18. Jade

eighteen

"We can't leave her here. Not in the house alone!" Adrian growls and heaves out a frustrated sigh.

I look up and narrow my eyes on Adrian. Sven steps into his space but doesn't touch him. The two of them are really trying to push me over the cliff into psychotic rage omega today. I want to record them and play these words when we're bonded and make them crawl on their damn knees! Three days ago, we were having a wonderful bonding moment in the shopping centre. Now, we're standing in the lounge room while these…these monsters debate how to find a babysitter for me!

This event is some black tie thing that Adrian and Sven have been invited to. It's also expected that they and Kandi show up as Raptore employees. I'm not even sure I want to go. but this discussion has nixed it, I'm going!

"Well, we sure as fuck can't take her with us," Sven growls. "She wouldn't fit in. She'd stand out. Be a target."

My nostrils flare. HOW. DARE. HE!

"She would be fine," Adrian growls back.

"She doesn't even have anything to wear," Sven snaps, smiling as if he's won the lottery.

Kandi looks up from her phone. "Yeah, she does. Of course, I organised it."

Sven snaps his head around, glaring at the beta. "We're supposed to be showing a united front.

"I'll be united when you stop being an ass," Kandi mutters.

I bite my bottom lip to hide the smile as she tugs me out of the kitchen.

"Shoes on, let's go. We need to go because I'm going to shoot one or both of them if they keep talking."

I don't tell her off or ask to borrow her gun. Yay for me.

"Where are we going?"

"Shopping with Hazel and Onyx."

I hesitate because I don't want to go out with them. They don't like me, but these people are my pack's friends. I need to make an effort.

"Okay, this will be fun. I'll just get my shoes." I go into the bathroom first and stare at myself in the mirror. "You can do this, Jade. You can face the omega and beta paragons, and you will be cool."

I nod and quickly style my hair. The colour is still a lovely shade of lilac, shimmering slightly. I love it, but it's hard to look at myself in the mirror these days. Every time I stop, I stare at myself and wonder what is it about me that is so repulsive that my pack doesn't want me?

Kandi waits for me by the front door, she is distracted but seems relaxed. I want to lean into her and put my hands in her jeans pockets and just breathe in her scent. Kandi is the balm to everything. As soon as I arrive, she smiles, looking me up and down. I haven't changed anything. I'm wearing a pair of short jean shorts that cling to my hips like a second skin. My ass looks amazing in them. But the look she gives me has me biting back the teasing words that might have had us back in the bedroom.

"Come on," She rasps out and, to my surprise, she puts her hand in the pocket of my jeans over my ass.

Maybe one member of my pack is on my side. Maybe she wants me? Physically? But does she want to keep me? That is the question.

There's a black car waiting, and when we get close, the back door opens, and I can hear Onyx and Hazel arguing. There's a man in the driver's seat, but I don't pay attention to him, it's the females that are my biggest concern.

"Hey, what's going on with you two?" She glances inside, and her eyes darken. She removes her hand from my pocket and helps me into the car. "So, Missy decided not to come?" There is no inflection in Kandi's tone.

I feel like I've let her down in some way.

Hazel looks away. She's got no ability to hide guilt, that one. Her hair is up, exposing her long neck, and her blue eyes go everywhere but to me. She even slouches a little. Really guilty, then. Right.

I roll my eyes. The other omega is really getting on my nerves. She's got her own pack. Why is she so obsessed with mine?

I slide into the middle of the back and give the beta Onyx a tight smile.

"Hello."

She smiles back. It's an open and friendly grin that makes me feel like a bitch. Onyx's eyes are a deep blue-grey colour and are so honest I'm not even sure this one can lie. She doesn't look as guilty as Hazel, but I can smell her unease making the air slightly tart.

"How are you doing, Jade?"

"Oh, yeah, great," I snark, and then sigh heavily. "Sorry, not you."

She blinks. "Oh, that bad, huh?"

"Sven doesn't think I should go. He says I won't fit in."

"We don't listen to Sven when he's dribbling," Kandi chides. "Tune him out until he wipes that shit off his face."

I cast an adoring look in her direction and put my hand on her thigh. She immediately covers it with hers.

"Oh, well, that's…" Onyx is trying really hard to look anywhere but at my hand on Kandi's leg.

"Do you have a problem with this?" I snap.

"No! Well, no. It's just...so nice to see Kandi happy, and I didn't want to say anything and make you stop!" Onyx's cheeks burn, and now I feel a thousand times worse.

"Sorry."

"It's okay. I would be like that, too," Onyx says and gives me a smile that seems contrite yet friendly.

"I met your sister at the refuge."

Onyx whips her head towards me. The driver, an alpha with blond hair and penetrating blue eyes, growls. I know those eyes are penetrating because he's glaring at me from the mirror. I also recognise the infamous Grayson Waters. He needs no introduction, his face is everywhere in this city.

"How is she?" Onyx whispers. "Is she doing okay? She won't see me."

I close my eyes. "Foot meet mouth," I mutter. "Silver is different from when I met her. She's reserved and calm. She seems like she's found peace. Not like the glittering omega we all knew."

Onyx sits back and sniffs. She does it again.

Damn, is she crying? "I'm sorry!" I almost shout and glance frantically at Kandi.

"I'm happy. I'm so glad. I just thought we could have a relationship-"

"Maybe you can. Maybe she just needs to do some growing first," I say carefully, glancing at Kandi.

"I second that," Hazel says from the front. "Time can be the cure you need or the time to turn into a butterfly."

"Why would you want to be a bug?" I ask in confusion.

Hazel bursts into laughter. "All right, this might be more fun than I thought. Scarlet was right when she told us to suspend our judgments."

I peer at the omega and silently thank Scarlet for giving me a chance. The black-haired alpha has really done me a solid here. Not sure if I can work this in my favour, but at least I've got some room to move.

I realise that I want this desperately for Kandi. For her to have her friends, this family she's created. I don't want her to have to choose between us. But, god, do I want her to choose me.

So, I force a smile on my face. "So, Hazel, how did you meet your pack?"

Hazel gets into the story, which morphs into Onyx telling her story. I listen in confusion and growing awe.

As Onyx wraps up, I glance at Grayson and shudder. He's one hundred, thousand percent not someone I would want. He's too stuffy. All at once, I feel this pang inside me.

"What is it?" Kandi whispers to me.

"I miss Adrian and Sven."

She laughs.

Grayson parks the car, and I trail after the foursome, still feeling like a fifth wheel. Kandi glances back often, her eyes shining.

I try to muster a smile for her, but this is not at all like shopping with my pack. We go into a dress store, and when I see the price tags; I wheeze.

"Kandi, I can't afford this," I whisper, my cheeks flaming with heat. My skin prickles, and I wonder if there are any liquids that I might accidentally spill. Please, let them have omega proofed it!

"You can."

"No, I really can't. Let's just go somewhere else." I tug at her arm, but she refuses to move. I ignore everything she says until she finally grunts and stops talking.

Kandi pulls out her phone and mutters something into it. A moment later, it's shoved into my hands.

"Baby, let me do this for you. Let me buy you a dress and show you off," Adrian purrs. "Please?"

The cool and reassuring tones of my alpha calm the panic in my chest. He's so dreamy. I look up and spot myself smiling faintly. He wants to take care of me. I feel giddy. He wants to give me pretty things? Like an alpha looking after his omega?

He wants me. I close my eyes so I can feel this whole feeling with no distractions.

"But-" I try to protest.

"I don't have anyone to buy presents for. and I don't want to go to this dinner alone." Adrian's voice lights a beacon of joy inside me. I tremble slightly.

"You're being really impossible, Adrian." I murmur, but I'm secretly thrilled. My alpha wants to buy me a dress and take me out. That is sooo swoony. I let out a soft giggle and bite my lower lip as I glance at Kandi.

My beta winks at me and holds up a gold dress.

"I know, but I really want you with me. and I'm prepared to use underhanded methods to get it."

"Alpha," I whine.

"I know, baby, but come with me, see the packs. Maybe you'll meet someone you really want. You can at least be certain this is real."

I stiffen, my blood turning to ice inside me. The joy, the happiness vanishes so quickly I get whiplash. The disappointment is nauseating. "Is that what you think? That this isn't real? That I've imagined this? What is your doctor's opinion? That it's a trauma response? Maybe I don't know my own mind? Perhaps," I bite out, "I couldn't recognise my scent matches when I met them?" My words come out sharper than I mean them. and I blink rapidly to clear the tears from my eyes.

"It's the best chance to show you off, see if we can find you a big pack to love you," Adrian says reasonably. "I'm not saying you have to, I'm just saying to try."

Why can't you love me?I shout in my head, but I don't say the words. Instead, I grind my teeth and try not to bawl.

"Okay. Adrian, I'll come with you. and I'll meet the packs and find someone else." I hang up the phone before Adrian can answer me.

"Jade?"

For a long moment. I ignore her, then I snap my eyes open and pin my beta with a determined look. "I need to be a siren. There has to be a dress that can make me stunning and beautiful, irresistible. I need to make these two idiots eat every horrible word they've said. I need to make them insane for me. When they choke on their sorry's, I'll forgive them. Can you guys do that?" I speak so loud everyone in the store is frozen and staring at me.

A woman with long blonde hair in the back claps. It's followed by several others, including the staff. I blush hotly.

"What happened?" Kandi asks.

I sniff, and she immediately wraps her arms around me. "He's taking me to the dinner so I can pack shop. Just to be sure." I try to smile but end up sniffling.

Hazel inhales sharply. "Ouch."

"Gah, these two are being so stubborn," Onyx mutters wrathfully. "Gray, go charm the sales lady. I want the most exclusive and sexiest dress we can get."

The blonde lady pauses beside me. "This is my business card. Come see me before the party. I want to help you."

I stare at her, shocked. "But why?"

"Because I had my own stubborn alphas. My name is Echo. Come see me." She leaves quietly and disappears.

I look down at the card in my hand. Echo's Charms. It's a jewelry store. Onyx looks over my shoulder.

"You need to go see her. She's amazing."

Kandi steps back. "Jade? Are you all right?"

I glance at my beta in confusion. She waves Adrian's credit card in the air. I snag it out of her hand, reading Adrian's name across it in gold. "Oh, no. I'm not beaten or down. If he wants to give me away, I'm going to make him eat his words."

Kandi winces. "We're going to do it safely."

I shrug one shoulder. "Sure, we'll do safe. But it's going to cost him a fortune. Consider it damages."

"Jade," Kandi says again, and I know she sees through my brave facade.

I glare at her. "Don't, Kandi, I'm fine! I saw something I want you to try on."

"No, I don't need-"

"You and I are going to make them eat their words," I say with a narrow-eyed glare.

I go to the woman standing behind the counter, discreetly watching, and lean in to murmur to her. Her eyes widen, and she beams at me, nodding.

I bully Kandi into the change rooms and sit back to watch. The suit goes in. We wait for a long time, and then she comes out.

The suit isn't black, it's deep charcoal, but with the slight pockets and the built-in white shirt, she looks amazing. I walk over to her and undo those buttons, tucking the shirt in so you can only see just a tiny edge of it near the collar. Then I do the jacket back up.

It suits her like a glove. That V of open bare flesh goes all the way to her navel, revealing tawny skin that I want to lick. It frames her face and makes her look powerful and so sexy.

"Far out, Kandi. That suit was made for you," Hazel says in a daze. She snaps a photo.

"Yeah, um, my guys look good in suits, but that is a whole new level of sexiness," Onyx whispers. "I'm so jealous right now."

Gray snorts. "If you want Sven to trip over his tongue, that's what you wear." He gives his opinion, and I smirk.

"If you want me to trip over my tongue," I mutter.

"No-"

"Adrian's buying. Oops, look at that. I slipped and fell onto his credit card. I wonder if Sven and Adrian say that when they kiss each other? Whoops, my bad, I'll aim better next time."

Kandi hisses as the sale goes through. But Onyx and Hazel are holding onto each other, having a giggle fit.

I wander out of the store and spot a hairdresser. I pad over there and sign us up for appointments tomorrow at lunchtime. Hair, nails, makeup, the works.

"What are you doing?" Kandi demands.

"Adrian's dinner, Sven is dessert. Remember, I told you, keep up, Kandi. I need to hit them both where it hurts."

Kandi sighs.

I reach out and take her hand. "Trust me."

The other missing sales woman has returned, her blonde hair in disarray, her blue eyes wide. She's carrying a dress bag over her shoulder.

"I found it! I found the dress!" She shouts.

I curiously wander back towards her.

"It was last year's design, but it never sold. It's a one of a kind sheath dress made of lilac and mother-of-pearl colours. There's lace on the bodice, but under that, it's sheer. No one could fit it. It's made for someone tiny, but I know, I just know, this is going to fit you. Oh, my gosh, this is thrilling."

The woman's excitement is affecting me. She ushers me into the change room and slowly unzips the bag.

My eyes widen. It's purple dipped in black. The end of the short train is jet black. But the gradient is gradual. Lilac and white lace slowly transition.

"It"s gorgeous."

"I know, right? Let's get it on you." She exhales a laugh. "I loved this dress. I always knew the right person would come along."

She helps me into it, and I turn and freeze, staring at myself in the mirror. It fits me perfectly, accenting my tiny waist, my butt, and my breasts. I look tiny but more beautiful than I ever have. I don't look like what my mother said I would be.

I look like a dream. A fantasy.

I step out of the curtain, my stomach writhing with nerves. My group of omegas, betas, and alphas, and the salespeople who have gathered, gasp theatrically.

That gives me enough to know this is the dress. I look at Kandi, and she looks stunned. Her mouth is open, and her eyes are wide.

"Do you think this will work?" I ask softly, nervously.

"What will work?"

I smile at her. "Making them eat their words…"

"Oh, they'll be eating something, not sure about words," Hazel says to Onyx. I glance at the two of them, amused.

"Turn!" Hazel says.

She snaps a photo of me.

"Right, Scarlet says if you want to melt your alpha's brains, that is how you do it."

Kandi smiles and reaches out to cup my cheek. "You look beautiful."

"And you look so hot. All I can think about is stripping those clothes off you."

Kandi smiles, bemused, but there is a heat in her that I feel inside me. We're going to combust soon.

I look at the group. Maybe we can be friends after all.

"Missy says she sent you a dress, Kandi," Onyx says meekly, almost like she's afraid to say it.

I feel the happiness drain out of me. I glance at Kandi and see the flicker of indecision on her face.

Maybe not.