Page 35 of Rest In Knotty Pieces

I watch him watching the ceiling, knowing he’s aware of me watching. It’s like some messed-up game of chicken.

“You have been here for weeks now, and you haven’t spoken a single word.”

I press my lips together, as if he’s trying to pry them loose just with his words. I don’t like this line of conversation.

“I have so many things about you that I want to know.” He pulls a sad face. “What is your favourite food? If I don’t know how to cook it, I can learn. What’s your favourite colour? Is it that beautiful orange amber colour like your eyes? How did your hair get orange tips? What’s your favourite movie? Do you like winter or summer?”

I stare at this ranting, lunatic alpha and wonder if he’s on drugs. Being around drugged alphas is a whole other danger, but he’s not displaying any other signs. Still, I edge further away from him, just to be safe.

“What does your voice sound like? Do you sing off-key like Blaze does, or can you sing well like King? Do you know that I have a little cousin? He’s feisty. They found their omega a year or so ago. I think you might like her and her family. Part of me thinks I should bundle you up and take you to them. Maybe they can help you; we sure as shit aren’t.”

He falls silent, frowning at the ceiling.

Go somewhere else? They want to send me away? That scares me more than anything. It never occurred to me that they might send me away.

“How did you get those scars, Omega? Tell me so I can make sure it never happens again. I’ll make sure they never touch you.”

I get up on my feet, preparing to run.

“Mashed potatoes are my favourite food. There are a million ways you can have it, and all of them are good. I’m going to make you mashed potatoes for dinner. You haven’t had mash until you’ve had my mash.”

He sits up, and his eyes collide with mine. Dark green eyes, powerful eyes. He’s got a gaze that sees right inside to all the broken bits. I feel naked when he looks at me.

“I brought you a present.”

He holds up a single bloom. The flower is a delicate pink colour, but the green is as vibrant as anything I’ve ever seen. It’s beautiful. Like a shiny, one of the things I steal. I want it. With reluctance, I walk towards him, reaching out. He lets me take the flower.

I stare at it, twirling it in my fingers. It’s a Forest Boronia with four petals and the pink so light it’s just a hint of colour. I lift it to my nose, inhaling the strong scent. It’s spicy with citrus notes and almost honey elements. It’s lovely.

When I open my eyes, Sage is watching me with the softest expression.

“You looked almost happy, Omega,” he murmurs. “I will endeavor to find a way to bring that smile all the way out.”

He swings up, blows me a kiss, and disappears.

I stare down at the flower for a long time.

Are these alphas different? Or is this just another slow torture?

I walk into the kitchen, and Rolly and King separate immediately. I think they were fighting. Or making out. I’m not sure, but I’m relieved they aren’t still doing it.

“Just hugging my best friend,” Rolly says with a wink.

They don’t look like they were hugging; they look like they were fighting. Now I’m even more sure that they were.

I take a deep breath, then force myself to edge around the counter towards the sink. Rolly bounces over, startling me.

“Would you like some water?”

I stare at him, then slowly nod.

He grabs a cup and fills it with water, passing it to me as if it were precious. Under their heavy and watchful eyes, I choke the water down and reach to fill it up again. He snatches the cup, refills it, and repeats the ritual of handing it to me and staring at me expectantly until it’s drained.

I retreat again but pause, focusing intently as the two of them get into a whisper fight. I stand there listening, frowning, but then the entire world crashes to a stop, falling into a pit of the darkest memories.

“Merle,” Roseland whispers.

He steps towards me, but I step back, jerking so quickly I hit my elbow on the wall. My scent gets distressed, spreading quickly with sour notes. His instincts surge up. I can smell his rose and sandalwood getting stronger.