Page 44 of Omega's Triplets

“Why isn’t it clear how omegas experience it?” Harley asked, looking up.

“Because no one bothered to ask any omegas, probably,” Jamie said, a note of disgust evident in his tone. “People objectify them.”

“People like the Death Fangs, sure, but—”

“Not just the Death Fangs. Even good people make the mistake of thinking of omegas as a means to an end,” Jamie said. “Even we did it. Remember? And it’s built into the way we talk about them. We sayour omega.”

“We sayour alphatoo,” Harley pointed out.

Mark spoke up, “We sayour alphathe way we saymy bossorour parents. It’s a completely different sentiment. Only the words are the same.”

Harley turned back to the book.It is unclear, at this time, how omegas experience this bond, but it is clear that the imprinting has an effect on them, as they have been reported to be much more eager to mate with alphas who have imprinted upon them than with any other potentials.“You’re right,” he said. “Nobody asked”

“So,” Jamie said, taking the book back and replacing it on the shelf, “you both imprinted on Maddy.”

“It didn’t say anything in there about two alphas imprinting on the same woman.”

“So, maybe you’re the first,” Jamie said, shrugging.

“How could that happen? And why?”

“I can only guess.”

“Guess, then,” Mark said, his voice a growl.

“Okay,” Jamie said. “Iguessit’s because you’re both alphas of the same line, in the same generation. Just like the alpha gene was split, the ability to imprint was split. Iguessthat you’d probably have to imprint on the same woman, or on no one at all. I don’t think it would have been possible for you to split up in that regard.”

“You keep sayingyou,” Harley said, “but we’re three. Three alphas of the same line in the same generation.”

“What’s your point?”

Jamie wasn’t stupid, Harley knew. No doubt, his brother already knew what he was getting at. But apparently, he was going to make Harley say it. “Why aren’t you including yourself?”

“Because I haven’t imprinted on her,” Jamie said.

“Why not, d’you think?”

“I don’t know. It’s not like I haven’t been around her.” Jamie shrugged mildly. “Maybe it’s because I’m closer to my human side than either of you. Less in touch with the animal. Maybe it’s not in my nature to imprint.”

It wasn’t an insult, not exactly. But Harley felt burned all the same. His brother had no way of knowing how hard it had been for him to give in to Maddy in the kitchen. How painful it had been to realize his body was overcoming his rational mind, and that he had no choice but to act. But hearing Jamie now, it felt like his brotherdidknow all of that, and like he was deliberately trying to rub it in.I’m the one who does research, and you’re the one who gets naked and fucks in the kitchen like a dog. That’s what he was saying, wasn’t it?

But before Harley could raise an objection, Mark was on his feet.

***

JAMIE STUMBLED BACKslightly as his oldest brother advanced on him. The look in Mark’s eyes was pure wolf. Though Jamie knew that Mark would never hurt him, it was intimidating to be approached by someone with such an animalistic expression.

And though Jamie would never have wanted to hurt Mark, he felt the fight or flight response trigger inside him. He had to run out of this room, right now, or he had to make Mark stop.

He heard a cry of dismay just before he launched himself at his brother. Harley must have seen his muscles tense, must have realized what was about to happen. Then again, maybe he hadn’t seen that Jamie was going to spring at all. Maybe he had been upset at the thought of Mark attacking. That had definitely looked like it was going to happen.

But then, he couldn’t think anymore. He was colliding with Mark, and though Mark had been poised to attack as well, he hadn’t anticipated this. Not from Jamie.No, not from me. Never from me, the good little human who holds down a job and pays all the bills and never gets into trouble. Not from me, the one who looks for answers in books while my wild brothers get to bed our omega.

“Bastard!” Mark rolled over, pinning Jamie, easily, to the floor and driving a knee into his stomach. Jamie gagged, feeling, for a moment, as though he might throw up, but he got his hand around Mark’s neck and applied pressure until Mark rolled off him. Jamie took the initiative, rolling over onto Mark and pressing his jaw up with the heel of his hand. Mark flailed his feet for a moment, then Jamie felt one ankle lift up and lock around his own neck.

“Jesus Christ!” Harley screamed. “Stop it, before you kill each other!”

But Jamie couldn’t stop. He was tired of being the calm one, the rational one. He was tired of being the only one around here with any sense of empathy or human decency. His brothers had gone and imprinted on the girl who was supposed to be here for all three of them, who was supposed to bear all their children together. That had always been the plan. But had Jamie protested? No! Jamie had beenkind. Jamie had beenunderstanding. Jamie had helped them figure out what was happening to them.

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