Chapter 24

Hope

The room was comfortable, more comfortable than any I had slept in for years , with a real bed and a real bathroom. It was Almost as comfortable as my own room back in my time , so I should have slept like a baby.

Only I didn’t.

It wasn’t even that I was in pain. The blue drink. A shot of bitter liquid that burnt my throat like cheap whisky had to be some kind of painkiller because the weird cramps disappeared within an hour.

No, I couldn’t sleep because I didn’t know what the hell had just happened. The heat between me and Lincoln had been out of this world. I’d never known passion like it and I knew he had felt it too.

But he had pushed me away like I was some kind of disease ridden street woman.

“Omega Hope?” I heard Deacon's voice before his knock came. Quietly like he was scared of waking me.

“Hi,” I smoothed the blankets over my shoulders . They hadn’t given me any nightclothes so I was in bed naked. “You can come in.”

The door opened a crack and then was pushed open wider by a booted foot and Deacon appeared. At least I thought it was Deacon. I couldn’t see his face because his arms were full of clothes.

“I hope you slept well, Omega Hope?” He breezed into the room , depositing the pile of clothes on the end of the bed. His eyes raked over me. “Clearly not. You look like you haven’t slept at all.” His eyes narrowed. “Is the tonic not helping? Are the cramps coming still?”

“No,” I shook my head. “No, I feel fine. It’s just-“ I gestured around the room. “It’s all a bit overwhelming.”

Deacon studied me and for the first time since I had met him his eyes softened a little. Maybe he was warming to me?

“I can imagine that is true. You’re not from around here are you?”

“No.”

“And things were different where you are from?”

“Very.” I muttered and gave a mirthless little giggle.

“That is so strange to me. I thought the whole world was like this.” Deacon's eyes narrowed and any softness was gone. “Where exactly are you from?”

I hesitated for just a moment. I would love to tell the truth but that would just cause me even more problems. The first week I had been here in this god forsaken time I had seen a woman hung and set on fire because she was speaking about another time that she remembered.

It was my most brutal lesson. There might be other women here like me but no one said anything because they were scared of being killed like an animal in the street.

I didn’t want her fate to be my fate.

“Far away.” I said softly. “I come from so very far away.”

At least that wasn’t a full lie.

He stared at me for a full minute and then nodded his head. “Keep your secrets Hope. I don’t care unless they bring my alpha into danger. He has worked too hard to drag himself out of obscurity. He has dreams and I won’t let you pull him off his path. Do you understand me?”

Not even a little bit. I wanted to answer but I knew deep down that it was the wrong answer. “Yes.” I said instead.

“Good but as you are clueless about our ways. We are going to take the time to give you some lessons. You sure need them and we don’t want any problems when the time for choosing comes. Your first lesson will start in thirty minutes. Make sure you are presentable and in the dining room before those thirty minutes are up. I have too much to do to chase an omega around.” He left the room with a flourish.

For several seconds I stared at the empty doorway. He might not want to chase an omega around but I was pretty sure he would happily chase alpha Lincoln. It was pretty clear that Deacon had feelings for his boss.

Not that it was any of my business. I had more important things to worry about that unrequited love.

Pulling the pile of clothes towards me, I rifled though. None of them were lavish. Or as beautiful as the dress I had worn last night. But they were clean.

Clean was good.

Pulling our a soft pair of brown trousers, black boots and a cream blouse , I headed towards the bathroom to wash up and get ready.

And it was so normal.

Ten minutes later I emerged. Dressed and with my hair braided over my shoulder. And I felt better.

I felt great in fact right up until I trudged up the stairs and made my way into the dining room and saw Lincoln.

He was sat exactly where I had left him last night. His head snapped up as I approached and even from the doorway I saw his nostrils flare.

He sniffed loudly for a second before nodding his head. “Good morning, Hope. You took the tonic this time I see.”

It wasn’t a question so I didn’t answer him. I didn’t know what I was meant to do. Was it ok to go inside and take a seat?

Honestly I had no clue. So I just stood there.

The corners of his mouth twitched. “You can come in Hope. When the other alphas arrive in a few days we will have to stand of ceremony but you don’t need to do that around me. Come and sit down and we have breakfast and start your lessons early. I have things to do this afternoon that need my full attention so I only have a little while.”

Meandering into the room, I took the seat next to him.

There were three books laid out before him.

“What-“ I reached for one at the same time as he did and our fingers brushed against each other.

Lightning bolted up my arm and I snatched my hand back and rubbed it on my trousers. Glancing at him out of the corner of my eyes I saw him startle as well.

Whatever was happening to me was also happening to him. The feelings confused me but they seemed to make him angry. And that just confused me even more.

“So what do you have to do today?” I asked trying to lighten up the tension in the air. “Are you off our saving omegas?”

I meant it as a joke but he didn’t laugh. His handsome face remained darkly impassive.

“Something like that.” He muttered and flicked open the first book. My eyes scanned the page and then I read it again because I couldn’t believe what I was reading.

“You didn’t read the book I left with you did you?” He asked quietly. Dropping his arm to his lap and turning fully into his chair to study me.

“It’s kind of hard to make time when you’re trying to stay alive but-“ leaning forward I ran my fingers over the text. “You can’t be serious with this shit right?” Finally I lifted my eyes to him.

None of this could be true. It couldn’t be.

Please god above please make this a joke , I sent up a silent prayer to a god I didn’t believe in.

“It is all true.” Lincoln said softly. “This is what you are.”