Page 27 of A Snowy Escape

“Well, I technically haven’t had a job before,” I admit. “I know it’s normal for packs to keep a close eye on their omega children, at least until they’re bonded. My brother kinda took up that mantle for me and my sister. She found her pack pretty early. I clearly didn’t. He was really overprotective, but I also get it. Omegas are more likely to be kidnapped and trafficked than any other designation.”

“That’s grim,” Lawson says. “I have to admit, I’d probably be the same way if I had sisters.”

“You just have the one brother?”

“Yeah, Luka,” he says. “He’s two years younger than I am. You have one sister and one brother?”

“Exactly.” I laugh awkwardly. “Although I’m much closer with my brother than my sister. She’s two years older than I am. We’re kinda like oil and water.”

“That’s tough. Luka has always been my best friend.”

“I wish it could have been like that with us,” I admit. “It just wasn’t in the cards. When I was a freshman, she was a junior. Any time I told her I liked a guy, she hooked up with him. After the second or third time it happened, I stopped telling her anything, but it was like she could sniff it out. If I had a crush on someone, she knew, and she would purposely destroy any feelings I had for that guy.”

“That is extra shitty,” Lawson says. “I don’t blame you for distancing yourself from that relationship.” A few seconds of silence pass, and his chest sputters and eventually vibrates with the sound of his purr.

“Holy shit,” I whisper. “That’s amazing.”

“At least it’s some kind of background noise.” He laughs. “I wasn’t even trying to purr. I think my system picked up the change in your scent and acted accordingly.” He pats my stomach. “You know, between the restaurant and Bryant with his gym, we’re always hiring. You don’t have to rush off once the storm passes.”

“Really?” I ask, trying not to get my hopes up.

I wish I could see his face. Maybe then I could gauge if the offer is because he feels sorry for me after that killer sob story or if he wants to spend time getting to know me.

Shit.

I wasn’t purposely trying to guilt him into letting me stay, but I do want the opportunity to get to know him and his packmates.

It’s not unheard of for an omega to meet five to seven scent matches in their lifetime. I just haven’t had particularly good luck. It could also be that I’m young, but most omegas I’ve met have been bonded in their early twenties.

“Yeah, really,” he says, pulling me back into his chest. “I don’t like the idea of you heading out with no one to look out for you, especially if your ex could try to track you down.”

“I’m probably supposed to assure you I’ll be fine,” I say, reveling in the warmth radiating off him in waves. “But I’m not going to be stubborn just to feel independent. I would really appreciate it. If I can work for one of you, I can pay rent and utilities.”

“We’ll worry about that later,” he murmurs. “Rest, Abby. I’ll keep you warm. I can’t think of a better way to fall back to sleep than to smell lemon and raspberries.”

* * *

No matter how much I bundle up, I’m still freezing.

I wish I had some idea of what the temperature in the apartment is, but I know it’s cold as hell.

I never knew it could be physically painful to sit on a cold toilet seat.

I guess I know now.

I’ll definitely be limiting my fluid intake for the rest of the day.

Lawson is hardcore.

He does the breakfast dishes, and his hands have to be uncomfortably cold, but he doesn’t complain.

He’s spoiled me rotten to the point I’m starting to feel guilty and a little useless.

When we first got out of bed this morning, he layered me up in three pairs of his socks and one of his massive flannels. Then he cooked, cleaned up breakfast, and ran down to take Echo out all on his own.

The alpha in question comes into the living room. His head cocks to the side when he spots me sitting on the couch, wrapped up in one of the comforters from the bed. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” I nod, bouncing in my seat. “Just trying to warm up. I don’t know how you’re walking around in just sweats and a long-sleeve T-shirt.”