A DAY WITH MY OMEGA

FOUR

KATHYRN.

I continue my walk back home, there are no awkward stares because no one knows I wore amber colored dress to the late alpha's funeral. I was practically invisible and lost in the crowd, it's not like I matter now.

“Jeez!” I find myself screaming at the top of my voice.

Apparently, it pulls the attraction of passerby.

Startling like a scared rodent, I turn towards the direction from which the voice came, only to see Ella, all wide-eyed. She looks both furious and shocked.

I go limb. I never expected to see her here, she should be in her house, going about her thing. Or maybe with one of her socialites from the funeral.

Also, I panic more because I have to give them a valid reason for my disappearance and I can't tell them the truth. Knowing that I sulk with lies, I'm in for a rough ride. I truly wish to be alone.

I sputter.

And now, she's right in front of me, peering deep into me like she could see through my soul and shenanigans. I swallow hard, to be faced with curious Ella is harder than being thrown on a battlefield unexpectedly.

"Ella?" I sound so artificial and awkward. Definitely, she won't believe my c**k and I'll s**t.

"Kathryn?" she keeps doing her thing with her eyes. A tit for tat.

"At this point, it's safe to say I've seen a ghost or an alien. Girl, you absolutely disappeared on us.” She's both scolding me and glad that I'm back, safe, and in one piece.

"Not like any of you would notice. You were so engrossed with your fellow mourners.” I try to defend myself, with my face taking the shape of a frown and my lips pout.

"Is there a clique for that now?"

I can tell she's struggling hard not to smile at me, certainly not now.

"Exactly what I asked myself because you were so into each other.” I play the blame card. It works for me ninety percent of the time.

I guess today's for the unfortunate ten percent.

"Darling, you're so not evading this question.” She sighs. "You literally ghosted us and I felt it was okay because I mean, why not?”

"So, what changed?” I shrug.

"What changed is that you totally vanished and got us worried sick for long hours.”

Honestly, I don't mind if she goes mute on this issue. What am I supposed to tell her? I went to free my bladder and curiosity got the best of me, which made me wander and lose my way in the maze garden...

...there and then I met my supposed mate, whom I know nothing of other than he's tall and smells like must and earth. The thick night sky and the shadows cast on us by the leaves made it totally impossible to get a glimpse of the other's face, or maybe I was too swooning. Foolish me. Right, we made out and he was gone, only to be woken up by a Gardner...

I stop to exhale, the mere thought of it choking me.

Daily, I had fancied my first night with my mate and lover... How exquisite we would make it and leave memories to always cherish. And now, the only memories I have are the cold floor and sore bud, and emptiness.

I fight the tears that are welling up in my eyes.

She notices and pulls me to herself.

“I mean, I miss you guys. And to know that you both are worried sick and love me this deep...epic.” I hurriedly say, the words almost jumping out of me.

Just great! For one who wasn't groomed to lie, just one night has taken the worst toll on me.

"And for the record, you both made me lonely to stupor.” Now this is true.

"You started it. Who wears an amber dress to a cremation rite?”

“It sure doesn't count.”

"Unfortunately, it did. That was why you didn't get any 'mourners’ clique.” She teases.

I chuckle softly. We continue home, gently. And like a robot, she stops on her track, making me join her too, even though I want to break free from her grip and flee.

"Well, where have you been?" She asks again, this time more seriously.

“Eh... Can I at least sit? As in go inside, sit down, and relax?” I plead, my eyeballs almost falling off its socket from incessant rolling.

"No, not after the stress you put Jason and me through.” She frowns.

Still, she pulls me by the hand, opens the door, and launches me in. Typical Ella. Though a robot, but a cute one.

Jason is well-rested on the couch, a full plate of spiced steaks in his hand. He sits up to see me and sets the plate on his lap.

I scoff. "And to think that you both have been worried sick says a lot.”

“You don't expect us to starve... Plus, you know Jason’s love for food.” She sighs.

"I'm tempted to take my words back.” I threaten, even though it was a lie, to begin with.

“Don’t you dare, we love you and you do us.” She fires.

Jason keeps mute as he stuffs his mouth with large chunks of steak.

“I actually thought you ported from a foodie to saving lives and rescuing the lost.”

Ella chuckles softly.

"You are quite aware that I can hear you right?” Jason bluffs.

I join Ella in laughing.

"When you're done, it would do us all a favor if you sit down and fill us in.” He finishes.

"And what I need...” I walk towards him and sit right next to him. "Is to sit down and eat. I'm starving, the story can wait for another day.” Without his permit, I take from his plate and start eating.

“Wait, what?” They both chorus.

Their harmony makes me jolt in surprise. For Ella, the immense starvation of gossip, and for Jason, maybe because I ate from his plate or he's also gossip starved, or both. And there is no getting out of this.