Page 82 of Tangled in Knots

“Go find a table, and I’ll bring it to you,” he says.

As we walk away, I notice people waiting for their orders. The owner doesn’t cater to just anyone. Aisling is special.

Finding a spot, we sit down to people watch.

“This was my safe place for a long time,” she tells me. “It took me way too long to trust people. One wrong word and I worried that I’d end up in foster care. I’d heard too many stories to believe it would turn out differently. It all spurred me to find a kindred spirit like Wren and startOmega’s Haven.It’s not going to fix everything, but those who find us will have a place to breathe.”

“How long have you been open?” I ask her. “Do you often have male omegas come to the shelter for help?”

I’m curious about the process, though I do know they accept male omegas at the shelter, I didn’t have a chance to satisfy my curiosity.

“We’ve been open for a little over a year, and people come and go. We’ve had a male omega or two come to us through our outreach center, but none for the shelter yet.”

“Hmm,” I murmur. “I wonder why.”

“Not everyone is comfortable asking for help, or sharing a space with so many other people,” Aisling says. “The only male omega I know personally is Flynn from Pack Mohan, and he’s very protective of his space. It’s not often that he leaves home. If he can attend something virtually, he will.”

“I understand not leaving home often,” I admit. “For the most part, it didn’t bother me that my father was so protective. I was comfortable at home.”

“Everyone is different, I just meet people where they’re at,” Aisling says as Mr. Lars walks up and places plates and cups in front of us. He has some type of warm beverage for Aisling, and she merely chuckles.

“I figured you’d need an afternoon pick me up,” he says with a shrug. “Enjoy, ladies.”

He walks away and I gaze after him for a moment.

“What?” Aisling asks as she takes a bite of her sandwich. The bread is even toasted.

“He’s so growly and scary, but then he does really nice things,” I mutter. “I don’t understand alphas at all.”

“Yet, you see that there’s a dichotomy,” she says. “You’re good at reading people.”

“They’re still confusing,” I reply, picking up my toast as I turn back and take a bite. The bread is toasted perfectly, the bananas have a good consistency, and it’s not too sweet. Humming, I chew slowly before swallowing.

I’m waiting to see how my body handles things before I have another bite, but my stomach gurgles in excitement. Aisling hides a smile while I blush.

“That’s a high compliment,” she says.

We chat easily as we eat, and I find the electrolyte packed beverage Mr. Lars made me is helping as well. I don’t feel as if I’m dragging, my legs don’t threaten to fold when I stand up to dispose of my trash, and my stomach is settled and full. God, I almost feel normal.

“My errand is on the way back to the shelter, this was just a pit stop,” Aisling says when Mr. Lars steps in front of us to take our trash and clean our table.

“How is your stomach feeling?” Mr. Lars asks.

“Happy and settled,” I reply. “Thank you, that’s one of the first things I’ve been able to eat.”

“Since when?” he asks before scowling. I don’t think he meant to ask. I remember vaguely that I ate a little here and there at the cabin, but fell back asleep before I was able to eat it all.

“I don’t really know,” I tell him with a shrug. “I have a feeling whatever I say will probably piss you off, though.”

Mr. Lars huffs, and someone comes by to take what’s in his hands. His staff reminds me of a well oiled machine.

“I’m sure it will,” he mutters. “Are you sure you want to work for my brother? The cafe has daytime hours.”

“I’m thinking about going to college, and need to save up the money to do that,” I explain.

“It takes time to save that much up,” he grunts, glancing at Aisling.

“I’m working on getting her to apply for scholarships,” she says.

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