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Holly eases away from me, turning to meet my gaze. “Suppressant pills? I don’t understand.”
I guess she wouldn’t. She’s been sheltered all her life. Even more so now.
“I don’t know how much your brothers told you about me and how I got here, but I was hiding who I was by taking these. Something...terrible happened to the pack I was arranged to bond with, and I had to hide who I was or risk getting taken by the Pack Regime. Because I’m not...protected by a pack, a lot of shitty things could’ve happened to me. We picked these up to help you. You’re going to need them. Especially with your upcoming heat. They’ll help out and even stop it from happening if you want.” I know this is going to bring up a ton of questions for her, but I don’t even know where to begin or if I want to. It’s a lot to throw at someone, and Holly has enough problems of her own to deal with.
“I’m sorry that you had to go through all of that. I know you’ll tell me when you’re ready to. I don’t believe what my brother said was reported in the media. I know how the alphas and the authorities are.” Holly rests her hand on my knee. “I faced an awful pack. The men my dad had chosen for me were brutal. They didn’t want an omega to bond with. They wanted to use me. They wanted to take what they needed and throw me away. They knew I was close to my brothers, and I was a way that they could try to control our kingdom instead of ally with my father. But he wouldn’t believe it. He didn’t care. He didn’t want me here.” Holly lowers her voice with the words. “So I ran away. It was Wilder who came up with the plan to fake my death. He collected a lot of my blood himself. He made it look as if one of our enemies killed me and burned me in a fire. They used my blood to make another person seem like me. My hair too. It was awful, but it had to be done.” Lifting up her tresses, she shows off an undercut.
I blink a few times, thinking over what she just told me and how vulnerable she must feel. I keep my face expressionless, not wanting to give away the fact that I need to know more about the person they used to feed lies to Holly’s dad. Was it someone innocent? Someone who volunteered? Just some poor woman who was in the wrong place at the wrong time?
But I don’t want to ask Holly. I would hope that her brothers would protect her from that kind of information. She’s still young, only experiencing her manifestation within the last few months. She’s still eighteen despite how grown-up she acts. Despite the fact that she is mature and technically an adult.
Fuck the things life does to you to give you maturity. Experience makes you wiser compared to just the number of days you’ve been alive on this earth. I hate that we both have such experiences.
“I’m so, so sorry you had to experience that. It must’ve been terrifying.” I hug her, letting her bury her face in the crook of my neck this time. Who knew that I would find comfort in another omega in my life? It’s strange yet somehow a peace I never knew I would have again. This is the comfort that comes from a pack, and I just wish that it didn’t all feel so temporary. Because I had no idea how much I craved this connection. This life.
She nuzzles her nose against me. “It was, but my brothers protected me. The woman who gave her life on my behalf was incredibly sick and they arranged everything to help her back and bring her the mercy she begged for and was denied to her by the Pack Regime. They’re incredible, still protecting me even though it could ruin their lives. And I’m not going to lie...I’m happy you’re here, Kinsey. You have no idea. Their crazy asses couldn’t have gotten more lucky accidentally kidnapping you.”
I swallow my shudder, my eyes watering. “I’m happy for it too. Even for Wilder’s dickish attitude. I just wish...” Shrugging, I let my voice trail off, not speaking the truth out loud. She has a lot of faith in her pack, which they deserve and earned from her, but for me? Who knows? “I just wish I could forget about some things, you know?” I force my mouth to smile.
“Definitely.” Holly squeezes me once more and gets to her feet. “Come on. Why don’t we watch a movie or something to help? You can explain what the suppressant pills do. Maybe we can test one? I’ve always wondered what being a beta would feel like.”
My fake smile turns into a genuine grin, and I nod my head. “That sounds like a great idea. Just don’t tell your brothers. I want to show them how great they work.” And not only that. They’ll help me see things more clearly. I’ll be able to know whether or not I’m feeling the way I am because of them or because of my pheromones. My hormones. All of my emotions. My true order.
Holly claps her hands, beaming at me. “This is going to be awesome. Serves them right for all the bullshit, huh? They can keep us hidden in this palace, but it doesn’t mean we can’t have fun.”
She’s right. For the first time in a long time, I realize that there’s more to life than just my order. I need to embrace what I have in the moment, because I never know when it’s going to end.
Because in my experience, things that I love and enjoy and crave don’t last forever.
If only I could break the cycle now.
Chapter 13
Kinsey
Omega Bonds
I’dbelyingifI didn’t say I was shocked when I was in Holly’s room and none of her brothers came to check on us and still haven’t. I remain in Holly’s bed with her, sharing the blankets. I’ve always dreamed about having a slumber party with friends, but my parents never allowed it. Who knew it would be even more fun as an adult? I got to take some time to cook for us, because we didn’t want to bother anyone else, and it wasn’t necessary to ask the kitchen. I forgot how much I like cooking when I have everything on hand, and I don’t have to worry about whether or not I can afford the ingredients.
Holly, on the other hand, needs some cooking lessons unless she plans to bake cookies for every meal. She couldn’t survive on her own without burning her place down or eating fast food regularly. Or maybe just cereal. Either way, we had a lot of fun.
“Hey, I’m going to step out for a bit. Maybe we can meet up later? It’ll take you a while to get used to the suppressant pills. I know I was dead tired the first couple of days.” I sit up beside Holly, nudging her to get her to open her eyes.
She mumbles something with a smile and turns over, burying her face under her pillow.
I chuckle and slide out of bed, stretching my arms over my head. Instead of wandering into the bathroom, I decide to head back to my suite to take another shower. I know that Wilder mentioned that each of his brothers were taking a couple days to watch out for me, and I kind of don’t want to remind them of Holly. I’ll save that for Wilder’s days to infuriate him.
I have to pay him back for his attitude somehow.
I’m too focused on getting back to my suite that I miss the pair of legs blocking my way down the corridor. I trip and screech, hitting my palms on the floor. Fingers latch to the sides of my waist, hoisting me to my feet. A taut chest rests against my back for only a second before Enzo flips me around.
“Shit, baby. I didn’t hear the door beep. You okay? Let me check your hands.” Enzo adjusts me in his arms, balancing me on his bent knee to free a hand. I tug my wrist back and squirm, sliding to my feet.
“I’m fine. Relax.” I hold my palm to his face. “What the hell were you doing on the floor anyway?” I knit my brows together, peering around. “Were you sleeping?”
Flush reddens his face. “Maybe.”
I shake my head and step away from him. “Do I even want to know why you were sleeping in the hallway? This place is pretty much a fortress. Especially Holly’s room. What do you get out of it? We had the panic door locked and everything.”
