Chapter 62
Chapter Sixty-Two
Harper
Spending most of the day shopping in the city was a poor substitute for visiting a new true mate, but considering the other option was staying in the hotel all day, I opted for the day out.
The second decision I made was more practical.
My perfume was going to be unavoidable since neither of my mates would go for the idea of letting me walk ahead of them while on my suppressants, which, once we got out into the bustling crowds, only made sense.
Since I’d be around my mates my perfume would be triggered and all I could really hope to do was mask it, I was glad I’d brought the spray deodorant that smells kind of similar and is made to blend in with my natural scent to make it seem more like a really fucking nice aftershave than a completely natural aphrodisiac.
It wouldn’t fool an Alpha who got too close, but it’s good enough for walking around in a crowded space that’s mostly fully of Betas.
The only downside to making the decision to mask my scent is the slightly queasy feeling I get when I inhale it. An unsettled stomach is a small price to pay for a reasonably normal day spent outside with my mates actually at my sides.
Hiding my true nature sucks, but it’s for my own safety and I get it.
I’d rather put up with a little discomfort than risk being targeted by someone with bad intentions.
I know I’ve had a charmed life so far, meeting my first mate in high school and never coming up against any real threats to my life or safety. I fully credit my mates for keeping me so well protected, and I never want to do anything that might ruin their efforts.
We get back to the hotel after a whole day spent browsing and purchasing things we might need if we’re staying in the city for a while.
We found an Italian restaurant for lunch and the difference in what the food was like compared to Silver Valley’s restaurants made me realize why people love this city.
It’s a busy place, which isn’t great for an Omega, sure, but it’s also full of places where we can get amazing food and literally whatever else we’re looking for on a whim.
We even passed a cinema that shows old black and white movies, including foreign films.
I could have died and gone to heaven.
I don’t think I’m going to mind sticking around Cressidan City until our new mate is ready to be a part of our pack. I might not even mind moving out here for good.
Shayne sighs as he puts down the bags he’s carrying.
He sits down on one of the couches. “I think that was a harder workout that I usually get on a run.”
Jay snorts as he sets down the bags he’s carrying.
“We probably only walked two miles all day.”
“Yeah, well it felt like six with all the people dodging.”
I take off my jacket and Jay takes it off my hands.
“I’ll hang this in the closet by the front door.”
“Thanks,” I tell him, before I head for the shower.
I’ll feel better once I wash the remains of the masking spray off my body.
I strip off once the water is running, placing my clothes in a laundry bag the hotel provided for us.
Thankfully, they have a quick cleaning service, so I’ll be able to get the clothes out of the suite where I won’t smell them straight away, and they’ll come back after they’ve been washed with scent-free detergent.
There are a lot of good things about coming to a luxury hotel, and the way they cater to Omegas is one of those things. I just can’t believe I’m in a place like this after my parents disowned me.
They told me I’d end up on the streets, if my boyfriend didn’t sell me into a trafficking situation first. That’s when I realized they didn’t know Jay, and I didn’t know them.
It’s kind of sad when the people you thought loved you more than anything turn out to be monsters with no real idea what love even is.
They only loved the idea of me.
My mates are the ones who actually love me.
And apparently, they’re also loaded.
I take my time in the shower while I wonder what that wealth might mean for our future.
I know Falcon hasn’t been sure about his purpose in life, but Shayne and Jay have been ready to start a family for a while now, so maybe we’ll get a bigger place now that a female mate has come into our lives, and a family feels like an actual possibility.
I wonder if that bigger place will be back in Silver Valley, here in Cressidan City, or someplace completely new. It’s impossible to guess when I haven’t even met Robin yet.
All I know is none of the rest of us are tied to Silver Valley.
We’ve been there for years, but that’s only because it’s close to Silver City, where I work.
I’m sure Cressidan City has a concert hall.
Even if it doesn’t, I think I could deal with losing that outlet.
It’s been fun, for sure, but lately it’s felt more like a routine than a passion.
It could be time to start working on making my own music.
I don’t need a symphony orchestra to do that.
I finish up in the shower and turn off the water.
The towel comes off the rail warm.
I dry myself off and wrap it around my waist before I step out into the main room of the suite with the laundry bag held closed in one hand.
Jay moves over to me from the couch and takes the bag from my hand.
“I’ll put it outside for the maid to collect.”
“Thanks,” I murmur, as I start to head toward the bedroom I claimed with Jay last night.
Shayne’s laying back on the couch as I start to pass, eyes closed.
He’s not quite asleep, but I can tell he’s close.
Then, he jumps up and I blink at him.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“My phone is buzzing,” he explains as he gets up and takes his phone out of his pocket.
“It’s Falcon.”
I stay where I am, curious as to why our lead Alpha is calling.
Shayne answers the phone. “Falcon?”
I listen intently, but I can’t hear the other side of the conversation.
Jay stops at my side as he comes back from taking the laundry bag out of the room.
“Uh huh,” Shayne murmurs, frowning. “So, you won’t be home tonight?”
Oh my God! It’s going that well?
My heart starts to race.
Is she already claimed?
If so, she’s no longer under the guardianship of the academy’s head.
Which means …
“What about tomorrow?” Shayne asks.
Jay puts his hand on my shoulder. “Don’t get overexcited.”
I glance at him, and I try to slow my racing thoughts.
He’s right. I don’t know what’s happening.
Neither of us know until Shayne tells us.
“Okay,” he says. “I’ll speak to you in the morning.”
He puts his phone back into his pocket and I blurt out, “Well?”
“Well, it looks like we might have a longer wait to meet Robin.”
My heart sinks as he gives us a shrug.
“Falcon found a security breach. Lana told him to leave, but he investigated the exterior of the fence himself and came up with a plan that he got her to agree with. He’s going to be out there all night, waiting to catch an intruder.
Lana’s not going to let anyone else visit until she’s sure they’ve caught whoever’s sneaking around. ”
“But doesn’t that mean the academy isn’t really safe for Robin?”
He sighs. “Lana’s her guardian right now. She’s not going to let us take Robin away. They have a lot of security at the academy. I’m sure they’re keeping everyone as safe as they can.”
“Clearly, that’s not safe enough,” Jay mutters.
“There’s not much we can do about it,” Shayne admits.
“There has to be something!”
He gives me a wry smile. “I wish there was, but I think all we can do right now, is wait.”
My already stretched patience feels like it could snap into pieces.
I have a new true mate out there, she’s in a place that isn’t completely safe, and now I don’t know what’s happening at the academy and I have no idea when I might get to meet her.
Groaning, I move over to the nearest couch and lay down on my stomach.
I hope Falcon knows what he’s doing.
His plan had better work.