Page 123 of The Stone Initiation
“Nothing.”
I guess my scent issue would remain a mystery until Willowman came back to me with answers. In the meantime, I’d keep my circle small and steer clear of the males, which thanks to our girls’ shopping trip tomorrow would be easy enough to do.
I wasn’t big on shopping, but I couldn’t deny the fizz of excitement in my veins when faced with promise of a day out. After all it was the perfect distraction from thinking about Serath.
* * *
It waseasy to push Serath from my mind when I was busy hanging with friends, working out, or watching a movie, but he was the only thing on my mind when I crawled into bed at four in the morning.
My gaze kept drifting to the wardrobe where the mobile phone was hidden. I could call him and hear his voice. He’d answer for sure. But then what? More angst. More reminders of why we couldn’t be together. More pain.
I wasn’t a masochist. But it was some time before sleep finally found me, and when it did, it took me into dreams of the male that belonged to me but that I could never have.
* * *
The omega buildingwas a large sunlit space mostly due to the glass domed ceiling that let in all the light. Gorgeous plants sat in large clay pots positioned carefully around the perimeter of the entrance chamber to create a lush, fragrant environment. An ornate arch led deeper into the building where seating was arranged like a waiting area and beyond that was a set of metal doors.
A woman sat at the desk by those doors. She looked up as we crossed the archway. “Miss Walker and Miss Aziza, good, you’re on time.”
She studied us with pale green eyes that seemed to be judging us before standing to greet us. She was tall for a gargoyle female, at least a foot taller than Sharniza.
“It was kind of Chlobe to invite you to come with us today,” she said. “I’m Evelyn, the omega nest mother.”
Evelyn crossed to the metal door and pressed her palm to the panel at the side before keying in a code. The doors opened into another entranceway. “Please wait inside. The ladies will be with you shortly.”
We stepped through, and the doors closed behind us.
This second waiting room was decorated in pastel blues and purples. There were no windows, and it would have been claustrophobic if not for the huge landscape paintings that covered each wall. They mimicked the outdoors giving the illusion of openness.
“They take the security seriously here.” I parked myself on the nearest chair.
“Omegas are coveted and valued,” Shar said stiffly. “We’d die out without them.”
The inner door opened, and five omegas joined us. They were dressed for cold weather in jeans, sweaters, and jackets. Handbags crossed over chests or hung from shoulders. A couple of them looked surprised to see us, but then Chlobe pushed to the front of the group and rushed over to us.
“You made it. I’m so glad.”
“Is that all of you?” Sharniza asked.
“Friday night took it out of some of us,” Chlobe said with a mischievous smile. “Some of us chose mates and are still busy getting to know them.”
In other words they were still having sex.
Lucky for some.
The door we’d entered by opened, and Evelyn came in trailed by Willowman. Today he was dressed in ripped jeans, a cream T-shirt and a black leather jacket. His dark hair was artfully styled, and his golden eyes were ringed in kohl. He looked like a sexy rockstar. The man was a true chameleon.
“Hello ladies,” he drawled. “Ready for a delightful trip?”
One of the omegas giggled, the others preened, but Chlobe dropped her gaze, cheeks pinkening.
Someone had a crush.
I didn’t blame her. Willowman was sexy-hot. Not my type, but definitely the type to turn heads.
“Yes, Mr. Willowman. We are ready,” Evelyn said stiffly. “If you’d kindly open the warp.”
“Of course, Evelyn,” Willowman shot her a winning smile which she ignored. “You have the return orb, correct?”
