“Omega?” I try again, this time crouching down so I’m closer to her level.
She glances up, big eyes offering me a glimpse into a soul I want to know, before looking away again. Does she not speak? It’s okay if she doesn’t, but I’d like to figure out how to communicate with her if that’s the case.
Her eyes keep drifting to the front door, and I don’t know if it’s because she wants to leave, or if maybe it’s as I suspected before, and the alpha she lives with isn’t a good man.
I lean slightly away, wanting to give her space, to ensure she doesn’t feel crowded or unsafe, but her body follows. She sways toward me, wavy hair and flowing skirt drifting into me on a slight breeze, and my alpha rumbles approval in my chest, causing her to look up at me again.
“My name is Brooks.”
Her eyes dart to my mouth when I speak this time. I try to make my voice soft, while seeming as non-threatening as I can. I know my size can be intimidating, and the last thing I want to do is scare this woman who already seems terrified.
And yet…
I hold up the mug of coffee. “Is this for me?”
Her brows furrow and she stares at my lips for a moment, before her eyes travel to the mug. Then she nods, and speaks so quietly I have to strain to hear.
“Yes, alpha. It’s for you.”
Her voice is melodic, so soft. I could listen to it all day, and yet I get the sense she doesn’t use it often.
“Thank you.”
She jerks her head once, hair rippling with the movement, then glances at the door again.
I’m not a huge coffee person, but I don’t want her kindness to go to waste. Plus, I’m glad it brought her out here to me. I might have never known, otherwise. I eye her as I take a sip, trying not to grimace at the bitter black flavor.
Then I notice her hands. She’s fidgeting, her fingers picking at the skin around her cuticles, and one has started bleeding. She doesn’t seem to have realized, though.
I slowly reach out, ensuring she sees my hand before I make contact. She freezes when she notices, and her eyes track my fingers until they gently close around hers.
“You’re hurting yourself,” I whisper.
Her throat bobs with a harsh swallow, then she looks up at me again, this time with confusion swimming in her eyes. She shrugs one shoulder, the white of her clothing making her skin look sallow, but doesn’t move her hands from mine despite her gaze darting around the yard.
“Is this okay?” I ask, tapping one finger against her hand.
She nods again, and my alpha starts to vibrate in my chest. Something is off.
“What’s your name?” I’m desperate to hear her voice again, to know even one thing about her.
“Sage,” she says, a regular whisper this time, easier for me to hear.
“Sage,” I say, practically purring it as her name resonates in my heart.
My alpha wants to flex his dominance, show her how strong we are, but I don’t think that’s the right call. I have afeeling that would send her running, and the last thing I want is to scare her away.
“It’s lovely to meet you, Sage.”
“Omega!” A harsh voice yells from inside the house.
Sage’s eyes flare so wide I can see white all the way around, and she jerks her hand out of mine.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers, quickly backing away from me.
My alpha wants to roar his displeasure, but I hold it in, remaining on my knee so she can see I’m not a threat to her. The front door flies open, banging off the wall as a different man from last time comes storming out.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he yells, and I’m not sure if he’s talking to me or her.
