Chapter 7

Imade my way into the hallway. Immediately, I could tell that I wasn't in an average home.

This house was large and spacious with wide airy windows that made the space modern yet also dark and homey as if I stepped back in time whenever most of the larger homes were built in the city, especially near the university. Wood doors lined the hallway with ornamental knobs along with another staircase leading upwards towards what I imagined was the top floor, though I couldn't imagine how anyone could use so much space.

It probably helped that there were four of them living here, but still.

This was an interior designer"s dream. Not to mention, it was clean.

The pack that lived here clearly had a lot going for them. Cal's pack. Maybe they even had enough to easily spoil an omega with everything and anything they wanted. Keep them happy and safe.

Not me, of course.

Wait. What if they already had another omega?

Anger and nerves pulsed.

What if that was just another thing that Cal lied– omitted —to me about? Though I would have smelled another omega by now if there was one in the house. My nose had been sensitive the past few hours and the only scents I could pick up were the warm sweet spices and citrus undertones of the men talking loudly downstairs until one of them shushed the others.

I peeked down the steps. Crouching, the sweatpants they put on me at some point pooled around my ankles. I leaned over the ledge, holding onto the railing as I listened in closer to the conversation. I could only see the back of the man who I think crawled into bed with us last night and gave me the socks I shoved in my bag.

He shifted, pacing back and forth while everyone else talked.

"We need to figure out what we are going to do with it."

"It?" A sharp voice that I knew belonged to Cal interrupted. "You cannot have just really called her an it. She's a person."

"It doesn't matter. We can just be opening our house and risk our pack over any stray homeless omega."

"What happened to you being so into an omega being in the house, Lee?"

"Not like this. Not some Eleanor Jones."

"I didn't realize you had such high standards. We should make sure that Omega Services realize that next time if we ever do call back in for their help. Must have exceptional pedigree– though of course, I'm sure that means that you'd like the rest of us without that to head out the door," Cal grumbled.

"Cal you know that's not what I meant."

"Yes, you did."

"I didn't."

"And it's Ella."

There was a groan between the two of them, though no one interrupted them.

"Still. Jones? Do you hear yourself? That isn't even probably her name?" The same person sneered as I leaned and listened in closer. Any more and I risked going over the railing. "You have no idea who this person is. She lied to you."

"I lied to her too."

"About what? Having a pack?" he scoffed. "Her lies likely involve her selling herself on the street before she came here."

"How dare you!"

A deep rumbling voice I felt deep in my chest cut in. "We all need to calm down."

But Cal, even though he didn't come and see me, wasn't done. "I know that she's scared and must've had a good reason."

There was silence in the other room.

A throat cleared. "I'm with the omega."

"You're kidding me. You too, Marko?"

The one guy inhaled as if unable to hide his surprise, lips pressed together.

"You don't know her shit," Marko mumbled.

"Fine then," the irritated alpha muttered. "This is a vote then? I vote no."

Demetri paused. "I'm willing to hear the omega out before we make any rash decisions and call Omega Services to do what is best for her when the time comes."

My heart clenched at the possibility. I could not be taken away from here. I could not be handed over to some government agency and risk even more than what already has been done.

"Cal?"

There was silence for a moment. "I don't know."

He didn't know...

I should've been fine with that answer, but it felt as if someone had punched me in the chest, sending all the air out of my lungs.

Well, I guess as if I hadn't already made my decision, I had now.

I crept the rest of the way down the stairs towards the front door. The pack down the hall continued to argue with each other. Voices cascaded in various volumes and tones for no reason.

Because keeping me here wasn't their decision.

It was mine.

I easily slipped outside. The house was so big, that no one heard me. No one even noticed.

Good. I wanted it that way.

I would not be kept.

I couldn't be.