Page 53 of Party Girl: How a Naughty Omega Finds Love
ChapterSixteen
TREV
The door to Hayden’s room snaps shut. Fuck. I know I was harsh with him, maybe overly so, but the man has to get a grip. Last night he watched over her, staring at her like she hung the moon. The fool doesn’t realize how dangerous she is, not only for him but all of us. She’s technically property of another pack. Curtis hadn’t marked her, though I don’t know why, but he bought her. The law says that she’s his.
No matter how fucked the legalities may be, I’m not convinced we should be the ones to save Whitney. She’s beautiful, but she’s going to be the reason my pack is ripped apart. If anything happened between her and Hayden, there would be hell to pay. The Royal and Omega Councils would press charges because she belongs to Curtis. Hayden’s life would be ruined. All because of a pretty omega with sorrow-filled blue eyes and a smile that makes my heart ache.
It doesn’t matter that she’s made Avi laugh—a real, genuine laugh that made my heart swell with thanks. He’s been so subdued lately, like he’s forgotten what joy is. All it took was a snarky comment from her to bring back some of the Avi we all used to know. She’d be good for him, but it’s all too complicated.
Avi and Asher are staring at me. I glare at them and raise an eyebrow, asking what without words.
“Asher told me about last night.” Avi runs his hands through his hair. “She needs help.”
“You’ve taken a semester of psychology and suddenly you’re an expert?” I bite out, instantly regretting my words.
Avi’s eyes darken. “Don’t be an asshole to me because you can’t control your emotions. You know it’s more than a semester and yeah, maybe I am an expert in trauma. Isn’t that why you put me on leave?”
“Avi, you know it had to be done.”
Anger lines his forehead. “Is it because of my mental health or because I almost died? Maybe you’re the one afraid to lose someone.”
“Uh, guys?”
Avi and I look at Asher. A weaker man would flinch at the heated scowls, but Asher simply makes a face and tips his chin in the direction of the hallway. “Whitney is waiting for you two to stop arguing like a bunch of pre-heat omegas.”
Whitney scoffs. “Not even omegas are this dramatic,” she mutters in a husky, sleep-tired voice.
Bracing myself for her arresting gaze, I slowly turn and take her in. She’s still wearing those tight yoga pants. Damn things should be illegal. I clench my jaw and school my features.
She’s only an omega.
Not the devil.
Stop being such a dick, I tell myself, because even I’m tired of how moody I am with her in the house. She did nothing wrong, and I can’t hate her for merely existing and smelling wonderful.
“Contrary to popular belief, I don’t need help. I need coffee.” She tosses a haughty look at Avi.
Knowing she’s not familiar with the kitchen, I grab a mug and fill it up for her. Twenty seconds later, I hand it to her. She eyes it like I poisoned it.
“If you don’t drink it, I will.”
“Of course you would,” she says, taking the mug, carefully avoiding touching my hand. “I’m going to drink this on the porch so you all can finish your fight. Once you’re done, you can decide who’s driving me to the Omega Council offices.”
Asher grinds his jaw and widens his eyes at me, expecting me to tell her she can stay.
Whitney saunters to the door, exits, and closes it behind her.
“Give her a week,” Avi says. “Please.”
It’s as close to begging as he’s ever come. He didn’t even sound this desperate when I told him he was on indefinite leave. Closing my eyes, I exhale and nod. “Fine.”
I better not regret this.
