I wondered what Tane was doing. He was not a happy man, that was for sure.
In the bedroom, I saw the cards sitting on the table. I couldn’t believe it. Tane had given me the means to set up this place for myself. Not Malin. Tane.
I opened my laptop and thought about what I might need. Nothing. So far. This room had everything. I spent the next couple of hours syncing my computer to the system on the wall so I could watch my favorite channels and play my favorite games only to realize the TV had everything on it already. It was jam-packed with apps.
I went to the window and looked out. The sun was setting over a range of mountains. Faraway, my old home still existed. Despite being well-known in that city, I wouldn’t be missed. No missed set omegas.
Sometimes I felt sorry for myself. I realized it accomplished nothing, but I couldn’t help it. A set omega’s world was a cage. Even if mine was trimmed in gold, it offered nothing. Opportunities and dreams were slashed from my life. Theremight not be blood but the pain was still real. Worse, in fact. My pain wasn’t going to heal.
I let myself mope. I curled up on the big soft bed and yelled into the pillows. I punched them over and over. I was worthless. Well, not completely. I could have babies. That was it. That was my value. I wondered what happened to set omegas who were infertile. I’d never actually researched it because I honestly didn’t want to know.
I forced myself to relax, listening to my own breaths slow before falling asleep.
When I woke, the room was dark. I sat up, mouth dry, trying to remember where I was. I felt cold. For a second, I was nowhere floating through space.
My vest had twisted. I sat up and straightened it. I still had my boots on and all my good clothes I’d worn for the auction.
I reached for a lamp and it turned on with a touch. The room’s hugeness engulfed me. Much bigger than my old castle room. The silence made me nervous. I was used to servants bugging me. I always had a TV chattering at me. I’d been lonely before—who wanted to be friends with a set? But never alone like this.
My chest tightened.
Checking the time on my phone, I was surprised to see it said 1:42 a.m.
My stomach grumbled.
No one had come for me. No one had even checked on me. Could I be truly on my own?
I got up and looked for a glass. I needed water.
I found a light switch and the room lit up. Glassware sparkled on a bar top by the far wall. Behind it, I discovered a fridge with sodas and water. There was also fresh fruit and a covered plate of sandwiches. Someone had thought of me before I got here. Since Malin hadn’t known I was coming, it had to be Tane.
I took all the food out and sat down at a table by the window to eat.
Okay, so maybe I could get by with minimal fuss, make this space like my own apartment. Even order my own food deliveries. I wouldn’t ever have to leave. Unless Malin asked for me.
A shiver went down my back.
I flipped through channels on the TV. Nothing grabbed my focus.
I was still disoriented. I kept imagining Tane and what he might be doing. Would I see him again? Or would I just wait like the captive I was for Malin to grow up and do what his father seemed to want… marry and breed me.
I’d done research on dragons before I’d been auctioned. There were plenty of horror stories about sets being abused, turned into brood-mares, sold to farms. I kept telling myself I had it good. The best of horrific circumstances. I was still unharmed. I had luxurious surroundings. I had WIFI and money.
Eventually, I fell back to sleep still wearing my good clothes.
6
Tane
Elias kept bringing me martinis. I lost count, staring into the hearth fire. My main living room was too large to feel warm. I’d chosen the second living area off the kitchen to spend the evening in as I usually did. TV on, laptop beside me. Sometimes I went to my basement gym and pounded the treadmill. Sometimes I pedaled the bike. Sometimes I used the indoor pool at midnight and swam until I couldn’t feel my muscles anymore.
I was always busy. People wanted things from me. A constant barrage of messages and emails.
Tonight, I ignored everything but the alcohol. Malin and his friends made lots of noise coming down through the house. He called out he’d be gone for the night. Maybe the next night, too. He never said a word about Kirion.
As I drank and picked at the food Elias had brought me, I began to regret everything I’d done today. The drinks dulled my senses but with that came a slow clarity. I’d made a hugemistake. I’d thought maybe with this extravagant act I could control Malin again, bring back the son I’d once adored. Who had had a heart at some point.
I shouldn’t have been confused about that now. He was a grown alpha. He had his brat crowd he loved and nothing could be done to change it.
