Chapter 39
39
Hazel
I was a bundle of nervous energy as Rhett and I sat inside the sleek black SUV the following day. I didn’t have to glance behind me to know that Oakley was following us. It was one point my pack had put their foot down on.
While none of us expected something to go wrong, no one was taking any chances. Honestly, knowing Oak had our backs did help me a little.
“Are you all right, dove?” Rhett’s hand was linked with mine, and he gave it a gentle squeeze.
I managed a nod, my throat dry.
All I’d wanted for weeks was to see Logan. To make sure he was okay.
Now that it was a reality, I couldn’t help but wonder how our reunion would be.
He’d sounded good on the phone, but what if it was a front? Would he blame me for finding my own pack? For bonding with them while he was across the country, locked away?
I nibbled on my thumbnail, tearing at it like it had personally offended me, until Rhett tugged it from my mouth and curled his hand around mine.
“What’s wrong?” Rhett’s tone was gentle and tender, even if his hold was firm.
Sighing, I wilted. “What if he’s mad at me?”
Rhett’s brows shot up. “What could he possibly be angry at you for?”
“I found my pack. Found the loves of my life and started moving on. The whole time, he’s been locked away. It’s not the same cage as the APA, but it’s still a cage,” I whispered.
“Love, none of that is your fault.”
“But—”
“No,” Rhett snapped, his alpha bark silencing me. “You are in no way at fault for finding happiness, and if Logan is your friend, he wouldn’t begrudge you that. Would you blame him if the situation were reversed?”
I didn’t even have to think about it. “Of course not.”
“Did he sound cross with you when you spoke on the telephone?” Rhett pressed.
I shook my head. “No.”
“Then don’t think so little of your friendship to worry he would be jealous of you finding your place in the world,” he reasoned.
Well, when he put it like that, it made sense. But it was hard not to get stuck in my head when my thoughts started to spiral.
Leaning against Rhett, I let the rocking rhythm of the car lull me into a zen-like space where my emotions weren’t swarming like angry bees around their hive. The tall buildings thinned as we exited the city limits to pass sprawling mansions.
Eventually, the driver turned into a long driveway with a black wrought iron gate that matched the high fence surrounding the three-story property, rivaling the size of the Dutton Estate. Guards walked along the inside perimeter, and I noted several security cameras mounted on the house and fence.
The driver punched in a code and the gates opened. We drove through, but I noticed Oak’s car going by, likely to find a spot to hide out until we left or needed him.
I touched the locket around my neck. It was another security measure my pack insisted on. Inside the locket was a tracking device, and, if needed, I could tap the ruby embedded on the front and it would signal I was in trouble.
Several cars were parked in the circular driveway that even had a fountain in the center. The grass was a vibrant green and meticulously maintained, as were the bushes and flower beds. The house itself was made of red brick with white trim and a wide set of stairs leading to the front door.
Rhett got out of the car alongside the driver, then came around to open my door. I slid out, my hand snugly inside his as we started up the white bricked drive to the steps. As we got closer, the front door opened and Thane appeared.
“Welcome to the Greenhouse,” he said with an easy smile.
“It’s not very green,” I pointed out.
He chuckled. “No, I suppose not. Most of these houses are funded by donors and the donors’ names are used to identify the property. This one was funded by Marcus Green, a Senator from Rhode Island.”
“Oh,” was all I could get out as Thane led us into the house.
The foyer was set up like a hotel lobby with a registration desk and a few seating areas. But the most prominent difference between the house and a hotel was the security door, manned by two armed guards, on the other side of the desk.
A man sat behind the desk, and I recognized Jensen talking to him. When he noticed us, Jensen peeled away and came over to greet us.
“Hazel, Rhett.” He tipped his head. “Good to see you both. Logan’s so excited to see you.”
Butterflies erupted in my stomach. “Where is he?”
“Upstairs,” Jensen answered.
“We wanted to give you a quick overview of the facility before we send you up to see him,” Thane added.
“That would be lovely,” Rhett answered for us.
Thane and Jensen walked us over to registration where we had to show our ID cards. The man checking us in gave us a benign smile as we turned away and headed for the security door.
The door buzzed and swung open, the two guards stiffening.
“Your purse, miss,” one of them said to me, holding out a hand.
I hesitantly handed my bag over to be screened.
The guard lifted a hoagie from my bag with an arched brow.
“It’s my friend’s favorite thing,” I explained, my cheeks flaming because who walked around with a ten-inch hoagie in her purse? But when I knew we’d be seeing Logan, I remembered all the times he’d lamented about missing his favorite food. Rhett and I had made a quick stop at a sub shop to grab it before coming here.
The guard’s lips thinned. “The omegas here are on strict diets to maintain their health. I’m afraid?—”
“It’s all right, Krebbs,” Jensen cut in. “I approved the food.”
Krebbs didn’t look overly happy, but he handed me back my purse and the hoagie without another word as the other guard finished scanning Rhett with a wand that he waved across me next.
Jensen motioned us forward when they were done, leading us down a long corridor with closed doors on each side until we reached a bank of elevators.
“This floor is for personnel and staff,” he explained. He pointed to the last door on the right. “My office, where Rhett and Thane will wait.”
“Not you?” Rhett asked.
Jensen shook his head. “I have clearance to move throughout the facility, so I’ll escort Hazel to the visitors’ part of the second floor. Second and third floors are where the omegas have their own rooms. All private with their own bathrooms.”
“Main level also has access to the kitchens and the backyard where there’s a pool, gardens, and basketball court,” Thane added.
“And how many rooms are here?” I questioned.
“Ten on the third floor and six on the second,” Jensen replied.
Rhett glanced around. “How many omegas are here?”
“Fifteen,” Jensen answered. “Though rumor has it we may be getting our sixteenth resident in a week or so.”
“Can they leave if they want?” My stomach knotted up as I waited for the answer.
Jensen’s jaw tightened. “Theoretically? Yes, but it’s highly discouraged.”
“Why?” I asked softly.
Jensen’s green eyes locked on mine. “Because there’s a lot of unmated, unpacked alphas in the city. It’s a risk to their safety.”
Thane looked like he’d swallowed glass. “One of the main selling points is an escort for the omegas to be able to come and go as they wish during set times, but that never seems to work out.”
“No?” Rhett wrapped an arm around me, dragging me closer.
Jensen shook his head. “There’s always a reason—lack of staff, a new danger. It’s mostly bullshit that keeps the omegas nice and quiet in their pretty house.”
“Dating is encouraged, though,” Thane muttered. “There’s a scent catalog of alphas who are open to a male omega, but it’s not so much dating as it is sex.” He grimaced. “Sorry, Hazel. That was rather crude.”
It was, but I needed to hear it. “Don’t apologize. I appreciate what you’re trying to do to help.”
“Shall we go see your friend? He’s been anxiously awaiting your arrival.” Jensen’s smile was soft and almost… fond?
I turned to Rhett. “Okay if we go?”
He leaned in, kissing me slowly. “Be safe, dove. I’ll be down here. If anything doesn’t seem right, or you’re uncomfortable?—”
“I know,” I said with a grin, kissing the underside of his jaw. “You’ll come running with the cavalry.”
“Damn right,” he agreed, a sparkle in his gray eyes.
“Come on, brother,” Thane chuckled, “let’s go wait in Jay’s office while your omega sees her friend.”
I turned to Jensen as Rhett and Thane disappeared into the office and shut the door.
Tugging a keycard from his pocket, Jensen swiped it across the reader by the elevator. A light blinked green and the doors slid open. He motioned for me to step inside first. Once we were both in, the doors closed and he hit one of the buttons.
The slightly metallic scent of blockers filled the space, and I wrinkled my nose.
“Yeah, the scent cancellers aren’t my favorite either, but it keeps the omegas from smelling each other too much, especially when one goes into heat,” he explained.
I nibbled on my lower lip as we waited for the doors to open.
As soon as they did, a blur of motion was flying at me. Arms wrapped around my shoulders and we both fell against the back wall of the elevator.
The muted scents of apples and cinnamon filled my nose, and I hugged Logan back while tears gathered in my eyes.
“Logan,” Jensen chided with a huff. “Let her breathe.”
But Logan didn’t seem to hear him as he buried his nose against my throat. Then he snapped back, his aqua colored eyes narrowed. “You smell different.”
I held up the bag with the crushed hoagie. “Maybe it’s the food. I brought your favorite.”
Logan snatched the bag with a grin. “I love you, girl, but it’s not the sandwich. It’s you .”
I gave myself a discreet sniff. “I do?”
He nodded. “It’s not bad. Just… different. Probably because you’re bonded.” He grabbed my hand. “Want to see my room?”
“Absolutely,” I agreed.
“Wait,” Jensen said, staring at Logan. “What are the rules?”
Logan sighed. “No outside guests in the nests.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Omegas can be territorial about their space,” Logan answered while rolling his eyes. His blonde hair was adorably mussed and sticking up all over the place, like he’d been raking his fingers through it all morning.
“Exactly,” Jensen replied, giving me an apologetic smile. “The only place we don’t put scent dampeners is in the omega rooms. It helps them nest better, and each room has its own ventilation system.”
“Like an apartment,” Logan added. “But Hazel and I have shared a room for years. Her scent doesn’t bother me.”
“You just said she smelled different,” Jensen pointed out. “Are you sure that’s a scent you want mixing with yours long term?”
Logan shot me a nervous look. “No offense, but not really. I swear it isn’t you, Hazel.”
“It’s fine,” I assured him.
“You’re welcome to use the visitor space,” Jensen suggested, pointing to a room that was framed in glass and looked like a library/game room with bookshelves, couches for reading and hanging out, and a pool table that was in use by two men.
“Are you coming with us?” Logan looked at Jensen, and I could’ve sworn I heard a little bit of a whine in his voice.
Holy shit. Did Logan have a thing for Jensen?
Jensen shook his head. “I have other things to do. Enjoy your time with Hazel. I’ll be back to get her in a bit.” He clasped a hand on Logan’s shoulder and squeezed, affection clearly on his face.
Oh, whoa. Did Jensen have a thing for Logan ?
As Jensen walked away, I caught Logan checking out his ass, confirming one of my suspicions. When Logan looked at me, I arched a brow.
“Let’s go inside,” he muttered, cheeks turning pink as he ducked his head and ushered me into the visitor’s space.
The generic scent of lavender filled the space, not overpowering but synthetic enough to make me sneeze.
“You get used to it,” Logan promised as he snagged a couch in the far corner of the room. It was surrounded by dark wood stained bookshelves that made the space into a private alcove. A window behind the couch filled the room with buttery sunlight and offered a view of the pool and part of the gardens below. He tore into the sandwich, practically inhaling it.
My brows shot up as I dropped onto the couch beside him. “Good?”
“Amazing,” he groaned, balling up the wrapper and flashing me a grin.
I studied him, happy that some of the shadows had been chased from his haunted eyes. “You’re really okay?”
Logan nodded. “I really am.”
“Tell me everything that happened,” I whispered.
“Not much to say,” he admitted, tracing a circular pattern on his jeans.
It was strange to see Logan like this—showered and clean shaven with his hair cut, wearing a fresh pair of dark wash jeans and a blue hoodie that made his eyes seem even bluer. He’d put on much needed weight in the last few weeks, too.
“One of the packs took me into custody when they realized I was an omega,” Logan began. “After that I was taken to the hospital. Stayed there for a few days on an omega floor where I was treated for dehydration, malnutrition, and… other stuff.” His gaze skittered away.
I reached for his hand. “You can tell me anything. Or nothing,” I added. “But I’m here for you either way.”
He cleared his throat. “You already knew that your heat triggered mine. The Shepherds weren’t exactly gentle and loving. There was some stuff that needed to be stitched up.” He absently rubbed the corner of his mouth where I noticed a faint scar.
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep my tears at bay. It was why I was terrified of being knotted in my mouth. I’d seen what the alphas at the APA had done to Logan. I’d washed blood out of his clothes and seen the bruises and scars they left.
My pack were the first—and only—men I trusted to knot inside my mouth. It was an incredibly vulnerable position that required the alpha and omega to be in sync.
The Shepherds just took.
“Anyway, after that, someone from Omega Services came in to speak with me, and they told me about this program the government had set up for male omegas.” Logan shrugged. “Seemed like a no-brainer. At least here I have food, people to talk to, and a nest. And if I want an alpha or a pack to help me through my next heat, they help me set up the terms and the alphas have to comply.”
I nodded, but even I saw the flaws in this plan thanks to Thane. This was a cage.
And the man I considered a brother was locked inside.