“Really, Kiara. We don’t mind,”adds Evelyn, my dad’s omega and my stepmom. I adore her and the rest of Pack Owens. They accepted me and Dad like we were always part of the pack.
At fourteen, I’d been so sure I would hate them all. What can I say? I was an angsty little shit back then. But Evelyn and her two alphas, Adan and Dylan, welcomed us with open arms. Sodid their two kids, Mason and Delilah. Mason is two years older than me and took me under his wing when I arrived—well, he and his two best friends. Delilah is five years younger than me, and she was so freaking excited to have a big sister.
At nine, she loved her big brother but thought boys that weren’t her dads were gross. We’re closer now that we’re older, even though she’s an omega. She attends Omega University Tennessee and loves it. She’s planning to take over the bakery that Dylan currently runs. It’s been in his family for generations, and Mason has no desire to take it over. That’s probably a good thing, because Delilah would’ve likely murdered him if he'd tried to take it from her.
Dad took the last name Owens when he officially bonded with Evelyn and her pack since members always take the omega’s last name, but I decided I wanted to keep my dad’s last name. It made me feel like a bit of an outsider at times, but I’d been Kiara Oka for fourteen years, and I didn’t plan to change it until I mated with a pack or got married.
Dad and Adan are both doctors who work at the rural hospital. They actually met at a conference they were both attending, and as soon as Dad and Evelyn smelled each other's scents, they knew it was inevitable. At least that’s how they tell the story.
As a fourteen-year-old, I thought it was romantic as hell. It led to more than one fantasy of me revealing as an omega and finding my scent-matched pack. Unfortunately, that isn’t in the cards for me.
Omegas, betas, and alphas all have the same scent until they either meet their scent matches or they form a pack bond. All omegas have a vaguely sweet scent, betas a herby scent, and alphas a musky scent. They’re very light and neutral, allowing everyone’s hormones to stay under control—unless they meet their scent matches.
Scent matches aren’t rare, but they also aren’t common, so most people don’t know their mates’ scents until they’re bonded. And, apparently, they never smell bad. Can you imagine bonding with someone and they smell like something you’re allergic to?
Crew and I aren’t scent matches, so I have no idea what his scent is. I’ve driven myself crazy on more than one occasion, trying to imagine what he will smell like.
I plan to be with him until he no longer needs me. Even if that means hurting myself when I have to walk away.
“No, you don’t need to do that. Enjoy your vacation. Delilah and Ren were both looking forward to it. We’ll be fine without you here. We still have to find a place of our own, plus we’ll be working. Spending time at the pack house is going to be like a vacation for us.”
It really will be. Pack Owens is loaded. Both Evelyn and Adan come from wealthy families and having two well-paid doctors in the pack means they won’t be running out of money anytime soon.
Another sigh from Dad has my eyes narrowing as I slow down to turn onto the road the house is off of.“I just feel bad?—”
“Enough, Dad. You’re going to enjoy your vacation. I’m turning into the driveway now.” I squeal when I find Ruby and her pack waiting for us. “Plus, Ruby’s here to help us unpack. Stop worrying, Dad. We’re going to be okay on our own. Yes, the house is a little big for the two of us, but I think we’ll be fine.”
“Oh, right. There was something I forgot to tell you, Kiara.”
I’m only half listening to him as I pull around the circular driveway, stopping just behind Ruby’s car. My best friend is jumping in the air and clapping her hands but darts toward my car as soon as I put it into park. She slams her hands against my window, and I shake my head.
“What was that?”
“That was Ruby slamming her hands on the window.” I snort as she yanks the door open.
“Bestie!” She squeals and bends down to hug me awkwardly, her purple hair falling into my face. I smile as I suck in her sweet scent. Nothing smells better than an omega—although, I might think differently if I ever bond with a pack.
“Hello, Ruby.”Dad’s voice is amused.
Her head snaps up, a sheepish grin on her face. “Hi, Akira. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize Kiara was on a call.”
“Are we having a party in Kiara’s car?” Crew asks, poking his head inside the door.
I slam my head back against the seat, an exasperated laugh spilling from me. “Well, I’m trying to have a conversation with Dad, but Ruby burst in and then you joined.”
“Oh, hey, Akira. I hope you’re having a blast in Europe! We need to get our stuff unloaded so we can return the truck. I’m sure we’ll talk soon!” Crew nudges Ruby aside so he can brush his lips against mine. “Love you.”
“Love you, too.” I sigh as he steps back, waving at Ruby’s pack to join him. Her alphas, Christopher and Adrian, along with one of her betas, Tyson, trail Crew to the truck. Her other beta, Allison, remains leaning against their car, but she sends me a quick wave before returning her attention back to her phone.
“Okay, Dad. What were you trying to tell me?”
He clears his throat.“When we agreed to let you and Crew stay at the pack house, we didn’t realize?—”
“What the fuck is Mason doing here?” I ask, jaw dropping as my gorgeous stepbrother strolls out the front door and heads for my car.
Fuck.
Somehow he’s gotten hotter in the last three years. That shouldn’t be possible. He was hot enough as a teenager—he shouldn’t keep getting more attractive as he gets older.