"Why?" I asked. To me, that sounded creepy as fuck. That would make Jatix forty-four. "Why did he want me? The omega?"
"Omegas are scarce," said Grant. "I know that's not a good reason, but maybe Jatix thought he could put you up for auction. Omegas can fetch hefty prices, especially the prettier ones. I would never know his reason, but I was willing to bring him an omega if it meant not worrying about money for the rest of my life. We were tired of living on the streets."
"I just passed by an auction. It was the craziest I’ve ever seen Grant. That shouldn’t be legal!"
"Auctions are still legal. Bride kidnappings are illegal, though."
"It doesn't sound much better at all," I said, confused. "It needs to be banned. Omegas are being treated like second-class citizens."
"I know," said Grant. "Every alpha on Howl's Edge wants an omega for their pack. So the parents who sell their omega daughter or son would rather be compensated big than giving them away for free."
"I'm glad I didn't get caught or anything," I said, remembering my close call. I was passing by so many people, and they could've snatched me up.
"You have our scent on you. You just mated with Tony," winked Grant. "Once you are taken and mated by an alpha pack, other alphas know to stay away."
"I guess that's good to know," I said, still confused. This island seemed so primitive to me. It didn't feel safe to live here.
He sat up, lifting his body weight off of me, which was making me flustered. I sat up as well, not touching him. I was still upset he had put me in this position.
"Listen, I'm not trying to pressure you or force you," said Grant. "I want you to know that I'm sorry."
I looked around, seeing the rest of the men surrounding us. Could I forgive Grant? He kidnapped me, yet I wanted to be in his arms for no logical reason.
They were waiting for my answer.
“I forgive you,” I said, looking away from him and staring at the ocean waves instead. “But I want to go home. I can’t trust you.”
Grant tilted my chin to face him. His sensual hooded eyes looked into mine. Studying me.
My core heated and clenched as we made eye contact. I could feel his manhood pressing against my thigh. He touched my chest, feeling my wildly beating heart.
“You have a point. But does the little omega wolf inside you trust me?” he asked in a serious tone of voice. His question sounded ridiculous to my ears, but I could feel my inner omega come alive. It was like a second subconscious within me, softly whispering to take him back. It was desperate to trust him.
To give him my soul and body.
I wanted him to claim me.
To take me.
“Grant,” I sighed, tears spilling down my cheeks. “They hurt me. The pack you gave me to. I felt like garbage. I felt…I felt so small.”
Grant sat up and pulled me to him, wrapping his muscular arms around me. I cried against his chest, my tears streaming down my face.
I felt instantly safe in his arms and against his bare chest. He touched my hair and rubbed my shoulder, purring all the while. His vibrations calming my racing heart.
“I’m so so sorry,” he said over and over, hugging me tightly. Rocking and cradling me in his lap. He was so big and comforting. I felt the protective instinct emanating from his alpha soul.
After a few minutes of crying, I tried to get it together. I sniffed, wiping my nose with the back of my hand, wishing I had a tissue.
“It’s okay,” I hiccuped, looking at the calming ocean. “But if you do it again, I don’t want to be around you. Ever.”
“I promise you,” said Grant. “Trust me. It sounds like too much right now, but over time, all I can do is prove myself.”
We sat silently for a couple of minutes as he held me against his chest. My tears began to dry on my cheeks, and I felt a lot calmer now. A peace came over my body. I was scared to trust Grant again, but I wanted to give him one more chance. Even though he betrayed me, my inner omega craved to trust him.
I wanted him. And his pack.
“Will you be our omega?” asked Tony, plopping down next to us.