8. Lila
Lila
The puzzle ends up being a lot of fun, and by the time we finish, some of the sexual tension has faded.
Right up until we walk into the kitchen, where a shirtless man is cooking lunch. The last time I saw him, he was shirtless then too.
Wavy blond hair that hangs just past his ears, pale inked skin stretched taut over the muscles of his body, and black sweatpants. He’s assembling some kind of fancy sandwich as he dances around, singing along to the music playing on his phone.
Holy tattoos. He’s a work of art.
When I fled their apartment the other morning, he wasn’t as visible in the dim morning light, but I can see him very clearly right now.
River pauses, covering his laugh with his hand, as he tilts his head forward, some of his black hair falling into his face. He watches his friend, as I watch them.
Harrison is definitely the third alpha. And there’s no way these three just happen to be the men I’m here with.
They had to have arranged this. Or am I being self-centered?
Could this be a coincidence, and I’m just trying to fool myself?
It seemed like River was expecting me, though, not just another omega.
“Oh, fuck me!” the alpha yelps as he spins around, finding an audience.
Guess our scents haven’t reached him yet.
His frightened holler causes giggles to erupt from my chest, and I can’t contain them as he pants, placing his hands on the counter to steady himself.
Maybe he isn’t as stoic as he seemed before.
“Westley, this is Lila, Lila, my packmate, Westley.”
Westley lifts his head, smirking as he pushes off the counter.
“We’ve met,” I say.
“Hardly. You were busy escaping our apartment in the early hours of the morning. You didn’t even tell me your name, Omega,” Westley says as he returns to sandwich assembling. I blush at his words, reaching up to twirl a stray hair around my fingers.
“You already knew my name,” I shrug.
“Fair,” Wes smirks, and I get a better look at the black and white rose tattoo over his throat. He’s wearing a gold chain necklace that suits him well.
“So, where’s Harrison?” I ask, following River further into the kitchen.
The updated space around us is at odds with the haunted exterior of the house.
The same wide plank hardwood floor from the previous rooms carries through here.
Stainless steel counters, similar to those found in restaurants, complement the antique oak cabinets, adding a modern touch.
Probably easier to clean up the debauchery…
“He’s around. You’ll get to see him soon,” River says, pulling a stool out for me to sit at the island counter. As he moves around the kitchen getting drinks for everyone, I pull my phone out of my pocket and text Wendy.
Lila: Kinky Escape room was not on my bingo card, Wendy.
Wendy: Vodka says otherwise.
Lila: Your shitty taste in omega breakup recovery says a lot.
Wendy: Your taste in alphas says more.
Lila: …
Wendy: Burn, bitch, burn.
Lila: Well, I am pretty sure I broke that streak of bad luck. I think these alphas might have set this up. Remember the guy from the bar? His pack is here. It’s just the four of us. In a place called Knotty Escape? Do I just go with this? What would you do…
Wendy: I’m already naked and on all fours in this scenario. You should try it sometime. Highly therapeutic.
Lila: You’re shameless. In the best ways. I am…not.
Wendy: So? Yolo, ho. Let them rail you. If they’re offering, why not accept? Do they look like their cocks are big?
Lila: Life ruining sizes. Rearrange your insides, thick. Probably massive. Should require a warning label.
Wendy: If you don’t fuck them, I will.
A possessive growl rumbles from my throat, and my cheeks heat. I’m typing out a very claim-like message when River clears his throat.
“You okay?” he asks when I glance up at him. My eyes go wide when I realize what just happened, and I blush like a tomato.
Lila: Fuck you very much, Wendy. No need. I’ll take one for the team this time.
I hit send and stuff my phone back in my waistband before I start issuing omega claims or something else equally insane.
“Sorry. Um,” I shake my head and take a deep breath. “I was just texting my friend.”
“Just letting her know you’ve found your pack?” Wes asks, lifting his brow at me as he looks me up and down.
“Wow. That's presumptuous. Do I need to be worried about your intentions with me?” I try to frown, but can’t help the small smile that slips across my lips.
“Depends, are you worried we’ll sweep you off your feet, and that you’ll fall head over heels for our pack?” Wes asks, tilting his head as he adds lettuce to the sandwiches.
“I’m worried that you lured me here to seduce me,” I tell him, watching his reaction closely.
He snorts, turning to shoot River a pointed look.
“Right…” I chuckle, shaking my head. The red panic button on the wall is lit up, reminding me I have an out.
The fact that I haven’t hit it yet says more than enough to let them know how I’m truly feeling.
“I’ve only been with one alpha, though, so I suppose maybe I’m just not used to flirting?
” I voice the question that should have stayed in my damn head, but instead of cringing and pulling away, River takes a seat beside me.
I reach for the lemonade he got me and take a sip, avoiding the looks on their faces. But Westley isn’t having it. He abandons his task and approaches me, spinning my chair to face him.
“Just wait, Omega. We’ve got moves you’ve never seen before,” Wes says with a wink, wrapping his hand around my waist and pulling me against his muscular chest for a hug. He’s wedged between my thighs, but while the touch is intimate, it’s not sexual. His scent washes over me, stealing my thoughts.
“Mmm, balsam and cedar…” I mumble, as my mind goes a little foggy. I want to bury my face in his neck and inhale him like this all night. I want to bottle up his scent and carry it with me always..
“Oh, I think the little omega likes my scent, River. What do you think?” Wes teases, pulling me out of the fog and stepping away from me. I shake my head in a futile attempt to clear it, but the sound of River’s rumbling response only makes me more fuzzy. “Let's feed her.”
Westley finishes assembling everything quickly, before taking a seat on my other side. I dig right in. The food looks fantastic. Larry never cooked for me. Not even once.
“My god, this is delicious,” I groan around a mouthful. I place the sandwich back on my plate before lifting the top layer of bread and investigating the contents. Spicy pickles and sliced jalapeno… “This is exactly how I like my sandwiches…” I marvel, before looking up at the two alphas.
“Ha, what a good guess,” Wes chuckles awkwardly, but River’s cheeks have a slight tint of pink to them. Cute.
“Honestly,” I nod, “this is really good. Thank you.”
“My pleasure, Lila.”
I spend the rest of the meal suppressing my groans because this is the best sandwich anyone has ever made me.
He even added malt vinegar to my spicy chips, something I’ve never seen anyone else do.
Both alphas spend the entire meal with their eyes glued to me. I must be making a spectacle of myself.
Oh, well. They’re the ones that lured me here, and I don’t want to get caught in a cycle of stifling who I am ever again. By the time I take my last bite, both men have already finished, so I stand and reach for their dirty dishes to take to the sink.
“Drop them,” River rumbles, and I snort.
“You cooked, I can clean…” I argue, but River growls. Literally growls. I’ve got his plate in my hand already, though, so I meet his glare head on and hold it for a few seconds. I could drop it. Do as he says.
“Omegas shouldn’t clean up after their alphas.” Westley breaks the tension by grabbing the plates from my hands and taking them to the sink. I huff, crossing my arms over my chest.
“I did everything for my alpha. I cooked every meal, cleaned every room of the apartment by myself. I can wash dishes after someone else cooks for me.” I cross my arms over my chest, refusing to back down from River’s dominant stare.
“Lila.” River stands, moving so he’s towering over me, and I have to crane my neck back to look him in the eyes now. “That loser isn’t your alpha anymore. And when I say that my pack and I are nothing like him, I do mean in every fucking way.”
“So none of you enjoys blow jobs?” I snark, once again, not thinking better of my words before I blurt them out.
“You’re testing my control, Lila,” River warns, but there's a reason the saying about curious cats ends in death, and right now my curiosity is playing with fire.
“What happens when it breaks?” I whisper, resting my hand against his chest.
“I’m sure I’ll be showing you soon enough.”
The tension between us could cut glass.
“You know the rules, no fucking on the kitchen counter,” Westley teases, clapping a hand on his packmate's shoulder. “Come on, Lila, I’ll show you to the next escape room. This one has a very special surprise.” I follow him out of the kitchen and down the hall.
“Don’t be frightened by what you discover. I promise no one has been harmed setting this room up,” Wes adds, before snorting, and I swear I hear him whisper, “Much,” under his breath.
“Okay. I’m going in with you?”
“You’re going in by yourself, but you won’t be alone.” Wes stops at a red door, grabs the handle, and pushes it open. Blackness greets me once again, but this time I hear music as well. I step through the door, turning to ask Wes what I’m supposed to do, but just before the door closes, Wes winks.
“Wes?” I snap, but there’s no response. Then a spotlight flicks on, and in the center of the room, facing away from me, is a man. An alpha whose scent is unforgettable.
“Harrison?” I murmur, making my way further into the room.