Page 8 of Marigold Run

Vanessa pats my upper back, smoothing her hand down my hair. Her fingers catch in a few tangles, pulling slightly. I lean into her, hoping she’ll stop asking me questions and let me leave.

“Okay,” she finally says, but it’s clear she’s not talking to me. “Let’s get her ready.”

The sleeve on my right arm is lifted and I ready myself for the shot. I hope it hurts. It’s going to look very suspicious if I lift my head and am forced to explain my lack of tears.

“A quick stick,” Traven says, then pushes the needle deep into my arm.

It burns.A lot.

I focus on the sensation, trying to really feel the pain as it crawls up my arm and across my chest. My nose begins to run,and a few tears prickle in my eyes. It’s not a lot, but I can work with it.

“This medicine will allow you to interact with your new pack for one month without falling into your heat,” Vanessa says as she rubs my back. I’ve heard her give this speech before, but I don’t interrupt. I think she likes giving it. “This will give you time to interact with your mates and get to know them before biology takes over, and they mate you. It will create a stronger connection in the long run.”

“Okay,” I whisper, before finally lifting my head. I make a show of wiping my cheeks to prove to Vanessa that I have watery eyes. She immediately smiles when I lift my head.

“I know you’re a very guarded person,” she says, brushing a strand of my hair behind my ear. I hate that she’s touching me, but it’s clear she needs this. She wants to feel motherly before shoving me out the door. “Just know that if things don’t work out with this pack, you can call me and I’ll come and get you.”

No one ever comes back.

The second an omega leaves this place, that’s it. They’re gone forever.

The staff like to give us the illusion that we have a choice once we leave this place, but we don’t even have control while we're here.

“I’ll remember that,” I say softly, trying to play up my watery smile.

“Come on,” Vanessa slips my bag off my shoulder, then places it on her own. “Let’s go and meet your new pack.”

The doorto the greeting room is bright red, and the doorknob is brass with an intricate swirling design etched all around it.It’s an interesting design choice given how modern and sleek the majority of this place is. It’s almost as if the admins are trying to give the illusion of romance.

It’s kind of stupid.

“Do you have any questions before you meet them?” Vanessa asks, pulling me to a stop right in front of the door. “We can go over their chart while you settle your nerves.”

“I’m good,” I say, then I grab the doorknob and push the door open. Vanessa lets out a muffled gasp, obviously shocked that I didn’t give her a chance to say anything else.

Soft light and cool air greets me as I step into the tiny room. The walls and ceiling are a cream-color. There are two long beige couches that face each other in the center of the room. But it’s the three alphas standing at the back of the room that pull all of my attention.

The twins catch my eye first. They are shockingly identical. They have the same blue eyes, the same light blond hair cut very short on the sides and long on top, and the same matching scruff. But it’s their size that’s the most surprising.

They’remassive. Taller than any alpha I’ve met before.

Fear spikes in my belly at the thought of being rutted by one of them, let alone both, but I shove it down and force myself to smile. One of the twins returns the friendly gesture, giving me a very sweet smile, but the other one keeps looking at me with a very intense gaze. I imagine the intense one is Hutch, but I don't really know.

“Mari.” Izan’s eyes flash as he drinks me in. He’s exactly as he described: olive skin, intense green eyes, clean-shaven, and thick black hair that’s shaved along the sides and slightly curly on top. He’s not very tall compared to the twins—he’s maybe six feet tall—but he still looks like he could rip me in half without breaking a sweat.

“Hello.” I duck my head as I tuck my hands behind my back, reminding myself that I need to be submissive and sweet. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s wonderful to finally see your beautiful face.” Izan moves to me, extending his hand.

“No touching,” Vanessa says firmly.

Izan freezes up, before slowly pulling his hand back. His movements are tense, and he pulls in a slow, calming breath. He clearly doesn’t like taking orders from a beta.

I don’t really blame him. The ceremony of it all is beyond ridiculous. If I go home with Izan today, he and his packmates will fuck me, but it’s inappropriate for us to hold hands before making it out the door?It’s all so stupid.

“Would you like to sit down?” Izan angles his body to one side, motioning to the couches. “I want to hear all about your day.”

I make a show of tucking my shitty blue dress under my bottom, then I cross my legs. Both of the twins eye the apex of my thighs. It makes me tense slightly, but then I remind myself that this is what I have to do to get out of here. It’s not that big of a deal.

---