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My cheeks flame.

I bound after Paige down the silent, marble corridor. “I’m so damn happy that you picked me. The other three Omegas already made their selections, and I was ready to leave feeling…”

Rejected.

“Sometimes things don’t work out, right?” I glance at Paige sideways. “But the doc said that we were scent matches. Your wild blackberry scent is delicious.”

I wrap my arms around myself, desperate to bury my nose in Paige’s neck and breathe in her sweet scent.

I could kick the ass of the secretary who gave Paige the scent neutralizing spray earlier, apart from the fact that the secretary is a Beta in her sixties.

I have a rule to only kick the asses of Alphas who deserve it.

Without thinking about it, I reach to touch the motorcycle pendant at my neck.

For the last year, I haven’t fought anyone.

I smile softly.

I don’t need to lead that type of life anymore.

To my surprise, Paige’s shoulders hunch. “About that…”

Alarm shoots through me. “Please don’t say that the doc made a mistake. I finally found someone who accepts Luca and his forest tree communing and I’m not letting go.”

Are her lips twitching?

I’ll take that as a win.

She turns to me. “I didn’t scent match with you. I matched with Rhett.”

I stumble, falling over my feet.

Devastation that I’m not expecting spears me. I work not to let the disappointment show on my face.

I have spent my life craving an Omega of my own, one who I can cherish and show that I am not the same as my infamous family.

One who won’t believe that love means being hurt and abused.

My love will mean nothing but pleasure and safety.

Of course she’s Rhett’s scent match, rather than mine.

Except, Rhett has sworn his entire damn life that he won’t take an Omega.

I give a tight smile. “This is only temporary, right? For three weeks. When I first met Rhett in the hospital, his scent hit me like being shot and struck by lightning at the same time. It was instant, and he felt it too. I don’t know what I’d have done if he hadn’t wanted to bond with me. I felt like a ghost for the weeks that I didn’t see him after that, as if part of my soul had left along with him. So, I get it. Of course his scent was the one that called to you.”

My stomach twists, but I keep my smile gentle and my pheromones soothing.

Paige relaxes, then glances at me through her lashes. “But you’re the one who I like, Halo. I was relieved when I saw you standing outside that door. The only reason I agreed to this massage was because it was you. Any other Alpha, I’d have been out of that door like an Omega with their tail on fire.”

I flush with pride.

The Omega chose me.

“Careful, beautiful, I’m liable to think you’ve fallen for my charms.” I waggle my fingers. “I better not let you down with these talented fingers.”

“Don’t push it.”