Page 40 of Marigold Run

I swallow the lump in my throat, nodding. “How did she die?” I ask, trying to calm my spiraling urges.

Everly wipes her face, making her glasses fall to the carpet with a soft thud.

I bend down and pick them up for her, before wiping the lenses off on my shirt.

“Brea came to us underfed and malnourished,” Everly says as I push her glasses back on her pretty face. “We didn’t even realize she was in chronic distress until it was too late.”

I wince at that, wondering what kind of institution would allow an omega to live in such horrible health, let alone be claimed like that.

“Izan did everything he could think of,” Everly continues. There’s a vacant look in her eyes, and her expression is slack. “He brought in the best doctors and followed all their advice. He even delayed rutting her, trying to give her physical body a chance to heal. But nothing helped.”

A rush of surprise hits me, and for a brief moment I feel something like respect for Izan.

“He didn’t touch her at all?” I ask just to be sure. I don't really care, but I have to make sure I’m not too impressed by the alpha.

“He didn’t,” Everly says with so much confidence I have to believe her.

There are many alphas out there that would happily fuck an omega as they took their dying breath. But to know that Izan didn’t mate that poor girl is admirable. It must have been near impossible for him not to claim an omega in his care.

Everly reaches for my hand. I let her hold it, feeling bad for making her talk about something so painful and raw. “Brea was a very sweet omega.” Everly lets out a longing breath. “She was very kind and obedient, but she was gone before any of us could properly bond with her.”

Quick relief hits me, followed by deep shame.

The Silva pack lost their omega, and I am feeling relief that they didn’t get a chance to bond with her. And I don’t even want them! It’s just stupid biology telling me that any other omega is a threat to both me and the alphas that crave me.

I’ve got to get out of here.

“That must have been a very hard time for you.” I squeeze Everly’s hands, trying to push all my sympathy into the room. I’m shit at soothing others—that was always Stefan’s strength—but I can at least try. “I’m so sorry.”

Everly gives me a watery smile, before raising her head. She clears her throat, and I know we’re done talking about Brea. I won’t bring her up again, unless Everly wants to. I know how painful the dead can be to even think about.

“Mari,” Everly’s voice comes out small and sad. “I promise I won’t ask you about taking a nap anymore. You are your own person, with your own needs, and I respect that.”

Shit.

I hate how much I like Everly.

She really is this bubbly ball of loving energy. The urge to stop her crying and make her happy isintense. I want to make her smile.I have to.

“I don’t like sitting in the garden,” I say, waiting to see how she reacts to that. “It’s boring.”

Everly’s eyes widen at my confession, both surprised and a little confused.

“You asked me what else I needed,” I remind her. “I don’t like sitting or napping.”

The beta’s energy instantly shifts as her back straightens and her eyes become bright. “Okay.” She gives me a firm nod, wiping the tears off of her face. The motion makes her glasses bounce upward, but this time they don’t fall. “No more sitting in the garden,” she says as if taking my order at a restaurant. “Would you rather sew or read? We have a grand library with?—”

“Fuck, no,” I blurt out before I can stop myself.

Everly’s brows shoot up at my outburst but she doesn’t scold me for my language. “Not a fan of books?” She smiles widely, letting out a very girlie laugh. The sound is pleasing. Bright and friendly. It makes some of the tension in my belly fall away.

“Yeah.” I smile back at her, unable to stop myself. “The only way I could escape the staff and the other patients at Havenfield was to hide in the library. I’d sit on a stiff couch staring at a dusty book, wishing I was doing anything else.”

Twin lines appear between the beta’s brows. “You didn’t read the books?” Her voice is light. Not judging me. But curious. “You justpretendedto?”

“Yeah.” A breathy laugh jerks from my throat. “I just wanted to sit in silence and think.” I’m aware of how weird that sounds, but it’s the truth. And right now, I’m too tired for anything else.

“What did you think about?” Everly looks deep into my eyes, and for a second I consider telling her about Stefan. About howI saved him, kept him, and protected him for almost two full years. But then I’d have to admit to losing him. And I don’t want anyone to know that.

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