Omega Lost

**Elena**

A bump stirs me awake. I hadn't even realized I'd fallen asleep. When I shift a little I realize my head is resting on something firm. My arms are wrapped around that same firm thing and I suck in a panicked breath. I move my head to look up and my eyes meet Sebastian's. He gives me a small smile and my face is immediately on fire. I quickly release him and put some space between us.

"I'm so sorry," I say. "I didn't mean to...to..." Oh god...

A warm hand takes me from where I have it fisted on my leg. He gives it a gentle squeeze.

"Don't be sorry. You're tired." He says but I still feel horrible.

"I didn't mean to hold on to you like that..." Please world swallow me up.

I'm not his Omega...I shouldn't have touched him like that. He hasn't claimed me which means there could be others he is interested in. They will not be happy if they smell me on him. How could I have been so stupid? Did I forget everything I learned over only a few days?

"Elena...." I bite back a whimper at the sound of my name coming from his lips. "Don't worry. I'm not upset."

"But...you'll smell like me now! I shouldn't have done that...people will think..."

He smirks. "What? That you and I are together?"

Why doesn't he seem more angry?

I nod. "Yes."

"I want them to know. So stop worrying." He gives me a smile and opens his door.

My eyes are on him as he stands to the side holding it open so we can climb out. Eli heads for the door in an excited rush nearly tumbling out before Sebastian steps forward and grabs him. He doesn't get angry with how careless the pup is and instead smiles down at him. He's not what I expected an Alpha to be like.

"Hey, don't worry so much." The woman says. "There isn't anything you could do that is wrong."

She gives me a kind smile before climbing out of the car and moving away. I hesitate for a moment and even a little longer when I notice the crowd of people walking around. It's the middle of the afternoon on a work day, why is it so crowded? Or do people often leave work to shop? Can't say that I know or even thought about it. I was taught that I wouldn't work and that staying out of other's business was important. I'm not supposed to ask questions. Sebastian holds his hand out to me and I quickly move forward to take it. I don't want to keep him waiting or he might...what? What would he do if I took too long? Or didn't take his hand?

He would have every right to punish me, but he seems different...

He takes my hand with his other and uses his free hand to hold onto my elbow so that I can climb down without falling. Once I'm on my feet I expect him to let me go but he doesn't He keeps hold of my hand as he turns slightly to shut the door. Then he switches hands so that we can hold hands properly. I look down at our entwined hands and then at him in confusion.

"Is this okay?" He asks.

I silently nod and he tightens his hands slightly almost possessively. That makes sense. Holding my hand like this would help him keep from moving too far away from him and make sure no one looks at me. His guidance will be helpful since I have to keep my eyes trained on the ground.

"Aria lead the way. I don't think I've been to this place before." He says and I try to remember the woman's name better this time.

I don't want to offend her since she seems close with Sebastian. He will want me to show respect to all his friends.

"No problem, but you'll probably be able to find your way from the smell. It always smells amazing." She muses.

I lift my eyes slightly to see her cooing at Eli and it warms my heart. He's loving the attention and I'm glad he's getting it. Not that I don't think we would have been fine alone, but him feeling wanted like this is amazing. Did those people interact with him at all? Did he feel lonely all that time? It makes me sick thinking that could be true.

"Is that? It is! Alpha Sebastian!" Someone calls from a short distance away.

It's a woman's voice and the high-pitched sound makes me cringe. It doesn't take long for them to meet us, but I keep my head low.

Don't draw attention to yourself...

Show submission unless otherwise instructed...

Stay silent...

So that's what I do.

"Hello," Sebastian says politely.

"It's been so long since we saw you. You haven't come to any of the pack gatherings in so long." One says.

"I have been very busy." He says.

"Of course, you're a very important man. But surely you must miss...everyone." The way she says it sounds more like she's hoping he missed her. His hold on my hand tightens like he's getting angry.

"As I said I've been busy. My responsibilities have increased recently."

"Oh my! I'm so sorry about your father. He was such an amazing guy." One of the girls says and his hold tightens even more...almost painful.

I can't help but make a sound when it starts to feel uncomfortable. His grip loosens immediately and he's turning me to face him.

"Elena...I'm so sorry. Did I hurt you?" His hands are on either of my cheeks and he has lifted my head to look at him.

Our eyes meet and I feel that strange feeling in my chest again. "N-no," I whisper.

His eyes are wide as he lifts my hand and examines it for injury. I let him but when he sees there is no damage he closes his eyes and blows out a breath. He leans forward and rests his forehead against mine. "I'm sorry." He says softly.

My eyes are closed and I feel sparks along every place we touch. I'm lost when he's this close and I forget where we are until one of the women laughs awkwardly.

"Um...who is this?" She says breaking our moment.

I quickly lower my head and step back from Sebastian. He doesn't reach for me or touch me again and for some reason that hurts.

"This is Elena-"

"Hey, I thought I lost you guys!" I hear Aria join us and stands next to me.

Eli moves toward me in her arms so I lean over and take him snuggling him close and burying my nose against his neck. I feel better when he smells like me.

"Aw, what a cute pup." One of the women says and I feel this urge to growl at her, but I don't.

"Ladies how nice to see you...again." Aria doesn't actually sound happy.

"Aria." One of them says it is almost like the sound leaves a bad taste in her mouth.

A sense of protectiveness builds inside me and for a reason I can't explain I step in front of her and lift my eyes to the two women. They look at me a little surprised and ir realize I had let out a small growl. I'm just as stunned and once I realize what I've done I drop my eyes and step away.

"I'm sorry ladies but we must go. Enjoy your day." Sebastian says before grabbing my hand again and dragging me away.

My heart races and my eyes sting. I'm in huge trouble. He's going to send me away and I'll have to find somewhere here to sleep until I can find a better place for me and Eli. We suddenly stop and I nearly run right into Sebastian's back. "Oh, my goddess. Did you see their faces?" Aria says with a laugh.

"Elena..."

"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry...please...I don't know why I did that..." I blubber.

He slides a finger under my chin and forces me to look at him. I don't see anger in his face at all. Instead, his lips tip up in what looks more like amusement.

"Do not apologize. You protected your pack. That is nothing to apologize for." He says almost sounding...proud.

I'm confused...

"I shouldn't have done that. I don't know what happened." I say and try to look away but he won't let me go.

He shakes his head. "You did what a leader of a pack would do."

"But I'm not a leader of a pack or even part of yours and it's not what an Omega is supposed to do or should even be able to do." I point out a little hysterically. I'm truly confused by my actions. I understand being protective over Eli for obvious reasons but Aria? It makes no sense.