~Reese~
The other alphas laugh, but I see Haven’s shoulders tighten. Arlo stirs in the corner; I can tell he doesn’t like it either. It’s not that she’s mine—she isn’t, of course, and never will be—it’s the disrespect to Haven herself. They don’t know her; they don’t get to assume shit about what she might do to them or with them. Especially not on live tv. And the audio is on, too, since this is a pack interview.
I move to step around the sofa, but Haven touches my hand, looking back and shaking her head ever so slightly. I clench my jaw, but hold back. This isn’t up to me, after all. None of this is up to me.
“I’ve heard about my scent before, of course,” Haven says calmly. “As I’m sure you have heard about yours. I wonder, what are you looking for in an omega?”
The leader grins. “Well, you know, we’ve been looking for a while.Omega Girlshas us on this late night circuit of the failure flats. Usually it’s slim fuckin’ pickings.”
The pack member on the right snorts and adds, “That’s for damned sure.”
The leader nudges him good naturedly. “But remember that one girl? Sweetest fucking mouth I’ve ever filled with my cock. Appreciated that she was willing to take us for a test drive, even though we weren’t gonna pick her.” The leader’s eyes flick over Haven. “What about you, omega? You gonna let us test out that mouth?”
I hear a low growl, and turn with surprise to see Arlo on his feet behind the camera. He looks as angry as I feel. Both of us are on the edge of attack when Haven chuckles, shaking her head. “No such luck, boys.”
The alphas grin at her as if they like her reaction. They all lean forward, looking hungrily at my fucking girl. I glance over at Arlo and find that his expression is stormy. His gaze turns to me, and I can almost read his thoughts. He’s right too: we could murder them in less than five minutes.
“I have to say, Miss Haven,” the third pack member says, sniffing and touching his nose nervously. “You’re different from the other omegas we’ve met.”
“How so?”
“Well you’re a hell of a lot prettier for one thing.”
Haven replies with a calm hum. “I bet the others weren’t so bad.”
The alphas laugh and shake their heads. The sniffing alpha answers her. “Oh yeah, they were. One of them was so ugly we couldn’t even look at her. Another didn’t speak a damned word of English. Looked like he didn’t even know why he was here, like someone smuggled him here in a shipping container or some shit. And a third—”
“I’m not sure there’s much you could say to make me think that these omegas were beneath you,” Haven says, her voice taking on a note of steel.
“Watch it, omega,” says the leader. “We’re happy to talk as long as you need, but don’t forget we’re alphas and you’re an omega.”
“Maybe you should watch it,” I hear myself hiss through clenched teeth.
The three alphas snarl, their lips curling as they start to stand. Before they can, Haven clears her throat and turns their attention back to her. “No shows of dominance are necessary,” she says softly. “I know which dynamic I am. I just worry about how you’ll talk about me in the future, if you’re so critical of the other omegas you’ve met.”
“Aw,” the leader says, cocking his head. “Don’t worry about it, sugar. We won’t be saying anything about you. Especially since I’ve decided to keep you.” The others grin, clearly thrilled.
Haven shifts uncomfortably in her seat. I tighten my hold on the back of the sofa, struggling not to leap over the edge and attack. No fucking way in hell is she going with them.
“I think it’s still my choice, isn’t it?” Haven says.
“It is, in a way,” the leader says. “But you know, how many offers do you think you’ll get? Don’t you want all of this to be over? It could be over right now, you know. You could walk out of here with us. We might not have much, but we can give you a decent nest and three knots when you’re in heat. What do you get for yourself here?” His eyes flick to mine for a moment, and he grins. “Some piece of prison trash? And he’s feral to boot, no pack to offer you. Whatever he’s doing for your cunt, you know he can’t support you. Make a life for you. He’s nothing.”
My fingers dig into the back of the sofa so hard I’m surprised the fabric doesn’t tear. The worst part about it is that he’s right; I can’t support her. Even if I thought it was a good idea to keep her, even if she wanted that, it wouldn’t be possible. It bothers me more than I’d like.
Haven turns her head and looks back at me. When she sees the look in my eyes, she raises a hand and places it over my own. I’m instantly soothed. My shoulders relax as I breathe in her lemon scent. We may not have forever, but we have right now. She’s not falling for what they’re trying to sell her. She may be a polite little omega, but that doesn’t make her stupid or weak. I’ve known her for a short time, but even I can attest to that.
“Tell me more about yourselves. How did you become a pack?” Haven asks, clearly trying to change the subject.
“Grew up together,” the leader says. “Forming a pack seemed like the thing to do. We were always getting in trouble together.” He grins and nods at me. “You know what that’s like, huh, feral? Getting in trouble? Heard you killed someone back in the day.”
My eyes slide over to Arlo for a heartbeat. I can’t help it; I’m curious how he takes the reference to my incarceration. His eyes are on mine, watching me, staring into my soul. I see regret there, and guilt, no surprise. But there’s longing there as well; a longing that I feel reflected in my gut as I stare back at him.
“Don’t look at the camera,” he mouths at me after a minute, pointing at the lens.
Clearing my throat, I turn my attention back to the assholes on the couch across from us. “I do know what you mean,” I say hoarsely.
The pack leader chuckles, shaking his head as he turns his attention back to Haven. “So what’s it gonna take, little omega? We can take good care of you.”