Page 36 of Slick Handling

What do I need?

My mind races and I sniffle, though there are no tears coming out, yet.

“Home. I want to have a home that I belong in. That I’m safe. That my underwear don’t go missing and I’m forced to wear new ones that go up my butt all the time.”

The underwear had been the strangest thing about living with the Alphas. McKinley had told me that he had washed all my clothes when I moved in. It was why I had to wear their mismatched outfits for a couple days. Then on Monday morning all my clothes had been in my room ready to wear…except my underwear which had been replaced by new ones with tags so I knew they were meant for me.

When I had Omega Studies on Tuesday, I had asked about why it would happen and she had talked about courting gifts. Which was even more confusing because we weren’t courting.

Nothing made sense!

“Little Omega, why don’t you let me hold you? You’re distressed and it’s making my Alpha go crazy wanting to fix it.”

“That’s just real tough honey and bears for you!” I snap, wrapping my arms tighter around myself, “Just drive to the game and I’ll stay here. I like being here.”

“No. You’re going to get up and buckle in if I’m driving.” The touch of Alpha command is in his voice. Something I did learn about and learned about howdangerousit was. Something I had experienced and had almost gotten me bonded because of how Alphas always tried toforcethings.

“If you touch me I’m calling your mother.” I hear the growl from him and peek out from the ball that I’ve rolled myself into.

The hair I had been admiring earlier is disheveled and there is something in his eyes that look a bit crazy. My scent comes out harder, the lemon so turned now my eyes water from the puckering sourness of it.

Apollo scents it too. His eyes narrow as I watch the muscles in his neck tighten and the way that his Adam's apple bobs, up and down as he tries to swallow down whatever is happening.

“Call my mother? You’re being a brat, Omega. Do you know what happens to brats?” My eyes widen and I feel the fear escalating and his face softening like he went too far, “Shit, no. Clover-”

“Call you mother. I want to go back! I don’t want to be here. You’re not safe! Shelied.Youlied.All Alphas lie.” I’m out of my ball now and pushed against the opposite door, my back to it as I think about how I need to run.

I’m not safe.

His hand dips into the pocket of his pants, pulling out his phone and holding it between us like it’s some sort of peace offering and not a lifeline.

The way his blue eyes look almost stormy gray as they shift to hit call before he looks around and realizes he’s still in a parking lot.

“I’m getting in the car and sitting down. I won’t come closer, okay?” I nod as he does what he says. Laying his jacket near me like he still thinks that I need it.

“Apollo? Is everything okay? I thought the boys had a game today-”

“I want to leave.” I find my voice to speak. I’ve learned that I’m supposed to be able to do that now. Even though I don’t really trust the Alphas.

There is silence for a second and that mistrust comes up again before there is a ringing sound and the call is switched to a video chat.

Instead of Martha on the screen it's Joy, the Omega of the pack. And she looks absolutely furious.

“Give her the phone and get the fuck out of the car. I’m not even there and it’s clear she’s upset at whatever shit you’ve done to her. I’ll deal with you later, Apollo.” He sets down the phone and gets out of the car, leaving me alone with his mama.

My hand grabs the phone as I look at her, how she softens when she smiles at me. She’s an Omega and she will understand things.

“I hate it here. They all hate me. I want to nest but there is nowhere safe to nest! We’re going to the hockey game and it’s going to be so cold there and it’s snowing a lot so I’m going to have to sleep in a different bed again. And I’m complaining. I shouldn’t complain. I’m so sorry-”

“You have every right to complain, Clover. Things have been changing for you so much. You’re just learning about what it means to be an Omega and every time you start to get settled somewhere, it’s taken away from you. I am so sorry that you couldn’t stay here with us. I would have loved to have you here.” My eyes prickle with tears.

It’s so nice to hear about someone wanting me around. It feels nice knowing that.

A tear comes out and I wipe it away without thinking.

“Clover, did they do something to hurt or upset you?” I nod my head and watch the way her rage comes across her face before she takes a breath to settle down, “What happened, sweet girl?”

“They stole all my underwear and now I only have thongs. Which is fine but I miss my sleep underwear. They were soft and…mine. Vaughn ignores me. He was nice to me on Monday night and let me share a sandwich and let me cry, but then I haven’t seen him since then. McKinley is nice, but it’s almost too much like he’s making up for everyone else? Apollo acts like I’m a chore for him to do. I’m the trash he has to take out. Griffin…he took my first kiss and-”

---