44. Delilah
Chapter forty-four
I stand at the kitchen island of my pack’s cabin, cleaning dishes. Dinner was incredible, some of my best work even if I didn’t get the chance to taste much of it. But my alphas are always so hungry. And seeing them eat and enjoy my cooking is the true joy.
“Omega, be careful with those,” Tyler sneers, yelling from the living room.
I contain my flinch, gripping the soapy plate in my hands even harder. I didn’t think I was going to drop them but he probably saw something I didn’t.
“Once you’re done with those, can you iron my shirt for tomorrow, dove? I’ve got a big meeting with the district,” Alex calls, voice gentler than Tyler’s.
“Yes, of course, Alpha,” I answer, not turning but making sure to speak up loud enough for them to hear me. They always hate it when I mumble.
“You’re the sweetest, dove. Thank you,” Alex says.
Another crumb of affection, a tiny flip of my stomach and a skipped heartbeat. More satisfying than the meager meal I just ate.
The massive spotlight over the bed shines down on me, the heat of it warming my clammy skin.
Someone has their fingers in my hair, pulling it out of the way.
Bones, judging by the scent. So gentle, so careful.
Joker’s purr melts into my body, the other omega presence calming the raw edges of my mind for a moment.
But when Bones pulls the hair tie tight, I suck in a sharp breath, closing my eyes.
A fist in my hair, holding me against the wall. An alpha growl in my ear, the dragon’s blood scent filling my nose. Hips meeting mine, pain between my thighs.
“You’re worthless, omega. Nothing more than a hole to put my cock in. You don’t deserve an alpha’s knot. Absolutely pathetic, waste of space.”
I choke back a sob, the rough wood of the cabin walls rubbing my cheek raw. “Yes, Alpha. I’m a worthless, pathetic omega.”
The words twist like a dagger in my gut, but saying anything else will only end with more pain. I’ve learned that lesson too many times.
A grunt from behind me, and then the thrusting stops, and I’m left painfully empty. A moment later, I feel the too-warm splash of his cum on my lower back and ass. I close my eyes, grateful it’s over for now.
The cold brush of something wet on the back of my neck makes me shudder. Joker holds me close, keeping me still as something is draped across my head and shoulders.
“Just sanitizing the area, honey. I’ll give you a little numbing cream before I inject the anesthetic, okay?”
Cross’s voice is rock steady, full of his unique blend of professionalism and kindness that lets me relax a little more before nodding. A swab of something, and then gloved fingers massaging it in. I let out a little whimper, and Joker nuzzles my temple with his.
“You are safe, beautiful girl. I’m right here, and I’m never letting you go. I will keep you safe and loved until my last breath, Lilah.”
Joker’s soft words whispered into my ear under the cover of the surgical drape stroke something soul-deep. His scent is sweet, like honey filling my mouth and throat. But it’s not enough to chase away the stab of the needle into my skin or the memories breaking free in my mind.
“Delilah, please. Stop lying to us. We know something is wrong,” Roman pleads, his hands on my shoulders as he tries to duck down to look into my face.
But I keep my face down, holding back tears. My ribs ache, but I keep breathing normally, knowing what will happen if they find out.
“I just fell. You know how clumsy I am,” I say, trying for a chuckle to play it off like a joke.
“But you’re not. I know you’re not. Please, we can’t help you if you won’t tell us what’s going on,” Roman says, finally moving his hand to my jaw and forcing my head up.
In the semi-darkness of the garage, his blue-green eyes pierce through me. His scent, like pine trees and snow, overwhelms me, making my lower lip tremble.
“I…can’t,” I whisper, hoping he can read my fear in my eyes.
“It’s Tyler again, isn’t it? I told that piece of shit to stay away from you,” Roman snarls.
I flinch back and look away again. It’s all the confirmation he needs. Roman tries to turn and walk away, but I grab his arm, stopping him.
“Please, don’t. It’s okay. I’m okay, see? He didn’t—”
“Stop lying!” Roman shouts, turning back to me.
I yelp and let go, my shoulders curling inward as my arms go around my stomach, protecting my already bruised belly. Roman lets out a huff and runs his hands through his hair. There’s a few minutes of silence before he lets out a sigh.
“I’m sorry, princess. Can you go to your nest and stay there for me? Lock the door, and don’t come out until I come up, okay?” Roman asks, tone much gentler.
I nod once before scampering away, following his instructions before curling up in the beautiful nest my alphas made for me.
“Can you feel that?”
A slight bit of pressure on the back of my neck, something sharp but not painful.
“No, Beta Cross,” I answer automatically.
There’s a low growl from somewhere nearby, and I whimper, closing my eyes again. Joker is there, keeping me grounded and present for the moment.
“I’m going to go as quick as I can, okay? Just stay still for me,” Cross says, his fingers pulling the skin on the back of my neck taut.
“Stop talking about it and just do it,” Siren snaps.
“Rin, do you need to step outside?” Bones asks, voice much closer to me than I would have expected.
“No, Sir. I’m okay. Her scent in here is making my instincts go crazy,” Siren replies.
“Take a minute. Can you put together a file with all the information you pulled from the chip? We can review it after this,” Bones instructs.
Something about the way he speaks, so confident and steady helps to loosen the knots in my belly. I feel a trickle of something down my spine, but I’m able to focus on Joker’s purr, and breathe deeper.
“We’re right here, okay? Squeeze my hand if you need to. I can take the pain,” Joker says, slipping his fingers into the spaces between mine.
I cling to his hand, using it as an anchor, but more pressure on my neck and more blood sliding down my spine pulls me under.
“Why the fuck wasn’t I told she went into heat?” Tyler screams.
I whimper and bury my face into Alex’s shirt, his arms banding around me like steel. I can feel my alpha’s anger and protective instincts pulsing through me, my fresh bond marks throbbing like extra heartbeats against my skin.
“Because you weren’t wanted,” Isaac says, stepping between where Alex is holding me and where Tyler stands near the front door.
“Not wanted? I’m part of this pack and one of her alphas! I would have come home—”
“No, you’re not,” Roman snaps.
Tyler splutters, but I don’t dare look up. Alex purrs deep in his chest, a rumble that rattles my bones and warms me from the inside despite the fury cascading down our bond.
“I should have kicked you to the curb the first time I saw the bruises on Delilah’s wrists. But we couldn’t prove anything until now. You are no longer welcome anywhere near here,” Roman says, his voice full of the authority that comes with being our prime alpha.
“I don’t have anywhere else to go!” Tyler yells.
“That’s no longer my problem. You have five minutes to pack your shit and make yourself scarce,” Roman replies coolly.
Tyler snarls, his footsteps loud against the floor as he passes by the couch on his way toward the stairs, but he doesn’t argue.
Roman follows him, and it seems like no time at all before they’re back downstairs.
I glance up and see Tyler carrying a duffel bag in one hand, and a rucksack in the other.
He’s almost out the door before he turns around and glares directly at me.
“This isn’t over,” Tyler declares, turning and slamming the door behind him before anyone can reply.
“Got it!” Cross exclaims.
I feel a tug but don’t dare move until after I hear the clatter of something hitting the bottom of the stainless steel bowl beside me.
“I’ll take this to Siren. They might be able to get more out of it now that it isn’t…” Phantom says, trailing off.
“Just wash the blood off first,” Bones says, with a dark chuckle.
Phantom doesn’t answer, but I hear the sink running a few moments later. Cross has my skin pinched between his fingers, stitching it closed with practiced precision.
“You did so good, beautiful. I’m so proud of you. We can go back to the nest when you’re all patched up. You’ve earned all the cuddles and smooches and rest you can handle,” Joker says lightly.
“Just a few more and then she’s all yours,” Cross says.
“Are you coming back to us, little one? Your scent is mellowing out,” Bones asks, a hand coming to rest on my upper arm.
“Yes, Alpha,” I rasp, clearing my throat.
“Good girl. You’ve been so good. We can talk more when you’re rested,” Bones says, voice warmer than I’ve ever heard.
I press my face into Joker’s shoulder, hoping like hell he doesn’t feel the ghost of a smile pulling at the corners of my lips.
Crumbs of praise used to be what I lived for, but they always left me aching. But when Bones speaks, somehow the crumbs feel more like a whole buffet, settling soothingly in my belly. And it’s enough for me to be able to close my eyes and close the door on my memories for now.