I fan myself with the racket as I lock eyes with Megan on the other side of the court and she serves. Luckily, Andie and I rally and then it’s our turn to serve and we score a point.
The game goes back and forth, each of us raking up points until it’s twelve-eleven. Andie and I need one more point to take this and it’s our serve.
I bounce the ball twice, licking my dry lips. I feel like I’m about to fall over. Out of all the Omegas on the court, though, I’m probably in the best shape. Poor Andie looks like a ghost next to me, Megan is clenching her side, and her partner looks like she’s close to throwing up.
Maybe having a pickleball tournament in the middle of the day in the Caribbean was not the best choice for Omegas. I’m going to have to write a strongly worded email saying they need an indoor athletic space, because this is brutal.
“Come on, baby, you got this,” Elliot shouts.
“Take the game, princess,” Forrest follows.
Wells is letting out some chant and the blood pounds in my ears. I serve the ball and Megan dives for it, but she misses, falling to the ground.
Andie and I win!
I jump up and down, grabbing Andie, who looks a little green.
“We did it,” she says in a near groan.
“Andie?” I question her and she waves me off.
“She’s not getting up,” someone shouts, and I glance over at Megan. She still hasn’t gotten up from where she dove for the ball.
I gasp, jumping over the net and looking down at her. I might hate her, but I don’t want her to actually keel over. She turns to face me and a groan slips out of her.
It’s only then that her over-ripened banana hits me in full force, churning my gut in a way I didn’t think was possible. Oh, God, I’m going to throw up off the side of this ship again.
“Fuck,” I hiss, grabbing her wrist and hitting her panic button on the side. Multiple Alphas approach and there’s a fear licking up my spine. “Back the fuck up,” I tell them and they only somewhat listen.
Their scents are overwhelming, coating my throat with a sickening feeling.
My heart pounds as I breathe rapidly and look around me. I watch in horror as all the Omegas around me fall like dominos. A loud alarm blares over the ship’s intercom system and I cover my ears.
Tears prickle my eyes and everything is moving so fast. I fall to my own knees against Megan, the court scratching my knees, but all I can focus on is this pain rippling inside me.
Someone scoops up Megan, Andie’s pack grabs her, and other Alphas seem to be swiping Omegas left and right.
A hand grips my arm, and I yelp, with the scent being unfamiliar. When I look at the Alpha, I know he isn’t mine. A scream takes over, but it’s washed out as the intercom system blares around us.
“Code pink. We have a code pink. All Omegas must be accounted for. Code Pink. Code Pink.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, overwhelmed with all the scents, all the noise as the first cramp in my stomach hits me and I whimper.
“Get the fuck off her,” a growl sounds next to me, his whiskey scent clear as the offending Alphas hand leaves my skin.
When I look down, it’s to him passed out on the ground, his nose bleeding.
I’m able to breathe for a moment, but a whimper falls out of my lips. I’m so scared. This can’t be happening right now. They don’t even like each other yet. They were going to bring me home and build me my dream nest.
Strong arms wrap around me as the soothing scent of ginger and lemon envelopes me.
Safe. I’m safe in my Alphas arms.
“We’ve got you, Claire,” he says and I curl into his chest.
“Fucking shit,” I hear Elliot. “Get out of the fucking way, you cunts.”
There’s shoving, a plethora of scents, and the horn is still blaring. Someone grabs my ankle and the hand is quickly removed.