Chapter Eleven
Holt
I arrived home later than I wanted, but there was a scuffle at the general store. Someone new stumbled into town and kicked up a fuss about some product the store didn’t carry. The owners of the store were older and they called me immediately.
It took three hours to calm down not only the owners but the gossip.
Plus, I waited until the tourist decided to leave town. Marla lied and told them she was all booked up.
Inside our home, I breathed in the scent of our omega and stopped, boots half off, badge in hand. “What is going on?”
Poe and Vaughn sat at the table, sharing a clementine cake. “Come sit down, Holt.”
My head was hazy from her scent hovering all over our home. She had to be here. Or had been here and left?
My wolf howled inside me. I missed spending time with our mate because of some ridiculous outburst.
“She’s here. Asleep in the suite. Katie is staying with us now.”
Poe’s declaration gave me pause. “Did something happen?” I reserved judgment for after I heard the story. Yes, she was our omega, but there were still secrets and sketchiness.
Starting with her name.
“I was in town and I saw her sitting on the yellow bench.” The benches in town were all painted different colors. Mayor’s choice. “She was crying.”
“Why?” Vaughn asked.
“She said she didn’t have much money and staying at the motel was costing more than the tips and money she was making.
She was only eating when on a shift because it was free and she was trying to save for whatever her truck was going to cost to fix.
” Poe shrugged like it was no big deal. It was a huge deal.
But that was Poe. Calmer than any man I’d ever known.
“She agreed to come here?” I prompted, accepting a plate of food from Vaughn. “Thank you.”
“No, Holt. I tied her up and threw her in the back of the truck. Yes, she agreed to come here. She had nowhere else to go.”
I huffed out a noise. “Marla would’ve let her work off her room.”
“Maybe. Why does it sound like you don’t want our omega under our roof?” Poe had a point.
Fuck. I was torn in half by everything going on with Katie. We all knew Katie wasn’t her name but also her dealing only in cash and not having a phone that I’d seen?
The omega was on the run. Maybe from someone, but the investigator in me wondered if she was running from something else.
As an alpha, as one of her alphas, I wanted to protect her, no matter what she’d done or who she was getting away from.
“Holt? What’s going on? Is there something you’re not telling us? Again?” Vaughn leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. I had to be transparent with them. If our omega was shady, they could also be looking out for that.
“We don’t know a lot about her. That’s all.
And with her likely fake name and cash-only stuff, I can’t help but wonder if she’s in some trouble.
” Not a lie, technically. “I’m looking out for this pack.
For us. And for her. But yeah, even with all of those things, I’m glad she’s got somewhere safe to stay. ”
I took dish duty while Poe went back to working and Vaughn made his way to the back porch to read as he did every night.
My wolf was pleased as could be to have our omega here, in her suite, in our home, right where she belonged, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something else was going on.
I had to find out.
The next few days, I was off duty. The deputies were capable, so I didn’t have to worry. I would keep an eye on our omega.
Maybe find out what the hell was going on.
After taking a shower, I lay awake, sleep denying me over and over.
I tossed. I turned. With a huff, I walked out of my bedroom, and my feet took me to her door.
I listened to her soft breaths. The omega slumbered deep.
Her heart beat slowly. I rested my forehead against the door, listening to her breathing, until the rhythm became a lullaby.
My wolf was content. He gave two shits whether or not our mate had done something wrong or even criminal.
She was here.
Safe.
Thanks to Vaughn, fed and resting.
And, for tonight, that had to be enough.