23. Mine

The hot water felt amazing, and as much as I wanted to sink all the way in, I kept my bandages above the water. I would need Odie's help in wetting and washing my hair without soaking them, but sitting here alone in the steamy bathroom was plenty for now.

The itch was still there beneath the surface, but it had simmered down slightly. I felt like myself, but there was something else too. With the blood loss and everything else, I didn't want to dwell on it too much until I was healed, but thanks to Odie's help and blood, maybe that would be sooner than expected.

I didn't know why she was being so nice to me and caring for me like this. This wasn't their fault. They could kick me out and shoo me to a hospital now if they wanted to. Odie had mentioned needing to tell me something, so there had to be more to the story than Gerard letting me off the hook because he was such a kind and caring man.

My thoughts wandered, then Odie returned with a tray filled with snacks. My appetite wasn't fully back, but I had to try and get something down. The sandwich and apple slices looked the most appealing.

Odie didn't say a word as she balanced the board on the corner of the tub and then went and got my water bottle. I took a few bites, then sipped the water as Odie sat on the toilet seat, watching me. It was a strange sensation, and I kept my knees up and angled to block as much of myself as possible. I knew she had already seen plenty from before, but I was unconscious, and it didn't count.

What?

Without my notebook, I was back to signing the simplest questions.

"What?" Odie echoed. I glared at her and went back to my snacks. "Maybe a bath wasn't a great idea." I side-eyed her as I stuffed a piece of orange in my mouth, but it didn't agree with me, so I spit it out. "No orange, then?" I shook my head, and she laughed. "Give it to me." She took the saliva covered piece and tossed it in the trash. "I meant with the bandage, but a shower wouldn't be any better. We will have to change them when you get out anyway, so don't worry too much about getting it wet. It's more about a possible infection than dirty bandages. Do you want me to help? How's the pain?"

I wanted to tell her yes but only if she was going to spill the beans on what else was happening around here, but I couldn't figure out how to get that across without writing it down. I chewed on my apple and stared at her, trying to think of a way to do it. The pain wasn't really on my radar at the moment, so I didn't know what to say about that. It was an irritation but more like a rug burn that you could ignore under the right circumstances. I knew it was due to whatever they did and had given me, so for that, I was thankful.

"Is that a no?" If I didn't know any better, I'd say Odie's shoulders drooped a little.

I caved, asking for my notebook. If it got wet, then fine, but not being able to communicate was hell. She grabbed it for me and placed a towel on the edge to ensure it got as little water damage as possible.

I'd like your help but only if you tell me what you're keeping from me.

"Ah, well, you're in luck because that was already the plan. I'd like to give you some more blood first though."

How?

"The easiest way is straight from the source, but I know that's a strange thing for Humans." Sucking her blood like some vampire didn't sound appealing, but what else was she going to do? Let it drip in a cup and serve it up? Inject it into a capsule? None of it sounded good, but at least this would speed it along.

However, the thought of her slicing her skin to get the blood flowing made me want to throw up. I felt the blood rush from my face, and the apple and ham sandwich tried clawing their way back into the world.

"Shit." Odie somehow kept me upright without toppling over the food board or the notebook. "What happened?" I had no way to answer that. My arm felt too heavy to even try. I wanted to go back to sleep, but I fought to stay awake because I was too damn curious about what she was supposed to tell me, plus I needed to be clean.

Somehow, Odie was able to cut herself and get the blood flowing on her forearm before shoving it between my lips. The sensation was familiar, and I latched on instinct, drinking the blood she freely gave me. I started to feel better instantly, and after a minute of lazily drinking, Odie pulled her arm away, and I was able to sit up without help.

I wiped the leftover blood from my lips, embarrassed about why I needed rescuing. I turned my back to her and gestured to my hair, hoping she'd get the idea.

I heard her move the tray and the notebook away before tilting my head back and soaking my hair with water from a cup.

"You're going to tell me what happened after we handle this." I shivered at the command in her voice and didn't try to argue against her. "And if it ever happens again, I'm giving you more. Never feel like you can't ask, Mine."

Her fingers slid through my hair and across my scalp as she poured more water on it. We fell into silence as she washed my hair and rinsed it before running the conditioner through it. While it set, she helped me wash my body, at least in the spots I was unable to get.

Everything was going fine until her fingertips grazed my spine, and it felt like my entire body was shocked. I pulled away and whirled around, splashing water outside of the tub.

"Oops," she whispered. "I guess it"s time to explain. I promised Cy I would do it earlier, and I have put it off long enough. If she asked, everything went according to her demands." Odie looked sheepish as she ran her wet hands through her short black hair. "Nothing I say is going to sound sane. Some of it is more theory than fact, but don't get me wrong, Mine, some of it I know for certain, and there's no changing it."

I settled down and waited for her to continue. The aftermath of the shock still ran through me. It wasn't a bad feeling, but it was entirely unexpected.

Odie sat there for a second too long, so I rolled my hand through the air, telling her to hurry the fuck up and spit it out.

"Fine, okay, when you were hurt, I gave you my blood, which you know, but it did more than help you heal. We didn't know this would happen. We expect the council knows it's possible, but that's a whole other ordeal. Anyway, Humans aren't Human." What? I scrunched up my nose in confusion. "Humans are Human, but they are a part of the Primarchy. They just didn't have their designation revealed, so they were tossed aside. That's the theory at least." Odie wrung her hands together in her lap and refused to look at me until the next part. "What I do know is that you're an Omega, my Omega." Her hazel eyes met mine, and I was trapped. I didn't move, and I wasn't completely sure I was breathing.

Odie was right, this sounded insane.

"Mine? Did you hear me?" She knelt down next to the bathtub and reached over, which jogged me out of my stupor.

What?

I was getting really sick of that word and sign.

"When I gave you my blood, it awakened your designation and revealed you as my mate. You have a marking on your back that matches the one on mine. I haven't actually checked mine, but there isn't really another possibility here unless you want to believe Oliver is your mate instead." Odie ground that out with fire filling her eyes. "You're mine, Mine."

The side of me that chose to be alone and stand on her own was revolted by the idea. I knew we were getting close, and my curse would be gone soon, but that didn't take away a lifetime of shoving people away. The new side, the itchiness beneath my skin that refused to go away, liked it and wanted to jump into her arms even though I was soaking wet and nude.

"Do you want me to keep going?" I managed a nod. "That's more than I was expecting." She took a deep breath and began again. "Gerard realized this before we did, and although he can be a horrible person, he does love us. He's doing what he can to snuff out information. This is also why he called off the charges. No, that doesn't mean he believes anyone about my aunt, but he's backed off for now, and that's better than nothing. Ellie, Cy, and Vaila are the only others who know. Ellie will help you control your pheromones, Vaila is going to be sending some more supplies along with the curse breaking spell, and Cy—" I moved forward, covering Odie's mouth with my hand and staring up at her.

I aggressively shook my head. I couldn't hear anymore about this right now. I wanted to be fully clean and dry in bed before I bombarded her with questions. For now, I needed to think in silence.

Removing my hand, I pointed toward the notebook, which was now very wet. There was one corner that was dry, so I did what I could to write in it.

Wash now. Talk later.

"I can do that."

Once again, we fell into silence, and Odie finished rinsing my hair. Before I knew it, she was wrapping me in a large soft towel and carrying me to the bedroom where she placed me on the bed and disappeared out the door.

After a few minutes, she returned with clothes from my room and a new notebook.

"Do you need help?" she asked, referring to getting dressed.

Since she grabbed some underwear, shorts, and a large T-shirt, I figured I could manage on my own. Besides, she needed to change as well. Her clothes were soaked.

Shaking my head, I motioned to her, then to the closet, hoping she would understand what I meant without having to write it down. Thankfully, she did, and she disappeared again.

I dropped the towel and got dressed far easier than I expected. Everything stuck a little thanks to my damp skin, but I managed to yank it all on, even the shirt.

I sat on the bed cross-legged with the notebook in front of me when Odie came back. This time, she was in similar shorts to mine and a baggy shirt as well. Where mine were black shorts and a light pink top with a robot unicorn on the front, hers were red shorts and a plain black V-neck top.

Odie hopped onto the bed, mimicking my position but facing me.

"Hit me. I know you have a million questions."

Little did she know, I took the minute I had been sitting here and made a list. I held up one finger, telling her to give me a minute so I could finish it, then passed it over. I was certain more would come to me, but these were the important big ones for now.

"‘What the fuck does being an Omega even mean?'" Odie laughed and checked to make sure I was serious before carrying on. "You know the basics, don't you? Omegas run our world, they can control us and to a lesser extent, Betas with their pheromones, they are more so the breeders of the Primarchy… What else do you want to know?"

I shrugged. I guessed that was it, but the trauma wiped all thoughts from my brain. Leaning over, I tapped the next question.

"‘What the fuck does being a mate even mean?' They're all going to be like this aren't they?"

She could read them. She knew. If I didn't cuss, that'd be when they should worry.