Omega Lost
Chapter 17

**Sebastian**

Elena is looking up at me with eyes and her lips slightly parted. I don't miss the way her pupils dilate in reaction to my authoritative presence as an Alpha. Of course, it's different since we clearly have a different connection, but I have already decided to keep that to myself. Something that will be very difficult when she basically asks if she will be mine now. Fuck I want to say yes, but I don't want her to accept me out of a deep-rooted desire to please an Alpha. "Do you understand Elena?" I ask her because I don't want her ever to doubt her free will.

She swallows and nods slowly. "Yes."

I relax and I know I should move away from her but the urge to touch her is too strong. Without thinking I reach up and brush her cheek with one of my fingers and watch her eyes close. She lets out a shuttered breath that makes me want to kiss her so badly, but I quickly drop my hand and step away from her. Her eyes blink a few times before she looks at me again.

"We're ready to go if you are," I tell her.

She nods and drops her eyes to her feet. I hate this feeling of not calming her here and now. No doubt it's what she expects. She must be confused right now, but it feels wrong not to let her make this decision on her own. I want her to want me not be obligated to me. Don't get me wrong it will fucking hurt if she doesn't accept me but how can I force her to be with me? It goes against everything I believe in. Can I do that to someone when I couldn't do the same to my sisters? Do I have the right to do that?

"Come on. We have a car ready." I tell her and head for the elevator where Aria is waiting with Eli in her arms.

Elena moves silently behind me keeping a good distance between us.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting." She says softly.

I turn to her and give her a smile. "You didn't we are in no hurry. I promise."

She looks at me for a long moment and that urge to touch her or maybe pull her into my arms rises again. I don't know how I'm going to stop myself any time I'm near her to not touch her. The urge feels almost painful. Does she not feel it? I press the button for the elevator and we wait in silence. My mind is racing a mile a minute trying to understand the situation and how I am going to manage to keep my distance but remain close enough to her that I don't cause us equal pain. That's another thing. How am I going to go through day-to-day life without keeping her close so that we don't cause each other pain? I'm going to need Aria to figure out a way to ease the pain or I'm going to be perpetually distracted by the presence of the woman behind me.

When the elevator finally arrives we step in, Elena last and I scan my hand to take us to the bottom floor. I'll have to program her handprint into it as well. If I need to bring them to the office with me they will most likely be here when I'm working. I'll have to test how bad the pain will be. If it's too much I'll have to move to my home office. That way I'll be close to work but close enough to her that we will be comfortable.

Elena has moved behind me and situated herself in the corner. When I glance at her she looks a little anxious. Does she not like elevators? My question is answered when the elevator jolts a little and she grabs my hand. Joy wells up in me that she's touching me but I don't show it. Instead, I close my hand over hers and give it a little squeeze. Maybe if I let her initiate things then I won't have the guilt of pushing her and still be able to enjoy whatever small touches she offers me. "Sorry." She says before trying to pull her hand away.

I don't let go because I can tell she is only pulling away because she thinks I'm uncomfortable with it. "It's okay," I tell her with a small smile.

Her cheeks get a little pink and it's just so damn cute. She's driving me crazy and we've only known each other for maybe an hour or two.

We spend the rest of the ride down holding hands and when we arrive at the lobby I don't let her hand go. Instead, I use it to lead her out of the building to the car. Once we reach it I'm forced to let her go so she can climb in. I take a step back and let Aria and Eli climb in next. Of course, I would much rather sit next to Elena but I won't push Aria out of the way to do it.

When I climb in Aria has taken the bench seat that is set up across the one closest to the door. I had my SUV set up with the two rows facing each other instead of behind each other so it feels more welcoming. This way you can see everyone and talk more naturally. It also allows me to see the knowing look Aria is giving me. Eli has snuggled up in her lap and fallen asleep already, so I carefully close the door so as not to wake him.

Once the door is closed the driver pulls away from the curb and merges into traffic. I try to keep a comfortable distance between Elena and me but I can't help stealing glances at her. She's just so damn beautiful. She's looking out the window with her hands set in her lap like a doll. In fact, the way she sits is very proper. It must be something she learned at the school. I guess those kinds of things are ingrained in them so much that it comes naturally to them. As if she can sense me watching her she turns to look in my direction and I quickly pull out my phone as if it's gone off.

When I unlock it I see a message from my mom.

Mom: I fixed up one of the rooms in your house for the Omega and another for the pup. The girls helped make it as comfortable as possible. Hopefully, it's comfortable enough for them. We can take her out later for clothes and such. Shit. I forgot about her having clothes.

"Elena."

She looks at me and waits.

"What sort of clothes do you normally wear? We should stop somewhere and pick you up some stuff before going to the house." I say.

She looks a little uncomfortable. "I had a small selection of clothes before. I also was never allowed to buy my own clothes. I can wear whatever you wish." Again with that...

"I want you to wear whatever makes you comfortable. How about we stop at the store and you can try a few things." I offer her.

She nods.

"First, I am starving! Let's stop somewhere there is food." Aria adds.

"Of course. You must be hungry as well." I say keeping my eyes on Elena.

She hesitates and bites her lower lip but eventually nods.

"There's a shopping center not far from pack lands. Everyone shops there. They have a couple of department stores and small restaurants. Lots of choices!" Aria says with excitement. Elena gives her a shy smile. "Sounds wonderful."

I send a message to the driver telling him where we want to go and settle in for the drive. The pack lands are about thirty minutes away, so we have a little bit of a drive ahead of us. Aria is watching something on her phone a few minutes into the drive and I'm going through a few emails when I feel something bump into my shoulder. I look over and see Elena has dozed off and fallen to the side landing on me. I freeze.

What should I do? There is enough space between us for it to be awkward for her to sleep in this position but I don't want to wake her by moving. Also, the only way she could move from this position into one more comfortable is if I lay her on my lap. That does not seem like a wise choice. As much as I respect women, I'm a man, and having a woman's head in my lap is a little...much.

Aria bites back a smile like she's ready to burst up laughing.

"What do I do?" I hiss at her.

She shrugs. "She's your Omega."

"She isn't...yet." I remind her.

Another shrug. Before I can decide Elena scoots closer and wraps her arms through mine cuddling closer. I smile to myself and go back to my emails.