Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Sage
I’m crying on the inside, though no tears come out as I shower and soap off the comforting scents of Riley and Brooks.
I think there was another slight alpha scent that Riley carried too, and even though I don’t know who it belongs to, I’m sad to have that one gone as well.
It’s safer this way, but it still feels like I’m breaking my own heart.
Before showering, I checked that the phone was still safely hidden, even though no one was here to have disturbed it in the few hours I was gone. It’s well past dark outside by the time I step out of the shower, and I didn’t realize how long I must have zoned out under the warm water.
I do a quick sweep of the house to ensure I haven’t left anything out of place.
I check the fridge for leftovers, hoping in vain for something to appear, but knowing there won’t be anything in there for me.
Then I shuffle back upstairs and curl up in my bedroom, exactly where they instructed me to be.
Steve and Josh get home shortly after, and I’m glad Brooks thought to keep our date short just in case they didn’t stay out late this time. I tense, hugging my lamb plushie to my chest as I listen to them stomp and stumble around downstairs.
Then something slams, and I jump, clutching the stuffie tight in my grip.
“Omega! Get down here,” Josh yells, and my legs tremble as I stand. “Now!”
I run to the door and open it, then rush down the stairs. Josh is standing outside the door to his and Steve’s office, a glower on his drink-reddened face. Did they find out I snuck in here the other day? Do they somehow know I left earlier? I try to slow my shallow breathing, but it doesn’t work.
Steve points inside the door. “Do you see what I see?”
I tense, having to shuffle close enough to inhale the scent of another omega wafting off him and feel his body heat next to me in order to see what he’s pointing at. My heart clenches with pain, but I do my best to ignore it.
A dirty mug on his desk.
My stomach drops, a yawning pit caving open in my chest. I don’t know how I missed that.
“Fucking worthless,” Steve mutters from behind me as he stalks by down the hall.
“He’s right,” Josh says, letting his arm drop to his side as he glares down at me. I back away, eyes on the floor. “Nothing to say for yourself?”
“I’m sorry, alpha.”
He scoffs. “I don’t think you are. Not yet.”
Then he snatches my lamb out of my arms. I whimper and reach for it without thinking, biting back the desperate cry that wants to escape my lips.
“Pathetic,” he sneers, holding the lamb out of my reach. “Get upstairs, you’re sleeping in the nest tonight.”
Without my stuffie? I refuse to let any hint of tears show, as I’ve learned that only eggs him on. My insides feel hollow as I make my way up the stairs to my least favorite room in the house.
Josh is spitting vitriol behind me, words I try to tune out. “So fucking lazy. Sitting in your room all day. Useless omega.”
The door locks behind me and I wrap my arms around myself. The space is filled with the scents of them. Josh and Steve, and a mixture of alphas I don’t know the names or faces of.
I want my scent-matches. A sob catches in my chest when I think of them.
The hurt takes me to my knees and I curl into myself, hugging my empty stomach and trying to fall asleep to memories of today. The best day of my life.
Time passes in jumps and spurts. Stretches of nothing, followed by hours of desperate hope and fear that the door will unlock. I survive on nest snacks and water from the mini fridge. It’s meant for my heat, and they likely won’t restock it before the next one, but I can’t help myself.
I need to eat.
I also can’t stop thinking about Brooks. I apologize to him over and over in my head, begging him to forgive me for ignoring him, hoping against hope that he’ll give me a second chance when I get out of here.
And above it all, I don’t even have my lamb stuffie to hug.
Two days later, the sound I’ve been waiting for hits my ears, jarring me out of my dissociative state. I blink to find I was staring at the white wall, and I jump up when the door unlocks.
It doesn’t open, though.
I stare at it, unsure if I really heard it unlock. Unsure if it’s a trick. A trap.
Am I allowed to leave?
I stand and twist the knob, and the door clicks open. I peer into the hallway, but don’t see anyone, so I open it further and tiptoe out, aiming for my bedroom.
“Omega.”
I flinch, a full-body cringe as I drop my eyes to the floor and turn to face Steve.
“Dinner. Mushroom risotto.”
I nod, stumbling on weak legs down the stairs and into the kitchen. Of course they would want something that takes over an hour to make. Steve leaves me to it, but Josh is in the kitchen when I walk in.
I’m desperate to go to my room and check my phone, to apologize and plead for Brooks’ forgiveness, but there’s no getting out of doing this first with Josh hovering over me.
He sits at the kitchen table, watching as I ladle every scoop of broth, carefully clean and chop every mushroom, until finally it’s done. I stand silently next to the table, hands clasped behind my back and head bowed as they eat.
My legs tremble and I lock my knees to stay upright.
When they’re done, Steve scoops a few spoonfuls into his bowl and shoves it across the table toward me.
“Eat, then clean up and go to your room.”
I nod, waiting to sit until they’ve left, then I inhale the food, clean the kitchen as fast as I can, and nearly sprint to my room. I drop to the floor by my bed and reach beneath the mattress.
My hands shake as I open the phone, and I can’t make sense of what I’m seeing. There are so many unread messages that I have to scroll back a few times to read them all.
Sat, June 16 at 8:51 PM
Thank you for taking a chance and letting me take you out today, Sage. I had a wonderful time, the best day. I hope we can do it again soon.
I know you scent-matched with Riley, which I am thrilled about. I like them, and if I was reading things right, it seemed like you did too? Anyway, he has an alpha who I met briefly. We exchanged numbers, and if you’re open to it, they’d both like to talk to you.
No pressure, you don’t have to talk to them if you don’t want to. I’m happy to keep you all to myself if that’s what you prefer.
Petal?
Sunday 10:25 AM
I’m getting worried, are you okay? I hoped to see you on your walk today. Please let me know you’re alright.
Sage, if you don’t want to talk, that’s okay. I won’t be mad if that’s what’s going on, but I’m going to need you to use your words and tell me. I only want to know that you’re okay. I’ll be on Lincoln Ave tomorrow.
Yesterday 9:36 AM
I looked for you during your walking time today, you weren’t anywhere in the neighborhood. Please, Sage. Answer me. I’m afraid something bad happened and I need to know you’re safe.
Yesterday 10:30 AM
Last message. If I don’t hear from you in the next 12 hours, I’m coming over to the house to find you.
That was… I look at the time. Ten hours ago. I quickly type out a reply, my fingers fumbling.
I am so sorry
Please forgive me. I am sorry I was gone for so long
Sage! Oh thank goodness, are you okay? What happened? Where were you?
I forgot to clean up so they locked me in my nest. I did not have the phone in there. I am really sorry Brooks. Please do not be mad please give me another chance.
Oh Petal, no, I’m not mad. I’m not mad at you at all. I’m so relieved to hear from you, thank you for messaging me. Please tell me if you’re okay?
Am I okay? I don’t know, and I’m not sure how to answer that. What does being okay even mean, really?
I think so.
Are you sure you are not mad that I was gone for so long? I did not mean to ignore you. I wish I had my phone so I could talk to you.
You didn’t do anything wrong, love. It’s not your fault.
I don’t know if I believe him, but at least he’s still talking to me. He hasn’t abandoned me or yelled at me, so that’s something, at least.
Take some deep breaths and relax. Are you able to call?
No. They are both home. Downstairs.
Okay, that’s okay. Will you be able to take your walk tomorrow?
I think so. Maybe. Where will you be?
State Street, just around the corner from you.
Okay, I know it. I will walk that way tomorrow if they let me.
Keep me updated. Sleep well, Petal.
I tuck the phone away and slump against the side of my bed.
Then my lamb stuffie catches my eye. Josh must have tossed it in here after locking me away the other night. I crawl across the floor and scoop it up, hugging it to my chest and hating the lingering scent of Josh on its fluffy head.