“Yes, Sir.” This time, there was a bit more life to the spoken words.
“Good. Now, put away the bucket of water and rag. I’m going to take a shower while you write whatever thoughts you have.”
I stood, knees popping as I did so.
As I left the kitchen, Charlie was already moving, dumping out the water into the sink.
I knew retraining an Omega was going to be tough, but I hadn’t expected it to hurt my heart to see him try so hard to prove his place here.
Charlie had a place, and he didn’t need to earn it.
My heart hurt, knowing I couldn’t just fix it all with the snap of my finger. He was hurting deep down, even though it was buried deep enough not to show.
In time, it would come simmering to the surface, and I hoped beyond everything that he’d have enough trust to share it with me.
Chapter 33
Charlie
“So, I was thinking,” Vincent started, his eyes on me like he didn’t want to miss a single reaction I gave. “I owe you a reward for filling out those papers yesterday, and for giving it your best in answering.”
Which I failed at,I thought.
“You have two options.” He went on.
Dread instantly fell over my shoulders. Not only would I have to choose, but I knew I wouldn’t want either option.
Shifting in my seat, my hand flexed tighter around the fork.
How much trouble was I in for waking up too early? I didn’t know what else to do after waking up to a nightmare that I couldn't shake. I thought cleaning the kitchen would be the safest bet, even if it didn’t help wash away the leery eyes that looked at me from all angles.
“We can go walk my property, where you can figure out where you’d like to plant flowers in the spring. Or we can go into town and get you some things you’ll need for the upcoming weather changes.”
He’d already gotten me so much.
Just the other morning, I noticed that the closet was twice as full. Sweaters and shirts. And pants. And then a dresser full of items, too.
I really didn’t need more. I never had much at Lockswell’s. Why did I need that stuff here?
“Walk the property, Sir?” My answer was more of a question than anything.
“Great choice.” Vincent smiled, pleased with my answer.
After we both slipped on shoes, Vincet held the door open that led from the kitchen. I stepped out onto the deck first, letting the warm heat wash over me.
It had been what felt like years since I was outside, and I was going to enjoy every second of my time.
“You are welcome to come out here whenever you’d like to. Just don’t go into the tree line. It’d be easy to get lost.”
There was absolutely no way I’d go that far from the house without Vincent. Let alone by myself.
“So, tell me where you think the best place to put the sunflowers is.” Vincent easily took control of what to say.
I walked one step behind the Alpha, my given place in this world.
Looking around the yard, which appeared to never end, I was nearly lost for words. The grass was slightly damp from the automatic sprinklers that came on during the early morning hours. There were a couple of trees that shaded parts of the yard. But there were no flowers; no color.
“By the tree line, but not too close since they need a lot of sunlight.” I gestured towards the tree line. About three feet in front of them would be the ideal place.
