Page 15 of The Packaged Deal
The omega’s heart is in her eyes. She bounces up on the bed and fairly glows. Now that the swelling has gone down, I can tell she’s pretty but not classically, more in a pixie-type cuteness. Her eyes are enormous, and that purple hair just looks adorable.
She spots me, and her smile fades a bit, but she still leans towards Adrian, allowing him to check her vitals.
“How are you today, Jade?” Adrian murmurs in a low voice that is soft and full of intimacy. His gentleness surprises me. This is more than just a patient.
“I'm good. I missed you.”
Holy shit, what am I walking in on?
I pull out my phone and fire off a message to Sven. You didn’t mention that Adrian and Jade were feeling each other.
He reads my message but ignores me. Fine. Dick.
“Hey, you remember me?”
Jade shakes her head.
“My name's Kandi, and I'm here as your bodyguard but also to get you out, girls’ day. Hair, nails, clothes, frappes. All the chocolate we can eat.”
Jade’s eyes gleam, but then shadow. She reaches for Adrian’s hand and clings to it. “I don't know.”
“Hey, look, I promise nothing will happen to you.” I draw a cross over my heart and smile. “Let's just get out and have some fun. You can decide how long, how far, I can introduce you to some of my friends.” I toss out a lazy grin.
“Friends?” Jade glances between me and Adrian.
“Moira, Hazel, Missy, Scarlet, Onyx. Or we can go see Oma or steal Lukas’ favourite car. Watching him threaten anything that moves is something everyone needs to experience.” I wink at her, hoping she will rise to the bait.
She snorts a laugh, and then springs out of bed. I'm shocked to find she only comes up to my shoulder. She is tiny but packed full of energy.
“Adrian, you’re coming, right?”
“Not today, little one. I've got patients.”
Her enthusiasm falls, and I elbow the alpha.
“Come have breakfast with us. Be a gentleman,” I tease the alpha.
He scowls, but when he sees her expression, he melts. “Okay, breakfast.”
“Good, Alpha. All right Jade, get dressed, and let’s go.”
The omega pulls on the ugly tracksuit pants and oversized hoodie that she’s been allocated. I make a mental note to go send for clothes if she refuses to go.
She stays between us as we leave the refuge. I can sense her anxiety intensify, but she reaches for the alpha before I can step closer.
The lone alpha formally known as Adrian is gentle with her, patient. He’s caring in a way I've never seen before, almost protective. I feel like I'm missing a part of a puzzle.
She is delightful, teasing smiles out of Adrian, joyfully taking in the world. It doesn’t take long for her to warm to me, and surprisingly, I find myself warming to her.
Quickly, I discover something incredible about the pint-sized omega. Jade is something special. She’s one of those unique people who just enjoys the small things. She hums over the food and excitedly asks the server her name and whether (Jane) enjoys working here. Spoiler, she does. Her taste in clothes is eclectic. But when we get to the hairdresser, she firmly asks for her purple hair to be dyed to a soft lilac with darker streaks.
Adrian leaves at some point, but I realise he already sees what I'm seeing. His reluctance to leave was almost painful.
“She’s incredible,” I'd murmured.
“She really is.”
He’d glanced back once as if he’d been unable to stop himself.