21. Talya
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
TALYA
I began every morning in my new nest. Sometimes I was alone but usually not. Most of the time, it was Colby, Ronan, and often Kasen, though it was a very different feeling with the latter.
There was absolutely no romantic feeling between us and certainly nothing sexual, but we got along easily. Conversation was easy. We had nothing in common as far as hobbies or interests, yet there were never any awkward moments or silences. Even when we were just sitting around, it was comfortable.
It had taken me a long time to feel that way around Fenton, but Kasen was just… like that. Maybe because I had an emptiness inside me that demanded to be filled? Now that he thought I was dead and I wasn’t allowed to reach out to him to let him know otherwise, I had a void within me. Kasen filled it, though he didn’t replace him.
Now that I was thinking of Fenton, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was kinder or crueler for him to think we were dead. Would he feel better knowing that we were actually alive, but in hiding? Did he feel survivor’s guilt because he wasn’t home when we were taken? Was he looking for us?
Then there were my friends within the Omega Forums—PackTease and IamOmegaDik especially. We’d all kind of checked in with each other after some time had gone by. It wasn’t like we knew who the others were in real life, so how could someone put up an alarm if one of us actually went missing?
Like me. I had gone missing.
I wasn’t sure how much time had passed since we were taken from our apartment, but I was sure I’d never not logged in for this long before. Were they worried? Maybe they didn’t notice. I’d like to hope they did notice.
With a sigh, I rolled over and sank into the cushions. The silly, goofy grin that spread across my face from being cradled in all the softness couldn’t be helped. I’d never had this before. I didn’t know I’d love it so much.
My fingers lightly skimmed over the super soft material, letting the faux fur brush against my fingertips. I had sherpa and minky and crushed fleece. All the softest materials surrounded me. I loved to just run my hands across them. There was something soothing about it.
Then there were the scents that the blankets held onto. My wonderful alpha’s cedarwood and allspice was a constant reminder that he was here. Here and safe and mine. His heart beat for me; I could feel it echo alongside mine.
All the outdoor scents were Ronan. Freshly mown grass, rainstorms, and citrus. They clung to every surface, giving me a breath of fresh air.
Once in a while, I caught the soft patchouli and myrrh that was Kasen. It was faint, so I only got a hint of it from time to time. But it, too, was soothing.
A knock on the door made me look up. It wasn’t shut. I rarely shut it for anything. Ronan peeked in through the crack, and I grinned, sitting up and letting the pile of blankets pool around me. He pushed the door open and stepped inside with two plastic containers in his hands.
“Hi,” I said.
Even though his smile was always a little rough and never very big, I didn’t think he was unhappy. That was just how he was. Maybe I shouldn’t love it like I did, but I did. It was… special when he smiled.
“Morning, omega,” he said and moved closer. He wasn’t wearing shoes, so he stepped right into my pile of softness and dropped to his knees in front of me. Then he handed me the big plastic box.
It was clear, so inside I could see a dozen smaller containers, also clear. But they were empty. I looked up at him with confusion.
“It’s actually for organizing pictures, but I thought we could use it for keeping memories of places we explore on the island,” he said, his voice deep and growly.
“Explore?” I asked.
He nodded. Bringing around the other container, which was just as large as the first, he opened it to show me its contents. There were little plastic baggies, vials, and plastic boxes, all of which would fit into the organizational ones within my clear container. There was also a little camera and mini notebooks and pens.
“We can gather things from where we visit,” he said, picking up a vial and handing it to me. “If we go to the lake, we can gather some sand or maybe a bit of water. We can take pictures. We can bring back a pretty shell from the beach or a rock from the mountain. There are military ruins on the island and all sorts of artifacts from that time that we can document.”
My heart raced as I looked at him. That was probably the most he’d ever said to me at one time. A smile threatened to split my face, so I had to fight to keep it small. “I love this,” I told him. “There are places to visit on the island?”
“Would you like to go to one now?”
I couldn’t contain the smile this time. “I’d love that.”
Ronan watched me like he was studying my face. After several quiet seconds ticked by, he reached up to cup my face. “I want to court you, Talya.”
Yesterday’s conversation with Colby was still fresh in my head. We’d talked about it thoroughly, and while we seemed to be split down the middle as to who we might be willing to be courted by, we agreed that as long as we were always open and honest with each other about our thoughts and whether we were ever uncomfortable with the situation, we could see about becoming part of this pack.
After years of looking for a pack, it had taken extraordinary circumstances to bring us together, and there was no doubt in my mind that there wasn’t going to be another pack that wanted us more. Both of us. Together .
I nodded. “I’d like that, alpha.”
His smile made my insides flutter. Heat spread through my chest, and my perfume spiked with my excitement. I bowed my head as heat flooded my cheeks. You’d think after all these years I’d be used to my perfume giving away my feelings in any given situation, but no, it never got easier.
“Have you eaten yet this morning?”
Shaking my head, I looked up into his dark eyes. “Not yet.”
He dropped his hand to take mine and helped me to my feet. “Let’s feed you before we go. Alright?”
I nodded again and allowed him to lead me out of my nest, my heart racing. I’d never been courted before. Colby and I, we just knew. As soon as we saw each other, we knew that we’d found our mates, so there was no courting involved. On top of that, we were kids. As soon as he grew into the ability to forge a bitten bond, he’d bitten me, claiming me as his omega.
Despite the many packs and alphas we’d met over the years, not once had we ever gotten to the point where courting was even discussed. I was sure that by the time we’d disappeared, we’d met over a hundred. We’d gone through so many that we were feeling defeated. Unwanted.
Then we were put through hell and delivered to the pack that might turn out to be our perfect match. Did all omegas have to go through that to finally find their packs? Or was I just special?
We stepped into the kitchen, our hands still linked together. The rest of the pack was there. Kasen’s eyes immediately dropped to where our hands were linked, a grin spreading across his face. Colby also noticed right away and gave me a sweet smile. His comfort, support, and approval burned brightly in my chest.
Taking a seat at the table where there was already food spread out before us, we gathered things onto our plates. Well, Ronan did his own while Colby placed an already prepared plate in front of me and kissed me on the cheek.
We ate among the quiet chatter within the kitchen as everyone discussed what their plans were for the day. Ronan, Colby, and I listened without participating, but I enjoyed watching them. They appeared relaxed. Our added presence wasn’t awkward or causing them to hesitate in speaking naturally. They didn’t try to keep something from us as they talked about their business.
A feeling of familiarity settled over me like I’d somehow been here a lot longer than was actually reality. It’d been, what, four days? Five? Okay, maybe longer. I couldn’t actually even remember how many sleeps I’d had. Especially since right after we arrived, we’d slept on and off for what had to have been at least three days. It wasn’t like I actually asked what the date was. With nowhere specific to go, like a job, what was the point?
“What about you, Talya?” Kasen asked. “Plans?”
I looked at Ronan. The corners of his lips ticked up slightly when the kitchen fell silent to listen for the answer. “I’m taking Talya to the ruins of Fort Killian. We’ll probably be back after lunch.” He paused to look at Colby. “If you’re okay with that.”
Colby grinned at him. “Thank you for checking in. Yes,” he looked at me, “I’m okay with that if Talya is.”
“I am,” I said quietly. “It sounds exciting.”
“It is soo exciting,” Kasen said as he joined us at the table, practically falling into a chair across from me. “It’s such a cool place. When we met Emerald, he brought us all over the island and showed us the coolest things! Fort Killian is one of my favorites.”
I almost asked him if he wanted to come with us but decided that probably wasn’t appropriate for a courtship, uh, date? Outing? Was there appropriate terminology that went along with this?
Kasen continued to tell me about the fort while Ronan and I finished breakfast. I loved to see how enthusiastic he was. He’d clearly paid attention to what he’d learned.
When we were finished, I changed into something that seemed appropriate for outside exploring—leggings, long-sleeved t-shirt, and sneakers—before meeting Ronan downstairs. He had a backpack on which almost looked silly because he was such a big guy. The backpack was probably a normal size, but it looked like a child’s on his back.
“Ready?” he asked.
I nodded and stopped at Colby’s side. He was standing in the doorway, leaning on the frame with his hands in his pockets. I kissed him, resting my forehead against his for just a minute. I can feel him in my chest , I reminded myself. He was fine.
This would be the first time we really split up since we were stolen in the night. He had gone on a horseback ride with Blakely and Lohtus a couple days ago, but they’d remained on the property. Ronan and I, however, were leaving the plantation. Farm. Ranch? Whatever this place was, we were leaving it entirely, and Colby wasn’t going to be with me.
“Ronan will keep you safe,” he said, his voice confident and reassuring. I relaxed at his certainty. “I’ll be right here when you get back. Promise.”
Biting my lip, I nodded. “Okay. Love you.”
He kissed me again. “I love you too, my omega. Have fun.”
Nodding again, I moved closer to Ronan. When he offered me his hand, I took it and let him lead me out of the house.