I recognize the tiredness, the restlessness. Auryn had the same look when she came to us.
It’s been four years. Four years since we brought the rescued omegas from Sneed’s basement dungeon to The Delta Institute. Four years since Auryn put an end to Sneed and his operations.
In many ways, Mishka looks like the same young man we rescued—he’s got the same blue eyes full of emptiness, the same messy brown hair. But his shoulders hunch more now than they did when he came here. He keeps to himself most of the time, which is why the fights are concerning. Auryn says he’s internalizing. What, I’m not sure, but I guess that’s what I’m supposed to figure out.
Why did I agree to this, again? Oh, yes, because my mate and the mother of my child asked me so nicely.
Not that it would have taken much…
“If this is about my report,” he starts, and I shake my head. I think of what I should say, chewing my lip, then realize as he stares at me, I’m being awkward and have been quiet too long. I sigh, figuring it is probably just best to say it concretely. That way there can be no misconstruing my words.
“I hear you were found this morning in the woods…” His shoulders tense, and he stands up straighter as I press on. “With Calvin.”
The sound that escapes his throat is not a growl or a whimper, but some angry amalgamation of the two.
“I already told Dean Hoffield what happened, I—”
“I don’t need the details,” I say, holding up my hand. “I just want to know if you are okay.” I figure this is a good place to start.
His shoulders loosen. “I’m fine; he didn’t hurt me.”
It’s the way his voice cuts through the air with sharpness. Defense.
He’s not okay. I know this in my bones. Auryn is right. Something is going on.
“You were found bleeding,” I say, crossing my arms. “I would say that is a defining symptom of being hurt.”
Mishka shakes his head. “Pain and blood don’t hurt me,” he says, and I am pulled back to a different place. A different time. A different omega.
“Yes, well, wounds can be deeper than flesh, Mishka. Which is why I just want to say—”
“I’m fine, Professor Montgomery. Really, I appreciate your whole—” he moves his hands in front of me. “I know this is like your dad hormones or whatever, but I promise you I’m fine.”
My face flushes with heat because even though my pack and I work at the institute now, and even though we don’t keep things a secret, we try to keep our personal lives out of the mouths of the professors and students. But I suppose people talk, anyway. That’s apparent.
“Well, if you find that you are not—”
“Yeah, whatever. I’ll make an appointment with the counselor when she gets back,” he says. I blink. He straightens his stance, offering me a smile that I know isn’t genuine, but that tells me he’s done with this conversation, nonetheless.
“Alright, then,” I say, and he gives me his back. Only when he’s gone do I breathe a sigh of relief. But that relief will be short-lived, because I realize I didn’t get much information for Auryn.
Oh, well. Hopefully, it will be enough for now, and if it is not…there are plenty of distractions I can use to my advantage.
When I finally make it to the compound, I’m met by two speedy alpha boys who nearly knock me over before going on their way, barreling down the hall. I open my mouth to tell them to slow down when I see Emmett is at the other end of the hall, and I ease up.
“When did you get in?” I ask, closing the door.
Em picks up Kendal, spinning him around in the air before setting him back down on the ground. Riley begs to be spun, and he obliges without a second thought, shooting a sly grin at me.
“This afternoon.”
This afternoon…That means he’s been here for at least five hours. Gage won’t even be home for another hour due to practice. The wafting scent from the kitchen tells me Diego is home early, and I feel a sense of relief. Not that I don’t want him to be home alone with Auryn, Lord knows there’s no issue there, but more or less because I thought he would have told me he was coming home, period. We talk every day for goodness’ sake. He could’ve said something.
I scowl. He grins as he puts Riley on the ground. Both boys stumble around, likely from dizziness. I shake my head, knowing the argument is not worth it. There are other ways to punish Emmett. I will find a way to push his buttons. I always do.
I shrug, feigning indifference, but we both know I’m just biding my time.
“Whatever,” I say. He smirks as he passes me in the hallway, chasing after the boys, stopping just for a moment, placing his hand on my chest.
