Page 31 of Omega Scorned

Oren:Well, in that case, just good taste

Emilia:Grayson said there's a plan in the works?

Santiago:We're trying. I think the fact we're scentmatches might work in our favor. They tend to keep scentmatches together.

Emilia:What's the problem then?

Santiago:We already have an omega, so it may be tough to have you moved.

I frowned. That shouldn't be an issue. Omegas really should have more choices in life.

After chatting for a while longer about food, I said goodnight and slipped the phone under the mattress again. It wasn't hard to fall asleep when I felt cared for.

Two nights later, it was time to open the bag. I'd resisted until now, but it had been a particularly hard day. First, Candace was extra bossy, having me clean the nest bathroom four times before she was satisfied, then crying about my scent being in her space.

She'd complained to Jake, who sent Daryl home from his bowling to bring descenting spray.

"Jake wants you to use this from now on," he said tiredly, handing the spray to me. "No more scents around the place."

"The suppressants already reduce my scent."

"Not enough. We can all smell you still. I like the way you smell, but it bothers Candace and she's too close to her heat to have this sort of upset."

She went into heat a few hours later, whining and begging for the men. Daryl kept her somewhat satiated until the alphas made it back, but the entire house was filled with her sickly scent. I gagged when I went to make a dinner that no one would eat.

Even my room smelled like sex and Candace. I opened the window to try and air it out, but when that didn't work, I slipped out the window and walked around a bit in the side yard, inhaling fresh air.

When I got back inside, I pulled out the bag that Grayson had given me and opened it an inch. Their scents poured out, thick and delicious, making me forget all about Candace. They'd each scented a piece of fabric and tucked it into the bag.

That became my sanity saver the rest of the week. Every time the moans and screams and heavy pheromones got to me, I pulled out my bag of scents. It calmed me. Even when I realized someone had locked my door in the middle of the night on the second night of Candace's heat and I couldn't get out to get food.

I drank water from the sink, but my stomach rumbled with hunger. After two days, I felt weaker, so instead of painting, I lay on my bed and watched videos.

Candace's heat lasted six days. By the time I heard footsteps on the stairs and the showers running upstairs, I was too tired and hungry to get up. I hadn't told Santi and his pack, because I knew they'd risk coming over the fence with food. Someone might see them and I wasn't ready for this to be over yet.

I pushed the phone under the mattress and lay there listening to people talking out in the kitchen. There was a clatter as someone pulled out pots and pans.

I frowned. Had they completely forgotten I was here? Who was cooking?

The aroma of cheesy pasta filled the house and my mouth watered. I heard the clinking of silverware on dishes. They were eating. Without me.

No one came. No one unlocked my door. I tried it and even rattled it a bit to see if someone would come, but no one did. They watched a movie loudly in the living room, then they all tramped back upstairs.

I filled my belly with water and curled up on my bed again, hoping they'd notice in the morning.

It was Monday. Footsteps echoed throughout the house as people got ready for work. The front door opened and closed as low voices said goodbye.

My breath caught in my throat. Were they really just going to leave me here?

Finally, I stumbled to my feet and made my way to the door. I pounded on it. "Hello? Candace?"

Heavy footsteps thumped down the hallway. I was relieved when they came my way and the door lock clicked.

Daryl pulled the door open and I lost my balance, falling into his arms.

"What the hell, Em?"

"Sorry." I scrambled upright again, wobbling a little on my feet.