Page 41 of Consort

As I’m considering my limited options, something dawns on me. The Omegatookthe wine. She accepted it.

My heart starts to pound. My mind races ahead like a juvenile with a charming elixir for his crush. I imagine the Omega leaving something for me in return, then inviting me inside her home, then opening up to me about why she’s hiding.

But it’s insanity. Of course she took the wine. Who turns down wine? The look on her face when her heat broke made it clear she’ll never forgive me. Even if she did, nothing could come of it. She deserves better than me. I’m unworthy of her attention.

Though I know how true that is, I still find myself desperate for it. My chest feels like it’s caving in any time I think about walking away from her. And now that she’s accepted a gift from me, any attempt at forgetting her seems pointless. And like agigantic waste of my time.

Chapter 16

Rue

I still don’t trust the fae or his fancy gifts, but I couldn’t resist the wine he left last night. I needed an escape from the boredom, if only for a while. But I felt sick when I tried to drink it. Maybe it’s cursed or laced with poison, or maybe I’ve just been without wine for too long and can’t handle it anymore. Whatever the case, it’s probably for the best that I’m unable to drink it. I’m going to return it when Mother is busy. Hopefully, he won’t notice that a few sips are gone.

As badly as I want to forget what little I remember of him, my thoughts continue to wander his way. His eyes, flecked with every shade of blue imaginable, those long, pointy ears... I wonder if they’re firm like shifter ears or if they soften toward the tips. Remembering how they peeked out of his messy hair when he was sleeping makes me flutter in places I shouldn’t.

Mother emerges from the hut and looks at me strangely when I jolt. It feels like I’m doing something wrong when I think of him. That’s probably because itiswrong. He used me. Fuck him and his stupid ears. I’ve got to find a way to purge him out of my mind for good.

“We need supplies,” Mother says, choosing to ignore my jumpiness. “Let’s do one more blood collection. It should be enough to get what we need.”

I hate giving blood. It makes me feel woozy, even though Mother only takes a bit at a time. I hide the icky feeling, though. I’m glad she’s allowed me to help. Her blood won’t be enough. Even with my contribution, she’ll have to tell the fae to use more in each charm.

I should have taken the meat and other provisions the fae left, but there’s no way I’d be able to explain to Mother where I got them. We’re safer here, and she seems so content. I don’t want to spook her and ruin that. I already uprooted her from the pack. I can’t take away her sense of security, too.

“You’ll stay here,” she says, eying me sternly.

“What?” I ask, gaping at her. “Why? Shouldn’t we stick together?

“I didn’t like how some of the fae were looking at you before,” she says, lifting her chin defiantly. “You’re safer here. I’ll manage just fine.”

I don’t remember the fae looking at me in any kind of way, other than with mild distaste. But I don’t argue with her. We have no choice; we need the supplies. Still, I’ll be terrified until she gets back. Our pack knows which market she visits, and she can’t switch to a different one. The fae there won’t know her and may not buy from her.

It’s been a while, though. Maybe Bock has given up by now. He probably assumes we were caught and killed by some fae. I almost feel bad for Mannus. He’s probably in deep shit for allowing us to go without an escort. But he’s repulsive. He deserves whatever he got.

Maybe I don’t need to worry about our pack. Even if Bock initially had Alphas watching the market, they wouldn’t be allowed to stalk a fae gathering place for long. The nobles would surely chase them off.

Mother gives me a kiss on the cheek and heads out, as confident as ever. I watch her leave, praying that no fae botherher. Even though it seemed like forever to get here, I know our new home is closer to the market than our pack’s camp was. She’ll be fine. She has to be.

I try to find things to keep me busy while I wait for her to return, but I’ve already done every damn thing there is to do around here. There’s nothing to keep me from peeking outside over and over, hoping to see her emerging through the trees. That still doesn’t pass the time any faster. It feels like she left days ago.

Then, I remember the wine. This is the perfect time to get rid of it. I race to my bed to unbury the jug from my blanket. Time has been crawling by all morning, but now, I’m terrified she’ll return before I can replace it. I race back outside and stop at the entrance to the thicket. When I pop my head out, I expect to see an empty forest again, but I’m dead wrong. This time, someone is there. And it’s not my mother.

It’s him!

He’s standing right outside the entrance, looking as shocked as I am. I think of retreating back inside, but how would that help? He obviously knows I’m here. And I have no weapons or protection if he were to follow me in.

And… I don’t want to run away. As unwise as it may be, I love the rush I’m getting right now. Excited energy thrashes inside me like a wild storm with nowhere to go. It’s as if life saved up all the action from the past few weeks and has released it all on me at once. It’s overwhelming, but I can’t get enough of it.

I try to hide my excitement as I push my way through the thicket. The fae stands right in front of me, still frozen with surprise. His dizzying scent matches my memories and sends a fluttering from my stomach to my core. But he can’t know how much he affects me. I need to have the upper hand. Painting on a stony face, I stare pointedly into his wide eyes, waiting for his response to being caught sneaking around.

He finally recovers and clears his throat. “Hi, Omega,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest.

I cringe at his use of my designation. I didn’t give him my name, but wouldn’t “shifter” have been sufficient?

“I see you found the wine,” he says when I don’t return his greeting.

Shit. I forgot all about it. I glance down at the jug in my hand and curse myself. Why did I have to take it? He probably thinks he has some kind of advantage over me now. I panic and lie.

“My mother found it and brought it inside. I was just returning it.”

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