Chapter Thirteen
Harper
The first few days after I moved in with the new pack, I tiptoed around, afraid of doing something wrong.
Of making them mad or drawing attention to myself in a way that would send a message I did not want received.
The problem was, everything about my living situation drew me in deeper to a life with these alphas.
They had never said anything to imply they wanted me in a similar situation to my previous one.
Treating me graciously, considerately, and not allowing me to lift a finger, they acted as if I was a welcomed guest, my comfort level rising by the hour.
We ate all our meals together, starting with giant breakfasts.
Sitting around the table with them before we all went off to our various pursuits was just ridiculously fun.
They teased one another, but never in a mean way, and they included me in all the jokes.
In my past life, I’d been an outsider. A convenient sex object and, as it turned out, someone whose personal life generated most of their income.
None of their faces appeared in the porn.
Only back views and my face. And I didn’t even have a bedroom of my own.
If one of the alphas wanted me to stay the night after they had their way with me, I stayed.
Otherwise, I slept on a pallet on the floor in the hallway. For convenience.
How had I ever survived this? I hadn’t chosen it, obviously. I’d been sold when I presented as an omega, as was tradition in the pack who reared me. Making me the property of my new alphas, and I was told to be grateful they only wanted to use me as they did and didn’t make me scrub floors too.
Apparently, I had issues with gratitude.
After breakfast, I went off to work or into my room to do online classes, and the three of them went their individual ways.
They wanted me to take a lunch to work, but I pointed out that I got a free meal at the bakery, and that it was very good.
That reminder often had one of them giving me cash and asking me to bring home something from work. They really loved the bakery.
With good reason. Especially as I got to be a better baker and didn’t make so many mistakes.
When I returned, they would always want to know if I had baked the goodies, and if I did, they showered me with praise for my skill.
If I had not, they would congratulate me for working at such a great place.
All kindness, no scolding, no hitting, and the only touching what I allowed. Mostly pats on the back or a kiss on the cheek at bedtime.
I couldn’t stay here forever, as I had pointed out, but honestly, it was heaven. It was home. When I arrived each night, I inhaled the scent of home. Clean, fresh, mingled with each of the male’s scents together, making me happy, relaxed, and comfortable.
I had stopped taking the old meds right away and switched to the new, but as I’d been warned, it would be a while before the old completely left my system, and the combination could have side effects.
A few days in, just as I was taking a deep breath and feeling like I’d managed to avoid any problems, I found out I was wrong.
Of course. When in my life had things been perfect?
“Harper, can I see you in my office?” Amanda asked.
“Sure.” I wiped my sweaty forehead and followed her inside. “It’s extra hot in the kitchen today, isn’t it?”
“Have a seat.” She closed the door behind us. “It’s not hot. At least not worse than usual. And you are totally flushed.”
“I guess it’s just me. Oh well.”
“Not oh well. You can’t tell me you don’t recognize the signs?”
“Do you think I’m getting sick? I hope not. I have finals coming up and—”
“Not sick, Harper. This isn’t your first heat, is it?”
My heart sank. “I’m on the new suppressants, and there was a chance it could cause this. Crap and more crap. I’m sorry. I won’t let it affect my work.”
She laughed. “It’s not your work I’m worried about. Go peek into the front of the shop and come back.”
“What?” I tiptoed to the door in between the kitchen and front of house. The second I opened it a crack, the dozen alphas lingering in the front jerked their heads to look at me. I backed up all the way into the office. “Not good. I guess I should just stay in the back.”
“This is just the start. By tomorrow, they’ll be breaking down the door and flipping you over the marble pastry counter. You have to go home. Now. And don’t come back until it’s over.”
Home.
Where there were three alphas.
Maybe I could lock myself in my room.