Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Talya

Every morning I begin in my new nest. Sometimes I’m alone but usually not. Most of the time it’s Colby, Ronan, and/or Kasen. It’s a very different feeling with Kasen. He’s a lot like Fenton except very, very not.

There’s absolutely no romantic feeling between us and certainly nothing sexual. But we get along easy. Conversation is easy. We have nothing in common as for hobbies or interests but there’s never any awkward moments or silences. Even when we’re just sitting around, it’s comfortable.

It took me a long time to feel that way around Fenton. Kasen was just… like that. Maybe because I had a void inside me that demanded to be filled. I’d been friends with Fenton since school and he was always there. We became roommates after school and through college; he agreed to room with Colby and I to offset expenses.

He was my only friend. Now that he thought I was dead and I was not allowed to reach out to him to let him know otherwise, I had a void within me. Kasen filled it though didn’t replace him.

Now that I was thinking of Fenton, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was kinder or crueler for him to think we were dead. Would he feel better knowing that we were actually alive, but we were in hiding? Did he feel survivor’s guilt because he wasn’t home when we were taken? Was he looking for us?

Then there were my friends within the Omega Forums. PackTease and IamOmegaDik especially. We’ve all kind of checked in with each other after some time has gone by. It’s not like we know who the other is in real life so how could someone put up an alarm if one actually went missing.

Like me. I went missing.

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed since we were taken from our apartment, but I was sure I’d never not logged in for this long before. Were they worried? Maybe they didn’t notice. I’d like to hope they did notice.

With a sigh, I rolled over and sank into the cushions. The silly, goofy grin that spread across my face from being cradled in all the softness couldn’t be helped. I’d never had this before. I didn’t know I’d love it so much.

My fingers lightly skimmed over the super soft material, letting the faux fur brush against my fingertips. I had sherpa and minky and crushed fleece. All the softest materials surrounded me. I loved to just run my hands across them. There was something soothing about it.

Then there were the scents that the blankets held onto. My wonderful alpha’s sandalwood and allspice was a constant reminder that he was here. Here and safe and mine. His heart beat for me; I could feel it echo alongside mine.

All the outdoor scents were Ronan. Freshly mown grass, rainstorms, and citrus. They clung to every surface, giving me a breath of fresh air.

Once in a while, I caught the soft patchouli and myrrh that was Kasen. It was faint and I only got a hint of it from time to time. But it, too, was soothing.

A knock on the door made me look up. It wasn’t shut. I rarely shut it for anything. Ronan’s peeked in through the crack and I grinned, sitting up and letting the pile of blankets pool around me. He pushed the door open and stepped inside with two plastic containers in his hands.

“Hi,” I said.

His smile was always a little rough and never very big. I didn’t think he was unhappy. That’s just how he was. Maybe I shouldn’t love it like I do. But I do. It’s… special when he smiles.

“Morning, omega,” he said and moved closer. He wasn’t wearing shoes, so he stepped right into my pile of softness with his plastic container and dropped to his knees in front of me. Then he handed me the big, clear plastic box.

It was clear and inside I could see a dozen smaller containers, all clear. But they were all empty. I looked up at him with confusion.

“It’s actually for organizing pictures but I thought we could use it for keeping memories of places we explore on the island,” he said, his voice deep and growly.

“Explore?” I asked.

He nodded. Bringing around the other container, which was just as large as the first, he opened it to show me the contents inside. There were little plastic baggies, vials, little plastic boxes of different sizes. All of which would fit into the organizational ones within my clear container. There was also a little camera and mini notebooks and pens.

“We can gather things from where we visit,” he said, picking up a vial and handing it to me. “If we go to the lake, we can gather some sand or maybe a bit of water. We can take pictures. We can bring back a pretty shell from the beach or a rock from the mountain. There are military ruins on the island and all sorts of artifacts from that time that we can document.”

My heart raced as I looked at him. That’s probably the most he’s ever said to me at one time. A smile threatened to split my face so I had to fight to keep it small. “I love this,” I told him. “There are places to visit on the island?”

He nodded. “Yes. Would you like to go to one now?”

I couldn’t contain the smile this time as I nodded. “I’d love that.”

Ronan watched me, studying my face. After several quiet seconds ticked by, he reached up to cup my face. “I want to court you, Talya.”

My conversation with Colby yesterday was still fresh in my head. We talked about it thoroughly and while we seemed to be split down the middle of who we might be willing to be courted by, we agreed that as long as we were always open and honest with each other, checking in regularly and expressing if there’s ever a time that we’re uncomfortable about the situation, that we could see about becoming part of his pack.

After years of looking for a pack, it took being abducted, tortured, killed only to be brought back to life so they can start over, and then made to disappear as if we were dead to find a pack that would accept both my alpha and me. We wouldn’t have met these men under any other circumstances but there’s no doubt in my mind that there wasn’t going to be another pack that might be more wanting of us. Both of us. Together.

I nodded. “I’d like that, alpha.”

His smile made my insides flutter. Heat spread through my chest and my perfume spiked with my excitement. I bowed my head as heat flooded my cheeks. You’d think after all these years I’d be used to my perfume giving away my feelings in any given situation but no, it never got easier.

“Have you eaten yet this morning?”

Shaking my head, I looked up into his dark eyes. “Not yet.”

He dropped his hand to take mine and helped me to my feet. “Let’s feed you before we go. Alright?”

I nodded again and allowed him to lead me out of my nest. My heart raced. I’d never been courted before. Colby and I, we just knew. As soon as we saw each other, we knew that we’d found our mates. There was no courting involved. We were kids. As soon as he grew into the ability to forge a bitten bond, he bit me. Claimed me as his omega.

With as many packs and alphas as we’ve met over the years, not once had we ever gotten to the point where courting was even discussed. I was seriously shocked that there were so many nasty alphas in the world. So many unworthy and disgusting packs.

I was sure that by the time we’d disappeared, we’d met over a hundred. We’d gone through so many that it was to the point where we were feeling defeated. Unwanted.

Then we were put through hell and delivered to the pack that might turn out to be our perfect match. Did all omegas have to go through that to finally find their packs? Or was I just special?

We stepped into the kitchen, our hands still linked together. The rest of the pack was there. Kasen’s eyes dropped immediately to where our hands were linked, a grin spreading across his face. Colby also noticed right away and gave me a sweet smile. I could feel his comfort and support, his approval, burning brightly in my chest.

Taking a seat at the table where there was already food spread out before us, we gathered things onto our plates. Well, Ronan did his, but Colby placed an already prepared plate in front of me and kissed me on the cheek.

We ate among the quiet chatter within the kitchen as everyone discussed what their plans were for the day. Ronan, Colby, and I listened without participating. I enjoyed watching them. They appeared relaxed. Our added presence wasn’t awkward or causing them to hesitate in speaking naturally. They didn’t try to keep something from us as they talked about the business.

A feeling settled over me like I’d always been here. I’d been here a lot longer than was actually reality. It’s been what, four days? Five? Okay, maybe longer. I couldn’t actually even remember how many sleeps I’ve had. Especially since right after we arrived, we slept on and off for what had to have been like three days. At least. It’s not like I actually asked what the date was.

“What about you, Talya?” Kasen asked. “Plans?”

I looked at Ronan. The corners of his lips ticked up slightly. The kitchen fell silent to listen for the answer. “I’m taking Talya to the ruins of Fort Killian. We’ll probably be back after lunch.” He paused to look at Colby. “If you’re okay with that.”

Colby grinned at him. “Thank you for checking in. Yes,” he looked at me, “I’m okay with that if Talya is.”

“I am,” I said quietly. “It’s sounds exciting.”

“It is soo exciting,” Kasen said as he joined us at the table, falling into a chair across from me. “It’s such a cool place. When we met Emerald, he brought us all over the island and showed us the coolest things! Fort Killian is one of my favorites.”

I almost asked him if he wanted to come with us but decided that’s probably not appropriate for a courtship, uh, date? Outing? Was there appropriate terminology that went along with this?

Kasen continued to tell me about the fort while Ronan and I finished breakfast. I loved to see how enthusiastic he was. And that he’d clearly paid attention to what he’d learned.

When we were finished, I changed into something that seemed outside exploring appropriate – leggings, long-sleeved t-shirt, and sneakers – before meeting Ronan downstairs. He had a backpack on which almost looked silly because he was such a big guy. The pack was probably a normal size but it looked like a child’s on his back.

“Ready?” he asked.

I nodded and stopped at Colby’s side. He was standing in the door, leaning on the frame with his hands in his pockets. I kissed him, resting my forehead against his for just a minute. I can feel him in my chest, I reminded myself. He’s fine.

This would be the first time we really split up like this since we were stolen in the night. He went on a horseback ride with Blakely and Lohtus a couple days ago, but they remained on the property. We were leaving the plantation. Farm. Ranch. Whatever this place was. We were leaving it entirely. And Colby wasn’t going to be with me.

“Ronan will keep you safe,” he said, his voice confident. Assuring. I relaxed at his certainty. “I’ll be right here when you get back. Promise.”

Biting my lip, I nodded. “Okay. Love you.”

He kissed me again. “I love you, too, my omega. Have fun.”

Nodding again, I moved closer to Ronan. When he offered me his hand, I took it again and let him lead me out of the house.