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marks that would look suspicious. I had them from the claiming
ceremonies. Though Alpha Peter s and his Beta s marks disappeared
when they died, so when my men claimed me, they left marks of their
own.
 How long have you all been mated? I asked, staring at the table.
It was too painful to look at them right then.
58 Joyee Flynn
 Since we were twenty-one and were allowed to by pack law,
Declan answered from the chair on the other side of me.  So about
seven years.
 But I thought you loved me?
 We do love you. We love you very much, Taylor said as he
lifted my chin with his hand.  We want you to be our mate, Carson,
not just our Omega. We re taking all of this slowly and as you re
ready. Would you have been okay with claiming us yet?
 No I don t think so. I shook my head, letting all this news sink
in. And not just about them being mated to each other, but about
Tristan and his gifts.  So it s not because I m the pack whore that you
didn t offer to mate me?
 You are not a whore, Declan said firmly, accentuating every
word.  You were forced by a madman. That s not the same thing in
the slightest. None of us think you re a whore or even slutty.
 Though maybe you d like to be one day with your men, Taylor
whispered in my ear. I knew he was trying to make me smile, and it
worked. The idea of being the hot slut for my gorgeous men was such
a turn-on.
 Could I be like your Cabana Boy? I giggled as I leaned against
him. Taylor took the hint and wrapped his massive arms around me.
 Oh yeah. We even have a pool outside for when it s nicer to play
in. He purred in my ear. Then suddenly, I was on his lap and I could
feel his hard-on against my ass. Just to be a tease, I squirmed in his
lap so he knew I felt his excitement at my idea.  Be nice, baby, or our
guests will get a show.
 We ve been talking with the High Council to set up an Omega
network, Tristan said after clearing his throat to get our attention.
 It s our belief that if the Omegas all communicated on a regular
basis, there wouldn t be problem with unexplained issues. Omegas
could know who to talk to about their new powers and learn how to
control them. But even more it would help the Omegas unfortunate
Carson 59
enough who have an inner circle that doesn t really care for them
more than property.
 Yeah, that would have been helpful when I was with Alpha
Peter. I sighed and snuggled in against Taylor s chest.  I wouldn t
have thought I was schizophrenic for so long.
When Tristan shot me a confused look, I filled him in on what my
old Alpha had told me the voices in my head were. Even more, Alpha
Peter had threatened to send me to a nut farm if I didn t behave and
do as he ordered. Or whom he ordered at times.
 Well, at least you re in good hands now, Tristan replied with a
soft smile.  I ve known Declan, Ian, and Taylor since I was a kid.
They re good guys with big hearts. He turned to Declan then.  I was
shocked to find out you took over the Chicago pack when Carson
called me. But now I get why you did it, and I think you guys are
perfect to lead and heal this pack.
 Thanks, Tristan, that means a lot coming from the son of another
Alpha, Declan said with a smile.  We re working on it. They have
some fucked-up views of what a pack should be and what having an
Omega means. Alpha Peter seemed to have taught them that the
Omega of the pack was to be used in more ways than one.
 Would you talk to the High Council? Jared asked me as he sat
back in his chair and eyed me over.  I think your situation is a prime
example of why we need to start a network. You wouldn t have had to
suffer all of that if you d had someone to talk to about it. These
asshole inner circles can t be allowed to keep their Omegas hostage.
 If you think they would listen to me. I shrugged, glancing at
each of my men. They all gave me a smile, letting me know they
supported the idea.
Jared, Cameron, Rhyce, Declan, Ian, and Taylor ended up going
off to Declan s office to talk more about the Omega network and what
we could do as a pack to get involved. Then they said they d handle
lunch while Tristan and I got to talk some more. We ended up in my
studio since it s where I felt most comfortable.
60 Joyee Flynn
 You could paint while we talked if that helps, Carson, Tristan
said gently as he patted my shoulder. I turned and stared up at the
bigger man.
 I wish I got big like you did, I whispered as my eyes started to
burn. Instead of focusing on the past, I wiped my eyes and led him
over to one of the plush chairs.  Would it be cool if I did your
portrait? I m always looking for new subjects.
 Umm, sure. He chuckled and lounged in the chair with his
coffee.  How long have you been painting?
I filled him in as he glanced around the room. I knew that
look& He wanted to see something I d done. I never had my work on
display in the studio. I didn t want any of my old work to distract me
or influence my new projects. Then I told him about how I d finally
showed my men my secret studio and gave them their portraits. While
I rattled on, I got all my paints uncovered and brushes ready.
 Have you been able to block out the thoughts you hear at all? he
asked me as I stared at him to get a good base idea for his painting.
 Only once while Taylor was distracting me. I snickered as my
cheeks heated up, hoping he got my meaning.  But I don t hear them
all the time, only when they seem to be feeling strong emotions.
 There are exercises I can walk you through on how to block the
thoughts. But I also know how to help you strengthen your gift so it s
not just random.
 So like teach me how to turn it on and off in my head, I said
after a minute of thought. I d gotten into my painting already, and
Tristan had been right. It did make this conversation easier. I might
need to talk to George about that or suggest we have my sessions in
here. My studio was like my sanctuary where nothing could hurt me,
even my past memories, and I felt safe here.
 Yes, exactly like that, he replied as I kept working.  Did you
ever see the movie Aliens?
 Yes, why? I giggled, thinking it was a random question.
Carson 61
 Think of the scene after the plane crashes and they go back to the
colony s communication room, Tristan explained as I scrolled
through my movie in my head.  Remember when Ripley says to close
the shields? That s how you have to think of your gifts. When you
don t want to use them, it s like you re lowering shields around your
brain. And you can lift them a little to hear your men if you want or
all the way so you can hear everyone.
 That s a fantastic analogy!
 I can t take credit for it. Tristan chuckled as he glanced around
the room.  I ve been working with another Omega who is a telepath
as well. He s the one who came up with it. But I can help you learn
how to control it. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]