Page 84 of Their Knotty Pack
We'll keep an eye out for your bond leave request when the time comes.
Hopefully, it won't be more than a couple of weeks, considering Miles’ last heat was a little less than two months ago.
Definitely not telling them that little piece of information though, so I close my email and get back to work, more than a little eager for the day to end so I can get home to my omegas.
Chapter 34
Bethany
"So what happens if I agree to court them, and they end up being complete dicks?"
The omega's question catches me by surprise, but I only exchange a quick glance with Lanie before answering.
"If you don't like them, Stephanie, you are free to leave whenever you want. But, hopefully, you can weed out any of the bad ones in the initial courting process. You'll have an OMS assigned bodyguard on all of your dates—two if the date is in the evening."
"You're an omega," Stephanie gives me an appraising look from across the table where we have omegas sample the scent cards. She hasn't scented any yet, and seems a little skittish being here. "Did you findyourpack through the OMS?"
Shit. This is by no means an uncommon question, but last time someone asked it of me, I wasn't bonded and could truthfully say "No, I don't have a pack." Now, though? I can't in good conscience tell her this process works one hundred percent of the time. Even if Mrs. Lopez finds out and rips me a new one.
It didn't used to be like this. Back before Mrs. Lopez got brought on, everything was almost…clinical. It was certainly factual, and not spouting off about how OMS was guaranteed to find your "perfect match".
Sighing, I run a hand over my face, and Lanie shoots me a"what the hell are you about to do?"look.
I ignore it. I'm not going to let omegas believe the same lies I did and end up stuck with a pack that barely tolerates them.
"My first pack, yes."
I see the wheels turning in her mind. "Your…firstpack?"
"Yes, and I'll be honest, they were perfect gentlemen from the start. We were scent-sympathetic, so I thought that meant we'd be good together. I didn't even see what was happening until after."
She frowns, her brows furrowing. "After?"
"This process is not fool-proof, Stephanie," I explain, tenting my fingers, "even if a pack courts you and passes with flying colors, it's not a guarantee of a happily ever after. That's not to say that there aren't any packs who do live happily ever after, I just mean…scent sympathy and a good impression don't guarantee success. My first pack? Tried to court another omega while they thought I was sitting at home. And I had been with them for three years."
"You have another pack now though?" She asks, worry lining her brow.
"I do." I nod. "I found my true scent match with another omega—a male—as well as three alphas and a beta. Luckily, they're good people." I take in her expression, where she's obviously thinking long and hard about what I just said. "Don't let my experience stop you—my brother and his pack found their true scent match through the OMS. All I'm saying is that it's not a guarantee, so don't go in blindly."
Biting her lip and nodding, she stands from the table "Okay, thanks. I need…I need to take some time to think about this."
Part of me feels bad, but really…it's not like I can lie about my own experiences.
"That's okay," Lanie says quickly, standing up as well. "Take all the time you need. Once you decide if you want to come back in, we can have the scent cards ready for you."
I follow them out to the hallway, and walk with them towards the front of the building.
"Thanks, I appreciate it," Stephanie says, running a hand through her hair. "I just need a couple of days to—"
"There she is! Hey, mouse!" My steps falter at the sound of the familiar voice. I try to push down my anger when I see the four alphas standing in the lobby of my godsdamned place of work. Christy gives me a worried look and Preston shoots over a smile that might seem sincere if I didn't know any better.
Or notice the tinge of stress in the air mixing with their scents.
Tucker's wrist is wrapped in a bandage, and I can't help but feel a little surge of pride at the memory of Hunter stepping in to protect me yesterday.
"Preston." I smile through gritted teeth. "Tucker, Grayson, Chris. What on Earth are you doing here?"
"I told them you were with a client—" Christy starts, but Tucker cuts her off with a glare.
