Page 52 of The Omega Archives: Part Two

I shrugged. “Never have before.”

“What would you plant?”

I thought for a minute. “Probably strawberries– maybe. Though, I think I heard once they never grow the first you plant themwhichsounds disappointing.”

Marko softly nodded as he continued his efforts. We fell back into silence, but it wasn’t awkward exactly. It was easy. Nice, even.It was like I was finally at easewhichmadeabsolutelyno sense as I sat here alone with thislargealpha.

Marko wasexactlythe kind of person I stayed out of sight and out of mind for almost the past decade, and yet now...he did make me feel safe.

I couldn’t decide if that was a bad thing.

I shut my eyesfor a momentas I tipped my chin up to the sky.

More time must’ve passed before I realized. When I opened my eyes again, Marko was in front of me. His eyes narrowedandhe cocked his head at my hazed expression. It didn’t help that he was so closeright now to me. His citrus scent was heavy and thick with a tinge of musky sweat from his work outside.

He rubbed his hands off on a towel, all of his gardening tools put away. I blinked a few times, making sure that I was paying attention.

“Why did you come down here?” he asked.

Before I could answer, my stomach growled loudly. I quickly put my hands to my center with wide eyes at the sound. “Sorry. I sneaked down here to look for a snack.”

“Why?” he asked, confused.

I shrugged.

Maybe he was right. I should’ve asked before I went wandering around the house.

Just because they were keeping me safe here so that no one else could find me while my stupid omega hormones ranwild,didn’t mean I was free to roam around like a hotel guest. I was sure their control over their alphas could only extend so far with an omega clouding up their house in unintentional perfume.

My cheeks reddened at the thought. I had been an omega ever since I presented, sure. But I had no idea how to behave or control myself like an omega should’ve.

I was now not only messing up my life but also theirs...

“You don’t need to be sorry. You don’t have to scavengeeither.You should’vesaid something,”hesaid with a grumble. “I’ll make you something.”

I hastily shook my head. “You don’t have to.”

“I will.” Marko stood without pause, walking back into the kitchen.

Holding the door open, he waited for me to follow. Unsure what else to do. I did, stepping through the door and into the air conditioning. I noticed how it brought a chill to my arm compared to the humid evening air.

Inside, still no one was upanda gentle breeze came in through the back patio doors. It blustered the sheer curtains.

Marko gestured for a chair on the island. “Sit.”

“I can help.”

“You already helped me outside, omega.”

“How did I help you?” I asked. I was pretty sure ifanythingI was a nuisance out there bothering him. He would’ve been able to finish if I hadn’t bothered him.

“Company.”

My company?

“Sit,” he repeated as he turned on the sink before scrubbing his hands clean of the remaining loose grass and soil staining his palms. Eyes flickering up to me, he swatted his hands dry before rounding me towards the living room. Before I could say anything else, he pulled a throw blanket off the back of the couch and gently laid it across my shoulders. “Better?”

“Thank you.”

---