I watched from a safe distance as Theo pulled off his shirt and jumped into the ocean. Every year he tried to convince me to jump in with him, but I always came up with the same lame excuse about not being in the mood. At least this time I had a real excuse. 

My mark was killing me.

Theo was lucky, like most Alphas and Betas he could get beat to a pulp and within a few hours he would be as good as new. I on the other hand would be sore for at least three days. A small smile played on my lips as his shaggy brown hair bobbed out of the water. It always made me nervous seeing him go under.

The sun had already kissed his skin and he looked three shades darker since we arrived. His muscles rippled against and he looked completely in his element. He tried to wave hello, but a large wave over took him. He face planted hard into the ocean and I couldn't help laughing.

"Wow, what a goon," I heard a familiar voice from behind me joke.

I flipped my head back to look at who it was and cringed.

Andy looked down at me with a sympathetic smile.

He knew. Of course he did. Anyone a mile away could smell me.

"Hey," he said after realizing he was staring too long. "Mind if we join you two?"

Andy pointed to his crew and I shook my head, trying to keep the pain to myself.

"No, not at all."

"Good because we were going to whether you wanted us to or not," Kathy stated before pulling off her shirt and running toward the water. Jared caught up to her and held her hand as they jumped into the ocean. The rest of crew soon followed, except for Eve who sat beside me. Her hair long, black hair had been put up in a high pony, which made her collar completely visible.

It almost felt like, a slap in the face.

She said nothing at first and just placed her head on my shoulder. The sudden contact made me gasp, but within seconds I had completely relaxed.

"How do you feel?" She asked with her gaze fixed on the ocean.

"Scared." I answered honestly.

"Why?" She smiled and I furrowed my brows. "You never have to be scared again."

My eyes widened.

"I didn't want this."

"We are Omegas," Eve said with a heavy sigh. "Since when do we ever get what we really want?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but she jumped off and pulled off her top to show her bathing suit.

"This is getting too depressing for me," She said reaching her hand out towards me. I could see there was a glaze over her eyes, as if she was trying to hold in tears. "Come on let's go swimming."

I looked at her and and bit my lip, "I'm sorry, I can't."

Eve just shrugged and headed towards her friends.

I watched the pack play and splash with only a mild interest. The waves just made me more nauseous I spent the rest of the afternoon watching the clouds and feeling my skin burn.