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Neither one of them seemed to react as they passed, other than pausing for a half-second before moving forward.
I didn’t say a word as I watched them methodically move through my space, as if they owned the place. They checked windows, doors, and the other Alpha went out to the balcony for a moment before returning.
He didn’t even bother to meet my eyes as he spoke on his way out. “I think we have what we need. We’ll be back with some security devices soon.”
The door closed behind them, and I stood there frozen to the spot, my heart slamming into my chest and tears fighting to break free.
My first instinct was to pull out my phone and call Ellie back, scream at her. My second was to tell Felix what was happening, but I couldn’t do either, not without admitting just how shaken I’ve been the last few days—the random presents, the men outside my door. It was all too much.
Part of me was relieved to have backup, but I wasn’t even sure I could trust this man. He looked like he wanted to snap my neck the moment I opened the door, as if he’d determined before he’d even knocked that I wasn’t worthy of his attention.
For some reason, that stung, but I had no right for it to. Hadn’t I done the same thing to Warren, just without the animosity?
My movements felt mechanical as I forced myself to go to my couch, sitting down on the edge of it and not even settling back into the soft cushions. My place didn’t feel like a safe haven anymore. In fact, it felt like the walls were closing in, that everything was too small now. I’d never been claustrophobic before, but now I could barely breathe.
I don’t even know how much time passed as I sat there, trying to figure out what the hell to do and how to handle this. A knock sounded on my door again before it was pushed open, and Easton was back, shoving his way through with boxes in his hands. The other two were right on his heels.
“You should have locked this,” he barked out.
My eyes narrowed into a glare, but I just sat there, frozen, not uttering a word. That seemed enough for him as he started going around the apartment, putting sensors and wiring on thewindows, cameras up in the living room and the kitchen, one facing the front door.
Each piece of technology that was added made my skin crawl. Was this the price of my safety? That I got to be watched at all times, that I’d have these three men, who clearly hated me for no reason, seeing into my life no matter what I was doing?
Yeah, every time I caught their scent in the air and every time I stared at them for a little too long, the Omega in me wanted me to get up, to move closer, to demand that they give me an explanation, tell me their names.
Just as quickly as they barged into my life, the guys were gone. There were no more instructions or words before they were closing the door behind them.
Their absence was deafening in the silence. There were no more stomping footsteps, grunts, or harsh whispers.
All I knew was that I had more mates in my life, and I was feeling the other side of rejection. It had bile rising in my throat and guilt swirling in my stomach, telling me that Warren had never deserved what I did to him. But then again, even through all that, at least I never made him feel worthless.
It took me a few minutes to realize what was really getting to me. It was the way he spoke to me, condescending, like I wasn’t even worthy of his time or protection.
Maybe it would be better to just face whatever man was lingering around my apartment after all.
Chapter
Ten
Theo
“Are we just not going to talk about this?” I demanded as I watched Easton slam himself around the apartment. Everything he did was with too much force. Even now, as I spoke, I could hear the counters squeaking under the pressure of his grip on it.
“What about? The princess next door who’s just going to make our lives fucking hell for the next month?”
“No, the omega next door that happens to be our fucking mate,” I said, crossing my arms and staring him down.
Jordan just sat on the couch, tapping away at his computer, focused on the security systems and making sure everything was in place. We still had to put a code on the door, but it wouldn’t do any good if we didn’t get the rest set up.
“No, I don’t need a damn mate like her.” His eyes were a flash of anger and pain and I wanted to smack him and hug him at the same time.
“You don’t even know her,” I countered, pinching the bridge of my nose as a headache started to bloom behind my eyes.
Easton was difficult on a good day, and this was one of the worst I’d ever seen. His eyes narrowed and he leaned forward as he started to spew more hate for our mate.
“Oh, I know girls like her. Grew up with money and privilege, thinks the world revolves around her. She probably thinks hiding away in the shoebox apartment next door makes her a martyr. Oh woe is me, no room service and I have to clean up after myself.”
“What is she hiding from?” Jordan questioned. “Did they give you anything?”
