[ Omega. Her mind halts and she stops in her tracks, connecting it to the way he had pressed his mask to her neck. Had he been scenting her? She’d witnessed her parents do this ritual all the time growing up, before her father’s passing, and Anthony with his many flings.

She laughs, but it sounds all wrong, warbly and terrible, and lifts her confused eyes to the icy blue of her captor’s. ]

No, no. [ She shakes her head, emphatic. If she’s not an omega, will he let her go? ] You’re mistaken. I’m a beta, not an omega. My mother is, and half of my siblings, but not me. You must’ve — [ her throat closes suddenly, thick with tears. She forces herself to continue. ] You smelt somebody else. Please. I have money. You can have anything you want!