Part 7
1579 Words
/Erin's POV/
My eyes widened as I let his voice sink in, washing over me in waves. Those words kept on echoing, my toes curling around the sandals. Goosebumps prickled at my arms all over, suddenly aware of the chill in the room. For a second, I thoroughly thought that they were both joking about it. Then again, Rowan and Reed would never try to open up past wounds, not unless they were severe.
“Excuse me?”
Rowan was the first to speak up, wetting his lips and breaking the silence that followed my question. “Yes, you heard us right, Miss Woods. You have to be our omega, as in the Pack Luna, and we will keep on funding your company.”
I took a quick breath through my nose, feeling incredibly exposed. Rage coiled in my belly as those words prickled me; I tilted my chin, meeting his stare. “Huh?! Y-You must have truly lost your mind to suggest something ridiculous like this!”
It came out slightly sharper than I intended, harsh even, but I was past caring at this point.
“Erin…” Rowan coughed quickly covering up his mistake and corrected himself. “I mean Miss Woods, this arrangement will work out in our combined interest. We can work out the terms and conditions to avoid any kind of conflict. So why don’t you think it over before reacting?” The Alpha seemed unaware of how his statements affected me or aware and uncaring as always.
Reed, who had been quiet for a while, tilted his chin, gaze unwavering with the same level of intensity and uncertainty as it always seemed to hold. The unease in the Alphas frown gave way to a weak twitch of his lips, turning up into a wolfish expression as he rested his eyes on me. “Miss Woods, if you are doing this because of what happened five years ago between us, then I suggest we put the past behind us and be mature….”
I bit down on my lip, hard enough to draw blood as I held a hand in front of me, a lump forming in my throat. My eyes clenched tight, stomach unfurling. The thought of discussing that day was the last thing on my mind. “Stop talking, Mister Armani. We are done here. Please leave.”
They exhaled sharply at that, looking at each other as if not expecting to be told that. My face was turning red, teeth gritted together and slowly slipping out of control. Before they could open their mouth to argue, I pointed towards the door, not caring how rude and unomega like that action was. They had it coming.
Rowan stood on his feet, taking few steps in my direction before coming to a halt. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Reed already pocketing his hands in the pants and heading towards the door.
The Alpha cleared his throat, hands falling by his side, “Miss Woods, if you change your mind, then you know where to find us. Have a good day.”
***
It felt cooler in the hall, the warmth of the people almost refreshing compared to the oppressive heat that seemed to have overtaken my body in the meeting room. That I had so readily wished to leave behind me. It was not refreshing enough, though, the change in atmosphere.
I could feel it still coursing through my veins, warming the inside of my skin. The sudden want while being close to them again. Taking an even breath, hoping the bitter air would soothe my blush one final time, I headed out in search of Isabella.
Anxiety crawled up my throat and made me wobble dangerously, my whole face felt flushed, and I could not stop sweating. There's a tiny corner of my brain, tucked away and distant, that was trying to convince me that the employees will know. That they'll take one look at me and figure out something is off.
Digging my fingers into my palms, I tried desperately to breathe, to stop my lungs from feeling so entirely constricted. As I opened the door, all eyes did turn to me, but I tried not to let the fear show.
"You okay?" My best friend asked as soon as I slumped down on the chair, leaning close to get a good look at my face. “That meeting did not look good.”
I reeled away, my heart instantly hammering against my chest. "Fine, we just argued over a few things.” I choked on my breath, wiping a hand over my forehead and avoiding her eyes. “It’s so hot in here!”
She sagged in her seat, mindlessly clicking at her laptop, her lengthy hair framing her side profile. “We have not paid our electricity bill for this month, Erin. They must have done this as a last resort.”
***
As soon as I walked in through the living room, sharp, piercing cries echoed in my ears. My feet froze in the middle, the grocery bag slipping from my hand as I saw my mother on the floor. My mouth parted at the sight of our wrecked living room. Things were scattered around, glass shards on the floor and some coins and bills sprawled by carpet.
I noticed my sister trying to console our mother; her arms wrapped tightly around. Tears streamed down my mother’s eyes, cheeks blotched as she kept on shaking like a leaf.
“Esther, what happened?” I slowly asked, the hair on the back of my neck rising as I slowly started moving towards them. “Did someone break in?”
“Where have you been?!” My sister yelled, wiping at her tears aggressively, standing on her wobbly feet. Her hand dug around my wrist, tugging on it. “I have been calling you for hours, Erin!”
“M-My phone is dead. What happened?”
Esther scoffed, shaking her head while wiping her tears with the back of her hand. “It’s dad….”
“What happened to him?!” I raised my voice, eyes already roaming around the living room. Fear gripped my insides as I saw my mother staring blankly. Pushing past my sister, I strode towards the bedroom only to find it empty. “Dad! Where are you?”
No response. My heart started pounding loudly in my chest, breathing turning erratic as I checked all the rooms. Esther finally pulled me back into the living room.
“He collapsed this afternoon.” I sucked a sharp, mouth opening and closing as I watched her lips move. “Mom called me up, and we took him to the nearby clinic. They told us that he needs to be moved to a better hospital and should be operated on.”
“Is he at the clinic now?”
My sister nodded. “Yes. The pack doctors moved him to a room and have kept him under observation.”
“H-He was fine this morning….”
Esther made a painful sound; her lips pressed in a thin line. “I know, but the doctors have no reason to lie! We tried to get money from the bank, but it’s no where near the amount needed for surgery, Erin.”
A lump formed in my throat at that, fully aware that dad used up most of our savings to run business. We were broke.
“Is there any fund in our business account? We can use that money for his surgery and then later….”
“No”, I exhaled loudly.
“How can you say no?! Erin, it’s our father. Is money more important to you?”
I cut my sister off, “Ester, we don’t have any money in our fund but do not worry, I will get it.”
“How?”
“I have my ways.”
***
The pines tickled my arms as I pushed up the hill, the trees slowly falling away and becoming sparse, giving way to the tall grass. Heaving a sigh, I strode forward, my heels crushing the dried leaves under. The grass brushed tenderly against my clothed legs, swaying and swishing gently with the breeze. It smelled like earth and ice, something inherently warm but a little cold all at once.
Just then, I saw the back of their heads, bare-chested with jeans hung low on their hips as they indulged in training. Clearing my throat, I took a step forward, trying to alert them of my presence. Even though I am pretty sure they saw me approaching from a distance, given their tensed back muscles.
Reed and Rowan halted their activity and slowly turned in my direction, their hands falling by their sides. The Alphas were sweaty, their hair wet and falling over their forehead. Standing close to them did odd things to me and omega, those of which I was almost convinced I did not like—the fire sifting through my veins too much, making me yearn for that which I should not want.
“Miss Woods, what brings you here?”
I defiantly raised my chin, blinking through the tears. “You know very well the reason I am here.”
Reed squinted his eyes. “Are you alright?”
“None of your business.” I huffed. “I will be your omega. Let’s talk terms and conditions.”
***
- Writer
