Page 20 of The Omega's Bloodline: Part One

“Are you going to elaborate at all? I’m not a fan of being in the dark when it concerns me.”

This is between Caden and me.

“Please, tell me.”

You won’t like me anymore if I do. I’ll always be grateful that you saved me. He stepped closer, putting his paws on my shoulder so he could headbutt my cheek.

I scooped him into my arms and he didn’t resist. Instead, he curled up, tucking his head under my chin. “What if I don’t want you to leave?”

Seth’s purr kicked up, but he didn’t respond otherwise. I thought about jiggling his little kitty body until he answered me, but if he was set on leaving, I was going to get my cuddles in while I could.

By the time Caden returned with food, Seth had fallen asleep on me.

I wanted to ask Caden to tell Seth to stay, but I didn’t know why Seth wanted to—or needed to—leave, didn’t know what was in their history that would push them apart. Caden and I weren’t even officially together and it hadn’t beenthatlong that I felt comfortable forcing an answer out. They obviously didn’t want me to know.

I stress-ate my breakfast and stress-drove us into Boston afterward. I held my tongue. Seth could leave if he wanted to. He knew I didn’t want him to and that wasn’t enough to keep him here, so there was nothing else to be done.

Seth sat on my lap while we drove to the address Caden had acquired online.

“Stay here,” said Caden. “It’s not safe for humans inside a nest.”

“Why not?”

“Humans are a novelty. You’d attract a lot more attention than I could protect you from.”

“Is it safe foryouin there?”

“More or less. Give me your phone number and I can call you on my new phone when I get it. Assuming they’re hospitable about it. If I haven’t contacted you in three hours…don’t try to come after me.” He looked at Seth. “Don’t let her go into the nest.”

I’ll tackle her if she tries.

I had no idea what the fuss was with a nest. I gave Caden one of my business cards and watched him disappear past the gates of what looked like a motel. I’d gathered that shifters relied on one another to get access to resources they’d need to live as a human. That was probably especially difficult in the modern world. I wouldn’t want to have to start from scratch even with help.

I didn’t want to be too far away when Caden eventually called, so Seth and I decided to hang out at Wollaston Beach after I picked up a lemonade at the drive-thru. I parked my butt in the sand in the shade of one of the few available trees and settled in to wait. Not too many places would let me inside with a cat, but at least it was a pretty comfortable temperature out and the wind was light.

Seth wasn’t any more forthcoming with explanations about his imminent departure. He took advantage of our time together for a lengthy cuddle and a nap. There was no point in chiding myself for having gotten attached to him. It had happened the second I’d found them.

I kept up a steady pattern of petting to occupy myself, reading a book on my phone until a text popped up from an unknown number.

Unknown:

Got my phone

They’re going to mail the driver’s license and docs

Be out in about 20 min

I patted Seth’s butt. “Caden’s almost finished.”

Seth yawned and stretched, taking his time to rub each of his cheeks against mine.Can you drop me off in Lower Roxbury after we pick him up?

“What’s there?”

The old lady that used to feed me.

“What if she’s not there anymore?”

Then I’ll find a new cat lover to take pity on me.

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