Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20

1 Week Later

MORRIS

I ’ve been following Adira from afar every night this week. She can tell when I’m watching her, but is completely fucking oblivious to other people. It’s incredibly frustrating. The only good thing that has come from her seeing me last week is that she now carries a stun gun in her hand when she walks home, instead of in her coat pocket.

I have no idea if she knows how to use it or who gave it to her, but it seems to deter people. I’ve watched them walk closer to her and then veer away when she walks under a streetlight, because they see the weapon in her hand. I fucking hate this damn city and all the predators. I had no idea it was so hard to be an omega until now.

She’s so vulnerable. The least I can do is take care of her from afar. If I stay far enough back, she doesn’t notice me.

I have a lot of time now that Jed is working on gathering influence and allegiance before we move to get rid of his father and his pack. Cutting the head off the serpent only goes so far if there are other money hungry people who want to take over.

It’s going to take some time to amass the support, but it’ll be worth it. Jed wants to ensure that no one will move against us.

Anyone we know who won’t be happy with the change of leadership will also be razed in the fire of our wrath. Kane doesn’t have much patience, so he’s taken up running and is regularly beating the shit out of his body at a local boxing gym in between meetings.

The psychotic rottweiler energy is eating him alive. Apparently this gym doesn’t take many people outside of the boxing industry, but the owner took pity on his crazy ass.

Damon, on the other hand, is desperate for any news about how Adira is doing. We need to find something for him to do before he loses his damn mind. None of us are doing well with the fruits of our decisions.

I can’t sleep, my nightmares driving me out of the warm bed next to Jed and Kane to walk Adira home from work without her knowing.

After her reaction to seeing me, I know she can’t handle it. I want to protect her mind as well as her body. Hearing her tell me her soul is torn apart and the raw emotion in her voice made me want to die.

Except, death would be too simple. I have people who depend on me.

My alphas need their omega. Even if I ultimately walk away despite Jed’s claim on me at the end of this, I need to know they’re whole and will be alright.

Sneaking into our rental every night my pack is home has become my new ritual. It blows my mind that her boss has her working every night until closing, unless she’s asking for these shifts.

Adira shivers in her coat when she walks home from work each night, and it makes me want to kill something.

She deserves the world, but we can’t give it to her. It’s enough to give me another bitter spoonful of self loathing.

I’m muttering under my breath as I open the door on the bottom floor of the building slowly, only to find Jed leaning against the wall, waiting for me. I guess I’m not very successful at sneaking around.

“You’re either cheating on us or stalking a pretty little omega,” he drawls. I haven’t so much as glanced at anyone else, since we got together eight years ago and he knows it.

Rolling my eyes, I close and lock the door behind me. “You know only one of those things is even possible,” I grunt. “Fuck, you should see her, Jed. Every night, she walks through those streets at two in the morning to get back to the shelter.”

“How is that boss of hers?” he asks.

The only reason I know where she works is because I brushed up on my coding skills. I hacked into the city traffic light system to be able to track her through their cameras. Everywhere she goes, I’ve been watching. I also know she’s now enrolled and passed her entrance exam for the University of Lyon.

When I found out that she’d been to see the dean of admissions, I figured out how to begin checking their records for new students. It took awhile for the exam to be graded and the official letter to go out.

I found her name on the official roster yesterday as well, but I haven’t had time to tell the guys yet. Jed’s been gone for the last two days, so he hasn’t realized how bad my stalking has gotten.

My skills are rudimentary at best, but I know how to work the dark web for anything more complicated.

“Caleb Finnegan seems to be treating her well. The little omega also opened up a new bank account yesterday,” I tell him. It seems a little ballsy that she used her real name, but the boss would usually use us to track things like that.

We aren’t going to tell him shit.

“Did she?” Jed asks, surprised. “Can you tell me how much is in the account?”

At my glare, he blows out a breath.

“I’m not going to fucking steal it, Morris. Jesus,” he groans. I can hear movement further in the apartment, alerting me that we’re about to have company.

“Roughly four thousand dollars,” I tell him, smirking at his wide eyes. “Adira’s been making great tips, I guess.”

“It sounds like stripper money,” he grumbles and I snort at his words.

“I very much doubt that,” I grunt. “The patrons of that bar go to unwind and drink. Women aren’t really something they’re interested in, outside of flirting with the bartenders. I haven’t gathered the courage to go inside yet. Caleb Finnegan probably knows exactly who Rock is, and I don’t want Adira to see me again. It didn’t go well last time.”

“Sloppy of you to be seen, Morris,” Kane croons, his red hair tousled from sleep. “Was it on purpose?”

“You know it was,” I sigh. It feels odd to be keeping so much of the last week from them. I told them that I’d figured out where she was working, but not much else. “She could feel the weight of my gaze, and I could see her spiraling, worried she was going to lure someone back to the shelter. My presence was a double-edged blade.”

“I bet,” Kane says. His voice is always sultry and seductive. It makes me want to curl around him, so he can stroke the skin along the back of my neck.

I’ve been denying myself the little comforts that abound due to the familiarity of our relationships. I don’t feel as if I deserve them, not after what I did to Adira.

“Morris,” Jed barks, pulling my attention back to him. His alpha bark makes me shudder, my lungs gasping for air at his command. “What’s going on in your head right now?”

Damon lazily drops to the ground to lean against the wall next to his older brother, having followed Kane to where the voices were.

“Welcome to never being able to have an intrusive thought for the rest of your life,” Damon says, motioning to where Jed’s bite is. “If he could live in your asshole, he would.”

Jed barks out a laugh while I blush, because he takes my ass quite often, though not since the auction.

“Ah fuck,” Damon grumbles, realizing what he said as Kane snorts in amusement. So much about their youngest brother is still innocent when it comes to sex. He has a lot to learn.

“His ass is tight and incredible,” Kane growls, winking at me. “Why are you yelling at Morris, Jed?”

“He feels really sad,” Jed grunts. I’m glad he can’t tell my exact thoughts, because he’d probably hit me for thinking about leaving them again.

“I don’t think any of us have been feeling particularly happy lately, Jed. In other news, Adira was accepted into a university yesterday,” I tell them. I don’t want to dwell on how dark my thoughts have actually been.

“She’s going to be starting on February fifth and was able to get a scholarship.”

“Busy little rabbit,” Kane says, crossing his arms over his chest. He doesn’t sleep in a shirt, and his muscles gleam under the front hallway light. Taking a breath, to tell my cock to ignore how hot he is, I continue.

“She has been quietly making moves,” I agree. “I want her to build a life outside of us. No growling, assholes, listen to me for a damn minute. Adira isn’t ever going to want to be a spoiled princess. She wants to do something with her life, focus on things that have nothing to do with us.”

“I don’t want her to forget us,” Damon says, looking lost as he rubs his chest. “I don’t know what she’s doing, but there’s this numb feeling in my chest. Sometimes I can’t feel her at all.”

“I don’t know how that’s possible unless she’s figuring out how to shut down the bond,” I tell him. “Wait, let me think.”

Is it possible she’s finding a way to do that? Adira is really smart, if anyone is going to figure out how, it’s her. The numbness makes sense, because there’s an air of aloofness when she walks around.

A coldness I’ve never seen before. I hate that it’s a response to something we did.

“How do you feel about attending college, Damon?” I ask suddenly, my mind beginning to race. “Since we’re taking over Rock’s operations, we can do whatever we want within reason. You can be our vested legitimate business. Find out what your talents are and find something outside of this business of death and destruction.”

Jed sighs as he gazes at me, seeing my point. “You never wanted this life, Damon. You’re really fucking good at it, but you can jump in on a torture and murder session whenever you want. This doesn’t have to be your life.”

“Yes,” I growl, nodding. I know that I’m possibly overstepping, but Damon is drowning in regret. “I can pull some strings in the system and enroll you as a student. I’ll make it seem as if you applied, passed all the exams, and enrolled. Then, I can ensure you’re in a couple of her classes.”

“Yeah,” Damon breathes. “That’s what I want. I need to be able to see her, try to get my girl to connect with who I really am.”

The need and sadness in his voice makes me blink hard. We have possibly ruined his chances at a normal life with his omega. I fucking hate that it’s going to be so much harder for him to emotionally recover from this.

Damon is innocent in this, and I will die on this hill. He didn’t know anything about our plans, and he was following what he thought was right before.

It’s perfectly okay to take a step back and realize that you’ve fucked up. I wish I could give myself the same kind of grace.

“I’m jealous as hell that you'll get to see her, but I think Morris is on the right track, Demon,” Kane says. The nickname doesn’t have the same sting it used to, and Damon doesn’t seem bothered by it.

“You should make a real go of this,” Jed says. “Study, pay attention, every bit of it.”

“Yes, Dad,” Damon says playfully, but there’s a spark of excitement as well. “Won’t you need me for things as we set up our trap?”

“Nah,” Jed grunts.

“A lot of it is solo work,” Kane says. “I’ve been going with him to visit the other families, but the true test is going to be how the Minnesota families handle this. We’re the Boogeymen in the night. No one trusts us here.”

“You’ll make them trust you,” Damon says with a shrug. “We need the support, so that when we take out Dad and his pack, no one contests Jed.”

And there’s the rub. Jed will be the heir as the eldest son. No one else wants to wear the crown, and it’s a heavy one to bear. So many variables are up in the air and we need all of them to go his way.

Thankfully, Jed is well motivated, and very good at getting people to his side. He’s already finding people are ready to end Rock’s reign of terror.

“We’ll get there,” I agree.

“I feel like the poor man’s bodyguard,” Kane says with a snort. “Morris is stalking and hacking, Jed is working his meetings, and Demon is a newly minted college student.”

“You’re important,” Jed reminds him. “Your time to shine will come. How are you liking that gym?”

“I’m pretty sure Gabriel has mafia ties to the underground boxing circuit,” he says, shrugging. “It’s this feeling I have when certain people come in when I’m sparring. It’s helping with all this excess energy I have, though. I feel as if I should be doing something, but the opportunity hasn’t presented itself yet.”

“Wait for it to come,” Jed says with a nod. “Any other news of the little omega?”

“She’s carrying a stun gun now,” I reply. Since this is the first time I’ve been caught stalking her, I haven’t told them about the men I’ve killed on her behalf. “The first night she worked, two alphas thought it would be fun to begin following her. Unfortunately for them, I broke their necks and dropped them in an alley dumpster before continuing on my way.”

I don’t often have to get my hands dirty as their driver and resident hacker, as amateurish as my skills are. My hands are strong, I stay in shape because I work out with the guys, but I’m not typically a killer.

For Adira? I’d burn the world down and laugh. I can channel my inner Kane when needed. I think my sister can see glimpses of that and worries. My soul has been sold to Pack Dresmond since the day Rock hired me and suggested that I work with his sons.

My mother was sick and I needed fast money. My sister doesn’t know why I took this job, and never will. My mother is now retired in Florida, blissfully unaware of my work. I want to keep it that way.

My fathers weren’t good enough for her, and they mysteriously disappeared a little after I found out they were hurting her once my sister and I moved out. They waited until I left to begin hitting her. Killing them broke their bonds. My mom survived them and I was going to be damned if cancer was going to take her out a mere two years later.

“Why didn’t you call us?” Jed asks, pulling me back into the conversation.

“I’m not really supposed to be stalking her,” I mumble. “I wasn’t thinking about calling you, because I wanted to make sure no one else tried anything with her.”

“You’re such a pain in my ass,” he sighs. “Kane and I have both noticed you leaving, usually at one in the morning.”

I’ve only stalked her a few times to work, because I figured out I can watch her from the cameras all the way there. It’s the walk back to the shelter that worries me.

“Still,” I sigh. “You were gone most of the day all week, only coming home to crash. The overnights only started happening recently.”

“The commute to Missouri is miserable,” he mutters. “I’m going to be out there most of next week, I want to know you’re being safe. Kane is already going to make me insane, since he won’t be able to work out as often.”

“‘Maybe you’ll let me kill a few people to make up for it,” Kane says with a shrug.

This is why I love these two crazy men.

“Are we all alright with this plan?” I ask. “I’ll start working on it now if we are.”

“You’re still not sleeping,” Jed says, his eyes seeing too much.

“Not much, no,” I grunt.

“Our little rabbit will come around,” Kane says hopefully. “Should we offer her Dad’s head on a platter? Is that romantic?”

I chuckle under my breath, because this is the chaos demon energy that made me fall in love with him. We may not say it very much, but I fell hard for both of them.

ADIRA

I can’t believe I’m going to be attending school. I created an email a little before I sat for my test at the University of Lyons, waiting for the message that would tell me if I’d get it. The link sent me to a password protected site that allowed me to see if I passed or not.

Now, I have to deal with something else. I’m sitting with the nurse to find out what my test results say. It appears to have taken longer than expected.

“I had them run this twice,” she says as I sit with Aisling. I’ve been leaning on her hard lately, and I feel bad about it.

I will never tell her that again, though, because she gave me an earful. Now, I’m going to accept her friendship. I need the support.

“What does that mean?” I ask, chewing my bottom lip as I hold Aisling’s hand.

“Some of it was inconclusive, and that’s because an omega’s hormones and instincts are not an exact science,” the nurse says, closing the door to give us privacy.

“Your blood tests are all clear of any sexually transmitted diseases, so that’s not a worry. As to whether or not you’re going to be going into heat, your bloodwork says there’s a very minimal chance of it because of how malnourished you are.”

“Is it possible for her to take a suppressant?” Aisling asks. “She has a bond, but he’s not a good match for someone who can help her through her heat at this time. ”

That’s the nicest way to say he’s not in my life that I can think of. Wow.

“I don’t see why not,” Laurell says. “These aren’t meant for long term use, Adira. I don’t know what the situation is, but it will get you some space to figure things out. Biology is an asshole.”

Aisling chuckles while my lips twitch in amusement. Biology is fate’s best friend and they’re both bitches.

“I’m going to go visit Wren’s mates to see what they suggest,” Aisling says. “They have the best street suppressants. Most legal suppressants aren’t going to be strong enough to keep your heat from affecting you. If you were stronger, I don’t think it would work at all. It’s a shitty situation.”

It really is. Every day, I feel stronger. I can only hope that I can build up the suppressants in my bloodstream enough for my heat to not break through. I hope that’s how it’ll work, anyway.

“How is your appetite lately?” Laurell asks. “I know food wasn’t treating you well last week.”

“It wasn’t at all,” I admit. “Every day, I find myself able to eat a little more. I’ve been researching different options and experimenting. So far, it’s going pretty well. I’ve been working a lot and walking, which is forcing me to get my stamina up.”

“Every night this week,” Aisling grumbles. “I know why you’re pushing so hard, but you’re going to be exhausted with school starting.”

“Since I enrolled so late, my classes were chosen by the school,” I explain. “I have absurdly early classes. Every morning at eight. It’s going to suck either way. I can’t have caffeine, so I’m going to have to tough it out. Since I have a little nest egg, I am going to talk to Caleb about working three days during the week and weekends.”

“That’s still five days a week,” Laurell says, eyes wide. “Take care of yourself. It’ll be an adjustment, but if you can catch a nap between classes, there’s no harm in that.”

“I’ll find out where the best spots are to nap from the host club,” Aisling says with a smirk. “I touch base with a few of them throughout the week. I am also going to give you the heads up that I’m going to have them check on you. So if a very large alpha jock comes up to speak to you, please don’t use your stun gun on him.”

Her words almost startle a laugh out of me, and my lips curve up. “I’ll do my best,” I promise.

Aisling stares at me for a moment before doing her best not to make a big deal about it.

“Is there anything else Adira needs to know?” she asks.

“I want to draw more blood next month to see how you’re progressing. There are some medical journals that are saying that there’s a hormone level I can watch to track an upcoming heat,” Laurell says. “I don’t want you to be taken by surprise. It will also tell me if the suppressants are doing their job.”

“Thank you,” I tell her earnestly. “This puts my mind at ease.”

I’ve been agonizing late at night about how long the test results have been taking to come back. My anxiety has been off the charts, and since the internet has been where I find so many of my answers, I searched for a possible remedy for it.

The results popped up with various forms of meditation, something I didn’t know if I could do. Two days ago, I started, and it’s been helping. I think I’m going to continue to do it, because Damon gets quieter as well.

I’m unsure about how I feel about this side effect, but it’s giving me the room to be able to be alone with my thoughts. Peace still feels a long way off, but I don’t feel as if I’m about to crawl out of my skin, so I’m calling this a win.

Aisling squeezes my hand, and I release her, taking a breath as I stand next to her. I need to go up to the school to get my books today, and there’s some kind of back to school festival in front of the Student Union.

The outreach center is taking my mail for me, and in the student packet I received today, it strongly advised that I attend.

Okay, bossy pants, I’ll swing by, damn.

Aisling opens the door, and I walk out behind her, deep in thought. There are buses that run at odd times, so I’m going to check online, to see when the next one that drops off, at the university will be. While I did buy a phone, it’s a very minimalistic device that won’t access GPS or the internet.

I’m terrified of spending money, and I really only need it to be able to talk to Caleb or the school. I can receive text messages, which helps if Aisling needs something during the day.

Otherwise, it feels like a waste of time and money to get something that has all of the bells and whistles. I’ll manage.

“Have you thought about going shopping for clothes?” Aisling asks suddenly. “It may not seem like you need it, but it may be nice to buy something of your choosing. At least, it always helped me.”

“How so?” I ask, confused.

“Omegas need to have control, and you haven’t had very much of it lately,” she explains. “Your room doesn’t have anything you’ve chosen, your clothes aren’t things you’d probably normally wear. Have you been feeling off?”

“Every day,” I reply immediately. The meditation may be helping, but I haven’t grown an entirely new personality. When I lived with my father, my things had to be exactly perfect. I even asked him if I could clean my own room. He looked at me a little funny, but told me it was fine.

That happened around the time I turned eighteen, and I needed control, as Aisling said. I didn’t really realize that’s what it was.

“I didn’t think about that,” I mutter. “Is it bad that I feel this anxiety around spending money?”

“As if it’s slipping through your fingers?” Aisling asks, brow raised. “It’s not odd at all. When you’re working like mad to go from having nothing to a nest egg, every penny feels important. I know some really great thrift stores that sell clothing that looks vintage and not cheaply made.”

“I think I’d like to go shopping for a few things, then,” I admit. “I’ll even try really hard not to feel guilty.”

“It’s self care,” she says with a nod. “Do you want to go now, and then I’ll drop you off at the school? I’ll find out the next times the bus runs for you so you can get back.”

“Thank you,” I say with a smile. “Let me just grab my things.”

I did buy myself a little safe to put in my closet with my bank card, stun gun, and pocket knife for when I’m here. It seems silly to carry it with me at all times, and there are children here. I don’t expect people to steal from me, but you can never be too careful.

Walking through the outreach center, I use the key I now have to walk through to the shelter. It's quiet since it’s barely noon, and people are working or doing other things. Quickly gathering what I need, I put my outer clothes on and strap my crossover bag over my chest.

I’m going to need a backpack for my school supplies, and hope the thrift store may have something that’ll work. While I hate spending money, Aisling makes perfect sense. Having something that’s mine will help me feel better.

Omegas are materialistic in the sense that their possessions help them create a nest. The items have sentimental value, or are things that are pretty that caught their eye. For omegas with alphas who aren’t the equivalent of dick cheese, they also look for things that smell like their mates.

Shaking away the thoughts that make me wish for things that can’t be, I head out to meet Aisling. She surprises me by meeting me in the hallway, pointing toward the side door.

“I’m parked out here, so may as well go out this way,” she says. I remember to sign out, noting that I’ll be out most of the night.

My jeans and crop top are covered by my coat, so no one will notice what I’m wearing. I doubt people in college will judge me for my clothes. However, I also have to remind myself that most students here will be averaging between eighteen and twenty-two-years-old in undergrad.

I really hope I don’t have any issues with petty people.

“Are you nervous for next week?” Aisling asks as she unlocks the doors to her SUV.

It’s not currently snowing, but her vehicle is still slightly covered by it. Rolling her eyes, she gestures for me to get in, while she dusts off the snow. Getting in next to me, she waits for my answer as she pushes the button to start the engine.

“I was just thinking about the ages of undergrad,” I admit. “People can sometimes be jerks when they latch onto someone who may be down on their luck. While I haven’t had a lot of experience with it, I know it happens.”

“It does,” Aisling says with a nod as she makes sure that the heater is on. Putting the SUV into reverse, she pulls out of the lot at the back of the shelter. “I’ve also realized that a lot of grown omegas are the same way. Immature little shits who believe that the world owes them something when it doesn’t. A few well timed words usually put them in their place.”

“I hope so,” I sigh.

“Everyone is there to get an education, or should be. There is something I need to talk to you about, though. I’ve been getting a few calls lately, asking about you,” she says, effectively changing the conversation.

“From who?” I ask, wide eyed. “I don’t know very many people.”

“Callum and Duncan Kelly,” she says. “I believe you know them.”

I told Aisling and Wren about them when we first talked and nod. “I do,” I murmur. “I didn’t think they knew where I was, though.”

“They don’t, not really. For some reason, I’m the beacon of information for omegas who may be lost, and sometimes get calls like this,” Aisling says as she shrugs. “I told Duncan after he called me for the third time that if I ever ran into you, I’d let you know your friends were looking for you.”

“Friends,” I say dully. “I wasn’t at their house for long. Isn’t that odd?”

“I think the Kelly brothers feel very protective,” she says carefully. “Did they tell you about their story?”

“Yes,” I say. “It’s incredibly sad. They said it’s why they agreed to help Pack Dresmond. They just didn’t know what it would fully entail.”

“I don’t think anyone could have anticipated what happened except for Pack Dresmond,” she mutters. “Do you want to talk to Duncan and Callum?”

“I don’t know. Is there any reason why I shouldn’t?” I ask, unsure. I’ve been isolating myself because I felt it’s what I should be doing, but the Kelly brothers helped me the best they could.

“None whatsoever,” Aisling says. “Sometimes, support comes from the oddest places. Wren’s pack has adopted me. My pack had a really hard time with that, but it’s completely platonic. Once they realized that, they figured out how to chill out.”

“Okay,” I murmur. “Then, yes. I think I’d like that.”

“Here’s the number Duncan gave me,” she says, handing me her phone, so I can put the number into mine.

Deciding text is the best option since I won’t be able to talk for long, I message him.

Me:

Hey, Aisling told me you were looking for me.

I make sure to mention Aisling because I don’t want Duncan to think I’m another omega that he’s been looking for. He doesn’t need that kind of letdown. I’m just me. Immediately, a message is sent back, surprising me.

I didn’t think he’d respond so quickly.

Duncan:

You’re a hard omega to find, Short Stuff.

“Ugh, I really don’t like his nickname for me,” I mutter. “I can’t change my height.”

“They’re ginormous next to you,” Aisling reminds me. “My father does business with them, and from time to time, I rub elbows with the brothers. They’ve always seemed nice enough.”

“I don’t know if I can say any made men are ‘nice,’” I grumble.

“You’ve had a really awful view of them,” she says. “Just because they’re big, scary, and can do terrible things, doesn’t mean they’ll do them to you.”

“I feel as if that’s the advice you give someone before they’re found murdered in a dumpster,” I say glumly.

Me:

I’ve been a little busy.

Duncan:

Oh, do tell.

Me:

Just working. It’s really not that crazy.

My phone rings, making me sigh and Aisling giggle.

“They’re both pushy fuckers,” she says as I answer.

“Yes,” I drawl, recognizing the number.

“ Where are you working?” Duncan asks. “ How do you know it’s safe?”

“Aisling helped me find the job. It’s safe,” I tell him.

“Oh for heaven’s sakes,” Aisling says, rolling her eyes.

“You started this,” I hiss at her. “I’m figuring out my life, Duncan. That means I need to make money.”

“ Callum and I want to come see you,” he says. “ Please tell me where you’re working. Also, are you with Aisling right now?”

“You only get so many questions, Duncan. Which do you want answered first?”

“ Definitely the work question,” he says hurriedly. “ Relax, Callum, I’m working on it!”

I cannot with these two.

“Finnegan’s bar in Minneapolis,” I tell Duncan.

While I had told the guys to take me to the shelter in front of Pack Kelly, it’s not as if they could knock on the door to come find me. That’s why they’ve both been blowing up Aisling’s phone.

Ugh, alphas.

“ That’s a mafia related bar,” Duncan grunts. “ Caleb is a good one, though. How are you liking it?”

“The tips are great, and the hours work for me,” I tell him. I do not mention the fact that I’m walking home at two in the morning.

Occasionally, I still feel eyes on me when I’m making that walk every night, and I have a feeling it’s Morris. His words about having killed people who wanted to hurt me still ring in my ears. I’d be an idiot to tell him to go at this point.

Now that I know he’s around, it doesn’t spark my fight or flight response. However, I’m still aware of the danger around me, so I keep my stun gun in my hand.

“ What kind of hours ?” Duncan asks. The man isn’t going to let up.

“I start at nine at night,” I tell him, refusing to tell him more.

“ Are you working tonight?” he asks, still fishing.

“Yes,” I say, waiting to see where he’s going with this.

“ Callum and I will be by for a pint then, Short Stuff. See you later,” he grunts before hanging up.

“May God save me from alphas and their insanity,” I mutter, shaking my head.

“A-fucking-men,” Aisling says, pulling into the thrift store. “Let’s do some retail therapy, Adira. It’ll be fun.”

“If you say so,” I murmur, getting out of the SUV with her. It’s a cute, funky brick building with a colorful sign that says Well Loved Threads.

Opening the door, I’m surprised by how there’s clothing and so much more inside of the store.

“It’s a hunt,” she teases as I see a pretty jumpsuit.

I can say for certain that this isn’t a kind of hunt I’ve been on. Shaking off the shiver that thought evokes, I walk toward the outfit that caught my eye.

It’s a midnight blue jumpsuit that would look really cute with a belt, and Aisling leaves immediately in search of one.

“What do you think?” she asks with a grin.

Something settles in my chest as I look down at it. It may only be clothes, but it’s a decision that doesn’t impact anyone but me. No one will die if I make the wrong one, I won’t hurt anyone’s feelings, this is mine alone.

“It’s perfect,” I admit with a nod. I may not be at the point where I can laugh and smile, but I’ll get there.

Day by day, I’m going to find my way.