Page 117 of Wild Omega

I contain my grin as I lift my right hand. “I promise. Did Rickon say he was my alpha?”

Her brows lift and she smirks. “Who needs to be told? I have a nose, and ya can’t keep-eh your eyes off each other.”

I lock gazes with Rickon again and laugh. “Well, that’s true.”

“Hard not to when she’s so beautiful,” my alpha says, making Callie catcall. Rickon neatly rolls up my dress and shoes and packs them into his backpack. “Ready for your first official moment as an actress?” he asks, offering his hand.

I take it. “Sure am. Lead on, alpha.”

All eyes snap to me as I enter the conference room. Can’t blame these seasoned actors for being curious about a newcomer, but it does make me feel a bit like a bug under a microscope. However, I’m not going to slink in like I don’t belong.

I swing my handbag and salute the room. “Good morning, one and all. Ashana reporting for duty.” I add a little kiss as I drop the salute before marching around to an empty seat on the far side of the table. Don’t fancy having a doorway at my back.

Mr Yun nods my way. “Welcome. Everyone, I want you to meet Red Jones, our newest cast member.” He checks his watch, which is upside down on his wrist. “Get yourself a drink and settle in. We’ll start in five minutes.”

Before I can ask where the drinks are, Rickon appears at my side with a frothy coffee. He sets it down next to a water bottle, pulls the manuscript from my handbag, and opens it on the table in front of me.

The words themselves blur and dance on the page, but we covered each scene in colored highlighters, and Rickon even pasted in some tiny line drawings he printed off the computer at each point something in the scene changes. Thanks to the recording he made me, I know all my lines for the first six scenes, although I should only need four today.

I glance up, feeling like I have enough armor.

Bradley Jacks catches my eye and leans across the table. “Hello again, Red. You’re looking every bit the gorgeous omega.”

I rest my chin on my hand. “And to think I haven’t even gotten into character yet.”

He laughs like I’ve told the world’s best joke. Then I see his gaze slide up over my shoulder to Rickon. Yeah, this guy’s going to be a headache. I snap my fingers loudly, making it obvious I know his attention isn’t on me.

“Do try not to stare at my alpha, Brad,” I say sweetly. “I’m much more jealous than I appear.”

Someone further down the table chokes on their mouthful of water.

The door flings open and Sebastien strides in. “Sorry I’m late,” he says, puffing a little. He must’ve run all the way from the warehouse. I toe out the chair beside me and he nods as he catches the movement.

“Brought the costume department with you, hey?” he jokes as he drops into the seat.

I shrug. “Ashana doesn’t even own a dress.” I wave at Bradley, who’s getting out of his chair. “Rich owner James over there has to buy me one for the gala.”

Brad chuckles. “Say the word and I’ll buy one for the omega Red as well.”

One of the women down the row glares my way. That’s me, Red Hawk, making friends on her first day of kindergarten.

I smile sweetly. “My alpha takes care of me perfectly, thanks,” I shoot back.

Brad shrugs and heads over to a table at the far end of the room. I watch from the corner of my eye as he sidles up to Rickon, who’s greeting some of the other managers.

“Hey, Rickon? I was hoping to get a chance to talk to you about what happened between us. Maybe after we’re finished here?”

“I don’t think that’s necessary since nothing happened,” Rickon answers quickly in a hushed voice.

Brad touches the back of his own head, a motion which makes his muscles flex. “I heard Hannah Sorentito is pissed, and I wanted to help. I don’t think you can repair that problem on your own.”

A tremor runs through Rickon’s hands, and he quickly slides them into his shallow pant pockets. His gorgeous mouth thins into a hard line. Whoever this Sorentito chick is, we’ll be having words.

I watch for a moment longer, wondering how much shit Rickon’s put up with running solo in this industry. Well, one day I’ll be so powerful no one will dare make trouble for my alpha. And it all starts right now at this table, with my first read. But that doesn’t mean I have to sit here and leave him to suffer until that day.

“Rickon, babe,” I say loudly, drawing more than just his gaze. “Come here.”

He walks over immediately, eyes locked on me as if I’m the only thing that matters, and somehow I don’t think my summary is far off the truth. It feels amazing to be at the center of his world.

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