Chapter 7

Going back to my hole in the wall, I pulled out my one book. I settled on the floor and continued where I left off yesterday. Something about it always just made me feel better. There was a second and potentially a third in the series but I had gotten this one seven years ago off of a trucker I’d hitchhiked with.

I’d gotten lost in the book, only grabbing a water bottle to drink it before I realized it went ten in the evening. Closing it, I threw it in my duffle and looked around.

Why was I thinking that maybe this was different? I’d pulled out my duffle, which despite not being used in three years, still fit all my belongings. Minus my blankets under the table.

Crawling under the table, I curled up. It felt weird going to bed at ten but it also felt nice. I’d get up at five to go to Dolores and take a shower alone. After cleaning whatever horrendous mess was left in the rooms.

I fell asleep shuddering at the thought that Alphas would be staying the next couple days as they emptied out of the conference from the weekend.

-

My door flew open and I jumped, hitting my head on the underside of the desk. Rubbing my head, I peeled my eyes open to see the Alpha, Zayle, looking around the space until he stared down at me.

“They said you didn’t have an apartment here.”

I crawled out from under and stretched. “Technically true. This isn’t one but it’s cheaper than an apartment. If I end up having to pay cash.”

He ran his hands through his hair before taking another longer look around. “This isn’t livable conditions.”

I snorted. “It has been for three years.” My brain finally woke up and the wires connected. “Wait, why are you here?”

Zayle looked at me like I was an idiot. “It’s four. We are leaving. Come.”

The last word made me jump. It was a bark. An order and I tried to think what I needed. Pulling my blankets, I started to put them into the duffle bag too but Zayle pulled them out.

“No need. Is this what you have?” He held up the sorry-looking sack.

I nodded and he grabbed my arm, pulling me out with him. Was this a kidnapping? Not that I wasn’t willing to go at this point, but Zayle never even asked. Still, if it meant I got out, what the hell did I care? Even if he did throw me away, I bet there were some clubs or brothels I could work that I might actually get paid at.

There were three cars waiting out front. One was an old Mustang, second was some SUV and the third was a sedan of some sort. Cars weren’t my thing. I could tell you the color but nothing more. Still, they seemed nice. Not new but not old rust buckets either.

“Are you…Alpha…Zayle…are you serious?”

There was one wolf leaned up against the sedan and one against the mustang. Neither looked happy nor impressed. The latter was definitely me but I wondered if maybe they just weren’t morning people.

“We are leaving.” Zayle looked at the two. “Now.”

“With a sex doll?”

I’d been called worse. Zayle, however, took great offense and the growl he let out rattled my bones. Even the two wolves seemed surprised.

“Say that again, Oliver and I swear, you’ll be finding another pack to live in.”

The wolf, Oliver, put his hands up. He was the one in the Mustang up front. I walked quietly behind the new fuming Alpha.

“Get in, Riley.”

I looked at the side doors then the trunk. I’d never ridden in the front seat and I didn’t really know what this Alpha thought of Omegas. I also hadn’t ridden in the back seat in over fifteen years. Usually it was in the trunk. Otherwise, as I hitchhiked, I was in the back of trucks or with the cargo.

“Front seat, Riley. Now.”

Jumping again, I got to the door and opened the front of it. Slipping in, I shut the door behind me. The car was really nice. The only issue was that it smelled so strongly of Zayle and his lavender scent that I felt myself start to sway. I hadn’t eaten since the one meal yesterday and this wasn’t helping. One thing I wasn’t going to do was ask to roll down the window.

The two wolves got in their cars and they pulled out together. Turning onto the Main Street, I watched as the buildings fell behind. I’d been stuck in this town for three years. Suddenly, it was gone.

I looked back at it and a weight lifted off of me. I’d never have to deal with any of them again. Hopefully, Ginny would get out too but now that I was out, I couldn’t help but want to forget everything that happened over the last three years.

“You okay?”

I looked at Zayle as his hands gripped the steering wheel tightly. “Does it matter?”

His eyes widened and he looked at me. “Did you…did you not want to come? I didn’t…really ask…did I? Oh goddess…” He pinched the bridge of his nose.

Throwing my head back, I laughed and shook my head. “Relax, Alpha. I would have told you if I didn’t want to go. I needed out. I just can’t believe I was there for three years. I’d just like to forget it all.”

He sighed and nodded. After a moment, he pulled his phone out of his pocket. Setting it up on a mount, a call connected and Zayle turned it on speaker.

“I can’t believe we had to leave this early.” One of the boys spoke and I recognized his voice from the club.

“I told you not to stay out late. We needed to leave early.”

There was an exasperated sigh but more laughs came through. I rested my elbow on the door and rested my chin in my palm. They were a spirited bunch. It was easy to tell that none of them had been on the dark side. The side I lived on. It was so easy to draw a line between their innocence and my being.

“So, Omega, you really our Alpha’s mate?”

I chuckled as Zayle growled, mumbling, “You don’t have to answer that.”

“You ever stick your head in a bucket full of lavender?” I asked.

“No?”

Smirking, I leaned my head against the window. “That’s what it’s like being in this car right now. It’s overwhelming. Not that I hate lavender but I’m not really one to shove my whole head in it and breathe it in.”

There was a paused before laughter broke out again.

“Oh shit. Yup. That’s a damn good way to describe it. Zayle, what do you scent?” That was Oliver again, the one in the car ahead of us.

“Citrus. Mostly grapefruit mixed with other citrus.” His eyes narrowed though and I could tell there was something else he was about to say but then shut his mouth at the last moment.

Some groaned. “This is going to be a hell of an explication to your dad. And then Alpha King.”

My eyebrow rose. Why would the Alpha King give a shit? Honestly, I still didn’t think this Alpha had any intention of actually bringing me home. Or mating me. I’d probably be put in the Omega barracks or something. Which still would be better. At least I might get a meal a day.

“So what’s your name, little Omega?”

“Riley.” I answered whoever asked the question. “Rye for short.”

There a couple hums and haws but someone else spoke. “Well, welcome to the Silver Forest pack.”

My eyebrow rose. “Silver Forest?”

Zayle smiled. “Yeah. I’m Alpha of the Silver Forest pack. Oliver is my Gamma.”

“That’s me.”

“Then there is my Beta, Kirk. He’s in the car behind us. Both their sons are with us, as well as four of our trainees.”

I hummed. “Are you coming from the conference? Most of them don’t start to roll through until today.”

There was a chuckle over the phone and the an older voice answered, I guessed was Kirk. “Our dear Alpha hates the conference. Loathes dealing with all the Alphas. So if we can get out of there as soon as possible, skipping any unnecessary events, we will.”

“Yeah.” I sighed. “They are all pretty shit. Tip shit too.”

A few of the boys laughed. I wondered if they actually realized what they were laughing at. Glancing over to Zayle, he was frowning. His hands were tight on the steering wheel. Maybe he knew what I meant. What darkness lurked just beneath the safety and protection of a pack. Or having loving parents. Or having money to spend on food every day.

“Riley.” I turned to Zayle. “It’s not going to be the same as those others. I promise you.”