Chapter 11

I slipped out a back door. Booming laughter and chatter filled the air. It was stifling; it permeated the air in a way only men who were overconfident in their positions could.

I hated it.

I slipped into the shadows, giving the bright tent a wide berth. It was only covered on top, and I couldn’t be seen out here; I had no plausible alibi.

It took me almost twice as long to get there since I had to stick to the shadows. I hated every extra step.

Finally, I was on my way back. I needed to trim the fireheart anyway; it was growing so fast that someone would surely notice it, and I had a feeling I would need it again soon.

“You bitch,” I froze when I heard Dalton’s voice.

How did he spot me so far away? Even with his wolf, I thought I was well hidden. I turned around, letting out a sigh of relief, seeing he wasn’t talking to me, wasn’t even looking in my direction.

Dalton sat at the edge of the illuminated tent; the soft glow illuminated him and a sopping-wet blonde Omega. Dalton laughed as Tia wiped away the wine he threw on her with her sleeve. Dalton’s mate looked down at her feet, but I couldn’t fault her for her reaction.

A new plan formed. I didn’t know if it would work, but it was worth the experiment. I slipped through the door of the winding staircase to my room. I had about twenty minutes before it would be ruined.

I took a studying breath to calm my shaking hands. The adrenaline coursed through me again as I took out my supplies and the jar of sad, wilted leaves.

On the skin, it would be fine for a few minutes -I hoped. I would risk the reaction on me; I just didn’t know how I could hide the rash or welts that would surely form.

That was a problem for tomorrow; even though I knew I should plan for that, I didn’t have the time. I would figure it out later.

I slung on a shawl and hid the jar, taking the stairs closer to the kitchen this time and waiting. I hoped I wasn’t too late, but there would be other chances.

I waited for a few long minutes. I would have to move eventually; someone might notice me missing. I sighed and started to head to my room, calculating a new plan.

Soft feet shuffled behind me, and I turned slowly.

“Oh,” Tia said as rounded the corner and saw me. Her eyes were red and puffy; she reeked of wine.

“Tia.” I took a step back. “Are you okay?”

“A warrior didn’t like his wine, or it was too warm, I’m not sure.” She shook her head, frowning. “He threw it on me; you know it's fine-” She looked away.

“No, it's not.” I took a step towards her. “Do you want me to bring that out for you?” I motioned to the bottle of wine and glass she was holding, praying she would say no.

“No.” She shook her head. “He said I had to do it myself.”

That was exactly what I wanted to hear. I dipped my finger in the hidden jar and closed the space between us, squeezing her wrist as gently as I could without spilling anything under my shawl. I hoped it came off as an affectionate gesture.

“It will be okay,” I said gently.

She looked up at me with wide eyes but set her jaw in determination.

“You’re right. The night is almost over.” She said with something that might have been resolved in her usually shy voice. “I better get going.”

I released her wrist and stepped back. “Good luck,” I whispered, wiping my finger aggressively on the inside of my shaw.

I let out a breath and hurried back to my room up the empty staircase, stashing the evidence, and rushed back to the kitchen. I needed some oil; this was already burning, and water would make it worse.

I tugged at the bottom of my hair absentmindedly with my hand that wasn’t starting to redden, pretending to be anything but nervous, excited, and scared. I sat in the corner on a bench, letting them work and making brief eye contact with anyone who passed me.

“Water.” Someone I could only assume was a warrior bustled through the kitchen door. The Omegas froze, looking at each other.“We need water, a man - he’s sick.”

Water will make it worse, I thought, smiling internally and plastering on a confused look, glancing between the Omegas near me, becoming part of the crowd.

A few Omegas rushed in from outside.

“We need a doctor; someone link the doctor!” an Omega shouted. She was panicking; it took her longer to say that than it would have to link a doctor herself.

“Should we bring him in?” another asked no one in particular.

Omegas rushed around to get water, offering multiple glasses to the warrior.

“Follow me,” he growled, and about ten Omegas rushed after him with single glasses in tow.

The scene was comical. No one knew how to act under high-pressure situations.

The Omegas that were still in the kitchen, looked around. I made my eyes wide, but I wouldn’t be the first one that asked what the hell was going on.

Alpha Raymond’s voice reverberated from the hallway outside. He was yelling questions and demands that could be heard through the now constantly swinging door of the kitchen.

Amelia came back into the kitchen, looking flustered.

“Some clean clothes and warm water,” she said to everyone in the room. We don’t know what the doctor needs, so we might as well be prepared.” At least she was thinking straight, even if a cloth wasn’t going to do anything for him at the moment—or probably ever again.

I wanted to assess the situation firsthand and see if I had made the right decision. Staying rooted to this spot physically ached me.

Tia appeared at the door, her eyes wide and her face flushed. Would she get in trouble? There was no way someone could blame her, so wide-eyed and scatterbrained. The bottle of wine was closed anyway.

Damnit, I wish I could have been there.

“Tia, what is it, dear?” Amelia asked. Tia just shook her head violently as Amelia ushered her to a seat. “Everyone get back to work. Bring that outside,” she told the ones with the supplies for the doctor. “Everyone else, finish cleaning up dinner.” Her voice was loud and authoritative.

Tia’s face was pale. “He just, out of nowhere, he-he started to choke when I was coming back here and then went limp. W-what happened to him?” She looked at her arms. “Is it contagious?” Panic rose in her voice.

“I don’t think choking is contagious, dear.” Amelia patted her arm.

“N-no, he was foaming, he—” Tia shut her eyes against the memory. Guilt tugged at me again; I didn’t realize how fragile she would be, even seeing it from a distance.

“Can someone take her to her room?” Amelia asked. Another Omega came up and wrapped her arm around Tia.

I was unsure what to do, where to go.

Omega’s started to trickle back in, and I sat back down and listened to the chatter.

He was presumed dead. The doctor was confused, and he wanted to take him to the clinic.

Thankfully, his mate declined on his behalf and asked that he be brought in here, claiming that she didn’t want his body experimented on right after his death.

I think she didn’t want them to figure out how to save him because if I did it right. He still should technically be alive.

Alpha Raymond stormed in. He looked angry and helpless, which was a good look on him, at least.

“Who can give me answers?” he demanded, scanning the eyes of the Omegas submitting to his orders. No one responded, no one knew what happened, and Tia was already back in her room.

“Simone, what in The Goddess's name are you doing down here?” he barked at me, re-directing his anger.

I opened my mouth and shut it a few times.

Please, someone else, say it for me.

“I think the activity was a lot for her. She has been here with us,” Amelia said, motioning to me. “She has been no trouble, Alpha.”

Thank. The. Goddess.

“I wanted some water, and I got comfortable. I’m sorry I didn’t return, Alpha.” One fact and a smile lie he wouldn’t check. Couldn’t check, really.

“Get away from the Omegas,” Alpha Raymond ordered, “You might not be ranked anymore, but you’re better than that.”

“Yes, Alpha.” I hung my head and walked towards him, standing silently by his side.

Thankfully, he didn’t say anything else, and I tugged my shawl tight, following him out.

Omegas and warriors lined the hallway. Alpha Raymond groaned in annoyance as he tried to get past them. I glanced around and made note of where the body would be moved to based on the varying levels of activity and where a flustered nurse came from.

Alpha Raymond met up with his mate and two of their three odious children out back.

“Why are you still here?” The Alpha growled at me.

“Oh,” I gasped. “I was following you.”

He shook his head as if I were some stray he couldn’t get rid of. “Go to sleep.” He sounded annoyed, and I swallowed, turning my back on him and dropping my shoulders.

I got away before one of his sons could stop me and slipped back to my room to clean any lingering remnants of tonight's experiment.

I tugged on pants, I had stolen ages from the warrior's laundry ages ago and a loose shirt I had to make from a nightgown. Not for the first time, I missed jeans and sweaters. Why did they insist I dress like some damn princess? Well, not princess but Alpha breeder; I guess the dresses were easier to access. I dismissed the thought—that would never happen.

I braided my hair tightly and wrapped my burning finger. No welts, just a dull pain accompanied by redness. I could live with it as long as it didn’t spread, and it didn’t look like it would.

Slipping a billowing nightgown over my outfit, I crawled into bed and waited.

Sleep found me eventually, and when I awoke again, soft flames lapped at the last of the wood. Judging by the fire, I was probably only asleep for about two hours unless Alice came and put on fresh logs when I was sleeping.

It was too soon, and I drifted back to sleep, waking again to a cold, still room.