Page 79 of Generation Omega: Claimed
“Hey, if you can’t keep up, that’s on you,” Jameson snipes.
Ethan thankfully ignores Jameson, holding Ory’s attentive stare long enough that Ory gets the hint and nods.
“Okay, wake me when we land.” Ethan stands and walks toward the sofa, lying on it and closing his eyes.
I don’t feel the alpha push, but I know Ory assisted Ethan into a deep, healing sleep. Better, he did it so subtly that Jameson—now playing with his bottles like they’re tiny soldiers—doesn’t have a clue.
“Okay, back to Jameson’s agenda.”
That elicits even more irritation. “It’s notmyagenda—I’m notfirst alpha. I’m barely even on this team anymore.”
“Right, because what could you possibly offer that no one else can?”
“Exactly—not a thing.”
It’s good that Tillie’s steady heartbeat is soothing me, or I would jerk Jameson out of his chair and shake him. “Yeah, I can see that, except the part about having access to the most powerful man in the country, who can either order our deaths or prevent them.”
Oh, I’m dead to him now, but it doesn’t make me any less correct.
“Grow up,laddie,” Ory commands, using an accent closer to Mackenzie’s. “If you don’t, I’m going to make sure that overactivetadgerof yours never works again.” I’m not sure whyit’s more sinister with Scottish terminology, but it is, and Ory clearly enjoys antagonizing Jameson with new vocabulary.
Jameson freezes, his focus moving from Ory to his own crotch, before sending his displeasure my way. “Hey, he can’t do that.”
“Oh, he can, and I’ll let him. You’ve had your longest, unchallenged run with Tillie. Did you even notice that Mackenzie has barely been with her, because she was mounted on your cock for days? Even an omega needs to do something other than fuck, so Mackenzie took the high road and gladly became her alpha cuddle buddy. And, with more alphas lined up to bite her, you aren’t the special one anymore.”
My words land exactly as I meant them to, and his mood shifts again, striking me with its raw truth. Outwardly, he’s all bravado and snippy entitlement, but what lies at his core is terror. Of exactly what, I don’t know, but I’m reminded again that we’re still in the first chapter of our pack’s story. Jameson has been playing nicely, being a genuinely good member of the team, but to think that all his issues magically vanished, just from joining the pack… that’s not how life works. The way he’s reacting to Ory’s memorable threat conveys more than I want to know, but less than I need to understand, about what Jameson actually sees as his source of worth.
He shoves his bottles aside and leans on the table. “Fine, let’s chat about my daddy and the omegaverse.”
CHAPTER 38
TILLIE
I wake with thoughts of resting on a hammock by the beach, a delicate breeze teasing my skin, and the scent of salted caramel inspiring deep longing for endless summer days and no ticking clocks. The connection infused in Gideon’s divine scent is no less powerful than the first time it reached me. If it had a voice, the only word it would ever speak isforever.
But before I get carried away inwardly gushing about my first alpha, there’s research to be done. I gently think…are you listening? I don’t push those words directly at him because our internal intercom isn’t going anywhere, and I wouldn’t want that to be a casualty of my need for privacy. It’s everything in between our unvoiced conversations that’s my issue.
Gideon doesn’t react—we’re so close, lying somewhere with his arms around me—but maybe he’s being cagey. Recalling my inner omega’s guidance about all things scandalous, I plant an idea in my head. This sexual fantasy is anything but new. It features a massive arena beneath a tent in the desert where the post-apocalypse war chief—Gideon—holds court and punishes the wicked in creatively sadistic ways. I put myself in that arena, naked though attempting to cover myself before the crowd’sleering gaze, as Gideon coldly studies me, while wearing his famous black kilt with silver tribal designs.
Before I get any further, Gideon’s husky voice rumbles through me. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, baby girl, but if you want to get railed in the back of a truck, keep it up.”
I flinch, all steamy thoughts wiped from my mind. “A truck?!” My eyes open anddamn, deluxe travel this isn’t. We’re in the back of a moving truck that’s empty except for two mattresses, both covered with nice comforters. This certainly isn’t the stuff of dreams, though it’s cleaner than the arena in a post-apocalyptic hellscape.
I’m currently the little spoon to Gideon’s hefty spoon, while Ethan sleeps alone on the other mattress. The only light is provided by a few camping lanterns.
When the truck begins to move, making a somewhat abrupt turn, I mutter, “I’m not complaining, but…”
Gideon chuckles ruefully. “Oh, I get it. I’ve been doing box breathing to survive this box truck, ever since they closed that damn door.”
My stomach lurches, but not from the bumpy ride. “What if I’m wrong about Kazimir?” I whisper. “If he’s a traitor, we’re already caught. We’re basically caged right now.”
Gideon’s hand moves upward, his fingers trailing over my bondmark, awakening that exquisite thrumming throughout my body. “You must have made the choice to trust him for a reason, right?”
“Oh, yeah, but…” I study Ethan, particularly his solidly rhythmic breathing.
As if he’s reading my mind, Gideon confirms, “Ethan is in a forced nap, by choice, though I extended it longer than he requested. He was going to be an anxious mess the entire drive—especially given our mode of transportation—so I knocked him out.” He inhales my scent, and it appears to be happily flowing inhis direction. “He can’t hear you, if that’s what you’re worrying about.”
I squeeze Gideon’s thick arm that surrounds me. “I couldn’t lie to him, and I couldn’t tell the truth.” I know I must continue—Gideon needs the facts—but it’s still difficult to explain. “I didn’t actually get anything inspiring about Kazimir during my voyage of discovery. I got a bunch of other information and a harsh dose of reality. Basically, if Kazimir is a traitor, it’s all over.We’reover. Because we’re it—live or die, this is our pack.”
