Chapter 17
Seventeen
WILLOW
Sometime around mid-morning I woke up, content and sleep-mussed, under the thick blankets of Kaelen’s bed.
Our bed.
A delicious ache throbbed between my thighs.
My fingers ghosted over the marks he left on the creamy skin there, admiring how much I liked seeing them there.
I hadn’t slept in that late in a long time or felt this sated ever.
My omega relaxed, curling up like a lazy cat on a Sunday afternoon in a sunspot.
Cool silk slid under my fingertips as I glided them along Kaelen’s pillow, nuzzling into it and drinking in his familiar scent. I stretched out, splaying out over the massive bed, still not able to reach the sides.
Whatever this was, it was bigger than a king size, and I feared it had ruined me for any other bed ever.
Maybe this was Kaelen’s plan. To court me with fancy linens and absurdly oversized mattresses.
It was working.
After last night, I worried I wouldn’t be able to deny him anything. At the casino, it wasn’t my omega who was jealous of the woman who thought Kaelen attractive. It was me. If anyone asked, I’d blame it on my omega, the alcohol, anything to avoid admitting that I liked Kaelen.
More than liked. I was rather fond of him, enjoying his company a lot more than I wanted to admit.
It meant giving him power over me, the power to destroy me.
Like my dad had done to my mom.
Logically, I knew not every alpha was horrible, but a small, niggling part inside of me was terrified that I was destined to find a bad one.
Kaelen Finnegan was lethal and violent, but completely soft for me.
The necklace he had gifted me was lovely, the nicest thing anyone had ever given me.
Every omega adored getting presents, and as much as I tried to hide it, I was no different.
Afraid of appearing too eager, I squashed down my excitement.
Even if I was thrilled to see what other courting tokens Kaelen would present to me.
Eventually, I crawled out of my makeshift nest and took a quick shower. Covered in a fluffy towel, water dripped onto the floor as I tiptoed toward my old room to get changed.
Of course, Aileen caught me, with an amused glimmer flickering in her eyes. Crimson stained my cheeks as I shrugged, holding the knot between my breasts so the cotton wouldn’t fall.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.”
“Morning,” I murmured, wanting to melt into the floor.
“After you get dressed, why don’t you go down and have the lunch I made while I move your things.”
“You don’t… I mean, I can do it.”
“Hush. I like to keep busy. I’ll be finished before you’re done eating. Now get inside before you get permanent water spots on my floors.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I squeaked, my cheeks hot.
With a crisp nod, I disappeared into my room, quickly throwing on a pair of leggings and a chunky oversized sweater. My hair was long enough now that I could tie it into a braid. I tossed the used towel in the hamper, padding down to the kitchen.
When I passed Kaelen’s study, the door was closed, and I fought the urge to go see him. He was working. I didn’t want to be a clingy omega.
Even if everyone told me alphas adored that.
I wanted to sit on his lap while he did whatever it was The Butcher of Boston did in there. I had loved it last night at the casino, the feel of his roughened hands brushing over the silky fabric over my dress.
A rush of slick coated my thighs, and I nearly choked on a whine. Kaelen had ruined me. There was no way I could go back to sleeping with betas. Not when I experienced how glorious it was to be knotted. He filled me in a way that left me breathless and content.
Granted, I had an inkling that feeling was a unique experience with Kaelen. If our courtship didn’t pan out… Well, I didn’t want to dwell on that, imagining spending the rest of my life without my alpha.
Downstairs on the island lay a spread of sandwiches. Two alphas I didn’t recognize came in as I sat down with a smoked salmon one. I stiffened, the hair on my arms standing on end. Internally, I cursed the reaction, knowing my scent took on that smokey, fearful hint.
Someday, I’d stop bristling around unknown alphas.
But apparently not today.
“Miss Sterling,” the taller of the two said in his thick Irish brogue. “We didn’t mean to intrude. We’ll leave you to it if you prefer to be alone.”
“Yes, please,” I whispered, relaxing when I realized they planned on giving me space.
Nodding, both men disappeared the way they had come.
I spent most of the afternoon in our room, unsurprised when Aileen had moved all my belongings over while I ate.
Not that I had much. Kaelen splurged on clothes and toiletries along with a few books I asked for.
Sam insisted on me reading this particularly filthy one about an omega getting snowed-in with an alpha logger.
Images of Kaelen in a flannel and chopping wood made me giggle.
Flames flickered in the giant stone fireplace, and I slid further into the cushions. Something in my stomach lurched, making my insides somersault. I put my book down, rubbing the hollow spot over my sternum. My nose twitched and I eyed the clock. It was half-past six.
Kaelen promised me dinner, and I hadn’t seen him since this morning. Marking my page, I tossed the book aside. Amelia and her pack would be waiting for me later. My skin itched with the need to see my alpha.
Mine.
I hated how much I liked the sound of that.
Maybe not hated.
I tugged at the hem of my sweater, pushing open the heavy oak door to the rest of the house.
A couple of men nodded at me as I padded down the hall that led to his office.
I paused outside the door, my fingers trailing over the supple wood.
Teeth gnawed at my lip as I fought against my instincts to be close to my alpha.
Raised voices echoed from the other side of the door, and I stilled. Silken, accented voices I didn’t recognize spoke in that same authoritative tone I equated with Kaelen. I shouldn’t snoop, but like all omegas, I was curious.
When I heard the man with the Italian accent say my name, a shock zipped through my fingertips and my stomach twisted in knots.
Uneasiness slithered through my veins. Kaelen’s commanding voice sliced through the air and landed squarely on my chest. An icy dread gnarled around my insides like twisting ivy.
“Your father’s contract for Willow Sterling is void.”
My breath hitched, and my hands went numb as my skin turned cold. Swaying on my feet, I pressed my palm into my temple. I flexed out my fingers, willing the blood to flow there as I paced, digging my nails into my palm.
Italian and Irish voices bounced back and forth, but I caught a few unmistakable words.
“Already married.”
“My wife.”
“Signed contract. Plans to collect.”
I heard enough. Each heavy step took longer than the last as I tried to put as much distance between me and whatever fate awaited me, blood rushing in my ears as if I had been pulled under a swirling tide.
Finally, I stumbled into the kitchen, my hands splaying out on the cool stone countertops. I murmured a quiet prayer to whatever deity listened that no one would find me here. It wasn’t exactly hidden, but I knew Aileen was out for the night and Kaelen’s men gave me a wide berth—mostly.
I rummaged through the cabinets, eyeing the unopened bottle of vodka. Without hesitating, I wrapped my fingers around the neck, yanking it into my chest like a small child clutching a stuffed bear.
This couldn’t be real. I must have misheard.
We were supposed to have more time. A proper courtship where I adjusted to the idea of having an alpha.
Damn my curious omega. I hopped onto the counter, holding the liquor between my thighs as I removed the topper.
My nose scrunched at the distinct odor wafting from it.
Before I could change my mind, I took a quick swig, coughing as the sharp fire burned its way into my belly. My brows tilted in toward my nose while I glared at the bottle.
Why did people drink this stuff? It was disgusting. I wavered, trying to shake free the feeling of my skin crawling. Despite the taste, I took another sip, the sting as potent as the first one had been.
I hoped my taste buds would dull soon enough until all I was left with was a floaty haze that made all my problems disappear.
Ah.
Maybe that was why people suffered the clinical, acrid taste. It seemed like a small price to pay to forget. A deal with the devil. Except the devil was going to be my husband. I took another drink, shakily placing the bottle on the counter beside me.
A different heat spread, not as piercing as before, but instead something soothing. The edges of the room blurred, and my limbs loosened. The corner of my mouth quirked as my problems slowly locked themselves away in the recesses of my mind.
It could be worse. I could end up bound to some grouchy bastard who was old enough to be my father. Based on what I heard, that sounded exactly what Kaelen was trying to avoid by claiming me as his wife.
I was still pissed. Not at him. Not exactly, but at everything.
For once in my life, I wanted to have a choice.
And for one fleeting moment, I really believed I would.
I snorted, taking another hit of vodka.
Familiar footsteps grew louder until a broad figure appeared, leaning against the wall. My body tightened, attuned to him. Stupid pretty alpha. His dark green eyes bounced between me and the liquor, his expression frustratingly blank.
God really did have favorites, and Kaelen Finnegan was one of them.
Chiseled muscles framed his inked torso, and his sculpted ass looked like it had been poured into those pants. I bet I could bounce a quarter off it if I tried.
When he didn’t move, I raised my drink in salute.
“Hello, husband,” I slurred, closing my lips around the neck of the bottle and taking another drag, hissing as the liquor burned my raw throat.