Page 33 of Marigold Run

Is Donovan Tenus somewhere out there right now?

Is he still kidnapping omegas?

Does he keep track of the ones he sells?

“Mari?” Everly says my name with deep concern as she steps up next to me. The warm air kicks up, twisting the beta’s dark hair. The lush scent of alpha hits the air, and my thighs tense. I can smell Dassy and Hutch. Their aroma clings to her skin. It’s herbaceous and spicy with bright hints of lime. When combined, the twins’ aroma is admittedly very nice. Almost calming. It’s not like Izan. His aroma just makes me on edge.

“Do you need anything?” Everly asks, staring at the side of my face. “Maybe a nap?”

“I’m fine,” I say far too forcefully, then I quickly clear my throat. “I’m fine,” I say again, this time giving Everly a smile. She returns the gesture, but she doesn’t look convinced at all.

I inhale deeply, trying to steady myself, but a trace of Izan’s crisp aroma fills my lungs.

He left me last night to be with Everly.

He probably kissed her, touched her, filled her to the brim with his alpha cock. Alphas can only knot their betas if they havea deep mental connection, which not all betas are capable of. Does Everly have that kind of connection?

Does she take her alpha’s knots one at a time? Or maybe all three at once? Each one stuffed inside a different hole.

I glance at Everly. Her three mating bites are faint, each one overlapping the next. My fingers graze my own neck, and for a brief moment, I wonder what it might feel like to be mated.

Stop it!I silently yell at myself.You aren’t jealous of Everly, you don’t want her pack, and you will get the fuck out of here before one of them can mate you.

The cutting pain of sorrow lances through my heart, and I scowl.

Stupid fucking biology.

“You know.” Everly rocks from one foot to the other, catching my eye. Her nervous energy vibrates in the air, making me restless. “We have the number for your therapist at Havenfield. If you want to talk to someone?—”

“I’m good,” I say, trying to sound happy and light, but even I can hear the sharpness in my tone.

“Oh, okay.” Everly drops her gaze for a second. She reaches out, touching a nearby shrub. The leaves are shiny, almost plastic-looking. I wonder if this is one of her rose bushes. “Izan said you were sleepwalking last night.” She looks up at me, biting her bottom lip. “Do you do that a lot?”

I shrug. “I’m not sure,” I say, happy that Izan bought my little act.

“I was reading online about sleepwalking this morning.” Everly pushes her hands into her pockets.I can’t wait for my clothes to get here.“There are a few things we can try to relax you before bed.”

“Like what?” I ask, praying she’s not going to drug me.

“Actually, there are all kinds of things,” she says with a lift in her voice, obviously excited that I’m listening. “There are littlethings like deep breathing or playing with your hair, but there’s also progressive muscle relaxation or meditation to manage stress and anxiety.”

“No more doctors,” I say firmly. “And no more medication.”

“That’s okay.” Everly shakes her head as if to agree with me. “We don’t have to do that. I know you aren’t a fan of pills,” her eyes flicker to the hair framing my face, “or having your hair played with.” There’s a note of sadness in her voice.This girl really wants to touch my hair.“But tonight, maybe Izan can rub your back or?—”

“I want you to do it,” I cut her off. I don’t want Izan’s hands on me more than they have been, but I can tell that Everly won’t stop fussing over me until she can do something to “help” me. This might get her off my back. “You can rub my shoulders. That might help.”

“You wantme?” Everly’s eyes go wide. I nod and she ducks her head. “I can do that.” She blushes and I smirk.

I’m still not totally sure how I feel about the beta. She’s an incredibly kind person—there’s no denying that—and she’s very beautiful. A little nerdy at first glance, but her eyes are bright and curious, and her skin looks so soft.

I bet Izan loves fucking her.

She seems like she’d be very submissive for him as he pumped her beta pussy full of cum.

“There’s someone at the door for you.” Hutch’s loud voice makes me jump, and I quickly turn to face him.

“Who?” Everly asks, looking up at the exceptionally tall alpha.

---