post heat hormones driving me into his chest. "What are you doing here?" I ask, burying my nose in his throat.

"You've been gone much longer than you said and haven't answered my calls." He nips at my exposed collar bone. "And Kate was being sly, so I thought I'd come down and see what my little brat was up to." His hand slips to the base of my skull and tugs my head back. "And now I know. My beautiful girl got a makeover, huh?"

Ronan's eyes are liquid lust as they trail over my freshly cut and dyed locks. I nod, with a slightly unsure smile curling my lips. My toes are tingling just being touched by him and my core heats the longer he stares.

"And what kind of coffee did my omega treat herself to?" he growls, low and throaty.

"Iced white mocha with two pumps of hazelnut," I breathe.

He cocks a brow and grins down at me. "You tried something new that I've never gotten you."

"I did," I say, giddiness filling me at his obvious pride spilling over in the bond.

Kate calls my name, drawing my attention for just a moment as she walks away with Nick. "Love ya, girl. I'll text you later," she says goodbye with a wink.

I wave, smiling at the two of them before Ronan tugs my waist closer to his.

"You shopped too, I see," he probes further, now studying my expression for my feelings. "Did you find things you liked?"

I nod, feeling like a damn bobblehead. I list off all the things I charged to his credit card like a child who got free rein in a store. "Skirts, a few scrunchies, crop tops and even a swimsuit!"

Ronan fucking beams at me, and I don't feel so silly anymore. "I'm so proud of you, my star. Such a good, strong girl, aren't you?"

I just might be .

"Come on, let's get you home for dinner," Ronan says with a kiss to my lips before grabbing my bags and throwing away my empty cup for me. "What would you like for dinner?"

My throat closes for one breath, but when my alpha tucks my hand into his arm and walks me to our family car, I breathe it out. He plucks me from the ground and settles me in the front seat.

My tummy grumbles out a craving and I ask for what I want with a cheeky edge to my request. "I could fuck with a taco."

A booming laugh explodes from Ronan's large chest, lighting me on fire with happiness. "Then a taco you will have."

Hell yeah.