“Rogue, we watched movies today!” she beams at me, her eyes flashing a beautiful shade of sunshine yellow. Clearing my throat, I nod to her. “That’s great.”
“We had popcorn and chocolate too.” She looks so excited as she tells me, but her words make me frown, a hint of worry running through me.
“Is that a good idea?” I ask gently. “We’re already moving away from the compound foods. I don’t want to push it too far.”
Her smile falls away and she looks crestfallen, biting her lip. “Of course,” she whispers. “I won’t have it again.”
My stomach swoops but I hold firm. It’s true. I don’t want to make her ill by feeding her too much sugar. If she’s only eaten basic foods for years, then even just a little could make her unwell. Gabe and Ace exchange a loaded glance over her head. They clearly want to reach out to her, but I shoot them a warning look and they sink back in their seats with matching frowns.
Harper pushes her food around her plate, her shoulders pulled in tightly. Her happiness has completely drained out of her, and a pit of discomfort opens up in my stomach. I hate seeing the desolation on her face, especially after this morning. Devlin ignores us all, staring down at his food.
Christ, this is awkward.
Gabe pulls out a red velvet cake for dessert. Everyone declines, including Harper, who shoots a longing look at it before abruptly shaking her head. Gabe looks at me with accusation in his eyes, making me shift uncomfortably.
Muttering excuses, I disappear to my office.This is for the best,I tell myself.
So why does it feel like I’ve taken a wrong turn?
ChapterTwenty-Three
Harper
Ican feel Rogue’s gaze on me, but I keep my eyes lowered. He gets up and heads out, not saying a word to anyone.
Gabe slides a slice of red velvet cake in front of me. My mouth waters. Red velvet cake is my absolute favourite food. I’m desperate to dig in, but now I keep hearing Rogue’s voice echoing in my ear. I shake my head, gently pushing the plate away with a pang of regret.One day, I think mournfully.
“I’m full, thank you,” I whisper. Gabe hovers over my shoulder, but he doesn’t say anything, and the plate disappears. He starts to run the tap, washing dishes with a vigor that tells me he’s not happy. I shrivel even more in my seat. Now I’ve upset Gabe too. I can’t do anything right.
I don’t know what I’ve done exactly, but there’s definitely been a shift in how the pack are treating me. I wrack my brains trying to think of a reason, but the only one I can think of is that I’ve made myself too comfortable, pushed the rules too far. The day runs through my head and I cringe, thinking of the way I acted with Rogue this morning, and my time with Gabe and Ace this afternoon. They seemed fine at the time, but of course they’re not. They were just being polite. Even to me, the omega.
That’s fine. I’ll keep to myself and stay quiet. A shiver of fear runs through me at the thought of being sent back to the OC. Jason will be there, waiting for me. I swallow back a whimper when I remember how angry he was when the Director sent him away.
Gabe curses, just as I hear the shatter of a broken plate. I jump at the unexpected noise, and I feel Devlin’s eyes on me. When I chance a quick look, his perfect face is scowling again. Instinctively, I huddle into my chair, presenting a smaller target. He looks soangry. What did I do?
Misery surges through me at the thought that I’ve already managed to ruin things. Maybe the compound was right. I am a bad omega. I couldn’t even manage one full day before everything’s gone to shit.
I’m so full of tension that when Ace touches my shoulder unexpectedly, I flinch, a low whimper slipping out. Everyone stops and the atmosphere steps up a notch. Their scents swell up around me so quickly that it feels smothering for the first time, and I bite back a choke at the sensation. Devlin growls, and my eyes flick to him.
“Stop it,” he demands, staring at me. I shrink back, not understanding what he means. Ace’s hand closes gently over my shoulder, but he doesn’t say anything. Devlin’s glare moves to his hand, and I shrug it off quickly. I don’t want to make things any worse.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I don’t understand.”
Devlin lets out an unmistakable snort of derision. “Are you sure?”
Behind me, Ace growls. Devlin’s tone is mocking, and a lump springs up in my throat. What happened to the alpha who cradled me so carefully in the Director’s office? I can’t see any sign of him in the man in front of me.
The urge to run overwhelms me, and I jump out of my seat. It’s too much, between the strong scents and Devlin’s unmistakable anger. Slipping, I nearly fall before I gain purchase on my feet. I can hear Gabe and Ace’s raised voices but I’m past rational thought. I just need to escape.
I fly up the stairs and into my room, pushing the door closed behind me. Slumping to the floor, I wrap my hands around my knees, trying to clear my head. A glint of metal catches my eye and my heart sinks. Someone brought up my cage.
I remember what Rogue said last night about sleeping in a bed. He said it was just for the night. I thought from our conversation this morning that things might be different, but I obviously misunderstood. A stab of sorrow runs through me at the thought.
I crawl forward, pausing to run my hand longingly over the soft cover hanging at the end of my bed. What I wouldn’t give to hide underneath it now.
Turning, I back myself slowly through the cage door, wincing at the feel of the cold squeaky plastic underneath me. Pulling the wire door closed, I curl up, wrapping my arms around me to stay warm.
It’s too exposed, too bright, too cold.
