Riley POV
Sandra corners me in the front foyer the next morning, a look of anger on her face. "I don't know what you were thinking when you chose to go out last night, but that's not how things work around here."
I simply nodded, feeling tired. I had not slept well and when I had, my dreams had been filled with images of fanciful creatures, women who sang and lured men to them in caverns underneath the water. Strange and yet, the images had seemed almost real, my body drenched in sweat when I had awoken.
"Great, you can help me outside today, we're doing the windows of the pack house."
I tried not to shudder. Perhaps she merely meant the windows on the ground floor? I did not like heights, although I could not think of the reason why. She got me a new uniform and after I had changed, we headed outside, where I was a little taken aback to find she already had a ladder waiting as we carried buckets of soapy water and squidgees with us.
"The Alpha likes to keep the exterior of the pack house clean and with the party coming up, we will need to ensure that it's kept to his satisfaction," she said pointing upwards "we'll start on the lower levels and then work our way up."
I tried not to shudder. This felt like a punishment and I wondered if this was her way of getting me back for my transgression last night. But her expression was indecipherable as we split up and began to work our way around the pack house, taking our time to do the windows carefully before meeting back at the front again.
She even went and double-checked the windows I had done before she came back looking satisfied. "Good, now you're younger than me and more agile," she said seriously, as I looked up at the ladder trying hard not to exhibit any fear "so you're going to go up the ladder and begin washing the windows while I hold the ladder below you."
I swallowed hard. My body trembled as I shot another glance up at the ladder which gave me a terrible sense of foreboding. How could I try to get across my fear of heights when I couldn't speak? My eyes were imploring Sandra to understand. She took my look for stubbornness though and her voice became sharp "Get up the ladder already" she said impatiently.
I didn't have a choice. I gulped and then began to slowly put my foot on the first rung. Although the ladder was sturdy and of good quality, it didn't make me feel any safer as I forced my feet to slowly make their way up the ladder.
"Don't look down, don't look down" I repeated the words in my mind, my hands shaking as I gripped the ladder so tight my knuckles were turning white.
"Hurry up" Sandra shouted below me, her voice razor sharp "We have a lot of windows to do today and we don't have time to dilly-dally."
It was all very well for her to say but she wasn't the one climbing the ladder while her heart raced wildly in her chest and her palms went sweaty with nerves. I knew all it would take was one glance downwards and I would lose my nerves completely. It didn't help that one hand was holding onto a bucket of soapy water. My breathing was shallow as I made it further up until I was at eye level with the window. I rested the bucket on a rung, forcing myself to breathe steadily.
This wasn't so bad, I thought, staring straight ahead. All I had to do was dip the cloth in the bucket and wipe the window over before squeedgying it. Easy. My hand shook violently as I plunged the cloth in the bucket and then squeezed the water from it. I had to force myself to take the next step and put the cloth against the window next to me, rubbing the cloth against the window, while I leaned against the ladder, fearful that it was going to fall at any moment, even though Sandra was holding onto it below me. I could hear Sandra calling something out but couldn't make it out through the blood rushing through my ears.
The window was damp. I dropped the cloth in the bucket. My lip trembled. My feet seemed paralyzed. I was shaking so badly it was a miracle the ladder hadn't toppled over. Then I made the worst mistake anybody afraid of heights could make. I looked down. Instantly it seemed as though I was staring down at a ground further away than ever and all I could focus on was how far away the ground was, while my heart began to pound away in my chest and my body began to feel faint. I saw Sandra's eyes widen in alarm. I couldn't scream but my eyes were practically bulging out of my head. The grip I had on the rungs loosened. I began to fall. I heard Sandra screaming as my body began to drop through the air.
I was going to injure myself badly. At the very least several of my bones would break. I closed my eyes, not wanting to see my body rushing to meet the floor. But a pair of strong arms grabbed me mid-air, a low growl emitting from their throat. I felt tingles down my spine, warmth rushing through my body. When Alpha Jaxon spoke, it was with a slight twinge of panic and a great degree of anger. "What do you think you are doing?" he bit out at Sandra.
"The windows. I had her cleaning the windows and she just, she just fell" Sandra blabbered, sounding panicked herself "I didn't know that she was afraid of heights. She's as pale as a bloody ghost. Gods, she could have died" she continued as I began to open my eyes, Alpha Jaxon still holding me tightly "I'm so sorry Alpha Jaxon, this is my fault."
He clenched his jaw. "Let's just be thankful she wasn't hurt" he said as I stared up at him, his eyes avoiding my gaze "and that I happened to be passing by."
He carefully put me on the ground and I staggered slightly, his hand shooting out to steady me "this could have ended badly" he added grimly looking up at the ladder.
I hung my head. My mate was quiet, observing me. Sandra was guilty. "I'll have another omega do the windows" she offered softly "and I'll find something else for Riley to do. Something safer."
"See that you do" Alpha Jaxon growled and then paused. "You know what, I need an assistant for today," he said glancing at Sandra "I'll take Riley."
She opened her mouth taken aback. I glanced between them. I thought my mate didn't want me anywhere near him? How had he suddenly been passing by when I fell off the ladder? It made no sense. I was sure he was keeping a close eye on me. As it was his eyes were narrowed as he dared Sandra to try and object to what he was requesting, something that Sandra knew would be extremely foolish to do. Whatever Alpha Jaxon wanted, he got.
"Of course Alpha Jaxon. Riley, go and assist Alpha Jaxon with whatever he needs today" Sandra said faintly, still looking up at the ladder and paling at the thought of what could have happened "and I shall make a note of your fear of heights" she added softly.
I nodded, feeling embarrassed. I could see pack members on the grounds pointing at me and gossiping to one another. No doubt this would make the rounds and be another tale of gossip for everybody by tonight.
"Let's go. I have paperwork and other things that need my attention" Alpha Jaxon growled.
I looked apologetically at Sandra and then began to follow Alpha Jaxon into the pack house. My mate looked furious still and I didn't know if it was aimed at me or at what had happened in general. His expression was fierce as he strode through the corridors and pushed a door open, waiting patiently for me to enter first before he came in behind me. It was an office. He sat behind the desk and motioned for me to take a seat. I was puzzled but did as he asked.
He exploded. "Why didn't you fucking tell her you were afraid of heights? Do you have any idea what could have happened if I hadn't caught you in mid-air? How many bones you might have broken? The damage that could have been done? What were you thinking putting yourself in danger like that? All you had to do was speak the fuck up" he roared, slamming his hands on the desk and breathing heavily, while I stared at him numbly, shocked to my core.