Page 90 of The Packaged Deal
“Pack?”
“None of your fucking business, Fernando. Lose your hearing,” Sven barks out.
When I turn back to the bar, I find a coke and a rainbow drink beside it. I cautiously pick up the rainbow drink and put the straw to my lips. I take a sip and pull back, almost gagging. It’s like pure sugar that burns. Oh, yuck! “Most packs aren’t ashamed of their omegas.”
Sven steps closer.
I turn away, but he grips my arm and pulls me back.
“What’s this? Tears? Another ploy, Omega?”
“Yes, tears, you ass! I can only be so strong and defiant for so long. You, Kandi, and Adrian are the meanest pack anyone ever had.” I shove his chest hard enough that he stumbles back a step.
The bartender wheezes and staggers back, well out of reach. I glance at him, checking to make sure he’s okay. “That’s one hell of a line-up,” Fernando mutters with a pale face. “Scary fucking line-up. Yeah. Want to stay on the good side of that pack!” He eyes me with more interest than he did before.
“You get me, don’t you, Fern? None of them want me or a pack. It’s like herding cats. One runs away, the others get depressed and sits around sulking. I can’t be happy without Sven, boohoohoo. All I’m waiting for now is hairballs. ”
Fern’s eyes are dangerously wide. They flicker between me and Sven. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean-”
“It's damn insulting. I had an alpha, you know. My mother gave me to him. I mean, at least he wanted me, even if he beat me near to death.”
“He hurt you?” Fern growls in a deep bear's voice that makes him suddenly very menacing.
I blink rapidly. “I’m sorry? Isn’t that what packs do? Because in my experience, omega is synonymous with thing and possession.”
Fern holds up his hands. “Look, I just work here. But if you need somewhere safe, I know some people!”
“Go away, Fernando. I’ve got this,” Sven hisses. His temper is pounding the air around us.
“Yeah, it’s just…” he looks between us and swallows hard. “You’re not going to hurt her, are you, Sven? She just said you hurt her. Look, she’s real little, and I don’t hold to hurting women, especially omegas.”
Aww, be still my heart. “Why couldn’t he be my pack? You’re a sweetheart, Fern.”
Sven lets out a noise like a boiling kettle. “Go. Away.”
Fernando finally loses what’s left of his courage and goes up the other end of the bar. Sven steps closer to me in a slow, menacing sway until he ends up standing between my legs.
“You came to my bar, making lots of noise, knowing I’d come back. What’s this really about, Omega?”
I reach up, peering through my tears, pressing my fingers against his chest. “You look really good, Sven.”
He heaves a sigh like he’s hanging on to the last thread of his temper. “You came to get my attention because I look good?”
“No. Don’t be conceited. I came because I wanted you to come home, and rather than sit and cry over your nice ass, I thought I’d do something constructive.”
“And come to a bar full of dangerous men while you're being hunted by your ex?”
“He’s not an ex,” I say stubbornly. “I never agreed to date him.”
“Jade.”
“Svenny.”
“Jade,” he growls and leans closer.
I’m mesmerised by the scent and heat of him. By his big hazel eyes.
“You smell really good,” I whisper.