My mouth opened but nothing came out.
“You finally came out of your cage, I see.”
No way was I going to take one more step into the room. “I’ll go somewhere else.” My voice came out louder than I’d intended. I started to turn.
“My dad’s away. Now I’m top alpha here and you’re not going anywhere.”
He was just a bully; he had to be kidding. I turned to look back at his expression. For a moment, I thought I saw a few dragon scales glinting on his cheeks. And fangs elongating behind his feral grin. I blinked, not believing my own eyes.
“Right.” I was proud my voice didn’t quaver.
But before I could take another breath, he quickly tossed his pool cue away and jerked forward. He was around the table and running toward me within a split second.
My heart went into my throat. I could only react, not think, and I turned and ran.
A running omega was instant prey. I’d learned that early in life. Alpha instinct was to chase. Omega instinct was to be chased. It was often joked about in school but it was real. Most of the time it was all in fun. Not for me. A running set omega who had no laws to support him was actually in danger.
Yet I couldn’t help it. I ran.
My footfalls slapped against the tile as I sped through the open downstairs rooms. I heard Malin behind me. This was no school joke.
Tane had told me Malin was a brat but not violent. That had been a father’s unobjective opinion for his only son. A son who had no doubt hidden a lot from his dad. I sensed all kinds of instability from Malin. I could smell the predator on him. Now was when I really needed my wits, because there was no telling what sort of harm Malin intended for me.
I thought about heading for the kitchen. If anyone was around, the cooks might be. But I didn’t know that area well. If they weren’t in there, was there a back way out? It felt like a trap.
Changing my mind, I circled to the small living room. Maybe I’d run into Elias. But it was empty.
That area led to a long hall that ended on the large living room.
I ran with all my might, listening for sounds behind me. I heard the running. He wasn’t close but I could still smell him. Burnt anger. Acrid rage.
Was he toying with me? Stalking me? Where could I go that was safe? Not my room. He knew how to get in and if he knew I was in there he could do anything he wanted, even take down the door.
I needed to hide. Somewhere he wouldn’t normally go.
I rounded up the stairs to the second landing. Malin’s rooms were on the right. But down the other hallway, opposite and at the back of the house, were Tane’s rooms. His office. And his bedroom.
Tane had shown me both. On the home tour, he had only let me peek into his bedroom, saying no one but the cleaners were allowed in there on certain days.
My brain worked like quicksilver and I realized that meant Malin was not allowed in that room. Ever.
I headed down that side of the hall and toward the far door hoping it wasn’t locked. If it was, Malin would catch me.
I braced myself for the worst and hoped for the best. I could hear Malin on the stairs taking his time as if he was the hare and I was the tortoise and he couldn’t possibly lose.
I put my hand on Tane’s bedroom door and pressed.
For a moment, I thought I was defeated.
Then, as if by some miracle, the door quietly clicked open. Gasping, I slid inside the room and gently shut it, switching the lock closed.
Instantly, the room felt like a soft embrace. And safety. It was all shadowy with the rain pouring outside the windows and no lights on, but I could still see. It was a huge suite. All grays and blues, the curtains pulled aside on every window showing the storm. But the outside didn’t touch anything here. The air was cool but not cold. The bed looked like a pillowy nest. There was a couch, two chairs and a low table.
“Where are you, little mutt?”
I jumped as Malin’s voice sounded far too close to the locked door. Being as quiet as possible, I ran to the far side of the bed and hunched down, waiting to see if he’d break the lock and enter. Nothing happened.
I stayed there, trying to quiet my breathing, for at least ten minutes. When I didn’t hear Malin anymore, I stood, afraid to move, but still looking around.
