I’ve got bigger issues.
“Where am I?” I ask directly. He’s not giving me kidnapping omega vibes, and I don’t feel like he’s about to wrangle me into a cage and sell me off… but I don’t trust my instincts anymore.
He straightens and takes a small step into the room. “You’re above my bar. I found you in my storage shed, burning up and half-dead, so I brought you in here.”
He folds his arms, cocking a brow at me. “Feel free to explain why you were hiding in my shed at any time.”
Swallowing, I press my hand against my cheek. It burns against my hand, my temperature still high.
Even now, the familiar pain pulses dully in my stomach, a twisting, taunting fist that’ll never let me forget what happened.
“I don’t remember.” The lie drops from my lips, and I glance down. He seems nice enough. I don’t want to lie to him. But I’m also not about to set myself up.
When I glance back up, he nods. “Fair enough. There’s a jug of water on your nightstand.” He nods to the tall, filled glass, a smaller glass placed carefully beside it. “Some painkillers too.”
When my eyes move back to him, he holds up his hands. “You don’t want to tell me where you’re from, that’s fine. You’re clearly running from something, and you need rest. So get some sleep, and come find me when you’re feeling up to it.”
It’s a generous offer. I’m not likely to find better, not out here in the middle of nowhere. I mull his words over before I give a slow nod.
“I’m Emmett,” he offers, before he closes the door. He doesn’t ask for my name, and I’m grateful, just in case word is getting around.
Although if anyone’s looking for me, the hair will probably do it.
Gingerly, I settle my aching bones back into the mattress, but not before I glug down two full glasses of water, ignoring the painkillers. I lie back, leaving the overhead light on and trying not to freak out.
This is probably a good thing. It’s better than wandering around the forest, waiting to be scooped up by traffickers.
As the adrenaline leaves my body in a rush, I swallow down the ache at the back of my throat. I wonder where my parents are. If they’re still fighting the Council. If Jessalyn is with them, her snark in full force as she tries to persuade them to turn over their decision.
I wonder if my pack ever showed up, or if they’re just getting on with their lives. My stomach flips.
Did they ever care about me at all? Even the tiniest bit?
Turning onto my side, I squeeze my eyes shut.
None of it matters now. I can’t afford to dwell on it. I have to look forward, put a plan together.
It won’t be long until my body fails me completely. I can feel it in my energy levels, in my shaking hands as I gripped the glass in both hands to drink my water.
I don’t know how long, exactly. And truthfully, I can’t bring myself to care.
8
SIENNA
I’m curled up in the little bed, staring blankly at the wall when the door opens. Quiet footsteps pad across the room, making the hair on the back of my neck stand on end in warning.
Bracing myself for a fight, I flinch when Emmett’s whisper floats across the room.
“There are men outside looking for you.”
My whole body locks up, and I bite back a whimper. “Did you… did you tell them I’m here?”
When I turn over, Emmett has crossed to the window, peering through the small crack in the cream curtains. “No. But they’re asking around. How much trouble are you in, exactly?”
He doesn’t sound hugely concerned. More like he’s preparing himself.
I swallow. “I’m not entirely sure. Are there three of them?”
