Page 66 of Party Girl: How a Naughty Omega Finds Love
“Things are complicated enough as it is,” Trev says, scrubbing a hand over his face. “We’re letting you stay when you should have already reported to the Omega Council. If we’re caught… I don’t know what will happen, but it won’t be good.”
I hadn’t fully thought through what it would do to them if we were caught. The Royal and Omega Councils are high pack. We’re low pack, and even if we had high pack status, hiding an omega is illegal. These guys have broken laws for me, and I didn’t even bother to say thank you.
“I appreciate you letting me stay, I really do.” I hold out my hand, a peace offering. “Can we start over? I’m Whitney.”
Trev stares at my hand for a second before placing his much larger palm against mine. “Trev. I’m not always a dick.”
“Just when you have an illegal omega in your house?” I ask, grinning.
“Something like that,” he murmurs, a smile tugging at his mouth. “If we don’t set the table, Avi will throw a fit.”
Trev walks around me, giving me a wide berth, and heads to the kitchen. Hayden grabs the glass off the dresser, leaving his notebook on his bed. His eyes rove over me.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I lie. Trev rocked my world with those hard truths he dropped. Pursuing anything with Hayden would be selfish. I’m foolish for thinking anything good would come of it. Has life taught me nothing? How fucking dumb am I? Self-doubt swirls through me, but I shove it down, grinding my jaw to stop the ugly words whispering through my mind. Those aren’t my words. Those are my mother’s. They don’t own me.
Hayden watches me while I try to get a handle on my emotions, no judgment or pity crosses his face. He simply waits for me to rein in the vile self-hate.
“I’ll survive,” I decide, remembering he doesn’t like broken promises. I can’t say I’m fine, but I know I’ll get through this. I’ve made it through too damn much to break after a fight with an alpha.
“I’m not letting you go,” he says in a gravelly whisper. “Do you understand? You’re mine.”
Warmth pools in my core, and I bite my lip, shaking my head. “You shouldn’t say things like that.”
“It’s true. I’ll handle Trev.”
“I don’t want to put you in danger.”
He releases a dark chuckle. “I’m not afraid.”
“You should be,” I say, walking backward. “The high pack doesn’t give a shit about us. They could ruin you.”
“They can try,” he says with a self-assured nod, prowling after me.
The way he’s staring at me is giving me too many filthy thoughts. I turn and meet Trev at the table, sorting the silverware while he places oversized bowls around the worn surface. Hayden makes a new cocktail while Avi and Asher finish up dishing dinner into a giant dish. A large bowl of rice sits in the middle, fragrant and mouthwatering. Avi’s lamb dish is pungent but in a good way.
“Can you warm the naan?” Avi asks Asher while he carries the bowl of rogan josh over. His eyes light when he sees me. “I’m not being cocky when I say this is the best I’ve ever made this dish.” He places it on the table. “Spatulas,” he mutters to himself, returning to the kitchen.
I shake my head and look at Trev. He’s staring after Avi with a funny look on his face, like he’s done something fascinating. Tipping my head to the side, I study how oddly calm Trev is. Almost like the fight between us never happened.
He bristles when he realizes I’m staring. “What?”
“Nothing.” I grip the back of the chair and look away. He’s so confusing.
Asher warms a pan on the stove and drops the flat bread into it. Hayden claims the seat next to where I stand and passes me the glass. With the truce between me and Trev, I decide it’s okay to keep drinking. Had he continued to be a jerk, I’d work on sobering up.
But being sober means overthinking everything that’s happened. A steady buzz settles over me. I smirk at Hayden and sit, savoring the drink while Asher finishes the naan. Trev clears his throat and sits at the head of the table. I try not to stare at him, but my eyes flick to him every few seconds, my body coiled tight and waiting for an outburst. Sensing my attention, Trev glances at me. Hayden takes the glass from me, earning a scowl from Trev. He doesn’t like that we’re so comfortable with each other.
I’ll handle Trev.
You’re mine.
Bold declarations for a beta. I have no doubt in my mind Hayden knows what he’s doing—defying Trev means there will be a fight. I don’t want to be the reason for it, but I also don’t agree with that idiotic mindset. There’s no valid reason an omega can’t take a beta as a mate other than the Royal Council wanting to maintain control. Not that I’m thinking about mating Hayden, it’s much too soon for that. Besides, I’d need alphas as well, and while Asher and Avi are nice, Trev would never go for it. He’s barely tolerating me as it is.
“And we’re ready.” Asher places a plate of warmed naan on the table.
Avi grabs my dish and fills it for me. He sets it down, then passes me a piece of naan before serving himself. The guys wait patiently. Asher goes next, then Hayden, and finally Trev. It’s odd he’s last, considering he’s sitting at the head of the table. Glancing around the table while he spoons rice into his bowl, Trev checks that everyone has something to drink.
