Page 57 of Rogue & Her Hunters
“I understand.” He turns away his head.
“You don’t.”
“Please don’t explain. I know what I am. Who would want me?”
“I would, idiot. I’m no good at flowery speeches and shit.” Frustrated, I grip Bird’s chin and force him to turn back to look at me. His lips are trembling, and he’s desperately trying to hide how hurt he is. “I’m fucking this up. I’m not used to anyone wanting to spend time with me. I’m not likable, let alone lovable.”
Confused, Bird shakes his head. “Debatable.”
“What I’m trying to say is that I’m not rejecting you. I want to bond with you, Little Bird, more than I’ve wanted anything. But I can’t ask that of you without telling you that I’m one of the Alphaholes who used Omega Hotels.”
This time, the coldness in Bird’s gaze is genuine and for an entirely different reason.
He wrenches out of my hold and scrutinizes me. “Uh-huh.”
“That’s it?”
“What do you want me to say? So, do you think that I’m property? Did you see me listed in a catalog? Did you enjoy theconvenienceof having Omegas delivered to your room?”
What do I answer first?
I steel myself. “I have never seen you or any Omega as property. I didn’t visit your branch of the hotels. I’ve never seen you, although I have heard of your famous pack. And yeah, Hotel Omegas were simply a convenience to me. On missions, the Adonis pack booked the hotels for me if they were over my ruts. I wasn’t allowed to date or have romantic relationships.”
Bird’s expression softens. “You had no choice.”
“Everyone has a choice. I was trapped in my hell, but I still didn’t stop to think how much you and the other Hotel Omegas were trapped in theirs. I’m not a victim. I’m guilty and I’m sorry.”
I hold my breath.
Will he accept my apology? How can he?
Fiorella and the instructors always said thatsorry was only a word.Forgiveness was earned through punishment.
I straighten my shoulders. I’ll accept any punishment he gives me.
Bird tilts his head. “Huh, so Alphas aren’t perfect. You’ve blown my little Omega mind.”
I blink. “You’re joking.”
“I’m also in heat and need your lock. Are you waiting for me to demand blood? Woah, you are. Stop looking like a kicked puppy. I accept your apology, Ro. I never blamed the Traditional packs who used the hotel. They’d stayed there for generations. Why would they question it? I saw how each had their own problems and did my best to bring them some joy. The problem was the system itself. We need to change society, yeah?”
Is this Omega real? How can anyone be this kind and forgiving?
He’s not even demanding I grovel more.
I kiss him.
Slow. Deep.
Then I whisper, “You’re okay if I take the revenge route instead, right?”
Bird chuckles. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
I kiss him again, before I glance around myself, wishing that I could build my Omega a proper nest.
He deserves one.
I want to make this good for him.
