“What’s that?” I asked.
“The greenhouse,” he said after a slight pause.
“What’s in it?”
“It’s not important. Don’t go in there,” he said, sounding panicked.
I quietly turned away from the window to look him in the eyes. He was hiding something, and he looked guilty for some reason.
“When are we going to Howl’s Edge?” I asked instead.
“In a few days,” he said.
“You said you had some business to do first. What type of business?” I asked persistently.
He licked his lips.
“It’s really not important, I promise you.”
“What shady stuff are you doing?”
His lips twisted into a wry smile. “You won’t stop, huh? It’s a greenhouse.”
“For?”
“For the plants used in omega heat suppressant pills and scent blocker creams.”
“Aren’t those illegal to just grow anywhere?” I asked. I was surprised to learn he was part of the drug rings that made a ton of money selling this shit behind closed doors.
“It’s not illegal for me,” he said. “The Royal Pack assigns certain people to grow these worldwide in hidden locations. That’s why it should be kept secret.”
“Oh,” I said. “Well, your secret’s safe with me.”
“Why don’t you unpack and come to lunch?”
“Alright,” I said, my stomach growling when he mentioned lunch. Jack chuckled and left the room. I sat cross-legged next to Gabe, who was hiding under the bed and ripping books underneath it. “Please, Gabe. Come on out.”
“No, Mommy.”
“Now, Gabe. You can’t tear other people’s books,” I admonished. “We’re going to eat food now. Are you hungry?”
He slowly crawled out from under the bed and peeked his head out at me, scowling.
“Nasty carrots?”
“No, it’s going to be yummy food.”
We satat the dining room table fit for a large family. The meal was a feast, with platters of roasted meats, steaming vegetables, and fresh loaves of bread filling the table.
Gabe was sitting between Ryan and me as Ryan was feeding Gabe spoonfuls of macaroni and cheese. I was grateful to have a little break from Gabe as I piled my plate with food. Jack sat on my other side, and Liam was sitting across from me.
As I bit into the juicy, delicate piece of steak I had procured for myself, I felt like I was in heaven. It was the most scrumptious meat I’ve ever tasted. The maid, a short little woman with a halo of white hair, poured a glass of lemonade for me and scurried away into the kitchens before I could thank her.
“How did you end up here? In the human lands?” asked the delta, eying me as I devoured my plate.
“I was supposed to be sent to the Omega Auctions, but I escaped,” I said, omitting any mention of the Royal Pack. If they found out therealstory, my behind would be shipped off to Howl’s Edge immediately, considering Jack’s loyalty to the Royal Pack.
“Do you think we might send you to the Auctions?” asked Liam, taking a large bite of steak.