Chapter 49
CHAPTER
FORTY-NINE
Troy
I’m taking Alisa out for the day because my pack and I are working on a secret. We have contractors coming out to renovate a room in our home. Our girl needs a nest and the world has stopped throwing shit at us for now.
It won’t be a small nook the way many nests are. Instead, it’ll have an entire wall of one way glass to allow our omega to gaze out into the garden with filtered light when she doesn’t want to go outside. The room is down a short flight of stairs, but not necessarily the basement.
I’ve always been fascinated by this house, and it’s mine now. Silas put all of us on the deed, our pack solidified any lingering paperwork to make us official. Alisa doesn’t want a fancy ring or expensive ceremony, she simply wants us.
That’s not to say we won’t still spoil her.
A nest is important, and the only way I believe she’ll enjoy it is if we bring the garden to her.
The contractors are going to do as much as possible today.
They’re adding more windows to the room from floor to ceiling, adding the special glass panels to keep anyone from looking inside.
I don’t think they’ll have a chance to decorate the room by the time we get home, but it’s possible. My pack has a way of surprising me.
Alisa shifts next to me in the back seat as Niall drives us, her shoulders bare in her dress. I don’t think I ever realized how sexy a woman’s body was until her. The flash of an ankle, the way her neck curves gracefully, fuck. I definitely have it bad.
“You guys are up to something,” she finally says.
“Maybe, maybe not. I’m just happy to steal you for myself today.”
“That was cute. Surprises and I don’t always get along.”
“Even the good ones?” I ask, taking her hand.
“They’re becoming more common.”
“My days have always been planned out. Practices, games, brand deals, all of it. This is the first time in years that I have no idea what I’m doing with my life.”
“You still had the uncertainty of being traded and not knowing to what team,” Alisa says. “That’s over now.”
“Very true. Today is about making a new plan.”
Her dress rides up as she crosses her legs, and I breathe in her sweet scent. Niall finds parking, checks the area around us, and then helps us out of the back seat. It’s an odd sensation to need a guard, but after being kidnapped, I have to admit it’s necessary.
I could easily refuse to leave the house ever again. However, I get to witness Alisa’s bravery every day. I’m not going to give up my new lease on life. Niall is a necessary part of keeping our independence.
Wrapping my arm around Alisa’s shoulders, I tuck her against me as we walk toward the building I want to buy. Niall keeps his head turning on a swivel as we walk, and I know Alisa is armed as well. Guns are not my thing, though I don’t mind killing someone.
The real estate agent gives me a professional smile as she opens the door, and I carefully help Alisa inside. The wood floors are dusty as we cross the lobby, and my mind begins to wander as we walk.
I could see a long bar along the left side of the space, bar games, and televisions for those who want to watch whatever sport is being televised. This used to be a hockey rink on the riverfront, but when the owner passed away, his children put it on the market to sell.
It’s been sitting idle for the past year.
I would love to bring it back to life as a sports bar.
The architecture is beautiful, and the brick building has a ton of charm with all of its windows.
I’d actually like to change some of the glass to stained windows and allow people to play games on the ice.
Nothing like a beer league at an actual bar.
Alisa leans over the rail as she looks out at the two ice rinks available and furrows her brow. The ice has been melted and removed since there’s no longer any electricity to the building and it looks a little sad.
“Is that a glass ceiling?” she asks, her eyes moving up.
“It’s kind of unusual, isn’t it?”
“It’s gorgeous. Can you imagine skating here at night?”
“Can you skate?” There’s still so much I don’t know about her, and memories she’s forced herself to forget.
“I vaguely remember ice skating as a kid. I don’t think I was very good,” she laughs.
“You have four very good teachers,” I chuckle. “We would have fun on the ice together.”
I explain my vision to Alisa and she nods as she looks around to attempt to see what I do.
“There is a changing area here, as well as separate bathrooms. I want to offer the rink to a women’s hockey league if it exists in Savannah. If it doesn’t, I want to make that happen,” I explain. “Hockey is in my blood. I want to be around it in a different way than I have been.”
“I love this,” she breathes. “I haven’t heard of anyone who has a literal hockey rink in their bar.”
“There’s an outside patio too,” I grin, scooping her into my arms in my excitement. At this rate, we really should wear her as our backpack. In my defense, I’m not sure what the wood patio looks like. It could be warped and rotten, and my omega isn’t wearing the correct shoes for it.
“The door locks automatically,” the realtor calls out. “It’ll be something you’ll need to replace.”
“It’s going to need a lot of work,” Alisa murmurs. She doesn’t say it as if to deter me from buying it, but more in awe. The building has great bones, however she’s right.
Using my back to open the patio door, I stand there to allow Alisa to see the view. The skyline is beautiful from here, and everything I hoped for. Everything I’ve seen has been through a computer screen.
Standing here in person is so much better.
“It’s perfect,” she whispers.
“Yeah?”
“Mmhmm. The patio will need to be replaced but it’ll be gorgeous for people who want to sit out here and have a drink.”
“I think so too. Let’s go put in an offer and then I’ll take you to lunch.”
“Yes, please.”
The agent is surprised when I come back with Alisa and begin discussing price, and my girl explores the building with Niall at her side. He’s very careful about her safety, and it makes me glad she’ll be able to see the city whenever she wants.
As long as Alisa doesn’t have to speak to strangers and she has someone to scare people away, she’s happy.
Once I’m done talking to the agent, I begin to look for her. She’s exploring still, and has a smile on her face when she sees me.
“We’re officially putting in our bid to buy the building,” I announce, basking in her joy.
“Yay. If it's been sitting on the market for so long, does that mean the chances are high you’ll get it?”
“Yes,” I say, pulling her close to me as we start walking toward the exit. The restaurant I want to take her to is just around the corner. “I don’t know what anyone else would want this location for unless they want to gut it and start over.”
“That would be a shame,” Niall says under his breath.
The three of us walk to the restaurant as I chat with Alisa, choosing a corner patio table to eat at.
Niall sits at a table close by to continue to watch us, and Alisa looks around curiously.
There aren’t many people here since it’s between the usual rush hour for lunch, and she relaxes as she realizes that.
“Timing is everything,” I murmur.
“This is true,” she says, her lips twitching as she looks over the menu. This restaurant has a variety of options, and I made sure there were a few guaranteed safe foods for her. “It’s nice to be able to walk around and pretend to be normal.”
I know exactly what she means and I lean toward her to get her attention.
“Niall will help you be able to go out more. One of us is usually around, but if you want to go shopping or walk around aimlessly to think, you can. I tend to run to figure shit out in my head. I have to ease back into exercising, but the point is that sometimes all you need is the sky and your thoughts.”
“It’s why I like to sit outside,” she admits. “I want to experience life without having to socialize too much.”
“Niall is scary, he’ll get you the space you want,” I chuckle.
The waitress is nice as she takes our order, the food is delicious, and conversation is wonderful. The two of us simply say whatever is on our mind, no matter what it is and move through the flow of thoughts together.
Easton can sit and listen to her for ages without saying a word. Alisa’s mind is amazing. I know she frustrates herself when she can’t gather her thoughts, and it makes me think of a potential option.
“Have you tried recording your thoughts?” I ask.
“For what?” she asks, confused as I pay the bill. Silas dropped a pack card in front of me yesterday and told me he'd stolen my wallet. He also announced that Easton added me to the pack’s joint checking account and that they’d all take turns edging me if I didn’t accept.
I was so shocked, I didn’t know what to say. I think that’s the point. I’m having therapist appointments now and it’s going about as well as anyone would expect. Half the time, I spend it yelling at my therapist. He’s kind of a dick sometimes.
However, the nightmares are lessening and I’m starting a depression medication to help with my mood swings, despite not knowing if it’s the best decision.
My therapist explained to me that sometimes, trauma can rewire your brain.
Experiences are worked through differently after you go through bad shit, and there’s not an expiration date on triggers.
My brain has developed blinders to any woman who isn’t my omega. I have to really focus when a female speaks to me, because it’s almost as if white noise fills my brain. I almost asked for a male real estate agent, but it made me feel like an ass. Trinity is lovely, I’m definitely the problem.
I’m still good with touch from my pack, and I’ve been cleared to sleep in bed with them as long as I’m careful. Even when I was fighting my feelings, my pack has always been a safe place for me.