Page 36 of The Alpha's Fake Mate
I stuck my chin out. “That would be good for me.”
Suddenly, Chirl and Sen were talking both at once.
“I’ll help you get packed.”
“I’ll see to the paperwork.”
“You will want your office computer?”
“I will contact Bosk and tell him his claim is void.”
The joy with which Chirl said that last edged his tone.
“I have everything Holland will need at my home,” Orion interrupted. “The computer can remain here. His uniforms will not be required attire.”
Orion met my eyes.
“Whatever personal items you want to bring are fine.”
I not did want to sound rushed, but now that all had been decided, I couldn’t wait one more minute. “I can be ready in half an hour.”
The corners of Orion’s mouth flinched upward in a small, held back smile. “I will wait.”
*
The container seemed small and too light to encompass a life.
It held: an old teddy bear, my tablet with pictures of my fellow Omega classmates, all the boys I’d grown up with. A few folded clothes including my new jeans, underwear and socks took up one corner. My brush and comb. My razor. My toothbrush. Some old makeup I never wore. A tiny rectangular case no bigger than my palm that played a tune when you turned the little handle. It had a jester painted on it. It had been a graduation gift from the company of Zilly’s. We all got one with different pictures. A token. A knickknack that was worthless, but I’d loved it.
Harly came rushing into my room as I put the lid on my box of personal items.
“I heard you’re leaving! A claim! That can’t be true!”
I looked up at him, my eyes clear, and saw a happy Omega who loved the mating halls and couldn’t wait to be bonded and have children. I had nothing in common with him anymore.
“It’s true.” I turned away to tuck the blanket tighter about my neatly made bed.
“But—“
“It’s Orion and it’ll be okay.”
“Wow. He’s so dreamy and rich. But—but you can’t want this,” he protested.
“It will be fine.” I kept my voice level and did not look at him.
“Orion. He’s a millionaire.”
I swallowed hard, but nodded.
“Holland--”
“It’s fine. It is what it is.”
“Well, congratulations.”
When I said nothing, he said, “I’ll never see you again.”
“I know.”
