The Rogue Omega

Chapter 13

When I woke up the next morning, I was surprised by how rested and peaceful I felt.

As I walked downstairs into the living room, I found Cora and Kael arranging a large collection of brand-new clothes for me.

Everything was my size.

Even better, they were exactly the kind of clothes I would have picked for myself.

Even though I had only known them for a short time, one thing had already become obvious.

Whenever Pack Ravencrest decided to do something, they did it quickly and did it well.

Looking at all the shopping bags, I slowly shook my head.

“This is way too much. I won’t be able to pay you back for at least a couple of months, even if I start looking for a job today.”

And that was exactly what I planned to do.

I had worked almost every single day for the last eight years, so the idea of sitting around doing nothing felt strange and lazy.

“You don't have to pay us back,” Cora said firmly, shaking her head.

Today she was wearing a flowing teal dress that made her look almost like a magical fairy.

Meanwhile, I was still wearing borrowed pajamas with my butt hanging out.

Basically the same thing.

“First, it's only a dozen pieces of clothing. Second, the council gives new arrivals an allowance to help them settle into life in Shadow Crest, and we're making full use of it. These are all yours. You don't owe us anything.”

Kael nodded to show he agreed.

I had no idea where all this good fortune had suddenly come from, but for once I decided not to question it.

“Well... thank you,” I said, feeling both grateful and awkward.

As I bent down to pick up the bags, Kael cleared his throat.

“Richard, Sierra, and Marcus have already gone to work. They all work for the Celtic Wolves hockey team, managing the hospitality department. They'll be back for dinner. Is there anything you'd like us to make tonight?”

I stood up with shopping bags hanging from both arms.

“No. I'm not picky. Anything you cook will be perfect. I can even help if you need me.”

To be honest, I wasn't an amazing cook.

But I could make some really good chocolate chip cookies.

Cora laughed softly as she leaned against her mate.

Kael smiled warmly and gently ran his hand through her silky hair.

“Richard is a trained chef,” Cora explained. “We all happily enjoy his cooking. I'm sure he'd love having you spend time with him in the kitchen.”

Having a professional chef in the pack sounded perfect.

Well...

Except for the pack part.

“That sounds good.”

I nodded toward the stairs.

“I'll take these upstairs and get dressed. Thanks again.”

Feeling like a child quietly walking around a stranger's house, I headed upstairs.

A moment later, I noticed Cora walking beside me.

“If you didn't have to spend today looking for a job, what would you want to do?”

Her question surprised me.

I thought about it for a moment.

“Maybe let my wolf run free. I've had to keep her locked away for the last ten years. It would be nice to let her run safely through pack territory.”

Cora clapped her hands together, her whole face lighting up with excitement.

Her happiness made me smile without even thinking.

“Then that's exactly what we'll do! We'll shift in the pack forest. Kael has today off, and I work from home, so we'll take you out and show you our favorite places.”

The offer tempted me.

It tempted me so much.

Inside me, my wolf whined and scratched desperately, reminding me that if I didn't let her out soon, she'd eventually force the issue herself.

She might be weak.

But her wild spirit was still alive.

“I really need to find a job,” I sighed, trying to be responsible.

Cora gently patted my arm.

“We'll help you find one. Don't worry. My mate knows practically everyone in this city. But taking care of yourself is important too. Once you're ready, come downstairs and we'll head out for a run.”

Before I could argue again, she floated back downstairs toward Kael, leaving me alone to get ready.

I wasted no time.

I took a quick shower before brushing my teeth and hair.

Cora had thoughtfully left a few hair ties for me.

I divided my thick strawberry-blond hair into two sections and braided each one into a Dutch braid that rested halfway down my back.

I always called my hair strawberry blond, although it actually carried quite a bit of pink mixed with strands of gold.

Honestly...

My hair was the one thing I was vain about.

After using Pack Ravencrest's shampoo and conditioner the night before, it already looked shinier and fuller.

My skin stayed naturally sun-kissed all year round, and the freckles scattered across my cheeks and nose had never disappeared.

The icy blue color of my eyes was the only thing I had inherited from my mother.

Everything else probably came from the father I had never known.

He had disappeared the moment Mom became pregnant.

After living with her for the first fourteen years of my life, I honestly couldn't blame him.

If I had been able to escape her back then, I would have left without looking back.

Now I considered myself an orphan.

Someone without family.

Alone.

Always f*****g alone.

I searched through the shopping bags until I found a loose pair of shorts and a matching tank top.

Since the weather was warm and we'd be taking the clothes off before long anyway, I didn't bother wearing underwear or shoes.

Realizing I had already kept them waiting, I hurried downstairs.

When I entered the living room, I found Kael wearing nothing except a loose pair of basketball shorts.

He was fit, with strong muscles stretching across his shoulders and stomach.

It wasn't hard to believe he led one of Shadow Crest's enforcer squads.

He looked exactly like someone who could break your neck with one hand.

And yet...

Even he had shown respect toward Ryker Blackthorn.

“Ready for a run?” Kael asked as he noticed me walking in.

“My wolf is scratching at my insides like an excited pup. Nothing gets the blood moving like a good pack run.”

I shrugged, even though I was secretly excited too.

“I'll trust your experience.”

He slowly walked closer, studying me as though I were some strange scientific mystery.

“You've never run with a pack before? Not even when your mother was alive?”

While Mom was alive, she never allowed my wolf outside.

I had been forced to shift inside my bedroom and run in endless circles until I thought I would either throw up or lose my mind.

“No.”

That was all I intended to say.

There was no reason to let my miserable past ruin today.

“That changes today,” Cora said cheerfully as she entered the room.

She was wearing almost the same outfit as mine, except hers was pink.

“Let's get going.”

The black Range Rover was waiting outside.

I climbed into the back seat, trying very hard not to bounce with excitement.

My wolf wasn't trying to hide anything.

She howled happily inside me and scratched with excitement.

“I've asked a few of my enforcers to patrol the area while we're out there,” Kael explained as he drove through the front gate. “I'm not expecting trouble, but you're an unbonded omega, and I promised you'd be safe. I take my promises seriously.”

I leaned forward, about to pat his arm before remembering that touching another alpha probably wasn't a good idea.

“Thank you.”

Kael and Cora exchanged a smile before looking back at me.

“Our pleasure,” Kael answered simply.

I settled back for the drive.

Less than ten minutes later, he parked beside what looked like the entrance to a national park.

The trees were so enormous that I could barely see their tops.

When Kael opened the door, the fresh smell of dirt, leaves, and old plants filled the air.

Mixed with them was another sweet scent I couldn't identify, but it made me suddenly crave candy.

A few other cars were already parked nearby.

“My enforcers are already patrolling the area,” Kael said as he carefully looked around.

Then he paused.

His eyes landed on a blue and black Bugatti Veyron.

I was almost certain it was one of the limited models, with only fifty made in the entire world.

And one of them was casually sitting in a parking lot in Shadow Crest.

I let out a low whistle.

“So I'm not the only car lover with money around here.”

I had meant it as a joke.

But Kael didn't smile.

“There are a few of us,” he muttered, shaking his head before looking away. “Come on. Let's enjoy our run and hope nothing unexpected happens.”

I noticed his eyes drift toward the Bugatti one more time before he prepared to shift.

Cora stepped beside him, and the bonded pair quickly removed their clothes.

I immediately looked away while stepping out of mine.

Maybe, if I stayed in Shadow Crest long enough, I would eventually become more comfortable with nudity.

But right now...

I wished we weren't standing out here in the open.

Completely exposed.