Page 26 of The Rejected Omega

Mac winces. “He’ll fucking hate me for keeping you from him. But I’ve come to terms with that. I’ve always known he’d figure it out sooner or later, and I’d have to pay the price. Do you think you can go your entire life keeping this secret?

“It’s going well so far.”

“That’s no way to live.”

“It’s my life, Mac.Mybond.”

“God, you're just as stubborn as he is. No wonder you’re mated. What do you want me to do?”

I huff. It’s beyond Mac’s power to kick his son out of Crestwood University, but I need an insurance policy. “I need a new prescription—we have to change doctors.”

“Kanata is the best omega specialist on the East Coast.”

“I don’t need the best. I need someone who will write me a script that works.”

Mac sighs and rubs his temples. “We’ve been through this, Lana?—”

“You have connections. Get me some off the black market.”

His eyes flare, and he’s never looked so much like Connor.

“No!” He slaps his desk and stands up. “I’ve let this go on too long already. Enabled you too much.”

I fold my arms across my chest. “I was wondering when you’d finally choose your son over me.”

“Damnit, Lana. Don’t do this. I’ve kept your secret for three years. You’re going to kill yourself if you keep upping your suppressant load. Believe it or not, I care about you beyondyour status as my son’s mate. I'm not going to help you hurt yourself.”

It’s too late for that. Without Mac paying for my doctor’s appointments and above-board prescriptions, I’d never be able to afford the black market stuff that’s kept me from having to go through a second heat.

“It’s been three years. When are you going to forgive him?”

I don’t know the answer to that.Never? When he earns it?How am I supposed to forgive him when he doesn’t even know what he did to me?

“He’s happy without me.”

Mac scoffs.

“No, he’s not. He’s just good at faking it. You’re both living half lives. I know he hurt you, but to go through life without your bondmate…I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. Sometimes I wish I’d never helped you hide, but that’s the choice I have to live with.”

My throat constricts. “Are you going to tell him?”

“No, but I’m not going to help you lie to him any more than I already have. This is between you and Connor now.

I gofrom Mac’s straight to work at the grill.

I’m in the middle of tying on my apron when Francine busts into the kitchen.

“Table two’s yours, Lana.”

“That’s not my table.”

Francine shrugs. “You were specifically requested.”

If it’s Lance, I’m going to kill him. He’ll order a seven dollar plate and sit there for two hours trying to chat.

Amanda, a fellow waitress, busts into the kitchen and fans herself with her order pad. “Lana! Did you see that alpha in the back booth? Spray some Pherofume on me and call me omega.”

I roll my eyes. Has to be Lance. My classmate is attractive in that bottle-blond, aviator Ray Bans, letterman jacket, all-American sort of way. Not really my thing, but he has a different girl on his arm every time I see him, so clearly he does it for some. Doesn’t stop him from trying to get into my pants, though. I think he’s taken my disinterest as a personal challenge.

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