Page 31 of Your Wild Omega

I reach for Red’s hands, the leash loop around her wrist reminding me how much risk she took in coming here. “Damn, you look so beautiful in that dress,” I choke out. “I knew you would. Thank you for coming.” Tears blur my vision.

Red smiles so sweetly, my heart melts. “Of course. You’re my alpha. But next time tell me in advance, ’kay? And do my makeup for me, ’cause I’m all butterfingers with eyeliner.”

I choke on a laugh. The lines are a bit wobbly, but she’s stunning, nonetheless. The pale dress sets off her darker skin superbly, and she carries herself as if not even noticing how it exposes the entire side of her body.

She drops her voice. “How can I help?”

I offer her my elbow, and she slips her hand in daintily. We walk forward a few paces, the layered skirt swishing on the polished wooden floors. Hannah comes to meet us, alternating between glaring and covertly sizing Red up.

I grin. “Hannah, allow me to introduce Red Jones and her alpha, Zack.”

“Zackary Jones,” Red corrects me, and a hot thrill runs through my chest. I’m the weakest one of us, and yet the pack’s adopting my name. Red turns everything on its head.

I nod to Red in acknowledgment. “Red, meet Hannah Sorentito, the greatest fashion designer of our era.” A little flattery never goes astray, andStars Weeklygave her that title at the beginning of the year.

Red smiles and dips a little in greeting. “My apologies for wearing your beautiful dress ahead of schedule, but I wasn’t sure you’d believe Rickon without meeting me. I’m going to be a big name in Ommywood soon, Hannah, and I’m willing to sign an exclusive representation with your label, but only if we come to an agreement today.”

I whip around to stare at Red, trying not to let my jaw drop. She’s attempting to turn the tables on Hannah, of all people?

The sharp lines of Hannah’s face draw in as she sets her jaw, but instead of offense, I read interest in her bright eyes. She lifts an imperious finger toward Zack. “And you expect to win public interest with cheap tricks like an alpha on a leash?”

Zack growls as her finger stabs toward him, and the hair on my arms rise. That’s no feigned threat, and Hannah recognizes it immediately, dropping her hand and stepping back with a gasp.

“Please excuse him,” Red covers smoothly, wrapping an arm around her riled alpha. “You see, this is his first outing. Ever. He’s been abused, so we’re rehabilitating him.”

Hannah’s hands flutter at her side, and she glances around the showroom. The attendants all stare at us, and the two early-morning customers snatch curious glances while pretending to shop.

The designer clears her throat. “Shall we take this conversation somewhere more private?” she asks, indicating the back of the premises.

At the very least, we’ve piqued her curiosity.

I turn and whisper to Agent Pierce, “Not the morning you were expecting, right? Any issues on the way here?”

He waggles his brows. “Our rogue wasn’t keen on the garage, but we’re still in one piece, thank God.”

I grin. Every day with Red is Christmas.

Hannah leads us into a conference room and watches like an eagle as Red tells Zack to sit and then perches on his lap, just about making the big alpha disappear behind her dress.

I sit down across from my gorgeous omega, tearing my gaze away to address Hannah. The short walk helped me overcome my shock enough to gather my thoughts. “You might think this is a cheap publicity stunt, but it isn’t. Zack was rescued from an underground fight ring, and he knows nothing about normal life. He refuses to be parted from his scent-matched omega—”

“And I refuse to leave him at home in a cage,” Red adds sharply.

I nod in agreement. “We’re in the process of training Zack to come out with us, hence the leash. I didn’t invite Red to visit you because I thought it’d be too much to ask of Zack.” I catch Red’s eye and smile. “But I should’ve had more faith in my client.”

Red leans forward to offer me her hand and I take it, squeezing her fingers in mine.

I turn back to the designer. “I hope you’ll have faith in us too, Hannah. Not only is she a brilliant actress, but Red’s also about to become the face of abused alpha rehabilitation. Her story will spread across the country. Maybe even the globe.”

Hannah taps her right hand against the back of her left as she studies Red. After a moment, she swings back to look at me. “And you’re her alpha, too?”

Heat blazes through my cheeks as I nod. Being recognized as this glorious omega’s alpha in public feels almost as good as Red herself saying it.

Of course, Hannah wants details, and while she’s fascinated by Red’s story of breaking Zack out of Alpha Lodgings, I can tell she’s none too keen on the lawbreaking and prison aspects of the story.

She stares into the distance for a long moment as the conversation dries up, and then she snorts softly. “Some people say even bad press is good news, but I’m not of the same opinion, and neither do I need to be reckless with my brand.”

My heart sinks. It’s true Sorentito’s has more to lose than we do from collaboration. Celebrities line up for a chance to wear her gowns, and any one of them would put her in the spotlight on a red carpet. On the flip side, her name will be associated with us if something goes wrong, like Zack getting out of control.

---