Page 58 of Omega's Refuge

“You don’t feel things are changing?”

I considered his question because he seemed to be sincerely asking my opinion. “I think the things peoplesayare changing.”

“So, you think it’s all talk?”

“Maybe?” I rubbed my jaw thoughtfully. “I hear a lot of alphas say they’re cool with pitching in and that omegas should have more rights and freedoms. But when push comes to shove, they usually follow the same old norms.”

He nodded. “Fair enough.” He cleared his throat. “I don’t say stuff I don’t mean, though. Just for the record.”

I smiled. “Now, why do I believe that?”

He laughed. “I seem trustworthy?”

“Yeah,” I said quietly. “You do, Rex.” I knew he’d be a great alpha, and the thought of him one day claiming some other omega sent an unpleasant pang through me. Perhaps it was silly to be jealous of an imaginary omega, but I was. “You have all the qualities an omega looks for in an alpha.”

His smile was self-conscious and he went back to staring at his bowl. “Notallof them.” He glanced up grinning. “I can’t dance worth a darn.”

I laughed. “Dancing can be taught. Kindness and loyalty, now that’s harder to find in an alpha.”

His smile faded. “Maybe you only think that because you were fixated on the wrong alpha for too long.”

“Maybe.”

“You knew Steve a long time.” He bit his bottom lip. “Were you always in love with him?”

Surprised he wanted to talk about Steve, I hesitated. “No.”

He looked skeptical. “You spent a lot of time together over the years.”

“Yes. We did.” I shrugged. “But we truly were just buddies for most of those years. To be honest, I was an idiot for letting things change from platonic.”

“Were you?”

“Of course. I knew he was a shitty alpha to get involved with. I’d seen how he treated the omegas he dated. But I was stupid. I thought because we were friends first, it would be different.”

He sighed. “I’d have probably thought the same thing.”

I gave a humorless laugh. “The truth is, being his friend for so long made it much worse. I knew him too well—all his weaknesses, all his usual lies. That knowledge didn’t give me an edge; it just fueled my paranoia. I envy the omegas who knew nothing about him when they started dating him. At least they were blissfully ignorant.”

“Do you regret accepting his bite?”

“Yes.” I gritted my teeth. “Not just because I have to deal with the repercussions now, but because of how it all turned out. I lost my friend and my alpha in one fell swoop.”

Rex set his empty bowl down on the ground. When he glanced up, his face was grim. “Anyonewho’d treat you how he treated you? That ain’t a true friend. Steve was an opportunist. Not a friend.”

I couldn’t really argue. “Maybe you’re right.”

“He’s also a fool for letting you go.”

My face warmed at how vehement he sounded. “I’m no prize. Maybe Steve had a lucky escape.”

He scowled. “Don’t do that. You always put yourself down. You’re a great omega, Tanner. I’m sorry Steve made you feel otherwise.”

Grimacing, I said, “I suppose I need to work on my self-esteem.”

“Love can be rough sometimes,” he said. “You’ll probably be fine so long as you don’t get back with Steve.”

I shuddered. “Trust me, that isn’t happening.”

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