There’s a nagging in my chest, like I can understand how little packs form. These women are bound not by love, but by survival. Each of them scarred in different ways, circling each other for warmth like animals that know better than to trust, but also hate to be lonely.
And I wonder—when this ends, if it ever ends—what happens to someone like me? When I’m no longer an omega, when I stop being hunted, will there still be anyone left I can call mine?
As I sit in my own mind, I glance up when someone comes in through the front door. The person reeks of omega and enters like she owns gravity—short, striking, with eyes and hair that match mine. The room goes taut, and I’m not sure why. Is she practically in charge here, or something?
“Roxy, you’re back?” Juno asks, and my stomach drops so much my back hunches over.
The fact that shedoeslook like me makes my stomach sinkeven further, finding something off about that. I don’t even know what it would mean, but I still don’t like it.
There’s something I don’t like aboutanyof this, and I can’t tell what it is.
Her gaze lands on me. Then she inhales with a raise of her lip—deep and deliberate, the way an alpha might. She heads right to her room, nearly slamming it shut.
The following night, I leave my room to get some water.
I hesitate when I see someone at the dining table, sitting in the dark next to an oil lamp. It’s Roxy, and she’s knitting something small. When I decide that there’s no reason for her and me to have any issues, given I don’twantJudge, I go to get my water.
“So, you came here smelling like Judge,” Roxy says, and I eye one of the knives nearby like I might have to freaking use it on her. “Smells an incredible amount like Judge. I can’t tell for sure, though, since you still stink of suppressants.”
I turn on the sink, watching the water swirl around inside the glass cup. “I’m not talking about it,” I reply.
“He never smells of omegas, so that wouldn’t make much sense if itwereJudge.” Roxy places her knitting needles down. “Guess it’s time for a change, isn’t it?”
I partially glance her way, and then back at the water like I can’t make it more obvious. “I just want some water.”
Roxy stands, her chair dramatically scooting against the floor, nearing me as she places a hand on a knife that was left out by the lemons, readjusting it a few times as I hear the metal on stone. I glare at her, holding my breath like I might have to throw this water in her face. “Icantell you I don’t want him,” I say, although the words that come out don’t feel true.
Her eyes, a similar shade of light brown to mine, glance up at me. “Why did you smell of him?”
“He’s the one who carried me away,” I quickly say, wanting this woman’s attention off of me. Is she plotting tokillme? “Over his shoulder,” I lie. “He kept me in his jeep just because we were traveling, and I had already stabbed him with a needle. He didn’t trust me with anyone else.”
She raises her eyebrows. “You stabbed him with a needle?”
“Yeah, he’s not exactly happy with me,” I lie further.
The sound of more feet approaches us, but I don’t turn to look so as not to give Roxy an opening. “Roxy, leave her alone,” Juno says, walking past me to stand between us. She’s wearing a massive sweater that’s nearly a dress on her, shaking out her hair that’s down. “She’s not going to steal Judge. Are you touching that knife? Seriously?”
Relief floods Roxy’s face, and she looks between us like she’s been caught with her pants down, sliding the knife toward the wall. “Oh, I was just checking, Juno. IknowJudge’s scent. But it’s all understood now.” My blood runs hot, my instincts nearly wanting to growl at her for saying it like that. “Have a good night, ladies,” Roxy says, smiling sweetly at us.
Juno turns to me. “Girl, you might want to lock your door at night.”
“Yeah, really caught onto that,” I say, drinking the water before placing the empty cup upside down on a towel. “Appreciate coming out here, Juno.”
She looks me over. “It’s okay. I know it’s hard to be one ofusin this world. We don’t need to make it harder on each other.”
“Thank you,” I say, smiling at it.
With a little polite nod to each other, I grab one of the thick wool blankets from the couch, step into some shoes, head out to the courtyard, and just stand there for a moment to try to disassociate. As I take a few more steps, frozen leaves crunchingunderfoot, the cold is so distracting and helpful. It bites with such a bitter touch that I can just mentally float away.
My brother and I used to hang out underneath an oak tree near our habitation. My eyes sting with the threat of tears to feel so close to him, and yet I know I’llneversee him again. All I have left is Selene.
What would she think of me if she could see me now?
JUDGE
Somewhere above,a pipe drips with an almost rhythmic patience—plink, plink, plink.
Padding my weapons, I ensure they’re secure in case she tries to come at me. I hardly ever have them near Diana, because I don’t want her to see me as someone worth fearing,ortrying to grab them herself.
