4. Mine

I stood just inside the door, taking in the main room as Odie moved around me, ignoring my presence otherwise, just as the others were doing, before disappearing down the hall. Apparently, I was less of a threat than I thought I was.

Ellie was off somewhere, and I hoped that's where Odie went and was filled in about the situation so I wasn't in deep water right off the bat. More so, I hoped they believed her.

Cy was making something in the kitchen area to my left. There were white counters, dark wood cabinets, and a stainless steel oven along two-thirds of the left most wall, ending in a large fridge. The long island sat across from it, holding a farmhouse-style sink and enough room for five barstools on the other side. They were simple dark wood, high back barstools that matched the cabinets.

In the corner was a built-in nook with bench seating, a table, and a few extra chairs. Cy moved to the bench after she was done preparing whatever it was that she was making. I couldn't tell if it was an average smoothie or one meant to give a boost of protein, but either way, it was a light pink, and the glass held more than I would be able to drink in a single sitting, but that didn't stop me from craving a glass of my own.

On the other side of the room was the living area. Along the outer wall was an oversized green and brown couch with various throw pillows and blankets strewn around it. A smaller, matching two-seater had its back to me, and two beige, wingback chairs with a pattern I couldn't discern from this distance filled out the other side, surrounding a wooden coffee table with magazines, two empty coffee cups, and a laptop sitting on top of it.

The far corner looked like it led to a hallway that I couldn't see down and the stairs to the second floor, and along the back wall were a few doors that I assumed led to a garage or perhaps storage closets of some kind. It was a large cabin with plenty of space for two Alphas plus two handfuls of people.

It was overkill, but if I had the money for it, this was what I would want too. I'm sure someone comes out and cleans it top to bottom every now and then too. I grimaced, hoping that job didn't default to me while we were prisoners.

I twiddled my fingers in front of my body as I looked around, and scuffling and muffled voices resounded down the hall. I assumed Ellie was caught snooping, and I wasn't certain on how strange I should find that. She must know Cy and Odie better than I thought.

I hoped she showed up soon though or someone told me what happened next. All I knew was that we were stuck here with these guards. I was choosing to view myself as a guest in some way and didn't want to go about as if I had been living here for years like I assumed they had been. It felt lived in enough that I didn't think this was a recent move, or maybe they had always had this cabin as a getaway. There were many possibilities, and I had to stop myself from listing them all inside my head.

Truthfully, I wanted a large glass of something to calm my nerves, but I also needed to be aware of what was happening around me until I knew the full story. I'd settle for a glass of ice water or lemonade and one of those throw blankets wrapped around me. Of course, that would be after they gave me some details about where we went from here.

Did I have a room? Could I raid the fridge and pantry or even ask for specific groceries to fit my needs? What were the rules of being a partial captive, a captive that was a nuisance from the sound of it? The most pressing question I had was if I would have fresh clothes because underwear was a one day sort of thing, and I could really use a shower and a change of clothes to melt away some of the stress of this situation.

My shoulders relaxed at the thought of a steaming hot shower with a citrus infused steamer, then Cy startled me from my little daydream.

"Are you going to stand there all day?" Cy spat out from her spot in the corner, and I met her blue gaze from across the room.

Was I? If it irritated them, maybe, but I was certain I could find other ways to annoy everyone if needed. There was plenty of time to kill, and I had nothing else to keep me occupied, especially if they weren't going to serenade me with the long history of the Primarchy so I wasn't in the dark any longer.

I was Human. Although I knew about the Primarchy, I wasn't a part of their world. I didn't know the rules or all the abilities they had through relics. Most, if not all, of this was new territory. Even if they were Human, it would be new territory if I was honest. Being thrown into a cabin with two strange women and a teenager wasn't a daily occurrence, although some part of me should have seen this shit show coming.

As I was raising my hands to sign to her and hoped she got the memo, Cy interrupted me. "We will know if you leave the house, touch anything, or really do anything at all, so until we have whatever this situation is sorted out, welcome home." She opened her arms and signaled to the room as if it was now my space to venture in, but her voice was anything but welcoming. Cy sounded bored and more than a little put out at having to be the one who explained any of this to me. She raised her brow at me, and I copied the motion. Her eyes turned to slits before she spoke again. "Nothing to say?"

Of course I didn't, but she didn't know that. Apparently, Odie had disappeared before explaining the situation, which should have been obvious since I didn't hear anything, but I was a little out of it. I wasn't confident that I didn't black out for a second while standing here, debating on what I was supposed to do.

Either way, I didn't have the energy at the moment to go into it. I heard what she had said, and I really didn't have anything to say to her right now. I had free reign for the most part from what I understood, so I shrugged.

Cy rolled her eyes, then spoke again. "At least you're not chatty. I'm Cy. If you need anything, don't ask me. I'm sure Ellie will be more than happy to gossip about it all and boss us around. We don't need Ellie number two. If she's not around, either don't need anything, or wait for her or Odie to reappear. Just don't need me. Clear?" I held up my hand in an okay sign and nodded. "Good. That's all you're getting from me. Enjoy your captivity. I'm sure it'll be riveting."

It was very clear my time here would be boring, and I would be finding ways to amuse myself. Maybe someone could bring some of my things, including the Kindle I kept on my nightstand. If I was here for a few weeks, I could make a dent in my Tbr. Not a big dent, but a dent nonetheless. Smut cured many things. Throw in some enemies-to-lovers, and I was head over heels.

With Cy now ignoring me and focusing on her phone and smoothie that I was still unsure of, I moved to the kitchen, opening and closing cabinets to see what was inside all of them, making sure to let them bang shut each time.

Thankfully, Ellie and I had snacked before being kidnapped, but we were well past dinner time by now. Speaking of… I glanced at the clock on the stove, which read 7:12. Depending on when they ate dinner, early or late, this could be a long stretch without food. I wasn't about that life, so I decided a snack along with the water I was determined to get and would be needed.

After investigating all of the cabinets and most likely annoying Cy with the noise, I grabbed a tall clear glass and filled it with ice and water from the fridge. I gulped down half the glass before refilling it and setting it on the counter to see what was inside the fridge.

Thank goodness.

The fridge was well stocked with vegetables, a variety of drinks, all the necessities for sandwiches, and so much more. Making a full sandwich wasn't in the cards, so I settled for some baby carrots and hot sauce to coat them in. The spicy, sweet combo with the added snappy crunch always hit the spot.

Grabbing a small bowl, I dumped a good portion of baby carrots into it, then aggressively shook some hot sauce on top before tossing them until they were well coated.

After everything was put back, I couldn't help my curiosity and opened the freezer to see what they had stocked in there. Surprisingly, it wasn't much. There were a few pizzas, a couple bags of frozen veggie mixes, and a handful of frozen meats.

With how far out I knew we were into the wilderness, there wasn't a chance this was all they had unless they were due for a shopping trip, but with the fullness of the fridge, that probably wasn't the case. Perhaps there was a large standalone freezer somewhere, storing all their meat. With two Alphas under one roof, there had to be. Even if they went hunting frequently, storage of the excess was a necessity.

With my snooping done, I grabbed my bowl and glass and sat down on one of the barstools, angling myself so I would see anyone walk out of the hallway opening if they came down it. The floors were wooden, so the chances were that I would hear them before seeing them, but it made me feel a little better to not have my back to the hallway.

The baby carrots snapped beautifully between my teeth; the sweetness of the veggie and tangy spiciness of the hot sauce mixed wonderfully.

Snap.

Snap.

Snap.

Soon enough, half the bowl was gone, and my water was near empty.

Snap.

"That's it! You've been here fifteen minutes, and you're already driving me insane! Enough with the carrots. You are banned from carrots in my presence," Cy yelled, marching over to me and snatching away my precious snack.

I tried reaching out for the bowl to take it back, but she was too fast. I angrily signed at her, back, and when that obviously did nothing because she couldn't hear me, I smacked the counter to get her attention, making the island and its contents rattle with my rage.

"Did you just slap the counter? Are you five and having a tantrum, Carmine?" she said, looking at me after dumping my carrots into the trash and putting the bowl into the dishwasher.

My nostrils flared as I signed again at warp speed.

You didn't have to steal my snack and my freedom all in one day, you twat. You said I could help myself, right? Why go back on your word? Why say anything if you were going to take it all back? A voice is wasted on you. And it's Mine, not Carmine, Cy.

"Are you finished?" Cy's fingers wrapped around the edge of the counter in front of her, and she straightened her arms, propping herself up with a shrug of her shoulders and a cock of her head. Her blonde, curly hair fell over her shoulder, and her blazing blue eyes bore into me with annoyance.

No. If I'm already in trouble and have your attention, what was that smoothie? Now I'm done.

"Perfect."

Oh, no. Did she understand me?

My eyes grew wide as I waited to see if she did in fact understand what I said to her. I wouldn't take any of it back though. If I was going to be in hell, so were they.

"I didn't steal anything. Gerard did." There it was. Cy understood sign language. Right now, it was unclear if that was a blessing or a curse. "I did, however, tell you this was your home for now, even if it is also your prison. That doesn't mean snapping carrots to annoy me won't go unnoticed." She raised her brow at me, and I grimaced, unable to feign ignorance. "Besides, carrots with hot sauce is an abomination."

Have you even tried it? I interrupted.

"No, and I won't."

But—

"No."

I slumped back, but getting Cy to try my delicious concoction was now on my list for the next few weeks.

"Even though you haven't apologized for your annoyance, I will apologize for not knowing that you couldn't speak." Everything else she had said had a twinge of irritation laced with boredom; everything except that sentence.

I sat up straight, tilting my head to the side, hoping she would explain or give me a detail about herself, but that hope was crushed when she turned away. Instead of going back to her seat, she gathered up everything she originally had out to make her smoothie. I watched her make it, then she slid a small glass my way.

It was the same light pink as before, and I hesitantly picked up the glass before sipping some of the contents. It was a simple strawberry smoothie with a hint of marshmallow. The smoothie was delicious. Frozen strawberries, yogurt, a hint of honey, some milk, and a scoop of something that looked like a protein powder jug, but it was unlike any I had seen before.

Before I could ask, everything was put away as it was before she had made me my drink.

Her back was to me, so I knocked on the counter to get her attention. When she turned to me, I thanked her. Then because I couldn't help myself, I pressed my luck.

I thought you said to never ask you for anything. I smirked around the rim of the glass, polishing off the delicious smoothie I already wanted more of.

"Don't."

That was all I got out of her before she grabbed her own glass, washed it, then vanished down the hall, leaving me entirely alone in the living area of the cabin.

What was I going to do now?