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The soap and shampoo bottles standing on the rack by the wall are the same ones I use at home. My smile grows bigger as I realize how much effort Seth, Oliver, and Simon put into transforming this strange house into a home for me.
Entering the glass stall, I switch on the shower.
Hot, steamy water gushes down on me, making me close my eyes in pure relief. I grab the bottle of body shampoo and squirt a liberal amount on my palm.
The familiar fragrance comforts me at once and within minutes, I’ve lathered my whole body.
Standing under the jet of water, I let the suds wash away, leaving my skin feeling clean and fragrant. It’s amazing how even a simple shower makes me feel grateful.
Stepping out of the shower, I catch sight of a crimson bathrobe that’s hanging in a corner. I eagerly reach for it and put it on before walking toward the mirror.
While I’m still awfully skinny, there’s a marked difference in my face. The dark shadows under my eyes aren’t so prominent anymore. My cheeks are starting to gain a healthy color. Even my hair doesn’t look as dry and wild as before.
Just a few weeks of being cared for has left a mark on my beaten, bruised body. My heat healed most of my injuries and I can’t help being grateful to Seth once again. He’s the only reason I could get through it without any complications.
I take my time to dry and brush my hair before applying some makeup that Seth left near the sink. It’s a strange, foreign emotion to feel pretty again.
A part of me still clings to the belief that it’s my beauty that caused so many horrible men to touch me. There’s a strong urge to swipe my hand over my face to smudge and destroy the effect of the makeup, but I fight it.
Staring at my reflection, I stare into my eyes. “You’re no longer a captive,” I say loudly. “You belong toyouand no one else.”
A painful sob chokes my throat. Sadness overwhelms me, threatening to wreck me. Each time I feel like I’m on the mend, my dark memories rise to the surface, reminding me that I’m still broken and tarnished.
I swallow hard. “Don’t give in,” I say through clenched teeth while my fingers grip the sides of the sink.
The sound of an opening door breaks my eye contact with my reflection.
“Rory?” A familiar voice filters through the closed bathroom door. “Are you in there?”
“Yeah,” I call out loudly. “Give me a second.”
I glance back at the mirror. Somehow, my makeup is still perfect despite my urge to ruin it.
Seth’s timely interruption allowed me to break out of my depressing thought patterns. Once again, I’m glad I took their offer to live with them. There was no way I could’ve coped on my own at my dad’s house.
Taking a deep breath, I open the door and walk out of the bathroom.
Relief spreads on Seth’s face as his eyes take me in.
Coming closer, he wraps his arms around me in a gentle hug. “You look beautiful this morning.”
A smile tugs at the corners of my lips. “People say a good night’s sleep can do miracles,” I say, chuckling softly. Breaking away from him, I take a closer look at him.
Dressed in an impressive maroon uniform with gold trimmings, Seth looks mind-blowingly regal and handsome. His tall, well-built physique adds to his stature, making me stare at him hungrily.
The omega within me wants to tear off his uniform and lay claim to him this very moment.
“Simon told us what happened last night,” he says in a grim tone. “Don’t hesitate to tell us what you need. None of us will mind if you asked us to sleep with you every night. We’re always here for you, Rory.”
Seth’s kind words add to my lust. He continues to reassure me while being completely unaware of the effect he’s having on me. Suppressing my impulses, I try to cool my growing desire.
“I thought you guys would be gone by now,” I say. “Simon said you guys had a meeting at the headquarters today.”
He nods. “Yeah, we’re supposed to be on our way already but we didn’t want to leave before seeing you this morning,” he says, looking worried. “We didn’t want you waking up to an empty house.”
Gratitude washes over me as I realize just how deeply caring they are of me.
“Where’s Simon and Oliver?” I ask.
