Page 40 of Your Wild Omega

I stroke the bracelet, watching the diamonds twinkle with every movement. It really is lovely; it’s the kind of gift Alpha Spy would give to his damsel. My heart aches and I immediately regret the distance I placed between us. Am I doing the right thing, pushing him away? I drop my gaze and cover the bracelet with one hand.

Maybe I owe him an explanation of some sort. “I think you know enough about me to know why my heats have never been a good thing,” I say hesitantly. None of this would have happened if my heats didn’t turn me into a different person.

Callisto reaches out and lightly traps my fingers. “I know, Red. You don’t have to go there, for me or anyone.” His voice cracks, like he’s experiencing the pain himself, and I glance up in surprise.

The deep sorrow in his expression catches me off guard. Looks like he might cry. “I’m so sorry you went through all that. It should never have happened.”

An uneasy sensation flickers inside me. Sometimes I forget Callisto’s viewed all the case files coming out of the House of Bitches. We exist in an uncomfortable space where he knows more about me than possibly anyone else out there, and our scents draw us together. And yet, we live at arm’s length.

When I’m with him, I don’t hear his voice in my head, but when we’re apart, there’s still a murmur, although it grew fainter since Zack brought a bond into my life. I press my fingers to my chest. Will his remaining voice continue to fade as it’s replaced by bonds?

I’d rather not think about it.

“Thanks for the bracelet. And the roses,” I say, polishing off the last of my wine and standing up. “Your pants got ripped, but it’s through the seam, so I’m pretty sure Rickon can sew it up like new.”

Callisto waves my words away. “Don’t worry about it. Ricky’s a wizard with a needle and thread, and if not, it’s just clothes.” He hesitates before collecting the glasses and rinsing them. “If you want, I can set up an appointment with my tailor for Zack to get his own fitted suit.”

His offer sounds genuine, but I can’t help thinking we’re getting too tangled. I owe him too much.

I shake my head. “No, I don’t think Zack wants anyone but us that close to him yet. We’ll find something off the rack.”

“Sure. Makes sense.”

I arrange all the roses together in the vase and collect the pile of clothes. A little rain spatters on the windows, blurring the city lights spread out below us. In such a short time, this place has morphed into my home, but with Callisto’s scent swirling around me, I’m reminded this ishisapartment.

I tiptoe back upstairs in search of my headphones and script recording, only to find Zack’s pulled Rickon into his arms. A fond smile catches on my lips, my troubles melting away as I stare down at them. I’ll need to look for a new home for us, since my family has grown.

But the problem is, I have no time. Filming starts in three days, and we’ll need to take Zack out in public as much as possible, plus I have to go back to Hannah’s shop for fittings, now that I’m her brand ambassador. Assuming we didn’t scare her off with Zack’s antics today. Plus, I’ll have more riding lessons next week, and I need to start my independent therapy appointments soon. House hunting is not on the agenda.

I’ve never been busy like this in my life. It’s uncomfortable to be trapped by time rather than space or people. Maybe this is how Callisto lives, tied to his work responsibilities. I wouldn’t really know since I’ve never had a job before—but that’s about to change.

Since it’s too late at night now to call, I shoot off a text message to Rose, asking for the fund details. At least no other alphas should experience what Zack went through, especially with Callisto helping. With that out of the way, I can turn my focus back to work.

I fast-forward the recording through the opening scene instructions, then slip on the headphones. As I tug the roundparts down over my ears, the rose I put there earlier falls into my lap, the rest of the stem snapping clean off.

Callisto’s courting me, and while my omega nature sings in triumph, the reasoning part of my brain isn’t as excited. Some things don’t get a do-over, and meeting your scent match is one of those times. I’ve been scarred too badly to face rejection again.

Will Callisto be part of my healing, or just another heartbreak?

I clutch the mangled rose tight and press play.

Chapter sixteen

Rickon

The shooting location forThe Omega’s Raceteems with energy on the first day of filming, even though it’s barely dawn. I dig one hand in my pocket and smile as we stroll into the bustling site filled with tents, catering trucks, and, in the distance, horses. At the beginning, everyone brims with enthusiasm, optimistic the shoots will go smoothly. But the longer the filming draws out, the crankier the cast and crew get, the long days and short nights taking a toll.

Red looks pale as we enter the racetrack, but otherwise she doesn’t show her nerves. Now that I know her better, I notice when she closes her eyes for a moment and sinks into her character—and it’s not just for filming. Every situation that poses a challenge draws her into some kind of role, where she subtly shifts her behavior.

It’s easy for me to see why others might label her with a personality disorder. I’m not sure even Red knows which is the authentic version of herself. But I catch snippets when we’realone and her guard comes down. It’s a relief to know I’m one of the few people she can be herself with.

But today’s the day she steps into Ashana’s shoes, a female rider who switches designation to become an omega, overturning her life as a jockey.

The bustle in the set slows for a moment as we step into the open space beside the stable that will feature the most in this film. Whispers run through the crowd like a zephyr as people poke their neighbors to stop and look at the stunning omega and her leashed alpha.

Director Yun stalks over. “Glad to see you here, Red.” His brows arch as he scans Zack and the suited-up OCB agents a few steps behind us. “Are you turning my film set into a publicity stunt?”

Red bats her lashes. “Why? Do you want a leash yourself?”

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