"Well, especially after the Mate Rejection thing, the impulse to reconnect really should come from him. But remember that your time off the island is coming to an end. You literally only have a few days left."
I sigh. "I know, but speaking of Damien, maybe he could do something about it? He could ask Blue to intervene and extend it."
"Yes, that probably can be done," Storm says. "But think carefully about whether—"
At that moment, I hear a soft notification sound on my phone, a ring I have not heard in a very long time.
"Someone messaged me on Messenger?" I mutter, surprised. "That's interesting."
Storm leans over my screen and we both gasp.
SALT
The first week after Eliano leaves the island passes with me in a constant state of rage and feeling completely broken inside. It feels like waking up in hell and being unable to find a way out.
A trap. Anger, frustration, and hurt mix together into something torturous. And on top of that, the panic, the slowly growing sense of dread.
Day after day, I curl up on my bed. I barely get up to use the bathroom, barely drag myself to get food. I feel sick.
Since I am no longer in a pairing, I am not expected to participate in group activities on the island anymore, so I only show up for meals, and even that not always.
But to go step by step, it started like this: already on the first day after Eliano left, I run into a certain situation: a knock, and two people standing at my door, staring at me intensely.
Bashir and Fred.
The situation quickly becomes clear. This asshole Eliano left me under their fucking care. Some ‘protector’ shit.
I protest and tell them to fuck off, but Bashir crosses his arms over his chest and says there’s no way I’m walking around without my mate among alphas who already had their eyes on me before. It won’t end well.
Eventually, I give in, only because I’m mentally exhausted and don’t feel like arguing with idiots.
I'm escorted to the dining room, wearing a sulk on my face.
Also, a new chief arrives on the island. Mr. Gomez.
He calls a meeting for our sector, explains how things will work now, apologizes for what Sidorov did, and says the council has opened a case against him and Drax. They’re also trying to get compensation for the people affected. I only half listen, stuck in my own head.
Bashir and Fred aren’t the only ones suddenly acting like they need to orbit me. Evan and Roman sit with me every single time. I’m honestly surprised they don’t ask where Eliano is, but that mystery doesn’t last long. Later that same day, I can't stand it anymore. So I corner them and ask straight up if Eliano said anything before he left.
They hesitate, then admit he talked to them before leaving the island and asked them to keep me company.
I have to bite my tongue not to snap. Like, wow. Thanks for the performance. You used to avoid us like we were contagious, and now you’re lining up to play supportive best friend? But I keep my mouth shut. I just can’t waste my energy on one more thing.
To their credit, they don’t push, pry, or make me figure out my feelings, which wouldn’t be possible anyway. So the first week goes by like that, under new management, but mostly the same daily routine.
Gomez does introduce a new program, though. Couples now have a choice: besides the ‘natural’ stimulation from island activities, they can opt for chemical stimulation, something this place never offered before since it used to be handled elsewhere. It basically turns the facility into a hybrid.
All these changes and rotations barely register with me. I’m consumed by constant anger at Eliano, the situation, the world, my own choices, the Tanners, basically everything.
A few days later, I start to quietly appreciate that Eliano talked Bashir into being my protector, and for some reason, that makes me oddly upset.
One evening, I go for a short walk to clear my head, and I decide to stop at the dining room for a late snack. It’s open until 11 pm and offers sandwiches.
Then I see two alphas standing near the entrance to the cafeteria, talking animatedly. They notice me, and one of them turns.
"Hey," he calls out. "Wait."
Reluctantly, I slow down. "What do you want?"
