I woke up the next morning feeling determined. I wasn’t going to sit around waiting for Derek to notice me anymore. I’m an omega, and I know how to use that to get what I want. So after breakfast, when Matthew said he was going for a run, I saw my chance.

Derek was in the kitchen cleaning up dishes, and I walked up behind him, close enough to smell his alpha scent. It made my stomach all fluttery, but I pushed that down and put my hand on his arm.

“Hey, Derek, can we talk for a minute?” I said, trying to sound sweet.

He turned around, his face...