53. Blaze
Blaze
I’ve searched for months now for the right house. The frustration at not being able to find it dogs me and pushes me to the decision that I’ve been thinking about for a long time.
I look at the map. There’s a cleared area where the house used to be.
We have plenty of money.
I make a call, and after an hour long discussion, I end it and smile. We’re building a house near that field of flowers, out in the wilds where we'll have lots of space, where we can disappear easily.
They know something is going on. I can’t keep it a secret. Rolly has taken to leaving listening devices and cameras in my office.
I refuse to tell them. The build is halfway through. It’s looking amazing.
We stand outside the animal rescue, and Kestrel cocks her head to the side. Uncertain.
Merle takes over, cooing to all the animals. She likes dogs and cats, but when we get to the birds, her eyes shine. She clings to the bars, staring at each one with the biggest smile on her face.
“We’re going to donate, aren’t we?” Roseland murmurs.
“Of course,” King says and guides her to the next cage.
I watch discreetly as she falls in love with a very jolly galah named Rosey.
We just don’t have anywhere safe to keep him yet. So, reluctantly, Merle is talked into letting him go.
“I’m going to go discuss donations, you guys keep looking,” I murmur and leave them.
I go and find to the manager. She’s a tough beta with frustrated eyes, but I can tell she has a good heart.
“You are running an amazing rescue.”
“We are doing what we can with not much. There are a lot of animals who need homes, and no one wants an old animal with a behavioral issue.”
I sit down opposite her. “I have a proposition for you.”
She scowls, instantly suspicious.
“I want that bird, the galah, Rosey, but I can’t take him now. I will supply the money for him to have a better cage, better food, all health checks, everything.”
“You’d do that?”
“Not just that, if you agree, I will donate enough money for you to renovate the entire rescue and keep all these animals fed for five years.”
She stares at me. I guess I wouldn’t believe it if I were her either.
“What is it you really want?”
“I want that bird. He makes my omega happy.”
“How long?”
“No more than half a year.”
“That’s a long time for a bird to not have a home.”
“How long has he been here?”
She winces. “Almost twelve months.”
“I will come and visit with him once a week or so. But I would like him kept for my omega.”
“What if she finds another bird?”
“Then you keep the money and find him a home.” I spread my fingers out. “Do we have a deal?”
She stares at me, her fingers twitching nervously. “You must really love her.”
“I love them so much I will give them anything if it’s within my ability.”
She inhales sharply and stands up, holding out her hand. “You have a deal…”
“Blaze, Blaze Myles.”
“What exactly are we doing out here?” Sage asks in frustration.
We fought again this morning. He knows I’m keeping secrets, and it’s driving him crazy, but I received word yesterday that the house is ready for us.
We drive up in front of the house, and I stop the car.
It is massive; it's one story on the outside, with a bunker underneath. Lots of secret tunnels because that’s my thing.
There’s a room with a wall of windows that looks out at the forest where we can watch the storms roll in.
A massive wrap-around porch because I want to see Kestrel sitting there, laughing and flirting with me again.
We do not have a pool this time, but we do have massive baths.
We’re surrounded by mountains, forest, and just an hour’s drive from the Sanderson’s. The small town, Marian Hollow, that we stayed in is in the other direction, and the city is just a three-hour drive.
This is our escape.
A place where we can be ourselves without the pressure of people trying to smother us.
It’s already furnished and decorated. We can move in today.
I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces when they realise.
“Someone built a house here? When did you sell the land?” Aaron asks.
“I didn’t,” I say smugly.
Sage wheezes. “Baby, what did you do?”
“Oh, now, I’m baby again?” I tease.
He gives me a sharp look while we all get out of the car.
“There’s a place for me to swing my dao, a massive theater for Rolly’s games. Rooms and space for all of us, but most importantly, it’s out here, has a bed big enough for all of us because nobody likes to sleep alone, and a tree for you both to climb.”
My omegas are staring at me, and they both look a little scared, but then they grew up in nightmare existences; I doubt they’ve ever been given anything like this.
Their casual words, said in passing, are words I’ve turned from dream to reality.
“Welcome home.”
I open my hand and hold up a silver key. King, Rolly, Sage, Rose, and Pix stare at me like I’m crazy, but my girl gets it.
She smiles so wide it’s like she’s glowing.
Merle reaches out and takes the key to our home, just like she did when I offered it the first time.
I tow her in and kiss her hard, then let go.
“Go, explore.”
She flashes me the happiest smile, and I know I’ve done the right thing. I’ve made her happy.