As for me? I’m struggling. She’s always been a random girl Harlan has been looking for, for years. I figured he’d find her, get her out of his system, and move on. That’s obviously not going to happen now.
Isidro says Silva told him that she’s my scent match too, but I’m not sure what this pull is about. Women aren’t really my thing, as they’re too emotional. Isidro isn’t like that. He’s pretty level headed and knows what’s important to get a job done.
I hate that he has to ignore so many of his omega instincts, and he’s due to go off his medication soon. He told me it wouldneed to be done after this mission. He’s beginning to get the feeling that his skin is stretched too tightly and everything feels too loud.
It’s important to listen when he has those feelings because otherwise, it affects his mood as well. It’s how we figured out that he needs to go off them due to how badly his mental health unravels.
When we’re done with Widows Peak, my plan was to take some time off to take care of Isidro during his heat. Now, it doesn’t seem like we’ll be able to put this town in our rearview window and forget about it.
Huffing out a sound of frustration, I pull on a pair of black joggers, a long sleeved shirt, a sweatshirt, and my socks and sneakers. It’s not snowing yet, which means I’ll be fine with just this.
I make sure to carry a bottle of water, my phone, and ear buds, then get ready to leave. My pack mates are still dead to the world, making me smile.
“See you later,” I murmur, not wanting to wake them up.
Sneaking out the door, I lock it again and glare at the video camera.
I can’t be fucked to break into her security and hide my movements. I’m not doing anything wrong. I am, however, annoyed that the proprietor of this establishment is going to such lengths to spy on her guests.
So far, I haven’t run into anyone who is staying here. I’ve heard floors creak as people walk, but they haven’t been out while my pack and I are. Sloane mentioned he may need my hacking skills soon for a night trip he doesn’t want recorded, and I told him I was down to help.
Ignoring the itching between my shoulder blades as I give my back to the camera, I walk with light feet down the hall anddescend the stairs. I need to move, and if I find myself at Silva’s house, I’ll call it a happy accident.
Isidro mentioned that he wanted to do some upkeep work for her on her house. I want to see the state of it before I offer to help him. His love language is acts of service, and I know that he wants her to see that he’s serious about getting to know her.
Silva is playing hard to get, and has no idea how Isidro is when he’s presented with something he can’t have. He lives day to day hiding most of his instincts, Silva is someone he doesn’t have to hide from.
I know she doesn’t know him, but she’s about to understand how fierce the three of us are.
Unlocking the back door, I walk outside quietly, making sure to lock back up.
Once in the backyard, I begin to warm up my muscles before my run. I’d usually do this in the front lawn, but people are probably beginning to get up for the day. In a town like this, they like to chat, and I’m not awake enough to play the jovial alpha I’m used to projecting.
Masking is part of this job. It’s like playing a part, and every person on my team is used to it. I need to strip it all down for Silva, even if she doesn’t like what she sees. I have a feeling she’ll see right through it anyway.
Once I’m sure my muscles won’t cramp, I exit the back yard and walk to the sidewalk before popping in my earbuds and finding one of my running workout playlists. I need heavy drums, a guitar solo that makes my heart pound, and poignant lyrics.
Otherwise, I don’t fucking want it.
My feet pick up speed once my phone is tucked into one of the many pockets in my hoodie, and I pretend I’m letting them lead the way. The truth is that I already memorized the path toSilva’s house, and it’s a forty minute run using a very indirect route.
I use this time to get to know the streets, businesses, and people who live here as I run. There’s a woman who is gardening in her front yard, and I wonder if she’s winterizing her garden. She doesn’t look up as I run past, busy with her mulch and flowers.
It says something about this town that she doesn’t notice me, as people would be more on guard in a larger city. It’s an interesting dynamic, and I can see why it’s something Silva wants to protect.
I’m breathing hard as I slow down to a walk on Silva’s street, glad my sweatshirt pockets are as deep as they are as I pull out my water bottle. A part of me is punishing myself with this run because I feel badly that I tried to make her doubt Syrus’ devotion to her.
There’s nothing really petty or shallow in Silva that I can see. Sure, she put Harlan on his ass, but that was driven by an instinct to protect herself. Harlan was being creepy, and that wasn’t the best way to open a conversation.
Was it funny for me to watch Silva zap Harlan, oh for sure. It just wasn’t conducive to connecting with her.
Breathing heavy as my pace inches to a crawl, I suck down water before looking around at the neighborhood. The houses vary in style, and some have wrap-around porches, which others don’t. Silva’s house has a porch in the front, and it appears that there’s a raised porch in back before it opens into a backyard that’s completely open.
I’m not sure why she doesn’t have a fence, but that annoys me. How does she get any privacy?
The world feels very quiet as I turn off my ear buds, and I focus on getting my breathing under control. My eyes also immediately land on the different cameras at the front of theproperty, something I am happy about. A very large part of me is now concerned with her safety.
“Fuck,” I mutter under my breath.
