Chapter 7

7

Tavi

I woke disoriented, thrashing against fluffy pillows and such softness that for a moment I couldn't imagine where I was. Even before opening my eyes, I tried to orient myself. I knew I wasn't home with the pack. The hotel room at the resort? No.

I opened my eyes at that moment unsurprised to see the room Alluresh had given me.

The colors of the bedspread and curtains were intense blues of all shades against the pale gray of the walls. Light seeped in from beside the curtains, letting me know it wasn't night.

How long had I slept?

I was on top of the covers, my white robe had scrunched up leaving my legs bare. I sat up, glancing toward the bathroom door. I slid off the bed and went into that smaller room. Compared to my bathroom at home, it was huge. It held a separate alcove, with a door, for the toilet, and had a roomy shower as well as a bathtub. The counter had two sinks.

I quickly peed, then investigated every shelf, drawer, nook and cupboard. They were well-stocked with soaps, shampoos, and towels. There was a brand-new shaving kit in one drawer, along with at least a dozen packaged toothbrushes and three kinds of toothpaste. There was lotion, bubble bath, and in one cupboard housekeeping cleaning supplies. There was also a shelf with three clean robes neatly folded. Two were heavy and fluffy. The third looked like silk. The silk one was black with a curved line of red roses going from the shoulder, down the back, and ending at the hem. It was beautiful.

When I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I was startled. I expected to see a devastated lost boy. Instead, I saw myself. I hadn't changed. I didn't look different from who I was. Small, even by omega standards, I still looked healthy. Pretty okay, if I did say so myself. The white robe from the auction block looked clean. Should I change into one of the robes on the shelf?

I decided to wait.

My mind raced. What should I do next?

I washed my hands, ran my fingers through my hair, and turned away.

I went into the bedroom and to the door, slowly opening it, trying to be quiet. I wasn't sure why. I didn't need to be quiet. No one was around, and if Alluresh heard me, it wasn't like he was going to come rushing at me and breed me right here and now.

I started to step out when my bare foot brushed something. I looked down.

On the carpet outside my door sat my duffle bag from home. In the front pocket, I could see the shiny end of my cell phone peeking out.

I picked up the bag and brought it into the room, setting it on the foot of the bed.

Slowly, I began to unpack it. First the phone.

I checked it for any messages or calls. There were none. Not even from Papa. I didn't expect it. It was the cultural norm to not speak of or contact set-omegas once they were gone from the pack. If a set-omega from the past contacted you, you were allowed to speak to them. But the set-omega had to do the reaching out.

I thought about texting Papa to let him know I was fine. But that was ridiculous. I didn't know what I was yet. Fine was one of those words that meant nothing. It had only been hours since I was sold. It was all a new situation. I wasn't hurt, but I certainly wasn't "just fine."

I set my phone aside and brought out my two favorite pairs of jeans, a dozen pack of underwear, socks, black slip-on shoes, and some t-shirts. I had also managed to fit a dark pink sweater inside the small bag, the charger for my phone, and Rawrar, a stuffed dog I'd had since I was five. He was worn, his patent leather nose mostly peeled away, but something inside me wouldn't allow me to leave him behind.

I figured the clothes I'd taken off in exchange for the white robe at the resort were a lost cause. But at least I had my one piece of luggage back.

I put Rawrar between the two pillows on the bed, then took off my robe and dressed in my own familiar clothes. I chose a light blue t-shirt. I stuffed my cell in my back pocket, packed the rest of the clothes back into the bag and set it on the floor. I wasn't sure about putting anything away yet. It felt weird. Even though I knew this was permanent, I didn't want to rush myself.

I went back to the door, opened it and stepped into the hall.

The house was quiet. I heard no sound of talking, TV, music. Not even a ghost. There was just silence. I thought I might hear the workmen far down below, but even from that direction came silence. Maybe it was late, and they'd gone home.

The hall had round lights all up and down the ceiling, and hardwood floors. Everything looked clean and streamlined. I came around to the staircase. The hall went on with only a banister now separating it from the view downstairs. I walked over to it and looked down over the vastness, seeing dragon sculptures peeking out from curving walls and alcoves, and a lot of shining tile and fancy rugs.

I moved down the hall all the way to the end, my hand trailing over the railing. It was all so open, the air fresh and free as if I was outside.

I came to the end where the wall curved in a circle and a big window overlooked the front yard. I realized I was looking out from one of the little towers. When I tipped my head back, I saw the ceiling went up beyond the second story. The ceiling was pointed, and there were more windows high up. How could anyone reach them to clean them?

I could see across the estate all the way to the wall bordering the estate, and to the tall front gate. The winding driveway led all over the place, hidden in some spots by bent trees, and flanked by fountains and small pools. I saw birds fly up from one of the pools. They took to the blue sky and vanished.

Beyond the wall and the gate were tall hedges. I couldn't see the road at all. Nor could I see, in any direction, another house. But I was high enough that I saw part of the ocean. It scintillated and flickered straight out to the blue horizon.

I realized then how far away from civilization I was.

My ankle bracelet hugged my skin. It was laughable. Did I really need it? Where would I go if I tried to run? There was nothing around but ocean and this dragon's domain.

I turned around when I heard a rustling behind me.

Alluresh was just cresting the stairs.

He saw me immediately. For a moment, we both stood staring at each other. Finally, he broke the stare, looking past me to the window, and said, "I see you found your things."

"Yes."

"I had them located and delivered."

I was sure he'd gone through my duffle before leaving it for me to find. He would want to know what I had brought.

"Thank you." I didn't say anything about my clothes I'd left at the resort. Everything I had could be replaced anyway. Except Rawrar who was worthless to anyone but me.

"I have clothing on order for you, but please make a list of things you need or want, as well."

It looked like I would never leave this place. What did I need more clothing for?

It was funny that our conversation took place yards apart across a hallway. He didn't push his presence on me. So far. I wasn't sure I was happy about that. I wanted to hate him.

"There is lasagna heating in the oven," he added.

I watched his golden eyes flick back and forth across the floor, then up and down my body.

"Okay," I said. I should have been full from the big lunch, but I was hungry again. Almost ravenous. When I'd checked my phone, I'd noted the time. I'd guessed we'd arrived here around one, then eaten lunch. Though it was still light out, it was just after seven. I'd slept longer than I thought.

"I will be down in five minutes." He turned away, walked in the other direction to his room, opened the door and vanished.