I didn’t see or hear Miles again. For all I knew, he slipped out as quietly as he came. If I had my senses about me, I would have stayed and listened, see if Miles had any plans for me or if Alpha Raymond agreed to anything regarding my welfare.
But I knew no matter how many times I wished I could go back to the moment I ran, nothing would have changed. I wouldn’t have been able to focus with that ripping shock and betrayal that sliced me in half.
This would be risky, hell, everything I had been doing was risky, but it gave me new determination, new purpose. If this new plan didn’t work out, I could go back to just ending their pathetic lives. But even as I thought it now, that plan seemed so dull and lifeless compared to the colorful promise of unending revenge.
Ezra called it justice. I didn’t care what word we used for it as long as we could pull this off. I got the sense that he was still trying to figure me out, and I didn’t trust him completely either. Not with my full plan. I don’t think I would ever trust him with that; I still hadn’t admitted outright to the whole murder thing. I didn’t know many people, not anymore, at least, that would choose morals over money, and I didn’t believe in a change of heart for hired help.
I could hear the skittish feet pause outside my door, shuffle, and then a soft knock came. I would have been barely able to hear before my wolf.
“Come in,” I called quietly, still amazed at how Tia threw me off and made me feel actually shy and uncomfortable. I constantly wanted to assure her everything would be okay.
Tia walked in, glancing behind her. She was carrying a paper box that was half the size of her.
“Here,” she said and thrust it into my arms seemingly glad to get rid of it. I almost stumbled back.
“Thank you,” I said, waiting until she met my eyes. “I cannot thank you enough.”
Her gaze shifted again. “I said I owed you, and I do. I still do…” she went on, her eyes glazing. I almost felt bad for calling in a favor from the Omega I saved from the visiting Alpha’s dick son. But compared to the other things I’d done in the past few months, this was well down my list of things that I should have felt guilty for.
“It’s nothing,” she insisted, wringing her hands. “I’m glad to help. Me and some of the others, we wanted to do this.”
I took a sharp inhale of breath. I knew others would have had to be involved, but I was hoping her nerves and fear of being caught would have prevented her from spreading word too far about my request. Even if it was seemingly simple enough, if anyone dug into it, the timeline would be off. I asked for this before I secured the rest of my admittedly feeble plan.
“Thank you for your discretion,” I added, “I want this to be a surprise for them,” I said with a soft smile, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.
“Of course.” She studied me, her brows tugging together, but I couldn’t discern the slight change I sensed in her. “If there, uh, if there’s anything else you need, let me know.” She dipped her head in something that looked like a bow.
“I appreciate you, Tia,” I said. “As a friend,” I added.
Her eyes widened, and she nodded frantically. “Yes, of course.” She swallowed and backed out of the room. I waited until her nervous, quiet feet retreated down the hall.
I listened, but there weren’t any other sounds. Most of the Omegas were cleaning up from dinner or finishing up the rest of their chores before they took to their beds.
I opened the box and pulled out yards of deep red fabric. It was cool against my skin and sent a sort of thrill through me that I didn’t recognize.
The only joy I had been feeling recently was some sort of perverse happiness, but it was better than the emptiness I fought to keep at bay.
I hastily put it away and tucked it in the back of my underwear drawer. Alice didn’t even look at unless she was putting laundry away. Laundry day was days away, so I thought it safe enough. And I only needed it hidden for one day.
I walked aimlessly down the hall, slowing until I heard footsteps approaching. Quicker and tenser than his brothers. I cataloged the ranked members and key Omega’s footsteps, but I could pick them out from a hallway away now as if they were standing next to me.
I picked up my pace to reach his, focusing on my feet.
“Oh.” I gasped as I bumped into the side of Nolan. I looked back down with wide eyes and tugged my hair. “I uh- I didn’t-”
“It’s okay,” he said, his voice was soft.
I looked up at him nervously through thick lashes. “I didn’t see you,” I murmured.
“It’s okay, it was an accident,” he repeated. I looked down the hall to where he was heading.
“I was just going to training,” he explained, following my slightly curious gaze. “Do you, uh, do you want to come?” he asked.
I made my eyes wide, and he was about to say something, probably trying to backtrack, so I nodded vigorously.
“Okay,” he said, a little taken aback. He motioned for me to go ahead.
We walked in silence outside; it wasn’t uncomfortable. I didn’t have a reason to say anything, but I could feel him glancing down at me as if he kept wanting to say something, and he might have if the dull lights around the old training ring hadn’t come into view.
Dominick and Hunter stopped talking. Their trainers weren’t there yet. Hunter strolled over with a raised eyebrow, and Dominick was a step behind.
“She wanted to watch,” Nolan explained hastily; glancing down at me, I kept my gaze ahead. “Er, I asked her if she wanted to,” he amended.
Dominick rolled his eyes at his brother’s display, and Hunter leaned over the crumbling fence. “I knew you couldn’t keep away.” I blinked at him as his gaze roved over me. I internally rolled my eyes; this was old years ago, but I hated to admit it still affected me past anger. It made me feel small and helpless and just gross.
“I wanted to watch,” I explained.
Ezra stood at the other side and started to walk forward. I swallowed as Ezra’s skin glistened in the faint light of the first stars. His dark hair was tied up, and his muscles corded under his shirt. What was wrong with me? Besides the fact that I hadn’t seen any other men outside the packhouse for years now. That was probably it.
He is yummy- my wolf agreed, and I fought a smile.
“Nolan, we’re training longer tonight to make up for tomorrow,” Ezra stated, and Nolan nodded once.
“What’s tomorrow?” I ventured. Dominick and Hunter looked at me, and I averted my gaze, chewing my lip.
“The conference,” Hunter said, “All the ranked members of the regions and their… escorts,” he drawled.
What an interesting way to say, mate or Luna.
“Oh,” I said, looking up.
Dominick snorted. “I always forget how naive you are.” He shook his head. “The innocence works for me, though.”
Fucking perv.
“I didn’t know,” I stammered.
“Pity…” Hunter said. “You should come. Wear something pretty, and I could drag you around the room.” He winked, and it sent anger and a flicker of disgust through me.
“Oh, o - okay,” I stammered.
“Let’s get started, Nolan,” Ezra said, interrupting the exchange. I met his eyes, and he looked at me impassively, but I saw a flicker in his stare, acknowledging our secret.
“Yes,” Dominick said, “you need the practice, little brother.” Hunter laughed and turned on his heel as the other trainers made their way into the ring. Neither of them acknowledged me whatsoever.
I stayed there for a while watching them. It was better than nothing, and I focused on their fighting styles, techniques, and, most importantly, their weaknesses. I was happy to find that they had many.
I yawned as the moon crept higher in the sky. I didn’t want to walk back with any of them, especially without the ‘no touch’ Alpha command lifted. I nodded toward them all once there was a slight pause in the clashing of metal and grunts.
“Good evening,” I said, “Thank you for inviting me.” A double meaning. ‘I’ll see you at breakfast.” I turned away before they could say anything, unsure if they even heard me.
I did my part, and I trusted Ezra to do his. Nolan was turning out to be far more useful than even I anticipated.