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“Yes sir!” I kept my tone serious as I saluted.
Gage rolled his eyes, his jaw tense. I didn’t know why I was feeling so bold, but maybe if I was irritating enough they would get rid of me. Or kill me. It really wasn’t a smart bet.
“I don’t want you to be restricted to only your room here so we won’t lock you in. You’re free to explore the house, but there are locks on the doors and windows. Plus we are in the middle of nowhere surrounded by a lot of fences.” He was making it very clear that I was still a prisoner, but with a little more freedom. “The door lock works both ways, so when your heat hits you can lock us out of the room.”
“Okay, thank you.” Being able to lock myself in did ease the tightness in my chest ever so slightly.
“I’ll uh… let you settle in.” He turned and strode out the room without a backwards glance, closing the door behind him. There was no locking sound. He was serious about me having more freedom.
I let out a sigh, relieved to be alone.
Left in the room, I wandered around for a moment, checking out the large ensuite bathroom and all possible exits. I knew running was unlikely. As Gage had warned, we were in the middle of nowhere and I couldn’t drive. There had never been a need for me to learn and they didn’t exactly offer lessons at the Haven. Omegas were to be protected, chauffeured around, and looked after. In theory, someone would always be around to drive them.
Opening the enormous wardrobe doors, I smiled to myself. This would be an ideal space to nest. Maybe I could drag the mattress in and make a pillow fort to keep me comfortable? I needed a space to help my jittering omega instincts feel more at ease. Omegas didn’t do well with change, and I was no exception. Not being able to nest, and being away from Fawn and my fellow omegas was making me feel all out of sorts.
My skin itched with the need to make this space my own, to fill it with fluffy and plush things. Back home I had access to unlimited soft and squishy things, here there weren't many options. At least they had been thoughtful enough to give me pillows that were new.
Or would I rather have pillows covered in their scent?
All of the pack’s actions until now had been with the purpose to protect me, even if the execution was a little questionable. They could have easily just gotten rid of me at the Haven to ensure I didn’t speak. Instead, they had taken me and given me a room and kept me fed, even when I injured one of them.
Despite the severity of the situation, I didn’t feel in danger. Unsettled? Sure. In grave danger? No. From day one at the Haven omegas are told to trust their instincts, that we know who is right for us, or if someone poses a threat. None of my instincts said that any member of Pack Rowe was a danger to me.
The bathroom was well stocked with toiletries and even hair ties and claw clips. All of them new judging by the scent. How had they managed to do that in such a short period of time?Or did they know this was going to happen all along?Shrugging off that thought and grabbing a claw clip, I twisted my hair up and out of my face. It only took me half an hour to make the bed, then bunch the pillows into a small, nest-like thing and explore before I was back sitting on it, staring at the walls once again. Spotting a remote control on the bedside table I pressed a few buttons, turning on the flatscreen TV on the far wall. I was shocked to find multiple TV shows and documentaries already downloaded. Archer knew my taste in entertainment, but there was a little bit of everything. Settling on a lighter true crime series, I snuggled into my pillows, curling up into a ball. It was less gore filled than I usually went for, but given I was in an unknown place and didn’t feel fully safe, watching a true crime documentary on kidnapping serial killers would probably give me nightmares and stop me getting any rest.
The protagonist’s best friend was just about to be indoctrinated into a cult by the time Kane walked into my room, knocking, but waiting so little time for my response that he may as well have not bothered. He held a rice bowl in his hand. More Mexican food. I loved Mexican food but they didn’t serve it often at the Havens, opting for fairly bland, but nice quality foods.
Without a word he placed the bowl on my bedside table along with a can of soda and a bag of candy. Sitting up I noticed it was a bag of gummy bears. The brand I liked. Archer remembered.
I glowered at the bag.
“Has the candy offended you?” he asked.
“I don’t particularly want to eat candy that smells like that dumbass.” I shrugged, my eyes never leaving the bag.
“I understand.” Kane nodded, and picked up the bag.
“Thank you.” I smiled at Kane as he retreated without a word, looking all too eager to get away.
ChapterFourteen
Gage
Ipaced around the kitchen, my footsteps lulling me with their repetitiveness. Why had I let Kane of all people take her food? He probably would have scared her by now. He had been acting so harshly around her, I should have taken point on interactions. The last thing we needed was a scared omega acting out. Maybe I should have hidden the lamps before bringing her here. Theo could only take so many concussions, not sure she would get the drop on Kane though.
It had been my decision to give her some more freedom, so if this backfired, it was on me.
Kane had insisted that he take her food, just in case she had found any more potential weapons and was laying in wait. He had a thick head, he could take the assault if she managed to surprise him.
“She seems to have calmed down a bit,” Archer commented as he dished up rice bowls for us. We were all surrounding the kitchen island, grabbing utensils and bowls.
Part of me was happy to be home, but all I could think about was the giant potential complication sleeping down the hallway from me. Two days wasn’t enough time to get a read on her. She seemed fairly logical, if a little odd—blabbering about serial killers and such—but nothing about her screamed malicious or vindictive.
Kane came back, carrying only the bag of candy Archer had told him to give to Lavender. His face was unreadable, no trace of emotion, which was Kane’s usual face.
“How did she seem?” I asked.
“Relaxed almost. Curled up watching the TV. She tensed up the moment I appeared, but I think she’s happy to be left to her own devices.”
