Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Sanctum Lodge, Sanctum
Ipull the gray beanie more firmly over my ponytail. I deliberately keep my gaze up, walking confidently, as I clutch my brown paper bag of groceries to my chest.
I stick close to the back of a gaggle of Beta ranchers, who are carrying heavy feed sacks on their shoulders.
I glance up at the darkening sky, as the whiskey-colored sun is setting.
My feet slip on the light dusting of snow and ice on the sidewalk.
I shiver.
An ancient truck rattles past me across the potholed road with hay strapped in the back. I pass a gnarled apple tree.
This small town in the haze of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Sanctum, turned out to be the end of the line for the freight train.
It’s where I decided to make our final stand and stop running.
For two weeks now, I have been planning how the hunted will become the hunter.
I have been studying the past hits of the Hunter pack, as well as thinking about how I would put together this mission if it had been handed to me.
The only part I am not sure about is whether the Hunters intend to capture Bird and me alive or kill us.
Yet the reason that Fiorella wanted me to take the Hunter pack out was because they were disrupting the Omega auctions to rescue the Omegas.
They have been killing the heads of other mob packs.
But only Alphas.
If that is their pattern, then I am certain that they won’t kill Bird.
Perhaps, they believe that I am the villain here, the bad Alpha who has kidnapped the innocent Omega and dragged him along on my escape.
The dangerous Rogue Switch.
Once the same was believed about witches, the innocents who were burned because people feared false superstitions and demons, in the same way that they feared Rogues.
Witches were usually Omegas.
People fear those on the edges of society.
Why is it always the most vulnerable who are persecuted?
As long as I have assessed the Hunter pack correctly, then my plan will work.
A thrill rushes through me.
It’s almost time.
The Hunter pack won’t know what hit them.
I straighten my shoulders and confidently stroll closer to the side of the Betas ahead of me on the sidewalk, as if I’m their Alpha.
I keep my pheromones reined in.
The trick when you’re on the run and want to avoid being noticed is to fit in with the crowds around you. The more you look like just another person on the street, the more invisible you are.
If you act like you’re trying to go unnoticed, however, by wearing sunglasses, avoiding eye-contact, or scurrying around anxiously, then everybody will remember you.
Instead, I pretend to be a local by wearing jeans, a black shirt, and warm woolen coat. I didn’t buy brands, bright colors, or patterns. Instead, I blend in. I smile when Alphas greet me with nods.
I am wearing ear buds to make myself look busy but without listening to any music because I am on the alert.
The last thing I need is for anyone to start up a conversation with me.
My nose wrinkles at the scent of woodsmoke and damp earth. Birdsong trills through the air.
Sanctum is buried in the forested mountainside.
It is perfect for my requirements because it is small and nondescript enough to hide in but large enough to go unnoticed.
From careful listening in to typical small town gossip, the most excitement around here is about the infamous Champion pack, which lives out on a nearby ranch.
Otherwise, it’s a sleepy town.
The talk from the group of Omegas, who are gathered in the doorway of the diner with their Alphas, is about weather patterns and the fear of a snowstorm that is on its way.
I pass brick storefronts and then filthy pickup trucks, which line the curb.
When I slip on the ice for a second time, I drop my gaze to the sidewalk. I struggle to keep hold of my groceries.
Unexpectedly, I feel a hand steady me at the elbow.
I catch a scent on the breeze: peach drizzled with honey.
My gaze snaps up to work out which of the Betas in the group helped me and has such a delicious scent.
My pheromones deepen in response.
Except, the Beta has already withdrawn their hand, and all I can see is the back of the men’s heads.
I frown.
I can’t make a scene by weaving between a group of strange Betas and sniffing them.
Damn.
I glance up at the weathered, rough-cut stone hotel ahead, Sanctum Lodge, imagining Bird waiting for me in our room.
I smile.
I have spent the last few years on the road, staying in soulless hotels that merge in my mind, always alone. Having pack to return to and knowing that someone is waiting for me, soothes instincts that I thought were buried or broken.
I grew up with Nico as my role model of a strong, kind Omega. I never believed that I would be lucky enough to find an Omega soulmate who was just as strong and kind.
Suddenly, the hairs rise on the back of my neck.
I’m being watched.
Pheromones wash from me in defense. The closest Betas hurry away from me, cringing.
My smile becomes fixed.
I battle not to glance at the window on the second story of the neocolonial building, which stands opposite the hotel.
They’re in there, right now.
The Hunters are watching the hotel room, which I requested to face the street for this reason. I have also been leaving the drapes open, of course.
I need to make this easy for the Hunters without making it too easy.
The hit pack are strategic and detailed on their missions because they’re ex-military.
They do surveillance first.
I smirk.
Do they like what they see?
My targets don’t normally come to me. It’s like shooting fish in a barrel.
I ignore the Hunters, sitting up in that room and observing me, and turn into the quiet lobby of Sanctum Lodge.
My snow caked boots clatter over the slate tiles.
A fire roars in a stone fireplace beside a pine wood front desk.
A weathered Beta in her fifties is seated behind the counter, peering at a book over her glasses.
Magazines about nesting and specialized heat products lie scattered next to a brass bell.
She ignores me, which is why I like this hotel, as I skirt the front desk.
I ignore the ancient elevator and jog up the wooden stairs to the second story with the brown paper bag bouncing against my side.
When Bird and I first moved into the hotel with the stolen cash (Bird quickly forgot his guilt over that with the chance to sleep in a real bed), I was surprised how excited my Omega was.
Bird rushed around, playing with the television remote and flicking through the channels. Then he explored the bathroom, before swinging open the minibar.
“Can I use the shampoo and other shit in the bathroom? What about the minibar? Can I take a soda and a candy bar?” Bird asked.
I rolled my eyes but prepared to put up with the exorbitant minibar prices because of the happiness vibrating from Bird.
Now that’s sacrificing for your Omega.
“Isn’t all of this boring for you?” I questioned. “We’re in a rundown hotel in a middle of nowhere town. You’ve spent your life trapped inside a hotel. How is any of this a novelty for you?”
Bird’s shoulders slumped. “I lived in the hotel but never as a guest. This may be boring to you but it’s…
freedom…to me. Didn’t you see how the receptionist looked at the bond mark on my neck and not my Rej bracelet?
She saw me as a person. I’m a guest and not an object for a guest to use.
I’ve never been allowed to use any of the luxury products inside the rooms. When I stayed with the packs, they treated me like I was the minibar to sample. ”
I blanched. “Never again, Little Bird. No one will ever treat you like that again.”
I march down the corridor, which is covered with a patterned carpet that still can’t quite hide the dirt. The walls are painted in a mute, earthy tone.
My expression brightens.
It’s late, and I only just grabbed the groceries in time before the shop closed. Bird will be hungry. But I bought his favorite treats.
Spoiling Bird has become my new hobby.
I’ve never been allowed hobbies beyond my magic before. Spoiling anyone would have been unimaginable.
I don’t know if it’s romance and courting as Mars explained it to me, but the way that Bird’s whole face lit up yesterday when I drew a box of chocolates for him from my bag made me want to see that expression on him again.
I want to see it every day.
I reach door Number Thirteen and reach into my pocket. I pull out a brass key, which is stamped with Sanctum Lodge.
I give a quick but complicated knock on the door, which is the code Bird and I established, to reassure him that it is me. Then I turn the key and push the door open with my shoulder.
Instantly, I am bowled over by an eager Omega rushing into my arms. Bird knocks me against the wall, kissing up my neck and then over my cheeks.
“You’re back!” Bird exclaims. “I missed you.”
Warmth blossoms in my chest.
I missed you too is on the tip of my tongue.
Instead, I frown at the pretty Omega in his warm, brown woolen sweater and trousers who is sniffing my scent gland.
“And you’ve just knocked our dinner onto the floor.” I growl, grabbing the key to stuff back into my pocket.
I kick the door shut with a bang.
I must have lost my edge of intimidation because my growl used to make Betas wet their fucking pants, while Omegas would fall to their knees.
Bird only gives a laugh, however, before leaving a final trail of kisses across my jaw to my lips.
“My brave Alpha has been out hunting in the wilds for…” He kneels on the thin forest brown carpet to gather the groceries up. “Crackers, cheese, smoked ham slices…? Pears and pecans? Cider?”
I prowl further into the small bedroom. It’s as forgettable as most things are in this town, which is why it’s perfect for Bird and me to hide in.
The walls are painted an earthy brown, which matches the oak bed with its ivory linens. An oak wardrobe leans against the wall that leads to the tiny ensuite.
“Somebody said that they wanted to try the local cider.” I throw myself down on the bed. “And somebody said—”