“I’ve heard of Hindustan,” Snow said, excited to know of it. “Far to the southeast on my father’s map of the world. Near where Parco Molo explored Cathay.”
The other foreign-looking man scoffed and muttered“Parco Molo”under his breath. Snow winced and worried he’d said something wrong.
“Yes,”Shen replied, smiling. “Parco Molodidspend many years in Cathay, but he also toured my homeland, as well. Not that those tales are spoken of as often.”
“And the ones whicharespoken of are full of fallacies,” the alpha with the angular eyes snapped. “Molo took many liberties and embellished his stories.”
“That said,” Shen continued. “Few here have even heard of Hindustan at all, so I’m pleased you know of it.”
“Not as much as I’d like,” Snow admitted. “Does everyone there look as unique as you?”
“Somewhat. But they can onlywishto look as glorious as me,” Shen replied with a grin.
Snow couldn’t help but smile. For some reason, it grew wider when Vor grumbled under his breath.
“My opinionated friend behind me is Aeng-Hwa. He’s from a place not too far from my homeland called Choson. Between Bharat and Cathay,” Shen said. “We met when he traveled through my village in search of adventure. I wanted a bit of thatfor myself, so I accompanied him westward.” His bright smile faded. “And we ended uphere.”
“You may call meHwa,”Aeng-Hwa said, his face a mask of annoyance. “Why were you out in the woods all alone, omega? Where is your alpha?”
Snow’s eyes widened at the man’s tone, his smile disappearing. “I have no alpha.”
“Your father, then?” Hwa demanded.
“Hwa…”Vor warned.
“My father is gone,” Snow answered.
“I can see from your clothes, even shredded and torn, that you come from wealth,” Hwa said before turning to the others.“Someoneis out there looking for him. We don’t need to drawmoremen here. There’s enough cursed souls inside this cottage as it is.”
“No one is looking for me,” Snow said. “I ran—and I assume I’m thought to be dead.”
Hwa’s gaze whipped to his. “A runaway?Justwhat we need.”
“I’m not a runaway,” Snow argued.
“You ran,” Hwa said, his eyes appearing red, reflecting the firelight within the dark orbs. “You said it yourself,Snow White.”
“The huntsman took me out to the wood near our home—to teach me survival skills, I was told. It was a lie. My step-papa had ordered him to kill me. Before you ask, Idon’tknow why,” Snow replied, tears burning the backs of his eyes. “I’ve only wanted his love. I’d lost one papa, and now I’ve lost another.”
All of the alphas eyed him, most with sorrow in their eyes. For several seconds, only the sound of the crackling embers filled the room.
Snow dabbed under one eye, collecting the wetness that had escaped. “The huntsman didn’t have the heart to do it and told me to run away. Never to return.” Snow fought a sob. “He said I couldn’t go back home, ever—or we’ll both end up dead. So I ran in the opposite direction. I didn’t know where I was going, only that I needed to save myself.”
Hwa walked closer and knelt beside the chair.
“Your step-papa should be taught some respect,” Hwa snapped, his face softened. “Perhaps I will get the chance to mete out a bit of vengeance in your name.”
“Peace, brother,” Shen said.
Hwa scowled.
Shen scoffed. “Why don’t you introduce our other house mates to Snow.”
Hwa stood, folded at the waist, and bowed to Snow. He angled himself towards the redhead shaping dough into an iron frypan. “This is Owan, from Ériu in the Northern Islands. Watch yourself around him. He’s a bit too hot under the collar, as his fiery hair implies.”
“Pot, sir,” Owan said to Hwa, grinning broadly and rolling that final r to an inch of its life. “My kettle is not as black as ye.” He winked at Snow. “My heat is much more fun than his anger, trust me,gille dathúil.”
Snow’s cheeks flushed, but he wasn’t sure why. “What does thatmean?”
