Oli tilts his head. “What about you? What brought you to Pueblo?”
I hesitate, picking at a piece of pancake as the ease of conversation fades. A knot forms low in my stomach.
“I ran away there when I turned eighteen. After my mom left the year before when she couldn’t take my father’s bullshit anymore. You can’t get into the Omega Safe Haven easily as a minor. They bring in CPS and other things, so I waited as long as I could to avoid all of that.” I trail off. I don’t want toelaborate further on all the shit I went through before I became a counselor and could turn my life around.
Silence stretches between us. I stare down at my lap, unwilling to meet their eyes and see the pity I know is there.
Caleb shifts, his fingers brushing over the rim of his cup before he speaks. “You don’t have to talk about it. Not if you’re not ready.”
I glance at him, surprised he’s the first to speak, and give him a small, appreciative smile. “Thank you. Maybe someday. I’m still trying to recover from everything he’s dragged me into lately. I thought I was free of him.” I lower my fork and sigh.
Oli slides his hand over mine. “We’re here. Whenever you want to talk. No pressure. And what he did was horrible. It’s understandable that you don’t want to talk about him or your past.”
His touch, the warmth behind his words, eases the tightness in my chest.
Ross leans forward. “So, the Safe Haven. What do you do there?”
Grateful for the shift in conversation, I straighten my back and set my plate aside, giving them my full attention. “I’m a counselor. I help Omegas who are in trouble. Escaping abuse, finding housing, legal aid, talk things out. Stuff like that.”
Ross squints slightly, his head tilting as he studies me. “That sounds like important work.”
“It is.” I nod. “It can be tough, but it matters. When I help someone get out, help them start over... it makes me feel like I’m making up for the things my father had me do when I was younger.”
Oli runs his thumb across the back of my hand; it sends zings along my skin, but I do my best to ignore them. “You have an energy that tells me you’re good at that kind of work, and thatthere’s many people out there better for having met you.” He offers me a kind smile.
The quiet confidence in his voice wraps around me. I smile back.
Caleb glances toward me, his fingers tapping against his cup. “Do you think you’ll keep working for them if you stay?”
I take a sip of orange juice, letting the pause give me time. “I haven’t thought that far ahead.” My gaze moves between them. “Do you want me to stay? You already have an Omega.”
Oli and Ross exchange a glance. Ross drags a hand through his dark brunette hair, swept back in a loose pompadour. “You’re scent-matched with us. Of course we want you here.”
I shift my eyes to Caleb; he’s the one I’m unsure about. “Caleb, what about you?”
He pushes his glasses up and looks toward the floor. “I...”
A sudden knock on the door cuts through the moment. We freeze. Every muscle locks tight, I hold my breath. The air turns heavy, like the moment before a storm hits.
My heart jumps into my throat.They found me.
Impossible Choices
Ross
The sharp scent of her fear cuts through the room, bitter and unmistakable. It makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck, even though I know that we’re safe here.
Oli tightens his grip on her hand while Caleb shifts beside him. His focus locks on the door. Every muscle in his body tenses, ready for whatever comes next. I straighten; my inner Alpha instincts stir beneath the surface.
The door creaks open. Jethro steps inside, his expression calm. He’s already shed his jacket and shoes. A faint frown touches his face as he takes in Sandra’s wide eyes and her grip on Oli’s hand.
He lifts his hands, palms open, and takes a careful step forward. “It’s just me. You’re safe.”
Sandra exhales, her shoulders sagging. Her scent changes; the sharp edge of fear recedes, though not entirely.
Jethro moves closer and glances toward the window. “Snow’s coming down hard. They’re saying we could get a foot, maybe more. Roads won’t stay open much longer.”
I glance towards the window. It’s coming down harder now than it was while I cooked breakfast.
