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Finn’s right about the mold. And Lilah’s right about the empty cupboards.
“I’ll take you grocery shopping. Tomorrow?”
She makes a noise at the back of her throat. “That’s not necessary. I’m in enough debt.”
I slam the cupboard, wincing when she jumps. Why is she so jumpy?
I would never hurt her. But I’m realizing that plenty of people would.
What the hell are they doing at the Center?
Yeah, Darlings are their own shitty case, but I’ve never met a female so standoffish. Omegas flirt and touch like nymphos.
I’ve clocked it. One cougar started rubbing all up on me in five seconds flat.
Omegas can’t help seeking alpha attention.
But Lilah doesn’t want my attention at all with the way she hunches, her gaze darting toward the exit. She doesn’t look me in the eye.
“You won’t owe us anything. The least we can do is keep you fed.”
She chews her plump lower lip.
I twist, praying she misses the bulge in my shorts.
“I could grocery shop for the pack…” She tenses, then the words flow out too fast. “If it’s not overstepping, I mean. I saw what Craig brought home and there’s no real food in the house for Ori—for you guys. Sorry. I know it’s not my business.”
“No. That would be sweet. Do you cook?” We eat absolute shit because we all studied covert ops instead of culinary arts. We’re relying on that douche Craig to pick up incidentals and run errands until Orion’s hormones level out enough to hire actual help. The man thinks gummy bears form the base of the food pyramid.
Turns out, the asshole can’t even be trusted with groceries. He was supposed to leave the basement stocked.
“I’ve taken a few classes,” Lilah hedges.
“Better than nothing.” Any hot food will taste better than more beef jerky for shit’s sake. And the thought of Lilah in our kitchen, all tied up in a frilly apron makes me all primal. “Is seven too early? We can hit town before work.”
“Just us?” She chews her lip again.
“Just us,” I repeat. “Why?”
“The others don’t like me.”
“Even Finn?” I watch her closely, testing her answer.
Lilah doesn’t disappoint, even though I wish she would. Just once. It would be easier to boot her if she acted anything how we expected.
Lilah rolls her eyes. “He likes females. That doesn’t mean he likes me.”
Good instincts.
“And me?” The question slips out before I realize what I’m asking.
Lilah tilts her head, and her innocent attention has me swallowing hard. “You don’t hate me, but I don’t think you like me either. That’s honestly how I hope you all treat me until I’m out of here.”
I frown, finding myself eager to argue the other side. “You won’t stay? If you awaken—”
“I won’t,” she bites out.
“Sure.” I’m not here to argue, even if my alpha instincts keep acting up around the girl. Speaking of which. “How are your feet?”
