On the street, I’d have been vulnerable to anyone who wanted me, and an omega in fear put out a scent that no suppressants could hide. Trying to convince myself otherwise had been delusional. If my old pack didn’t find me, if they hadn’t figured out where I was by now, another would.
At least these guys seemed decent. My wolf liked them as he had never approved of my previous pack. If I hadn’t “belonged” to them, I wouldn’t have stayed there at all. Omegas were little more than property in the eyes of many alphas. And I had been even less than that.
“We’ll be home in a few minutes.” Lev drove through town, eyes on the road as the sun set and night set in. “I’m glad you took a chance on us.”
“It was kind of you to offer. I won’t stay long, and I won’t be a bad tenant.”
He glanced in my direction, a frown turning down those full lips. “Consider yourself at home. You’re not a tenant.”
Their home was everything I had been told to expect. Nice but not fancy. A place a family could live in comfort but not luxury. He pulled into the driveway and turned off the engine. “Ready?”
“I hope so,” I muttered, opening my door and stepping out. Because if this was a mistake, I didn’t think I’d survive it.
The door opened before we got to it, and the other two alphas stepped out. Rowan, who’d taken care of me at the healing center and Miles, the professor. Oh, goddess. I had turned him down and not very graciously for the same thing I’dsaid yes to Lev about. My cheeks burned as they came down the steps to us.
Lev arrived at my side with my two bags over his shoulders. “We’re home,” he said cheerfully. “What’s for dinner?”
They ushered me inside and showed me to the room they had available. It was clean and smelled great, although compared to the rest of the house, it was rather plain but still homey. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I gave a tentative bounce. “So comfortable. Thank you.”
Miles opened the window a crack. “It’s a little stuffy in here.”
“It’s fine, and the bed seems very comfortable.”
“Why don’t we leave you here to unpack and settle in.” Rowan opened a couple of other doors in the room. “Closet and private bath.”
“You are on the opposite side of the house from our rooms,” Lev pointed out. “And your door locks from the inside only.” Meaning, they couldn’t lock me in or come in if I didn’t want them to. I hadn’t told them much yet about my life before, but they intuitively seemed to understand that I needed to have privacy. Safety.
They left me then, telling me dinner was in about an hour, although nobody had said what it was. Sniffing the air, I picked up delectable scents. Roasting beef, baking bread… I locked the door behind them, hoping they wouldn’t get mad. They had told me it was okay, right?
Instead of unpacking, I kicked off my shoes and lay back on the bed. Closed my eyes.
I woke up to a light tapping on the door, unsure of where I was for a minute. Then I heard that deep voice of the professor. “Harper, dinner is ready if you are.”
“Be right there,” I called sitting up. “Just give me a minute to freshen up.”
“No hurry. And no need to fuss. We’re casual around here.”
Very different than my old pack. Not only would they be demanding I come now, I would have to do it looking good…by their lights. So, slutty. I’d left every bit of that lingerie slut wardrobe behind, escaping in a set of sweats one of the maids had given me. I hoped nobody found out she did that.
I took them at their word and arrived at the dinner table in comfortable clothes, although I had neatened my hair. They were setting a platter on the table holding slices of roast beef surrounded by tiny roast potatoes and carrots. Rolls and butter and glasses of water were already waiting.
“We have iced tea and milk and juice if you want something else to drink?” Rowan said. “Also wine, but while adjusting to your new meds, it’s not recommended to have alcohol.”
“I really don’t drink.” My old pack hadn’t given me anything like that, saying omegas shouldn’t have booze, and I hadn’t acquired a taste for it since. Also, it was not in my budget. “Water is great.”
We sat around the table together, the guys talking about work a little and telling me about the house routine. I insisted on paying rent, but they refused, and by the time we finished, I was feeling so safe and calm, it terrified me.
Chapter Twelve
Rowan
We never made breakfast around here. Nobody wanted to cook on a busy morning. We loved it, yes, but breakfast was something to pick up on the way or meal prep on the weekend and reheat in the microwave. All that changed last night.
Breakfast would be an event if I had anything to do with it.
Our omega lived here now.
“Busy, busy bee in the kitchen this morning.” Lev arrived in the kitchen, giving me shit before he reached into the cabinet for a coffee mug.
