Chapter 5
Wren
W hy did I let my roommates talk me into this? I thought for the hundredth time since we walked into this bar tonight. Whitaker Brews was packed, and the only thing keeping the panic at bay was the fact that it looked like a small-town bar instead of the clubs I was used to back in the city.
The same clubs that those assholes had drugged me in.
“Hey, you okay?” Devon asked, checking in when I wasn’t engaging in the conversation anymore.
“I will be,” I managed, not really wanting to lie about it. “Places like this are hard for me.”
His eyes widened. “Why didn’t you say something? We could have gone anywhere else.”
“No, sometimes stepping outside of our comfort zone is good,” I said, glancing around. “I’d like to try still.”
“Fine, but if it’s too much, you tell me,” he said, serious now. The way his brown eyes locked on me had my body warming in response.
Strangely, I liked having his full attention. He was also protective, something I craved.
“We aren’t trying to trigger you. We’re trying to get to know each other. Though, I think Grace picked about the loudest place possible for that to happen. We won’t be able to hear much without shouting.”
Everything he said was already practically yelled over the sound of the music. There was a live band here tonight playing a mix between country and rock that had the crowd going insane. Apparently, they were local legends or something.
“Do you guys want something to drink? I can get the first round,” Grace asked as she turned her attention back to us. It seemed she knew just about everybody here. She’d already greeted several people while the two of us stood back, soaking it all in.
“Just a Sprite for me,” I said, waiting for her to protest. Thankfully she just nodded and turned to Devon for his order.
“Anything fruity and in cocktail form and I’m a happy omega,” Devon said with a grin. I liked the way he smiled so easily. It drew me in and lit up his eyes, taking them from warm and inviting to practically glowing. I never realized how much depth brown eyes could have until now.
Maybe it was just the omega attached to them. I had a crush and it was such a bad idea.
“On it,” Grace promised, giving us a quick grin before hurrying off into the crowd. For being such a small Omega, she was moving through with no problem. People moved out of her way without question. What she lacked in height she made up with sass and smiles.
“I swear, she seems in her element everywhere,” I said. I didn’t think it was loud enough for Devon to hear, but he chuckled.
“She’s definitely got that brand of sunshine,” he agreed.
“So, tell me something about yourself, Devon,” I said, figuring we might as well use this time to get to know each other like we planned. That and I selfishly wanted to know more about him.
“My sob story is that I was raised in a pack that didn’t think male omegas should exist. Their greatest regret in life was that I didn’t present as a beta. As soon as I could, I got my ass out of there, and I’ve been on my own ever since. I’ve dated a bit here and there, but I was never the chosen mate.”
He shrugged like it was no big deal, but I could see the hurt written all over his face. That was something I could sympathize with. I’d felt that way far too often.
“Believe it or not, I used to be a lot like Grace. I was always excited and ready to face the world, and my enthusiasm was just too much for a lot of people.”
“What? I figured you were really shy,” he said, genuinely surprised. He was leaning in close enough I could catch small bursts of his soft green apple and cedarwood scent. It helped keep me grounded in the chaos of the bar.
“My sob story is that something bad happened to me and it changed me completely,” I started to explain, trying to open up the best I could manage.
For some reason, this omega had me ready to bare my soul even though he hadn’t asked. I worried briefly about oversharing, but then I decided to bite the bullet. If anyone should know that my omega side was a mess, my roommates should.
“My omega is dormant,” I admitted. “Some really traumatic things went down with a pack… let’s just say they’re in prison now, and I’m free and trying to find a way to move on.”
“Oh my god, Wren,” he breathed out, looking genuinely upset for me. There was no pity there, just empathy, and I appreciated that more than he realized. All I wanted was for people to know me and not my trauma. It felt like everywhere I went someone was staring and I couldn’t shake the thought that they had heard and were either judging or pitying me.
I wanted neither.
As he reached for me, his scent wrapped around me. I wished it was stronger, more intense. That didn’t stop me from savoring it, though.
“I’m here. I’m moving on. Look, I’m even in a crowded place like this.” I gestured around us at the crowd that seemed to keep growing as the night went on.
“Damn straight you are,” he said with that teasing grin of his. “Good for you.”
“The doctor seems to think that I can bring her back out again if I find a way to relax and move on and all that. Hence the change in scenery and uprooting my life to start over.”
“We’ll find that omega side again,” he promised without missing a beat. The determined look on his face told me he had just made it his own personal challenge.
How long had it been since somebody was fighting in my corner?
Then I felt guilty because Avery was always on my side. But my betrayal, or rather, theirs, cut deep. I didn’t think we’d ever have that kind of relationship again.
Someday, I’d have to tell Grace and Devon everything. There was no way the truth wouldn’t make its way around this town eventually. I just worried that it would change their opinion of me.
Would this adorable omega think I was dangerous to have around? That I’d do the same to them?
I hadn’t realized I was chewing on my lip until Devon reached out and gently tugged it free. My battered lip ached sharply, and I gave him a sheepish smile. He didn’t call me on it, simply stopped me and moved right along like it was normal.
Why did it feel so simple with him?
“Do you dance, Wren?” he asked as he swept his honey blond hair out of his face. It looked so soft and thick that I wanted to run my hands through it.
The way he watched me meant I couldn’t say no.
“I used to,” I admitted. “In fact, I fucking loved dancing. Avery and I spent a lot of nights warding off any alphas approaching us and just dancing our hearts out. It was our way of letting go after long weeks or bad days.”
“Let me get this drink down when Grace finally makes her way back to us, then it’s on. We’re going to let go tonight.”
“Alright,” I said, finding myself smiling back at him. Something about the way he believed in me and backed me up just made me want to try.
After all, that was why I came here, wasn’t it?
“Now tell me something not trauma-related about you,” he demanded.
“I’m a vet tech,” I said, opting for my favorite thing about me. Working with animals gave me purpose and I missed it. “I could have gone on for veterinary school, but I really like the jobs I could take at this level. It gave me more hands-on. The caring route instead of the fixing route, you know?”
“I can respect that,” he said, nodding his head. “Although, the only thing you’re going to find out here are small town vets or a lot of farm animals. We’re in the country now.”
“Maybe I’ll find my new calling with them,” I said, considering what it might be like to work with a different crowd of animals. I might just have to get a pair of boots and give it a try.
“As long as you take a shower at work,” he joked, “then we don’t have to suffer when you come in smelling like a barnyard.”
A genuine laugh bubbled out of me. It felt so foreign but freeing. Joking with Devon was healing something within me. Our banter was such a small, silly thing. Probably trivial to most, but to me it meant a lot.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Grace reappeared at that moment, three drinks clutched in her hands, her face flushed from the crowd.
“Sorry, guys! I ran into some friends. If you want to meet them, I can introduce you.”
I wasn’t sure I wanted to meet new people just yet, I was just getting to know them.
Devon spoke up, saving me from having to answer.
“We’re going to drink these and then get some dancing in. Do you want to join us?”
“Hell yeah,” she said, holding her glass to the air. “To new roommates and new beginnings!”
Devon and I shared a grin and clinked our glasses to hers, all of us taking a sip.
She didn’t know how accurate those words were.
Grace shifted closer to us, her eyes dancing with excitement.
“Okay, while we’re drinking, we came here for a purpose,” she said. “I need to know what colors you guys hate before I make our apartment look like a rainbow threw up in it.”
“Honestly, if the colors are done right, I don’t hate any color. Just don’t make it a sad gray or beige,” Devon said with a dramatic shudder that had us both laughing.
“Honestly, I’m so over the modern minimalist look. I’m maximalist now, all the way,” I said. Our apartment was a blank canvas at this point so anything would be an improvement. Lately, I found myself craving the cozy, colorful vibes more than modern.
“Really?” Grace asked, her eyebrows rising as she looked at me. “But you brought so little.”
“I left a lot of my old life behind, but I’m not opposed to going shopping.”
Apparently, those were the magic words for my new roommate.
“Oh my god, bet!” she said, doing a little dance in her chair. “Don’t worry, I already know the best shopping spots. They’re not all here in Rockwood Valley, but close enough. Plus, imagine how amazing it’s going to be to go to The Artisan Fair this year! They always have the most amazing artwork. Oh, and there’s an antique shop that opened up not long ago. Oriana has the best stuff, too. Our apartment is going to be amazing!”
“The Artisan Fair?” Devon asked. “These small-town festivals are real?”
Grace laughed like he was joking, but Devon looked serious. I wasn’t sure where he grew up, but I also thought those little festivals were something out of Gilmore Girls and not real life.
“Oh yeah,” she said. “It happens twice a year and is why we have so many small businesses in town. You should have seen it just a year or two ago. Half the shops were empty but thanks to my friend Avery coming back and starting up the PackVlog pages for the town and the bar, it changed things. Maverick, her brother, kick started The Artisan Fair again and it really blew things up.”
“Sounds fun,” Devon said. “I knew this town was charming but I guess I have a lot to learn still.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll get there,” Grace reassured him. “We’ll make our rounds to the shops. Grab some things for the new place, get to know the town a bit better, it’ll be amazing.”
I felt the excitement building as she rambled on. All of it sounded so perfect and refreshing. I swear I’d spent half my life caring too much about what others thought. That was the old Wren. I was going to work my ass off to make sure the new Wren was truly happy.
“Who here can cook? Because I’m kind of hopeless,” Devon said, continuing the conversation as he sipped his bright blue cocktail.
“I wouldn’t say I’m completely hopeless,” Grace said with a wince. “I’m an amazing baker, but cooking actual food outside the basics? I’m terrible at it. I’m a snack queen all the way.”
“Funny enough, I’m terrible at baking,” I admitted. “Or rather, inexperienced. I can definitely cook the basics. We’ll get by. Plus, they have recipes for everything. It can’t be that hard.”
“Update the smoke alarms. Noted,” Devon joked as he downed the rest of his drink. “Now, let’s dance.”
Grace barely managed to chug the rest of hers before he was taking both of our hands and dragging us out to the dance floor.
The mix of country and rock was high-energy enough that we were able to let go and feel the beat.
When the band took a break and kicked on a dance mix, it was even better. Devon, Grace, and I made the perfect trio, singing along and dancing like we’d been friends for years.
This was the longest I’d gone without overthinking things and dwelling on my darker thoughts.
I was worried about coming here, but I was genuinely having a good time. The music, my new friends… all of it was perfect.
“Can I cut in?” an alpha asked, glancing at all three of us like he had just won the jackpot.
“Absolutely not,” Devon said. “This is an omega-only dance party.”
“You can’t tell me you don’t need a little knot in the mix.” To mark his words he gestured down to his pants that were far too tight.
Someone needed to tell this man that size wasn’t everything. A creep is a creep.
Grace giggled at the failed attempt at wooing us while Devon barked out a laugh.
“That is the last thing we need. Keep walking.”
“Can’t blame me for trying,” he said, giving us one last glance before reluctantly walking away.
We dissolved into laughter as the song switched, but I was practically dripping sweat at this point and didn’t want to be out here any longer.
I fanned my face and pointed toward the door.
“I’m going to step out for some fresh air,” I called out.
“I need the bathroom,” Grace said, hurrying off in that direction while Devon followed me outside.
The night air was cool enough that it felt incredible against my sweat-dampened skin. Out here, the music was muted enough that we wouldn’t have to shout.
Thanks to the sweat, Devon’s smell was stronger now. I liked it a lot more than I should, even if it didn’t make my body react like I wanted it to.
Still, it drove me crazy.
If only my omega would react. Even a hint of those instincts.
But no amount of wishing would change the fact that his scent wasn’t enough to steal my breath away and change my worldview.
He just felt safe, and I had a feeling that I was blowing it out of proportion because of my need for a little stability and security.
Grace walked out with one of Avery’s brothers and two other girls in tow. I froze, panic rising as she started talking.
“Hey, guys! I wanted you to meet some of my friends. I’m sure you recognize Nash Whitaker from his viral thirst traps,” she teased. “And this is my friend Sidney, and my other friend Oriana. She’s the one that owns the antique store I was telling you about.”
Sidney was a familiar face, but I wasn’t sure how she felt about this meeting, so I focused on the other omega instead.
“I can’t wait to check it out,” I said, giving her a smile. “Our place could use a few things to spice it up.
Sidney was trying to smile but the way she was studying me had me shifting from foot to foot, feeling awkward.
Nash was even more gorgeous in person, but he also wouldn’t look at me.
They knew exactly who I was and what I’d done. My stomach sank and I swallowed back the tears threatening to fall.
“I’m going to go,” I stammered out. Thankfully, I had everything with me, and I started to turn, but Devon stopped me with a gentle hand on my wrist.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Let her go,” an omega behind them said.
I didn’t recognize her, but she sure seemed to know me. She was dressed in brand new cowboy boots and mini skirt, a flannel shirt tied and tucked just under her boobs. It was the stereotypical outfit of a girl trying hard to grab attention.
Her eyes trailed over me as her lips twisted in disgust. “We don’t need someone with your reputation around here.”
And there it was. I guess I’d been too optimistic tonight because this town definitely wasn’t welcoming.
“What the hell?” Grace gasped, sounding anything but bubbly now.
The omega rolled her eyes as she cocked out a hip. She was awfully bold for a single person facing off with a crowd.
“What? We all know what she went through. Her picture was leaked from the trial and so were the details. She has to know how weird it is having her in this town. We don’t need that kind of attention.”
She must have clocked the confusion on their faces because she brazenly forged ahead. I wasn’t sure if it was alcohol or if she was simply an asshole, but I didn’t want my past to come out like this. Or at all, really.
Also, what the hell did she mean about it leaking online? I was told the trial was closed to protect us and our names. If it was leaked, that was a huge breach of legal contracts. Every single person had to sign it to even be present.
I guess I was going to have to call my lawyer tomorrow. Though, if this random omega heard, they had to know. They should be calling me.
Tears burned behind my eyes, but Devon still had his fingers wrapped around my wrist. He was glaring at her almost as violently as she was glaring at me. If not worse.
“Don’t fucking talk to her like that.” His words were sharp and icy, making her take a step back, though she didn’t give up.
“Do you even know who she is or what she’s done?” the bitchy omega spat out like I was the problem here. “What she did to Avery?!”
“Don’t speak for, Avery,” Sidney growled, lifting her arm to deck the girl, but Grace grabbed her in time.
She was loyal to her friend, I’d give her that.
I’d heard about Sidney before. She was Avery’s best friend from back home. We’d always planned on meeting up or having her come out, but the timing was never right.
“It’s fine. I’m leaving,” I said quickly, trying to de-escalate the situation before it got worse or she said something they didn’t need to hear.
This time, Nash did look at me. His hazel eyes looked worried, but he hadn’t said a word, and I wasn’t going to ask them to be on my side.
They didn’t even know me. I wasn’t going to cause tension in their town, especially at his bar.
More than anything, I was furious with myself for letting my guard down. This was why I didn’t go out anymore.
It was better for everyone if I simply stayed invisible.