Page 32 of Consider The Lilies

It’s wonderfully intoxicating.

“I was warm,” I say, pushing a piece of potato around my plate. “The bed was a little too soft.”

“Too soft?” His eyes widen as if struggling to believe that. “I thought omegas loved soft things.” He picks up his fork then leans in, looking at me like I’m the most interesting person he’s ever met. “I always imagined your kind would sleep on marshmallows if you could.”

I can’t help but laugh at the image. “I do love marshmallows,” I say, remembering the bag Mari stole from a campsite once. They were so sugary sweet. We ate the whole bag in one sitting, then spent the rest of the night moaning about our aching bellies. It was worth it. “I think my body is too used to sleeping on the ground.”

“The ground?” Bear’s smile falls, and worry etches between his dark brows. “Did you sleep on the ground a lot?”

I nod, happy to have someone to talk to. “Yeah. Sometimes we’d find a plush bit of grass, but we mostly slept on the ground or in caves. Caves were safer, but I always hated the rock floor. Too chilly.”

“We?” Bear asks as deep sadness pulls at the corner of his eyes. I don’t know if he can sense my grief, or if he’s just expecting it given where I was found.

“Yeah.” I drop my gaze, pushing a piece of potato under what’s left of my steak. “My big sister. But she died.” I pause, expecting the words to punch me in the gut, but they don’t. It’s just a cold, numb fact.

“I…uh…I’m so sorry,” Bear says with a slight grimace. He looks lost, like he doesn’t know what to say, and, honestly, neither do I. He slips one big hand around his glass of water, taking a long drink. I stare at him, taking in the fading bruises that curl around his knuckles.

How did he get them? Was it a fight? An accident? Could he have been saving puppies stuck in a tree and slipped and hurt himself? It’s a very unlikely story, but I don’t want to think it was something violent. I want it to be a sweet, innocent story.

“Is there anything you need?” Bear asks, making me look up. “To make the bed better? Pillows? Different blanket?” His dark eyes hold me, genuine worry etched around them.

I’m so caught off guard by his kindness that I don’t know what to say.

“Who died?” Jack asks loudly as he enters the room. I immediately drop my gaze, hoping he doesn’t see the horrified look on my face. “Why does everyone look so damn sad?” He sits down.

Bear takes a big bite of his breakfast, ignoring the alpha’s question.

“Don’t forget you have a nine-thirty with Terrence Panner.” Lucy pours a little more coffee into Jack’s cup, warming it back up.

“Fuck.” Jack cuts an angry look into the hallway as if looking for someone. “I’ll let Yuki know.”

Bear looks up. Deep lines are etched between his dark brows. “I thought I was?—”

“No,” Jack says firmly, cutting the alpha off. “You aren’t working with me today. You’re on omega duty.”

My attention snaps to Bear. The shift in his expression is undeniable. The lines between his brows vanish, and he sits a bit taller before his gaze drifts to me. His expression is intense ashe drinks me in, scanning every inch of my face. I slump down, suddenly feeling very restless.

“Get that fucking look off your face.” Jack gives Bear a pointed look. But the bearded alpha doesn’t seem bothered at all as he tears his eyes away from me. “There are rules while you’re with Stefan.”

I stare at Jack, too scared to look back at Bear. I don’t think he’s looking at me anymore, but I don’t know.

“No touching,” Jack says forcefully. It’s an angry command, making my back curl inward. “No scenting, stroking, flirting, or staring.” He leans in, glaring hard as he whispers, “If I find out you’ve touched a single fucking hair on this boy’s head, I will end you.”

A sharp tremble cuts through me, and I cross my arms, trying to shield myself from Jack’s obvious threat.

“Yes, sir.” Bear holds his head high.

Jack’s dark eyes narrow, and he slowly straightens his back, sitting at full height. “Lucy,” he barks the beta’s name. She silently moves to his side, waiting for her orders. “You’re being reassigned.”

Twin lines etch between her brows, but she doesn’t speak.

“You are to watch over Stefan and report to me if Bear even thinks about breaking one of my rules.”

I don’t know where to look—Bear looks angry while Lucy looks almost scared.

This time, when Bear speaks, it’s a deep, restrained growl. “You’re having abetawatch over me?” he asks, like it’s an insult.

Lucy’s expression drops, clearly not happy with his tone. “Sir,” she pulls in a deep breath, forcing her attention on Jack, “my job?—”

---