Page 38 of The Butcher

“There will be plenty of time to get the answers we both want, we don’t need to go over everything now.” I watch her move to a small table at my bedside—a real bed with an actual mattress and multiple, cozy blankets—replacing the cloth before she picks up what looks like a small jar. “I’m going to apply this to your bruises. They’re mostly faded, just yellow spots here and there, but I imagine you’re still a little sore. This salve will help withboth, and I’ll give you an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever in your IV before I let you get some rest.”

Mona does exactly what she said, tending to my injuries with a gentle, caring hand before fiddling with the thin tube running from my arm to a bag hanging on a stand. She tucks me in, pulling my blankets higher, making sure my pillows are fluffed and positioned where I want them. Then Mona moves to a large fireplace across from me, adding a few more logs before heading to what must be the door.

“I’ll be back in a few hours to check on you. If you need anything in the meantime, there’s a bell on the table next to you. If you have the strength, grab it and give it a ring.”

I nod and try to smile. “Thank you.”

“Think nothing of it, my dear.”

I take a slow, deep breath, fighting the fear that keeps flaring after hearing what happened, fate learning that those men from Harden Ranch left me for dead, and they failed. They probably haven’t given me a second thought, I was tossed out like trash and I doubt they cared enough to remember where that was, but what if… What if they come back? What if those men are looking for me right now? What if?—

“Indigo?”

My eyes shift in the firelight, finding those intense blue ones staring from across the room.

“You’re safe here, dear. I don’t know exactly what you’ve been through, or where you were before Butch brought you here, but I can promise you, you’re safe here, and you are never going to deal with any of that bullshit ever again.”

Then she gives me a curt nod, and a warm smile before she slips out of the room, leaving me with her words.

Her words that I’m so desperate to believe that I convince myself she means them.

Too bad this all feels like a dream, and I’m nearly just as convinced that I’m going to wake up at any second, only to find myself back in my stall, waiting to meet my fate all over again.

And if that happens, I truly hope it’s the end for me.

Chapter Ten

LIKE A STONE

Indy

TWO WEEKS LATER

Pacing in front of the window, I watch the snow fall outside, the flakes big and fluffy as they glide back and forth until they touch the ground.

Peaceful.

Everything around here is damn peaceful, but for some reason, I can’t relax to save my life.

I’ve never been this restless before, never felt the need to crawl out of my skin because it’s too tight.

Ever since Mona helped me get out of bed for the first time and do a lap around the bedroom, I do nothing but pace. Mostly in front of the window or the fireplace, at all hours of the day or night. I bite my nails while I do it, or clench my jaw to stop myself from grinding my teeth.

She said it’s anxiety but I’m not sure why.

I’ve had it my entire life like most omegas but I lived on a breeding ranch, for fuck’s sake, and I never did any of this. Not even when I was waiting for them to put me into heat, or bring the alphas to me.

But I’ve come to the realization that I feel it now because this place is unknown.

It’s safe. It’s comfortable and quiet, but everything and everyone is unknown to me, and I have no idea what to expect here.

I knew at the ranch.

From the disgusting men all the way to the dirty stalls, I knew what to expect, and I was even able to carve out a small space for myself.

Here, in a houseful of people that I don’t know but can hear constantly moving from room to room, that I can smell each time they walk past my door, I have no damn idea what’s coming next.

“Today is the day, Indy.”

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