15. KATIE
Chapter fifteen
KATIE
“ W hat do you mean, ‘it’s in the blood work?’” I pace across her office, shaking the stack of papers in my hand.
“We are running extra tests since you are… an anomaly, but this confirms our observations . Pack Murphy are your blood-marked mates.”
I hold the crisp paper like it’s poison.
Mates . That’s the stuff of fairytales and bad fanfiction.
“No.”
“If you’ll just consider the facts,”
“The fact is that I said ‘No.’”
My right hand is curled into a fist, my nail digging grooves in my palm.
“Pack Murphy are quite good matches. Callum is an Inspector, Loren a professor, and Oscar-Maximillian a business owner.”
I cross my arms. I thought I had weeks before we’d be split up. Time to research, to make some kind of plan to get us home. I can’t leave yet. I glance back down at the papers. There’s a brief bio of each of the Alphas, and a tiny scent card clipped to the top, but oddly no pictures.
“If you look at the graphs, these are a series of match indicators–you're compatible across the board. We consider anything over 80% a solid match.”
I snort. Biology couldn’t account for things like personal taste or chemistry.
“You clearly had a connection with Professor Bellrose when he came. You perfumed so strongly that we had to have the staff wash all the throw pillows and blankets that night.”
I what? Perfumed? That’s one of those new Omega biology things.
“I didn’t do anything.” But I do remember the clean laundry and old books scent of Loren– Professor Bellrose. And the way he gently kneaded out the knot in my thigh, his fingers firm yet gentle.
Warmth travels up my thigh, as though his fingers are kneading it again.
Fucking biology.
“And Inspector Murphy was… rather taken with you upon your first meeting. And you with him. Of course, that was more forceful than we condone, but the attraction can’t be denied.”
Callum . The man who pounced on me. A finger of desire slides languidly up my spine, recalling the satisfying weight of him over me.
Slow your roll, Wilder!
He jumped you in a hospital gown.
Both my thighs warm at the memory of his weight. I clamp them shut. Screw this biology!
I’m just tired. I’m PMSing and I want to sleep, and eat, and then sleep some more. And then find a way back home.
“I’m not leaving my sisters.”
There. No going with Pack Murphy. No blood mates or whatever. No. I’m staying with my sisters and finding a way out of here.
Aurelia sighs. “Katie, I understand that this is moving rapidly. I am empathetic, truly I am. You’re not the first late-blooming Omega who has had to adjust to new expectations in life very quickly. But your hormone panels indicate a heat coming much sooner than we could have expected. You could stay here while they court you for the next few months. But I think you’ll feel more settled if you have a space that’s yours –not a guest room in the Conservatory. I know Pack Murphy can and will give that to you. A pack will give you the space to be your fullest self.”
“What about Molly Beth? We still don’t have a direct correlation of her medicines from back home. And who will make sure Norah eats and doesn't get lost in her books and weird research rabbit holes? Who is going to talk Maddie down when she wants to break shit? Who is going to make sure Layla doesn’t slip into stress-fasting and only eating one meal a day?”
I grip my elbows, wanting to hug myself but not wanting to expose such vulnerability to Aurelia.There is too much to do, too much to manage. I can’t possibly go with Pack Murphy, even if I wanted to.
“You can’t take care of them. You don’t know them, what they need. But I do. I need to be here.” My throat is tight. Feelings swell like a red balloon behind my eyes.
Aurelia drums her nails on her desktop. “The best thing for them is for you to go. No, listen first before you argue. You’re a strong Omega, and your heat cycle will set the cycles of all the Omegas around you. If you go into heat and you're here, you could trigger Molly Beth and Norah to start early. You’re right, they aren’t ready for it. But the best way to prevent a premature heat is for you to ride out your first heat with a pack.”
I could trigger Molly Beth and Norah .
I don’t really understand what a heat entails, but I do know that I don’t want that for my little sisters. Not yet.
“Can’t I take a suppressant? You said they have them.”
“We do, but you can’t. Katie, your body is responding to your Omega biology quickly. Your heat is just a couple of months away–possibly less. Pack Murphy are good Alphas. I grew up with Loren, and would trust him with my own Omega. I promise they will take care of you.”
Damnit.
I don’t want any of this for my sisters. I don’t want us to be separated. And I sure as shit do not want to go live with Inspector Murphy. The creep.
I scowl at Aurelia who fails to hide her smile.
“Just for a few months, and you’ll have the freedom to call and visit your sisters whenever you want. You’ll actually be able to explore the city with your Alphas–a privilege we don’t allow Omega residents of the Conservatory.”
Freedom . That might mean the possibility of finding a way home. The tight squeeze in my chest loosens just a tiny bit.
I cross my arms. Separation is a massive risk, but freedom of movement is a huge gain. The Professor might give me all the information I need to work out a way home. And I wouldn’t trigger Molly Beth and Norah if we’re here that long.
Damnit. There are no good options. Everything comes with risks.
“Fine.”
A flurry of activity and a few hours later and I’m staring at the small duffle of the few belongings I have, mostly soft lounge clothes purchased by the Conservatory.
I am failing my parents. Failing the promises I made to them. Deathbed promises.
“I can’t leave you,” I grip my sisters in a tight hug. Shit, what was I thinking? I can’t agree to this. Molly Beth snuggles into my embrace. Who is going to take care of her?
“I want you to send me any and all medical updates,” I say, glancing from Molly Beth to Aurelia. “Do not hesitate, I will come at once.”
“Of course,” Aurelia says, one graceful eyebrow arching. “We are already working on breathing treatments. Molly Beth will have the best care.”
“Don’t let anyone touch them, do you hear me? I will come straight back here and murder anyone who touches them.” My words are sharp, fear fueling my anger. I don’t want to leave them. Fuck, how can I walk away from my little sisters and leave them to strangers? To literal aliens ?
“It’ll be fine here, Katie-Kat. They won’t let anyone bother us,” Layla says, hugging my right side. “And they’re very committed to our holistic well being.”
Maddie rolls her eyes. “They’re not going to let anyone fucking touch us. We’re their little prize possessions. We’re safer here than anywhere else in this city.” She squeezes my shoulder. “I’m worried about you .”
“Don’t,” I say. “I can take care of myself. You take care of the littles.”
“I am right here ,” Molly Beth unwraps herself from my middle and playfully glares at me. “I am only two minutes younger.”
“Yeah, and you’re like two feet shorter,” Mads snorts, but hovers protectively next to her twin.
“Where’s Norah?”
“Over here,” she waves at me, pointing to a small collection of papers. “These are for Professor Bellrose. I wrote down several of the most famous disappearance fairy tales. Since you’re going to live with him, you could just take them over.” She grins.
Oh, Norah.
I look at Layla and Maddie. “You watch out for her, okay?”
They nod in unison.
Then I’m frog-marched by two Betas dressed in sleek black suits, led by the indomitable Aurelia, down the corridor and past the inner courtyard as the twin suns begin their descent across the sky. We pause at the double doors separating the residential wing from the more formal receiving rooms.
“Pack Murphy are a more than 97% blood match for all three of the Alphas,” she says to me. “More than that, you already know two of them. Think of this as a wonderful holiday with friends. Give them a chance, Katie. A real chance. For you –and for your sisters.”
I narrow my eyes at her. But before I can respond the doors swing open, revealing the large vaulted ceiling foyer. I should look around, take in all the entrances and exits, but my gaze is magnetically drawn to the center. Two men wait together, haloed by the light spilling in from a wall of windows behind them.
Loren . His eyes crinkle at the corners. He’s wearing a crisp white button up under a caramel colored sweater. Everything fits him perfectly, like each garment was tailored to his broad shoulders and trim waist.
Good Lord , he is hot.
Hotter than I remembered from that first meeting, was it just two days ago?
I am in borrowed black leggings and an oversized maroon sweater. I refused to wear the fucking evening gown they’d tried to coerce me into.
“Katie,” his voice is warm, cautious yet… hopeful. “I’m glad to see you again.”
I bite my lower lip, and the second man tracks the movement with his eyes.
He’s not as tall as Loren, middling height like Cal– Inspector Murphy . His brown hair is pulled back into a bun, sleek with a hint of wildness.
He’s wearing a white button up too, but the top two buttons are open, exposing his deep terracotta skin and faintest hint of dark hair. His left forearm sports a tattoo that nearly reaches his wrist.
“This is Oscar-Maximilian,” Loren begins, introducing the mysterious third member of Pack Murphy.
“Just Max,” he says, taking my hand and gently brushing his lips across my knuckles. I shiver.
These men are gorgeous.
And if the folded papers in my rucksack are correct, they’re all mine. Whether I want them, or not.
“Shall we take you home?” Loren asks, opening the door and ushering me outside and into a waiting car–something like an SUV, but sleeker, and more reflective.
“Home,” I whisper, my chest clenching like a vice. I look over my shoulder searching for the faces of my sisters. But they are hidden behind the imposing stone walls of the Conservatory.
The driver tips his hat at Loren and Max, shutting the door behind us and I am wedged in the back seat between two ridiculously attractive men – Alphas – headed into the belly of the beast.