Page 40 of Rest In Knotty Pieces

“Aaron?”

He shakes his head. “It’s better for everyone.”

“And Merle?”

“I’m just here making sure she’s okay.”

Cagey. Liar. Manipulative. This is the evidence.

There’s one thing I know about him. Fundamentally, deep at his core, he is a person who will sacrifice himself. Over and over. So, what game is he playing? Who is he trying to save now?

But then his words sink in, and I suddenly get clarity of what sacrifices he’s willing to make.

I stare at him, aghast. “You don’t intend on taking either omega, do you?”

He breaks away from me, glancing sideways, refusing to meet my eyes.

“You don’t intend on staying with me?” I ask flatly.

His expression says it all. My temper, which I seldom show, rises, and I move towards him. He puts a hand out, pressing against my chest, stopping me from coming closer.

“What exactly do you intend, Roseland?”

“I intend on doing my job.”

With that, he turns and leaves, slipping away like he always does, leaving me frustrated and ready to throttle him.

“It’s interesting, don’t you think?” Daega says as he glides out of the darkness where I didn’t know he was. Fascinating that he can get one up on me, it’s rare that anyone can.

“What is?”

“That a man like Roseland is prepared to give up everything, happiness, bonds, scent matches. I find myself curious about what drives him.”

“And how to kill it?”

Daega studies me, then suddenly grins and inclines his head. “Of course. He looks free, he thinks he’s free, but Rosey is mine. I’m not giving him up.”

It’s a warning, a blatant challenge, but it doesn’t bother me because this omega is mine, too; he just doesn’t know it yet. He is cute, though.

He approaches and walks his fingers up my chest. I study him with half-lidded eyes, assessing the danger, always assessing with this feral omega.

“Don’t get in my way, Sage.”

I just watch him, admiring the way he so calmly threatens me, then how he so beautifully walks away.

I whistle as I return to the kitchen, making up another tray for Merle. I add another light purple flower to the tray. King dumps an orange on it without a word and disappears again.

I don’t know why he’s so obsessed with the orange, but I do know she clings to them, holding them long after she’s eaten. Perhaps the orange is a safety thing, or maybe she’s formed a connection with King.

I’m not entirely certain what it is, but if it’s working, I want them to keep doing it.

Anything to draw her out of her shell.

We just need names, and we can make everyone disappear.

I carry the tray to her room, but she’s in the bathroom. I’m tempted to linger, talk to her, well, at her. She still hasn’t shown any interest in anything we have to say. Other than fear, her expression is blank. She’s got a nearly perfect mask.

Instead of staying and invading her space, I put the tray beside her bed and retreat.