Page 16 of Marigold Run

Feeling a little self-conscious, I cross my arms. My chest isn’t exactly tiny, but my breasts barely fillmyhand, which means they probably feel like nothing to an alpha.

“What’s in there?” I ask when we pass two large double doors, desperate for a distraction.

“The boys' offices.” Everly gives a little wave of her hand like it’s no big deal. She keeps walking, but I stay put.

Offices have computers.

“Are we not going to look?” I ask, trying to sound casual.

“Oh, no.” Everly giggles, as if my question is silly or stupid. I want to glare at her, but I keep my smile firmly in place. “We don’t go in there.”

“Why?” My voice edges a little firmer, more annoyed. Everly’s smile falls slightly, and I realize I’m being too forceful again. Swallowing down my frustrations, I tuck my hands behind my back and ask in my sweetest voice, “Is Izan in there? Can we see him?”

I don’t want to see him, but this is the only excuse I can think of.

“Do you need to see him?” Everly’s eyes go wide. Alarmed. She closes the space between us and drops her voice, “Do you need to be tended to?”

Fear slices through my chest, followed by a tingling sensation deep in my belly. I don’t want to be touched again…I think.

I admittedly don’t remember much after Izan started fucking me, but I did wake up with a lingering feeling of…calm? Maybe that’s not the right word, but whatever it was, I wasn’t upset. I also noticed that I didn’t have any bruises or cuts. I had no idea an alpha could rut without causing some kind of damage.

“I’m good,” I finally say, realizing I haven’t answered Everly’s question. “I just wanted to see my new home.” I glance once more at the mysterious double doors.

Everly pushes out a long sigh, and for a second, I think she might open one of the doors. “It’s not just Izan’s office,” she says. “It’s pretty much his entire back end for his business. It’s accounting and IT. There are all kinds of staff down there. Butdon’t worry,” she reaches for my hand, squeezing it gently, “this part of the house has a separate entrance and…” she points to a small panel next to one of the doors.I hadn’t noticed it.“No one can get in or out of here without a keycard. We’re totally safe.”

Taking a step back, I look all around, noticing all the added layers of security. The doors have reinforced hinges with noticeable automatic locks along the bottom, and there’s a small camera mounted above us pointed right at the entrance.

This clearly isn’t an option for finding a computer.

I’ll have to find one somewhere else.

“Should we go look at the atrium?” Everly asks as she reaches up and tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. I immediately grab it, putting it back. “Sorry.” The beta winces.

“I’m not big on having my hair messed with,” I say, motioning to the mess of waves and curls. “It gets frizzy really fast.”

“I’m so sorry.” Everly places her hands over her heart. “I have straight, boring brown hair.” She grabs a chunk, holding it up. “I could go through a tornado and it would still be limp.”

“It’s not limp,” I say, admiring it. “It’s so shiny. And healthy.” I can’t help the note of envy in my voice.

A voice comes over a hidden loud-speaker, making me jump. “Ms. Carrel. Mrs. Florence is waiting for you in the east sitting room.”

It takes everything in me not to groan. I honestly thought I'd never hear the grating static of an intercom ever again. I spent two years living in a place where a booming voice broke through my damn thoughts every ten minutes. I was hopeful I’d finally have some peace.

Apparently, there are some things you just can’t escape.

“She’s here!” Everly squeaks excitedly, then her expression drops for half a second as she adds, “I’ll show you to your roomonce we’re all done. I’m sure the twins will be done with it by then.”

“Done with it? What are they—” But before I can finish my question, Everly grabs my hand, pulling me toward the front of the house.

The East Sitting Room

Mari

Idon’t remember seeing this room during the tour, but we looked at so many, I really have no idea. The walls are white, like the rest of the house, and the carpet is a pale yellow with a dark blue couch situated in the center of the room. There’s a white overstuffed chair in the corner and the massive bookshelf behind me is also white. Even most of the books have white spines.

White, white, white.

I stare out the large window next to me, looking at the front drive and the perfectly manicured lawn. The mountain tops in the distance bring me a lot of comfort.Stefan is out there somewhere, waiting for me to find him.

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