17. Belle

Ifreeze in my chair, aware of that Alpha"s sharp, coffee scent.

To my relief, Troy"s scent isn"t as bitter today, and that"s when Jeremy"s words from this morning rush through my mind again.

There"s no missing Rian"s scent mixed in with his coffee, and I shrink in my seat, cheeks burning bright red when I realize what all that roaring had been about.

It appears they are a couple, and I swallow back a lump of desire in my throat, wishing I could be a part of their union too.

It"s just too bad that Troy hates me.

The pack settles around the table, and I"m half tempted to get up and run back to my room, but Leo"s hand holds firm on my shoulder.

I meet his brown eyes. He has my back, and I relax in his touch, feeling at ease.

Troy won"t hurt me while Leo is around.

It has only just occurred to me that I still have yet to be introduced to Troy.

I don"t even know what the Alpha looks like yet as I have only ever seen the back of him.

But it wasn"t as if his back muscles weren"t enough to look at, anyway.

"How are you feeling, Belle? Sleep well?"

It"s Rian who speaks, and I can"t very well just ignore him. Not after the kindness he has shown me.

But I am too afraid to meet his eyes.

What would Troy think if I looked at his Beta? Would he think I was trying to steal him away?

I have no interest in stealing Rian"s affections.

I don"t even intend to stay here.

But I still reply to the Beta"s comment, "Yes."

An awful lie, and both Jeremy and Leo stiffen.

Only those two know what I got up to at dawn, and I hope it stays that way.

Troy"s words still echo through my mind, and I can"t bear to be in the same room with him.

At least he is less hostile now, and I"m not surprised.

Who wouldn"t be in good spirits after spending a night with the beautiful Rian, gazing into those moss-green eyes?

My perfume blooms around me, and all the males stiffen.

Leo purrs, forking some eggs and bacon as he presses it to my mouth.

Finding no reason to refuse, I take his offer of food.

Unfortunately, I meet Troy"s electric blue eyes across the table and freeze.

I don"t even eat the food.

Because I want something else…

Troy is beautiful, and all I can think about now is running my fingers over his carved face.

With slicked-back dirty blond hair, and piercing eyes the color of the sky at dusk, how could any girl resist?

It looks as if Rian wasn"t the only lucky one last night.

I want that male doing things to my body too, and I squeeze my thighs, trying to ignore the throbbing between my legs.

My breasts feel heavy.

Still, I don"t look away from those electric blue eyes.

Troy slips the tines of his fork into his mouth, teasing me with those full, sensual lips, and I peer down at my plate, hating myself for being aroused.

He hates me, yet he still teases me…

The asshole.

Pressing my palms flat on the table, I take my leave, but Leo stops me. "Where are you going?"

I feel Troy"s burning gaze all over me as I try to think of an excuse. "I… need to use the restroom."

A quick shower wouldn"t hurt either.

I haven"t had one since I arrived, and I must smell.

I"m filthy, and I"m pretty sure I still have twigs and leaves in my long, black hair.

My dress is dirty and torn too, and I could do with some clothes.

Leo growls beside me, and my heart seizes in my chest at that animal-like sound.

The sound vibrates along my bones, sending a shiver down my spine, and I take several deep breaths.

"Careful now, Leo… You"re scaring our new guest," Troy croons, and his deep, silken voice does strange things to my body.

Leo slams his hand on the table, causing it to tremble. "No, you are, asshat! She can barely stand to be in the room with you."

Troy chuckles, and Rian sighs.

"Troy…" the Beta warns.

The dirty blond Alpha shrugs. "What? I"m just teasing…"

"But you"re not, though," Leo points out, and a quiet settles over the kitchen.

Jeremy whistles nonchalantly, and this is so awkward.

I"m too afraid to move in case I start an argument, but I really do just want a shower.

Finally, Rian saves the day, rising to his feet.

Troy jerks his whole body toward him. "Rian…"

The Beta ignores him and approaches my side. "Come on, Belle. Let"s get you out of those clothes. Maybe later, we can head out and get you some new ones?"

Outside?

I shake my head, and the Beta catches on.

His face pales. "Oh, sure… all right."

I can"t risk Francis finding me, and it breaks my heart to see the disappointment on Rian"s face.

Jeremey sighs. "Yeah, not wise, Rian…"

His words echo through the room, and this sucks.

I finally get free of Francis only to wind up in another cage.

But at least this one is filled with four beautiful men.

Just like the men I read about in my books…

Rian meets my eyes. "Well, I could go shopping for you. Troy and I can pick you out some clothes."

He looks pointedly at Troy.

The Alpha scoffs, sliding out of his chair. "No can do, Rian. Leo and I have an appointment."

An appointment?

I look between the two Alphas, and there"s no missing the scalding look Leo gives his packmate.

I"m causing a rift between them, and it"s all my fault.

I should have just stayed with Francis.

But was it wrong of me to want to taste just a little bit of freedom before I lost myself altogether?

I still don"t know what Francis intended to do with me, but it couldn"t have been good.

Flashes of red spray my eyes again, and I freeze up.

All men watch me curiously.

Worry dances inside the chocolate brown of Leo"s eyes. "Kitty cat?"

Troy snorts. "What the hell did you just call her?"

Leo snaps his teeth at the other Alpha, making me jump, and there"s no missing the guilt when Leo looks my way again.

Rian finally excuses us, leading me out of the room. "Let"s leave the Alphas to their dick measuring and get you upstairs and showered."

Why does he want me to get a shower so much?

Oh, no. Do I smell?

That would be a first…

Francis was adamant that I always smelled of the finest perfumes, but none of them could overpower my Omega hormones.

That cruel Beta male had kept so much from me, and I try not to let the others see my fists curl as Rian guides me upstairs.

There is plenty I intend to learn about this world.

At least then, I will know what I am up against and have a higher chance of survival.

I just need somewhere to lay low for a while.

Then, when I am ready, I will leave.