Page 89 of Your Wild Omega

“Are Rickon and Zack the only alphas you scent matched with?” Simon asks innocently, spearing his fork into a mound of potato salad. “I imagine the Omega Center has a huge number of samples.”

I tense, and Red’s smile fizzles. “Ah,” she says, sitting up stiffly. Probably forcing her gaze not to twitch toward the far end of the table. “No, there was one other, but—” She locks her hands together on her lap. “Things didn’t work out between us.”

I wonder if Simon, as an alpha, can sense the tension straining the air. If he notices, he doesn’t mention it.

Aunt Lexi’s shoulders sag. “Oh, I’m so sorry, songbird. I’d say you win some, you lose some, but that’s just too crass for an omega’s heart.” She sighs deeply, her gaze flicking to Callisto. “And a mother’s. I tell you, the number of times I’ve begged Callisto to register his scent . . .” Her tongue click echoes around the table as she sadly shakes her head. “It pains me to think of him missing out on his omega.”

Callisto chokes on his glass of juice, plunging forward to stop the spill from getting on his shirt. I hastily drag his napkin out of the holder and help him dab at the mess. What a nightmare, but Aunt Lexi has no idea about the minefield she just stepped in.

“Mom,” Callisto warns darkly once he’s under control.

Lexi moans softly, a disappointed sound that cuts at us all. “But he’s just so stubborn. Like his father.” Thankfully she returns to eating, dropping the subject.

In the following hush, Zack leans over, turns Red’s chin to face him, and whispers something. She smiles and they share a sweet, lingering kiss, and I’m grateful she’s distracted. Who knows what flashed through her emotions just now, but it was potent enough for Zack to react.

Once they’ve finished the kiss, Red swallows, and then takes a sip of her de-alcoholized grape juice and plunges right into the tale of how she broke Zack out of prison. I suddenly feel overfull and exhausted, so I lean back in my chair. We just weathered a big storm, like a yacht at sea, but the worst should be over now.

Zack rises to his feet, and everyone follows his progress as he walks behind Red, leash dangling against his chest and waistwith every step. The wildling crouches down beside my chair, turning his back to Callisto like he doesn’t exist.

He looks up at me, brown eyes shining with concern. “White Mine?” he whispers, as he rests one solid hand on my knee. “Kiss, ask.”

Warmth flushes through my heart. Is he checking on his pack because of the tension? He’s far more sensitive than I thought. I lean down and touch my lips to his, catching the faint taste of Red already on him. His hand catches around the back of my head, fingers threaded through my platinum strands to lock us together. His kiss is gentler than usual. Tender even. But long enough that no one in the room can mistake our affection.

After the onslaught of emotions today, I want to throw myself into his arms and bawl my eyes out, but I don’t want to distress the Wrens. Then again, no one here would think badly of me if I cried. The thought makes me smile as Zack draws back.

“Thank you,” I murmur, stroking my thumbs around his ears. When I glance up, my gaze locks with Callisto’s, and he has a look on his face like his dog just died.

Zack stands up, cutting off our eye contact, and stalks back to his seat with a satisfied smile. A guard who’s completed his duties. A lead alpha.

Callisto pats his napkin against his mouth and pushes his chair back. He’s returned to his usual collected self as he says, “Mom, it’s been a pleasure, but I need to get back to work now. Got court in the morning.”

Most moms would complain it’s not long enough, but we all realize it’s a pretty big deal Callisto came here on a workday, even for an hour. Lexi thanks him for coming and kisses him on the cheek.

“I’ll see you out,” I say, rising to follow Callisto.

He nods and I trail him to the front porch.

“I’m glad to see you all looking well,” he says, tucking his hands in his pockets.

I stand under the roof overhang, avoiding the bright spring sunlight. “Yeah. Not sure I can say the same for you, though,” I say, eying the dark marks under his eyes. “Are you even sleeping?”

Callisto snorts. “More or less.” Suddenly he spins and comes closer, his cherry wood scent filling my nose as he rests a hand on my shoulder. “Hey, you guys don’t need to worry about moving. I want you to know that. Red’s got enough going on being in the middle of filming, and I doubt Zack would feel settled in a new place this year.”

Warmth blazes through my shoulder under his palm, even with my polo shirt forming a barrier between us. I stare up at him, a painful longing coiling in my chest. “That’s super thoughtful, Calli, but what about you?”

He shakes his head, dislodging wisps of black hair across his forehead. “No, I’m good. I’m buying a place down the road from the office. I’ve been eyeing it as a decent investment spot since it’s so central, so now’s a good time, anyway.” He shrugs. “I’ll be signing the offer late tomorrow.”

A disappointed weight settles on my bones. I knew he wasn’t coming home but hearing him confirm it hits hard.

Callisto brushes his hair back with jerky movements. “My caseload will be insane for a while, since I have some catch-up to do, so I don’t need the apartment. In fact—” He breaks off and snatches his hand off my shoulder as if belatedly realizing he’s touching me. “I want the plans we made for the rooftop to go ahead. I’ll send you some files. The builders will come soon, so you’ll have to let the superintendent know to give them access to the roof.” His dark eyes slide my way. “That was already booked, so I didn’t change anything. You’ll need it soon.”

I sigh and lean against the wall, the rough stone catching at my shirt threads. “I feel bad you’re helping us so much, even after what happened.”

“No,” he says vehemently. “We’re still friends, Ricky. Family even. Nothing changes that.” He turns on his heel to walk away, but then stops. “You got my notice for the court date with Hudson?”

I nod. “I’ll be there.”

The grim look on his face spells trouble for the opposing counsel. “I have everything I need to nail him, Rickon. He’s not getting away with what he did.”

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