Page 21 of Marigold Run

“Go on.” I stand and Mari backs up. My cock is rock hard, straining against my zipper. I need to adjust it, but I refuse to bring any attention to it. It would only scare her more. “Finish your nest,” I say as calmly as I can, before walking briskly to the bedroom door.

I have to get out of here before I do something I regret.

But Izan is right. Our omega is far more damaged than we thought. Maybe even worse than the last one we took in, and that poor girl died.

I hope the same fate doesn’t find our spirited Mari.

At the Dinner Table

Mari

IcanfeelHutch staring at the side of my face, but I don't dare look at him. I saw the look in his eyes earlier. He wanted to rut me, maybe even hurt me. I still don’t understand how the alpha was able to stop himself, but I wasn’t about to leave my room and risk finding him waiting for me in the hallway. In fact, I didn’t step foot outside of my nest until Everly came to get me for dinner. I briefly thought about refusing the meal, but I was too hungry.

Thankfully, the food here is decent.

It’s much fancier than what I’m used to, but I like the roasted duck, and the mashed potatoes must have at least a pound of butter in them. But I haven’t touched the weird chunks of cabbage. That shade of purple isn’t natural.

“Are you okay?” Izan asks in a hushed voice. The alpha sits next to me at the head of the table, looking over his pack. Me andHutch on one side, then Everly and Dassy on the other. I keep looking at the beta across from me.

I wish she was sitting next to me instead of Hutch.

“Mari?” Everly’s voice is small, obviously concerned that I didn’t answer Izan’s question.

“I’m good.” I force a smile, but it’s too late. Deep worry is etched between Everly’s brows. It’s clear the beta is looking for reasons to fret over me. “Thank you again for the new dress.” I quickly change the subject. “It’s very soft.” I touch one of the small capped sleeves. The deep blue fabric hangs off of my shoulders and it’s way too long—bunching up under my feet when I walk—but it’s comfortable. And that’s all that matters. “I like this more than the pink one.”

“Of course,” Everly says, her expression instantly as light as her voice. “Mrs. Florence said she’ll deliver most of your clothes in a few days. There are a few dresses that will need to be custom made, but she should be able to get you all your shirts, leggings, and jeans in her store.”

“Jeans?” Izan’s dark green eyes go wide with surprise. I didn’t realize until this moment how similar his eyes are to Stefan’s. They’re a bit darker, but the shape and sparkle are the same. “What kind of omega wearsjeans?” He makes a face at my bizarre choice in clothes.

“I do,” I say simply.

“I thought the fabric was too rough for omegas.” Hutch looks at me as if finding it hard to believe. “Don't the seams and metal buttons hurt your kind?”

“It doesn't bother me,” I say, trying to remember the first pair of jeans I wore.

Stefan and I had been on the run for a few months and were in desperate need of fresh clothes. The terrain was getting rougher, and our omega-made outfits were torn and soiled. We found a cabin with some clothes hanging outside to dry. Igrabbed what I could and ran. It took a few weeks for me to get used to the denim, but the thick fabric helped keep me warm and it was sturdy.They are perfect for living in the woods.

“You are horrible.” Everly giggles, and I realize I’ve zoned out.

Both Izan and Hutch are staring intensely at my face, but Dassy and Everly are oblivious, chatting happily to one another.

“Besides, I’ve decided to grow roses this year.” Everly leans into Dassy’s side, giving him a brilliant smile. “I think they’ll do much better than the sunflowers did.”

“Roses?” Dassy snorts, popping a big chunk of meat into his mouth. “Did you not kill enough greenery last year?”

“Hey!” Everly smacks the alpha’s bicep. “I didn’t kill anything.”

“Is that what you tell yourself?” Dassy laughs at the same time Hutch snorts loudly. “Did they just give up? Decide life was too much and wilted on the spot?”

I bow my head, pretending to spear a piece of cabbage to hide my smile.

“Don’t make me sic Izan on your ass,” Everly says with a shocking amount of sass. I glance at our pack alpha, pleased to see him smiling too.

“Don’t we already have rose bushes?” Izan asks as he takes a sip of his wine. I wasn’t offered any alcohol with my meal. I got water. It makes me a little sad. I’m curious as to what red liquid tastes like.

“We have red roses that the gardener planted and cares for,” Everly says, pushing her glasses up her nose. “I want to grow yellow roses all on my own.”

“Maybe you should grow some marigolds.” Dassy winks at me from across the table. His playful spirit is a little hard to get used to, given how stern Hutch is in comparison. It probably wouldn’t be so weird if they weren’t identical in every other way.“Why don’t you like going by Marigold?” Dassy asks, reaching for his beer.

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