Even if I wanted them, I could not mate these males. That option had been removed from my life, so no use even thinkingabout it. A peek outside my window showed the sun higher in the sky than I’d ever seen it upon first opening my eyes, and I was glad I didn’t have to be at work first thing this morning. Amazing what a super comfortable bed could do for a girl. The whole room was lovely, decorated in soft colors with lots of cushions on all the furniture. It appealed to me in a way I couldn’t begin to explain.
The scent of coffee and bacon drifted through the closed door, and I hoped they hadn’t held breakfast for me. Hurrying into the bathroom, I showered and brushed my teeth, ran a comb through my hair. I’d never worn much makeup, nor did I have a lot, but the prospect of seeing the three males downstairs had me wanting to look my best. Mascara and lip gloss were not much, but they were what I had and would have to do.
As I glossed my lips, I reminded myself again that I couldn’t be with these males even if I wanted to. Okay, I was starting to have to accept that I wanted to, especially after that dream.
Being on the list with the Omega Bureau meant more than just not being able to have a mate. That was the basic matter, of course, but it put me into a category just short of rogue. That was something I hadn’t wanted to think about, but it did hover at the back of my mind. I still “belonged” to my pack and in leaving the way I did, I not only stole the truck, I stole me. If someone found me, they could attempt to return me to the pack for some kind of reward. But they could also do much worse and just kill me with zero consequences.
I couldn’t stay here…
Dressed, I exited the room and stood at the top of the stairs, breathing in the scents of breakfast foods as well as the enticing scents of clean males. They smelled so good. Everything here felt right, like home in a way I’d never experienced before. Safe and warm but at the same time a little edgy. Lucky I wouldn’t be here long because it was going to be hard enough to leave.
Approaching the kitchen door, I heard warm laughter and couldn’t help but smile. Would it be so bad to enjoy myself and their company for a few days? I’d have a lifetime to miss it, but maybe Fate would be kind and give me a good life going forward. It would be a lonely one. I knew that now.
I hesitated outside the door, listening to their conversation. They spoke to one another with such respect. Nobody making demands or bossing anyone around. No violent undercurrents. I stepped inside and they all looked up and smiled.
My heart squeezed. If I stayed here too long, I’d never be able to leave.
I had to find another place to stay ASAP. No hanging around to enjoy the atmosphere, to soak up memories. I wasn’t strong enough.
Chapter Thirteen
Vaughn
“Good morning.” Holt was the first to greet our female when she came down the hallway and into the kitchen.
I jumped up and placed her plate in the empty space at the kitchen table. I’d gone all out for breakfast, and the guys had teased me about trying to impress our omega.
Guilty as charged.
“Coffee, Katie? Tea?”
She offered a soft smile and nodded. “Good morning. Coffee, please. But I can get it.”
“Sugar and cream are on the table.”
With a large cup of coffee in her hands, she sat down and widened her eyes. “This is some breakfast. I don’t even think the diner cooks this much in the mornings.”
Poe laughed. “Vaughn is showing off.”
“For me?” she asked. Her cheeks and ears instantly went red.
I shrugged it off. “I can’t help it. A beautiful woman is here for breakfast. What am I supposed to do, pull out the instant oatmeal packets? You know me better than that.”
That caused a pause but every word was true. Surely this omega had been called beautiful hundreds of times in her life and that was low-balling.
“It’s great. Thank you. Call me impressed.” She filled her plate with a biscuit, ham, an omelet, and a big scoop of cheesy grits. But not enough. Not nearly enough for a shifter or an omega who hadn’t been eating a lot.
“Get as much as you like, Katie. Seriously, don’t be shy.” Holt’s words convinced her to get more food, including one of my famous blueberry muffins.
“So tell me what you do for work, Poe. I know Holt is the sheriff and Vaughn works here in the home but not you.”
Poe got up and refilled his coffee. “I write novels.”
Her eyes raised. “What genre? Gosh, I haven’t had time to pick up a book in…a long time.”
What had she been so busy doing? And with who? She would tell us in her own time.
“Cozy horror.”
