Talk about... History (Rockwood Valley Omegaverse #1)

by Jarica James

I was short with straight black hair that wouldn’t hold a curl, and hazel eyes. I had curves that I loved, but even I could admit her thin frame made her look like a model and I was simply… soft.

When the soft things were done, I moved onto the walls. The pack picture had to go. I wrenched the backing off and tore out the picture, tearing it to tiny pieces and tossing it around like confetti. I continued the assault on every piece of art and decor lining my walls. No sconce, print, or macrame was safe. My chest was heaving and my mind eerily blank as I continued my massacre, ignoring the shouts outside.

Normally if I needed an escape I’d call one of my best friends, but it seemed it was a fake friendship and the bitch only wanted my mates as her own. She could fucking have them. “Baby, please!” Travis begged. “It was a mistake. Wren means nothing. You’re our scent match!”

“Avery, what’s wrong? Where are you?” “It’s my anniversary. I just came home to find the guys fucking Wren.” “No! That fucking bitch!” she gasped in horror on my behalf.

“We’re done. There’s no going back, Sid. Scent matches clearly don’t mean shit,” I growled as I sat with a huff. “I’m coming home.

I was a loyal omega and put my all into the people I cared about… but the moment you crossed me, you were dead to me. There was no going back.

“She had her heat at the clinic two weeks ago you dumbass. She fucking lied to you. There was no rut, just pure and simple lust. You’re just a cheating bastard.”

After nearly seven years, I was moving back to Rockwood Valley. The place I ran away from to escape the pressure of three older brothers, a family legacy, and a town that felt suffocatingly small. Now, I couldn’t think of anywhere else I wanted to be.

They take away small things one at a time, spacing them out just enough so when you realize your life has shifted drastically, it’s too late to change it. This wasn’t your fault.”

Maybe now I could buy the truck I wanted without the commentary from my former mates. According to them, “omegas couldn’t drive pickups.” It wasn’t “dainty” enough, I guess.

A handsome man with a sweet smile walked out of the back. He had dark hair that was cut short and layered, gel coaxing it to keep the brushed back look with a few strands laying artfully over his forehead. His pouty lips were tipped just the slightest and his lithe body held a little tension. Clearly, he wasn’t a people person but not everyone was.

“Oh my god,” he breathed out, while I had to bite back tears. This reaction was different than anything I’d ever had. With my exes, the scent had me horny and wanting to climb them, this was something soul deep, an awakening, almost. My body was on board, but so was my entire soul.

“We’re mates,” he finally managed to get out. “I guess we are,” I said, the panic starting to rise now that the initial shock was wearing off. He seemed to notice the change and stepped back, his words stuttering a bit now.

Leave it to me to find a mate in this tiny town, right after my massive breakup, with no real set future ahead of me.

“You know we weren’t even scent matches? When my brothers were there packing me up, they found pheromone cologne. Not just the kind that can attract omegas, but the kind that’s banned.”

That omega was my mate. I knew it the moment I stepped into the hall, then stepping into the room with her was pure torture. I had to keep it professional. She had no idea because of our required blockers and air filters, but I now had that scent etched into my very soul. She. Was. Mine.

Betraying her wasn’t an option. She needed to see that alphas were meant to worship their omegas, not hurt them. I wanted to get to know Avery, to watch her flourish and thrive now that she’d left that behind. She deserved no lies and plenty of patience. I can manage that… I hope

Fuck, it was a hard place to be, stuck between chosen and scent-matched mates. There was no real wrong choice but it was a complicated scenario.

“I’m not into games,” he said simply. “We’re mates. Scent-matches. If you think I’m going to just let you walk back out of my life you’re mistaken.”

“We have no intention of being assholes. We’re not perfect, but we show respect,” I reassured him with a shrug. I wasn’t intimidated. In fact, my alpha was pleased she had strong protectors, though we were here now, and we weren’t going anywhere.

Mason was this rugged outdoorsy mix of apple, cedarwood, and fresh fallen leaves that made me feel safe. Ford was a rich and decadent mix of coffee and cream. Arden was a mix of rich vanilla and marjoram, laced with an herbal and spicy undertone that was perfect. They were all etched into my brain along with Cohen’s now.

Partway through cooking, my dogs started barking, begging to come in because they knew damn well what I was doing in here. She didn’t hesitate to hop down and let them in, greeting them each by name and giving them a little extra love. It was probably too soon, I’d just met Avery, but I think that was the very moment I fell in love with her.

Honestly, I would follow this girl anywhere. Watching this omega shine was my new favorite hobby.

Ford moved around me to interrupt their moment, leaning in and whispering something to Cohen before giving her a grin. Her eyes widened in shock but I clocked the way her thighs pressed together. Interesting. It seemed their dynamic was a bit more unconventional. I should have expected nothing less from her. Everything about this new pack was sudden, but I had a feeling it would be strong.

“You know… this feels a lot different.” She didn’t have to clarify for me. I hummed in agreement and pulled her tighter against me. “I’m glad. I want this to be different for you.” That was an understatement. After her exes, the bar was on the floor. I wanted us to be so much better.

“So, I guess we have our work cut out for us,” Ford said, his excitement causing him to fidget now. “Moving, making plans for a business, courting our omega, and becoming a pack.”

Our omega was really the entire package. Confident, cute, humble, a hard worker, caring, and sexy.

“If you never want a nest, we’ll never have one. It’s about your comfort, omega, not ours,” Mason whispered, his breath fanning over my neck sending a shiver through me.

Something clinked on the table, making me jump. I glared up at Cameron who just gave me his devilish grin. Asshole. “Here, you’re too focused. Have some water and some food, brat,” he said, flicking my nose then walking away. I swear my brothers were five when it came to me, not full grown adults.