There's so much more to talk about, like Beckett being her brother and where we go from here, but all of that can wait.
My sweet omega is safe now, and she's going to get all the rest she needs. And if she wants me to stand watch for her all night long, I absolutely will.
The shower shuts off just as Lucas and Ronan walk through the door.
We're all here. She'll never know loneliness again.
Chapter Forty-Seven
FREYA
Nothing is right. I know we're free now and whatnot, but this was never something I truly planned for.
I mean, fuck, I was so prepared to just never know life outside of the academy. I thought I'd be alone for the rest of my, probably, short days. Yet now I have four mates who look at me like I'm the center of their universe.
Me? I can't look them in the eye after everything that's happened. How they still view me as their mate to cherish is beyond me. And cherish me they have.
These past few days in the hospital, each of my guys has taken any opportunity they can get to tickle my arms, bring me a new blanket, or just talk to me. I feel like a princess whenever Lucas rubs lotion into my palms.
A dirty, traumatized princess who has no clue how to function in the real world. What's worse is I don't have much experience before the wretched academy either.
Sure, I had school, but I was mostly a loner because of my sheltered existence. I was a prize for my aunt and uncle. One that wasn't supposed to be heard or seen unless requested, but it was never for anything a normal kid would do.
I was to dress, eat, and behave as my aunt and uncle required, much like the school they sold me to. So, I have literally no clue who I am and yet everyone surrounding me seems to think they do.
Nobody knows me. Not even my mates attempting to build our bonds, but they don't understand I don’t have the first clue about anything. How am I supposed to figure out our mating bonds when I don't know how to accept a simple hand rub without feeling like it's odd to be touched and cared for?
Maybe Beckett, on some instinctual level, knows me. My omega sees him as her other half. Two parts of a soul that were separated. He's my twin; we shared a womb. He is the alpha of my omega. The reason I was fucked up before being sold to the academy.
It was so easy to fall in line with their practices because the chasm between my omega and I has been there since the moment my brother was taken from me.
A brother I didn't even know existed.
My brother, who I haven't spoken to yet or seen since he declared me his twin.
I need answers.
But unfortunately, there's a fucking list.
A knock comes from the door just as I'm wandering out of the bathroom. The pile of clothes the guys and Kate have brought me have been left untouched. I don't know what to wear or what's acceptable.
"Come in!" I offer, tightening the straps on the fuzzy robe Ronan insisted I wear to stay comfortable and warm. The forward way my alpha told me to wear the garment has made it easier to accept the coziness of the fabric.
"Hey girl," Kate greets and closes the door behind her. My friend is in a pair of dark grey sweatpants and a blue cropped T-shirt that shows off a sliver of her flat tummy.
I wonder if she chose her outfit or if her guys did. Am I supposed to wear something like that too? Or is it more appropriate for me to wear full coverage clothing so I don't seduce the staff?
Seduction of ANY kind is FORBIDDEN.
But that can't be right because Kate would never do that. I'm so confused.
"Hi," I murmur, wandering over to the couch.
My IV is out, and the bandage on my right ear is off. I think we're leaving soon, thank hell. But unfortunately, that brings a whole new experience of fear and uncertainty.
Kate sits beside me, careful to keep some space. "You excited to leave in the morning?"
Realizing I set us up for her to sit on my right side, I sigh. "Let's switch sides," I say, my voice wobbling just a little.