Chapter 12
Chapter
Twelve
Aries
The night breeze blew past me as I ran along the main road in Widow’s Peak. It wasn’t unusual to see a few people on the streets at this time of day. The bakery and a small coffee shop were already buzzing with life. Though, most people were still tucked into their beds.
Yet here I was, running like if I went fast enough, I could leave all those awful memories and nightmares behind.
I had another last night. This time it was Nikolai in Gideon’s place. Now that my brain dredged up old memories it was morphing them into something awful and twisted.
I rounded the curving road, grateful that as our town grew, I also had more space to run. I was so lost in my own thoughts that I almost didn’t see the figure slumped on the side of the road until I was almost right on them.
My steps came to a stop so fast I nearly tumbled forward, my shoes catching on a few pieces of loose gravel.
The body was almost hidden among the trees. He was hunched over, hands covering his head.
My first instinct probably should not have been to approach a random person, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself as I approached with careful steps.
It wasn’t until I saw the shaggy hair poking out around his hands that I realized who this was.
“Leon,” I called out gently as I crouched down in front of him. The worry only amped up when he didn’t react to my voice. Now that I was in front of him I could hear the ragged bursts of breath he was taking.
Shit, he was in a panic attack.
“Leon,” I called again, my voice sharp this time to cut through whatever nightmare he was locked in.
His eyes were glossy and slightly unfocused as he looked up, like he couldn’t quite get his wits about him enough to realize where he was.
“No. I won’t go back there,” he cried out, focused on something that I couldn’t see.
“Leon, you never have to go back there again,” I said firmly. “You are safe here. With me.”
My chest ached at the thought of him being out here in the dark for who knew how long. I reached out my hands, stopping just before touching him. The last thing I wanted was to startle him more and throw him into a more intense version of the panic attack that already had hold of him.
“Leon.”
This time the forceful word almost mimicked an alpha bark.
“I need you to take a breath. Now.”
I put every bit of command I could into my words. I could see him trying to fight his way out as he blinked his eyes.
“That’s it,” I urged as he breathed again, this one shaky and jagged, but an inhale nonetheless.
His lips were starting to tremble, a slight bluish tint taking over. I was thankful in that moment for my habit of wearing oversized hoodies. I pulled mine over my head and wrapped it around him. He was freezing out here in the morning cold.
I don’t know if it was the way it constricted him, he started to flail. His hand struck out but I caught his wrist before he could make contact with my face.
When my warm hand locked around his, my scent bursting forward and trying to urge him to calm down, he finally responded.
Finally, those stoic eyes locked on me.
Instead of guarded, they were wide open and vulnerable.
“Aries?” he breathed out.
Even his voice sounded hollow and distant, but I just gave him an encouraging smile.
“Yes. It’s me. I’m here,” I promised.
He blinked, looking around, his eyebrows furrowing when he realized we were on the edge of the forest.
“How did I get here?” he finally choked out, burrowing deeper into the hoodie. I don’t even think he realized he was breathing in my scent and using it to anchor him.
My omega did. She was perking up and urging me to fix this. He was hers and she would accept nothing less.
Leon was so small and scared right now that every instinct in me wanted to take care of him. He needed support beyond what I could offer, but I wanted to be there for him regardless.
“Cassie is probably at home losing her mind,” I told him gently.
He swallowed. “I really don’t know how I got out here.”
“That’s a little concerning, but I think right now I’d much rather get you warmed up.”
“I can’t go back to that bed,” he said, his voice shaking as he pleaded with me.
“Do you want to crash on my couch?” I asked. “We still have to let Cassie know, though.”
His head nodded frantically, clinging to the offer like a lifeline.
“Alright, up you go,” I said as gently as possible.
He didn’t fight me as I helped him to his feet. He practically burrowed into my side.
This sweeter side of him was more omega than I think he realized. Maybe that was how he ended up in a place like this as a beta.
His trauma was his own, and he could share it when he felt ready. Until then, I’d offer whatever support I could.
We stayed like that, clinging together as we walked, his scent a pitiful, wobbly thing. No matter what happened to me before this or after, I couldn’t help but feel like this was where I was always meant to end up.
“I’m a little concerned about this sleepwalking,” I said carefully as we moved past the main drag.
He didn’t seem to mind the fact that I was sweaty from my run, his fingers clinging to my sweaty clothes.
“I used to take medicine for it,” he admitted. “But it’s not like I had access to great healthcare on the inside. The guards thought it was funny.”
He said it in a hollow tone. Fuck, I wanted to kill those guards for adding to his pain.
“I think that’s the only reason they kept me alive as long as they did. They thought I’d be entertainment value.”
“Fuck them,” I said firmly.
He gave me a weak smile as I kept guiding him.
When I veered off toward the house I’d claimed and built onto, his eyes widened.
“You know, people joked about you guys being royalty around here. I guess it’s true.”
“Shut up,” I laughed. “It’s not. I’ve just had the chance to build onto it.
This house was a tiny, little thing when we started out.
Now, it’s fit for more than just me. Lucky for you, I happen to have a very comfortable couch and a security system inside,” I said, nudging his hip with mine.
“That way, if you decide to go on any more walks before sunrise—”
“I don’t think we’re that far off,” he admitted. He was right, it was already starting to peek over the horizon.
“We can postpone our training for today. You need to be properly rested.”
“No,” he said so quickly that I startled.
He tried to soften it, but there was desperation there. Training seemed to be his lifeline. Learning self-defense and making his body stronger seemed to give him the same peace it gave me.
From the beginning there was something about Leon and Cassie that tugged at my heartstrings. They got under my skin more than anyone ever had. I couldn’t just walk away.
“I’m not training with you when you’re half asleep. That’s dangerous,” I said, my voice firm this time. “For now, give yourself a chance to rest. If you actually sleep then we can consider something later today.”
His eyes narrowed, and I expected more of a fight, but, thankfully, he didn’t put one up.
“Fine,” he grumbled. “Has anybody ever told you that you’re bossy for an omega?”
“Maybe a few times,” I said with a chuckle. “Mostly I just get shit for being too serious.”
“I like that you are,” he admitted softly. “It makes me feel safe. That’s not something I’ve had the luxury of feeling often.”
“You’re welcome here anytime, Leon. I’m going to go make some tea. That should help ease the anxiety and help you sleep. While I do that, you are going to call Cassie or text her and let her know you’re safe, and then get some sleep.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, a bit of a Southern drawl coming through.
I gave him a look that made him huff out a laugh.
“It only comes out when I’m tired. I’ve been out of the little town I grew up in for a long time,” he said.
I just chuckled and walked away, not digging deeper yet. I wanted him to feel safe, not like I was prying for answers. Nothing was worse than having to face people’s curiosity when you could barely face waking up every day.
I left him to his phone call before pulling down a tin of loose-leaf tea. I couldn’t stand teabags, this always felt more cozy to me. I pulled out one of my tea diffusers, scooped some in, locked it closed, and turned on my electric kettle.
Knowing I wasn’t about to get any more sleep, I opted for my favorite morning blend. It was a little fruity and light, the perfect way to start the day.
I could hear Leon’s voice floating in from the other room. I hoped Cassie wasn’t upset. As guilty as it made me feel, I worried that I was yet again, trying to be the ‘other’ omega. I never truly could tell if they were together or not.
I didn’t want her to think I was trying to steal her man. If he was off limits then we’d all just be friends and that would have to be enough.
The light on the kettle lit up, indicating it was ready, and I gently poured it into two mugs before carrying them into the living room. Leon was already curled up in the corner of the sofa with one of my favorite blankets pulled over him.
He looked so small.
I wondered what he’d look like in even a month’s time. Between getting actual meals, safe sleep, and training, I had a feeling he’d be a whole different person.
“Here’s yours,” I said as I set it on the table in front of him. “I added just a little bit of honey. Hope you don’t mind.”
“No, it’s perfect,” he promised, though Leon was probably the type to not tell me if it wasn’t.
“What did Cassie say?” I asked as I blew on the hot liquid in my hands.
“She’s probably not even awake yet,” he snorted. “I just left her a voice note.”
My stomach soured at the thought of her not even noticing he was gone. It was dangerous to be wandering around town. I made a mental note to let the sheriff know, and I bit my tongue before I could invite him to sleep here, where I knew he’d be safe.
That wouldn’t be fair to Cassie, and it was definitely an overstep on my part.
“Have you and Cassie been together long?”
The question slipped out before I could stop it. My omega was on a roll lately.
“We’ve been…” He trailed off, staring into his mug like it might give him the answer.
“Friends, I guess. It’s hard to put a label on something that was formed in such a shitty place.
But we’re not together romantically,” he clarified, giving me a look I couldn’t look too deep into.
“At this point, we’re more like siblings. ”
My omega settled in my chest. I was torn between liking Cassie and wanting to fight her for this beta that hadn’t even looked my way yet.
I shut it down immediately, refusing to give it any consideration. He didn’t need that right now and honestly… it felt like cheating, as stupid as that was.
Maybe once I opened that email Lark sent, then I’d be able to move on properly. By then hopefully he’d be healed in a way that he was ready to open up.
I could be patient.
We were both quiet as we gazed out at the landscape, lost in our own heads. My large living-room windows overlooked the mountains as the sun rose. It painted everything a beautiful orange, filling the shadows with warmth that we both desperately needed.
“I’m not sure I can fall asleep. Maybe we could put on a show?” he asked. “I don’t want to keep you. If you need to leave, I can go home.”
“Leon, if I wanted to leave you behind, I wouldn’t have invited you here. I don’t have a class this morning. It’ll be fine.”
Pulling out my phone, I texted my night girl, asking her to lock up when she left and put a note on the door. I relaxed when she sent back a quick response. At least I’d caught her before her shift ended.
I kicked off my running shoes and glanced down at myself, considering sitting on my couch, but I couldn’t do it. Not when I’d been sweaty.
“This isn’t going to work for me. I’d be happy to watch something, but just give me a chance to jump into a quick shower. I promise I’ll be fast.”
“No worries,” he said, though there was tension in his body. He didn’t really want me to walk away, but I had no choice. I knew he’d be fine. He was stronger than he thought.
I hurried through my shower, washing my hair and body as fast as I could before just throwing in some leave-in conditioner to tame the fly-aways.
He was still in the same spot, his body just as tense as when I’d left him. But when I grabbed a blanket for myself and snuggled in close enough he could reach out if he wanted to, he relaxed.
“I’m here,” I promised. “You’re fine.”
He swallowed hard, his eyes drifting to the TV as I picked up the remote.
“What’s going to help you fall asleep?” I asked.
“Can we watch some kind of cooking or baking show? Those always get me.”
A smile spread across my face. Those were my favorite.
“There’s a new season of that pack baking show,” I said. “Have you seen it yet?”
He shook his head, and my smile widened further.
“Just wait. It’s so good. They throw four packs into one big pack house, and then the kitchen is this huge competition-style setup. It’s like reality TV meets baking show. You’re going to love it.”
I clicked on the show. The first episode was always introductions, so we got to learn a little bit about the packs.
As we both settled in, I couldn’t help but notice how strange it was that someone besides the Widows was in my space.
My omega certainly didn’t seem to mind. Even if all I could offer for now was friendship and safety.