Chapter Seventeen

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

NOW PLAYING: THE Apparition- Sleep Token

The crowd of assholes outside our show in Louisville tonight was much tamer than the group in Grand Rapids. They weren’t spouting anti-designation bullshit, only the usual anti-pack stuff. A bunch of outdated, backwoods trash, which is all they’re taught to believe. It’s ridiculous.

Sitting around our campsite earlier, I’d noticed the dark bruising beneath Omen’s eyes. Her apprehension visibly built the closer we got to show time. Those plush lips of hers abused by her teeth, and her hands started to shake.

It was an easy decision for Neb and me when we watched her climb out of the SUV ahead of us to flank her sides and offer her both the comfort of our presence and extra protection from the crowd. Anything to make sure the little omega isn’t stressed out by the protests.

I’m curious why she seems so easily affected by the shit the protesters are spewing. According to Shepherd, her family works with the DAU and she frequently attends protests. Shouldn’t she be used to this garbage?

None of what the protesters say is a shock to my pack. We’re used to their dated morals and condemning views. Growing up outside of Nashville wasn’t easy for any of us. Our state may not be the worst when it comes to pack rights and designation equality, but it certainly isn’t a forgiving place for anyone who dares try to live outside of their norms. That city was the birthplace of the scars on all our hearts.

One of my worst childhood memories was watching the way my community shunned my Aunt Abigail. She presented as a female alpha, the rarest of the designations and one facing heavy backlash from both anti-pack and anti-designation groups. Using suppressants, she managed to hide who she was for many years until one day they failed and the entire town learned the truth.

Hearing raised voices downstairs, I quietly leave my bedroom so I can see what’s going on. My parents aren’t the type to spend the day yelling at each other, nor would they raise their voices with someone else. They’d be appalled imagining the gossip our neighbors would spread.

At the top of the stairs, I see my Aunt Abby standing on the porch through the open doorway. Tears stain her cheeks and her eyes are rimmed red. She looks messy like she’s had to leave in a hurry, which is weird. She’s usually very put together, like the rest of our family.

“I just want to say goodbye!” She yells, her hands thrown in the air in frustration. I wonder who she’s saying goodbye to and where she’s going.

Briefly, I also consider asking her to take me with her, but I know that won’t ever be possible.

“After everything you’ve done, you won't let me have this? He’s my damn nephew, Owen.”

I don’t understand what she’s talking about or why my parents are looking at her like she’s dirt on their freshly mopped floors. Aunt Abby is the nicest person in Belle Mead. Always going out of her way to help the rest of the townsfolk when she isn’t working at her restaurant.

She also listens to my problems and doubts and doesn’t judge me for them, unlike my parents who judge everyone for everything. From the car they drive to the food they eat, it’s all open season for the folks around here.

My foot hits the top step and the wood creaking gives away my eavesdropping. Aunt Abby’s teary eyes fly to mine. When she sobs, I give up on hiding and start to rush down the stairs. My father’s sharp bark stops me in my tracks. One foot still on the staircase. “Go to your room, boy. This doesn’t concern you.”

“But–” He glares when I try to argue. Silently threatening me with a punishment I’m sure to hate if I don’t listen.

“Wild Man,” Aunt Abby breathes.

I meet her gaze and the weight of her heartache crushes me. “Are you okay?” I question. I want to know who hurt her.

“Boy–”

“No, Owen. He’s old enough to know the truth.” Momma interrupts my daddy and turns to me. She’s never been an overly affectionate woman but I know she cares for me in her own way. The malicious glint in her eyes scares me though. Momma’s never been mean before. “Abigail has been hiding a horrible secret from the family. For years she’s lied to us all.”

My brows scrunch in confusion. Aunt Abby lied?

“She isn’t a beta at all,” Momma spits. “She’s an abomination. A female alpha.”

Shock courses through my system as I look back at my Aunt. She’s an alpha? Why didn’t she tell me?

I can practically feel her shame as Momma continues to spit hateful words her way. Our family and the majority of our town are overly critical of the designations. Female alphas and male omegas are treated the worst of them all. That’s why there aren’t any left in this part of the city.

I don’t want my Aunt to be alienated the same way all those other people were. I want her to know she isn’t alone. “I don’t care if she’s an alpha. She’s my aunt.”

Momma and Daddy both snap their heads toward me with disgust written clearly across their faces. It’s the relief in my Aunt Abby’s eyes that straightens my spine though. No matter what happens, whether she stays or she leaves, I’ll always have her back.

Pain lances through my chest as the door slams closed, blocking my view of my Aunt. Momma grabs me by the ear and drags me into the living room. Forcing me to sit on the couch she paces back and forth, lecturing me about the immorality of female alphas.

Each hurtful word lands like a slap to the face and I start to realize exactly how conditional my family’s love can be.

I never expected my parents to disown my Aunt simply because she presented as an alpha. As if cutting her off wasn’t enough, my entire family, alongside many of the more prominent families in our town, had run her out of the city. They used their money and resources to get her restaurant shut down on fake health code violations and had her apartment lease terminated by her judgmental landlord. They’d even gone as far as to have her car impounded by the local police for a month’s old parking violation.

She’d left the next day. Moved north to Pennsylvania and found the pack of her dreams. Abby is the only person in my family I still talk to. Who supports me and my pack.

Technically I never gave my parents the chance to disown me. I packed everything I owned into Nebula’s car and left them a farewell sticky note. It wouldn’t have mattered if I tried to reason with them, they are far too stuck in their ways to ever give me and my mates a chance. I will never put my packmates at risk of facing their judgment and disdain either, so I’ve had no contact with them since the minute I walked out their door.

The thought of the sweet omega on tour with us experiencing the same harsh rejection my Aunt did brings an angry tick to my jaw. No one deserves to be treated so poorly, especially not Omen.

Post-show adrenaline has my knee bouncing where I sit on our couch. The others are still in bed, having worn themselves out with a plethora of orgasms before falling asleep last night. I barely slept, still too energized from our show.

Glancing at my phone, I bite my cheek, realizing my antsy attitude isn’t from the show alone. Today is my birthday. June 13th. A day I grew up spending out on the lake or riding through the woods with my dad and cousins. This isn’t the first year I’ve spent without them, and I don’t regret my decision to cut them off, but I can’t seem to stop myself from needing to do something adventurous to replace those happy, but tainted, memories.

The sun is still low in the sky as I head off of our bus. I make sure to let Nebula know where I am going so he and the others won’t worry when they wake up in a few hours.

Turning the corner, I’m surprised to see Omen sitting on a large rock a few feet from the front of her bus. Wearing a cropped white shirt and black overalls rolled halfway up her calf, the outfit leaves the tattoo on the back of her left calf partially exposed. The black line floral piece matches the style of the one on her sternum, with flowers and other woodsy pieces.

Making a last-minute decision, I close the short distance between us, careful not to startle her. “Good mornin’, darlin’.”

With a hand up to block the sun from her eyes, she turns to look up at me, a soft smile on her face. She hasn’t done her makeup for the day yet and she’s even more beautiful than usual.

“Feelin’ up for an adventure?” She does the cutest little head tilt as she waits for more information, but I don’t offer any more. She can wait to find out if she chooses to go with me.

“You aren’t going to share what the adventure is, are you?” She asks. I shrug, sticking my hands in the pockets of my jeans and leaning back on my heels.

Despite waking up with plans for a solo adventure, I find myself hoping she’ll say yes. The pull we feel to Omen is unlike anything any of us has ever felt. Even the initial connection between the four of us wasn’t nearly as strong as this. My instincts demand I wrap her in my arms and scent mark her so everyone around will know she is mine, but I hold myself back. She isn’t comfortable enough with us for that. Yet.

“Lex?” Omen calls quietly. The alpha steps from where he must have been sitting at their bus entrance, startling me with his sudden appearance. “Titan wants to take me on an adventure. Are you up for a few hours out?”

It’s sweet of her to ask her bodyguard for permission, but I also find it very annoying he might be going with us. I want to spend the day celebrating with Omen. Without her shadow.

Waving me over, Lex keeps his voice low as he asks me what I have planned. Sharing my idea, he frowns but nods. “I’m not a heights guy,” he murmurs, “but I will drive you. I’m trusting you to have her back today, Titan. Don’t make me regret it.”

Omen beams at us both when he tells her the plan, making sure not to mention anything to clue her into where we’re going.

A short drive later, we turn into the parking lot of the former quarry-turned-adventure park in the middle of Louisville. Omen eyes the dark tunnel entrance cautiously. Reaching back into the car, I offer her my hand, wrapping her much smaller one in mine.

“I’d ask if you brought me here to murder me, but I doubt Lex would have agreed,” she jokes.

I can’t help but laugh as she steps a bit closer. “It’s actually an underground zipline.” She eyes the rough stone walls of the quarry curiously. I can sense her excitement which only adds to the jitters in my limbs.

We make it inside and I speak to the owner, Roger, who set us up for this early morning trip. Something I paid handsomely for. He goes over all of the rules and safety expectations, having us sign the required waivers before leading us to the staging area to put on our harnesses and hard hats.

I growl when he goes to help Omen into her harness, earning a laugh from the older alpha. His beta assistant, Amber, steps out to help make sure Omen is secure and I offer him a mumbled apology while he checks over my equipment. “No worries, kid. I understand the dynamics between alphas and omegas enough to know when to step back. It’s normal for you to not want some random alpha up close and personal with your omega.”

My alpha preens at the thought of Omen being mine, but I shrug the feeling off. Maybe one day, maybe never. Only time will tell what Omen will become for my pack.

“Ready, darlin’?”

“Yeah, I think I am.”

Omen’s excitement fills the air between us and I can’t help but grin down at her. “Let’s go on an adventure.”

Much to both of our disappointment, we undergo a twenty-minute safety course before we are taken to a short zipline to learn the basics. After they’re both confident in our understanding and comfort on the line, they lead us to the beginning of the tour.

Walking through the dark cavern, we follow the reddish-orange lights they use to mark the path to the first line. “This line is 664 feet long and seems to last forever,” our guide explains when we reach the first landing. Omen goes first, laughing in delight as she slides into the dark ahead of me. I follow behind her as quickly as Roger will let me.

The thrill of the air rushing past my face and the barely lit cavern was just what I needed. The presence of the sultry omega waiting at the other end of the line is the real gift though. We’ve hung out a bunch of times the past two weeks while we were touring. Playing games and watching movies. Talking about silly things. This is the first time I’ve ever had her to myself and I want to savor every second of it.

Omen’s smile never fades as we move along the course. She asks questions when our guides tell us about the history of the quarry and the geology behind the giant caverns we’re moving through, really getting into the entire experience. Contentment fills me knowing she’s enjoying this as much as I am.

“Woah!” Omen’s amazed exclamation filters back to where I’m waiting at the start of the next line. Sliding down the line, I feel the same awe echoed in her voice. Drifting through the dark you can see so much of the massive caverns highlighted in the distance. Stopping at the end, I’m struck by how expansive this entire cave system is. I doubt we’ve even covered half of it.

“Okay you two, up next is a challenge bridge. It’s built to test your balance. Just remember, even if the platforms sway, you are safely attached to the line at the top,” Roger explains as we step up to the next line. Small boards run along a rope bridge at our feet, set at different angles and distances apart.

Omen crosses first and I laugh as she stretches her legs to reach across the big gaps I close easily. She scowls playfully back, her lips twitching up at the edges when she struggles to maintain the grumpy look.

After crossing the rope bridge, we get to the best part of our adventure. “Double lines?” She questions thoughtfully before turning to Amber with a smirk spread across her plush lips. I’m jealous she’s looking at the beta, but the feeling fades when she turns to me a moment later. “Are we racing, alpha?” Her voice is practically a purr as she voices her challenge. Those icy blue eyes sparkle with mirth.

My chest puffs up with pride knowing I’m the one who chased away the darkness always seeming to haunt her. Even if it‘s only for a little while.

“You think you can get to the other side faster than me, Omega?” I raise an eyebrow, meeting her challenge easily. Omen’s competitive spirit calls to me, something I know Nebula finds attractive about her as well. We’re athletic guys and finding an omega so willing to go toe-to-toe with us is invigorating.

“I already defeated you once,” she reminds me.

My nose wrinkles remembering the awful lemon soap flavored candy from our last challenge. “You’re on, darlin’. I won't lose this time,” I grin.

She wears a matching grin as we both step up to the line to anchor in. “I think we need stakes this time,” she casually comments as Amber double-checks her line and makes sure she’s hooked in correctly before turning to do the same for me.

“Winner’s choice,” I offer. I know exactly what I want from this beauty when I win.

“Deal,” Omen agrees as Amber counts us in. The little omega launches herself forward on the line seconds before me, gaining a lead she thinks will save her.

My height can often be a disadvantage. Being closer to seven feet tall, I often have to squeeze myself into chairs and cars, but right now, I’m grateful for it. We shoot across the large space, her laughter echoing through the space like one of Callisto’s melodies at our concerts. I catch up quickly, letting my weight carry me to where she’s sailing along the line.

She’s about a foot ahead of me, so sure of her victory, when I extend my legs and let my feet slip onto the next platform seconds before she can reach it. “Looks like I win, darlin’,” I tease as we get unhooked to begin our journey back to the beginning.

Omen glares down at my legs before shrugging. Her hips sway as she follows Roger and my eyes are glued to her ass. A snort from behind me has my head snapping up. My cheeks burn as Amber gives me a knowing look.

I can’t help it. She is a stunning woman with a fine ass.

This is the most fun I’ve had on my birthday in years. My packmates are great. I love them infinitely, but only Nebula is comfortable going with me on my more adventurous outings.

Imagining Omen in our pack, as our omega, feels right. She’s sweet and soft enough to hang out with Cal, and isn’t fazed by Nex’s chaos. She even seems to adore his eclectic sense of fashion. She’s sassy enough to keep Neb on his toes, and she would give him someone else to take care of. And she’s daring enough to try something crazy with me.

Now the real task will be convincing the mysterious omega she belongs with us.

During our walk back to the entrance, Omen talks animatedly to Amber about the full challenge course the experience offers. I make a mental note to tell Nebula we need to make a trip back to Kentucky in the future to try it out. Maybe with Omen there, Nexus and Callisto will tag along too.

It’s nearly time for us to start heading to our next destination, so we’ll make it back just in time to leave. If I’m lucky, I’ll even convince Omen to ride to Indianapolis on the bus with me.

“So, Titan, you won our race. Have you given any thought to your prize?” Omen asks as we walk back out of the tunnel, our hands entwined once again.

I use my grip to pull her to a stop beside me, backing her against the rough rock wall. “I know exactly what I want, Omega.”

Caging her in, I lean close enough to feel her short breaths pant against my lips, but I pause, giving her a chance to push me away or ask me to stop. Her tongue darts out to slide across her bottom lip and my patience is gone. Wrapping one hand in her hair to stop her head from hitting the stone, I slam my lips to hers. A breathy moan escapes as I devour her, tongue pressing into her mouth to get more of her taste on my tongue.

The floral notes of her scent explode in the air around us, making my cock stiffen in my jeans. The weight of it presses against her lower stomach earning a whimper. She shifts on her feet, fingers wrapped into my black t-shirt to pull me closer.

I can’t get enough of her.

Breaking apart, we’re both breathing heavily. The dazed look in her eyes brings a smirk to my lips as I lean in to kiss her again. I pause when my arm grows warm above her shoulder, glancing to see the message from my mates through our Fated connection. A reminder we have to leave for our next show soon.

Omen sucks in a sharp breath and stiffens in my arms, her grip dropping as she tries to put space between us. I study her face, noting she’s gone pale and her expression is blank as she looks anywhere but at me.

“We should–” she starts.

I already know what she’s going to say. The pain of her rejection cuts through the lust in my body like a hot knife through butter. The vile words my mother used on my Aunt the day they disowned her ring through my mind.

Worthless. Blasphemous. Wrong.

I don’t have time to think before words are falling from my lips. “You shouldn’t what?” Her well-kissed lips turn into a frown as she finally looks up. Hurt fills those icy blue eyes, but it doesn’t deter me. “Don’t let our attention get to your head. We might have some fun while you’re around, but it will never be more than that.”

Shoving away from her, I start walking back to the car. The delicious scent of sunflowers and honeysuckle wilts beneath my hurtful words. A flash of regret fills my thoughts, but it fades quickly. I’ve faced enough rejection and judgment in my life, I won’t survive it coming from her too.

After a tense car ride back to the campground, one I spend ignoring the angry looks Lex sends me, I saunter up the steps to our bus. My packmates are spread around the room, but they all perk up when they see me. I paste a smile on my lips, ignoring Nebula’s inquisitive gaze. “Afternoon, assholes.”

“Afternoon, Tee,” Nex greets me with an eye roll. He hops to his feet and rushes into the back of the bus, only to return a moment later with a wrapped gift in his arms. “Happy birthday, Alpha.”

Opening the long box, I pull out a rolled-up piece of thick paper. Carefully unrolling it, my smile turns genuine when I see the scratch-off national park bucket list on the inside. “Thanks, Nex. I love it.” I wrap my mate in a hug, stealing a bit of his sunshine to get me through the rest of the day.

He sucks in a sharp breath, his face brushing against my chest. I know he’s caught Omen’s scent on me, but I focus on my other mates. I don’t want to talk about our future heartbreak, I want to enjoy this moment with them in peace.

Callisto and Nebula join us, each giving me their own gifts afterward–a pass for rock climbing classes back home and a new pair of hiking boots. They even got my favorite cake ordered for us to share.

I laugh along as they talk, but the red velvet tastes like ash on my tongue now that my anger and fear have faded. I can’t get the blank look on Omen’s face as we rode back out of my mind. I think I might have fucked up by exploding before she could even finish what she was going to say, but I can’t take it back now.