Page 26 of Welcome to Bone Town

She sucks in a breath, and suddenly I’m seeing memories I don’t want to see.

I pinch my eyes shut. “Guess what I’m saying is, I’d give fate a chance. At least, I think I would.” It’s not lost on me that I’m giving this little omega the same advice I gave Dr. Slate…while she’s wearing his shirt to bed.

We’re both quiet for a long while after that. Finally, I lay down on the stiff cot, still awake, but resting. When she thinks I’m asleep, she creeps over to the table and picks up the bandana. The one she found this morning. It’s only after she tucks it under her face that her breathing finally becomes steady and she drifts off.

22

When I wake up, Bear is snoring softly. He’s on his back with his mouth hanging open, the slightest bit of drool dampening his pillow. He’s kind of adorable.

It’s good that he’s still asleep because I need a moment with my thoughts. I hate that I’ve still got that stupid bandana clutched in my hand. And I’m still wearing Roman’s shirt. There’s no scent coming off it—he’s as careful as I am—but I still have the inexplicable urge to curl up with it and never give it back. Silly of me.

After slipping on a pair of shorts, I consider going to the bathrooms to finish changing, but I don’t want Roman to catch me still wearing his shirt. And, if someone else sees, I don’t want them getting the wrong impression. It’s bad enough that Roman saw my boob last night. That was mortifying, but I’m even more embarrassed about how I clung to him like a needy little girl, a desperate omega.Goddess, it’s like I played right into his stereotype of omegas.

So, I guess I’m changing in front of the security alpha. It’s not like he’s awake to see. I’ll just be quick.

My heart races as I turn my back to Bear and unbutton Roman’s shirt. I fumble with my bra and drop it on the floor. Bear rolls over as I’m picking it up, and I throw a look over my shoulder. He’s still asleep. His breathing is even, and his eyes are closed.

What would he do if he woke up and caught me changing? He seems like a good guy, and he’d probably look away, but the thought of him watching makes my skin feel all tight and pebbly. My nipples are hard points as I put on my bra.

Shit, I need to get my libido under control or I’ll be playing into Roman’s ideas about omegas even more. That’s the last thing I want.

Once I’m dressed, I make my bed, tuck away my things, then grab the puzzle box and go in search of coffee. Caffeine is exactly what I need to shake off last night’s ordeal and the inappropriate thoughts I keep having about my colleagues.

The mess tent’s quiet, but it’ll be a hive of activity soon, everyone trying to snag a bite to eat and get to work before the sun becomes unbearable. I’m just grateful Roman isn’t here yet. I don’t think I can handle seeing him right now without combusting from embarrassment.

After grabbing my coffee, I take a seat at a table near the door. I’ll get food later. Right now, I want to enjoy my coffee and distract myself withthe puzzle box. I’m certain the thing opens. I just can’t figure out how, and I don’t like not being able to figure something out.

“Mornin’, sunshine.”

I look up to see Bear with a plate full of pastries in his hand. He sets the plate in the middle of the table, then sits down across from me. “Help yourself. I know how you forget to eat when you’re focused.”

His attention to my eating habits surprises me, even as my heart flutters. “Um, thanks. Eating sometimes feels like an inconvenience when there’s a problem to solve.”

“Well, then, I’ll have to make it more convenient for you.” He taps the plate. “Eat up.”

I take a blueberry muffin and break off a bite.

“Whatcha got there?” He tilts his head toward the puzzle box in front of me.

“I’ve been trying to figure this thing out,” I say, lifting it to show him. “It has to open somehow. My gut is telling me whatever’s inside is the clue we need to make a breakthrough.”

“A breakthrough with what?” He takes the box, examining the intricate circles that divide the top like a mosaic.

“I don’t know. Maybe finding Lunara’s temple.” I shrug, shoving another bite of food into my mouth. He looks up from the box as I swallow. “I’ve turned it and poked it and tried prying it apart, but I don’t want to break it.” Tapping my finger on the little circles, I add, “I think you might need to turn these in a certain order, but they seem to be stuck.”

“What’s this groove here?” Bear points at the oddly shaped rut in the metal on the opposite side from the circles.

“I don’t know.” I frown. “That’s been bugging me, too. It’s too deep to be an engraving, but the precise lines indicate it isn’t just damage sustained over time. If it’s a symbol, none of us recognize it, and I’ve tried sliding a pick along the edge to see if I could release a trigger mechanism, but no luck.”

We stare at the pattern a little longer until Bear huffs out a laugh. “It kinda looks like a twist lock. Not that they had those back then.”

I stare at him, smiling in excitement, nearly bouncing in place with new energy.

His chuckle dies, and he shifts in his seat, brows furrowed. “What?”

“Bear.” My mouth tips up into an excited grin. “I think this box has a missing part.”

23

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