Page 163 of Rough and Rugged

Lydia smiled at me, “Sounds like the two of you are mates, and fate has kept you apart. Once the birth control wears off in a week, you’ll be able to scent him.”

I knew she could be right. “Until that happens, I’m not going to get my hopes up.”

She held up her hands in surrender. “Alright alpha. When will you be bringing him by?”

I rolled my eyes. She knew I hated being called alpha. “He should be well enough to leave the hospital in a couple of days. He’s rough. Not just from his fall, but from being beaten by his father, my ex-stepfather, and his alpha.”

“I know how to treat an abused omega, I’ll take care of him.” She patted my shoulder, and I opened the door to leave. “Go take care of your omega.”

“Yes, Mama.” I kissed her cheek again and headed back toward the hospital. I stopped and grabbed a pizza from Mo’s Pizzeria, sausage, Julian’s favorite. Then started back to the hospital. When I walked into the room, Jules was still asleep.

I set the pizza down on the table next to him and he roused shortly after, sniffing the air. “Mmm, is that pizza?”

Laughing at him, I nodded and opened the box. “Your favorite.” Jules grabbed a slice, it was gone in seconds, and he was reaching for his second. This one he savored, moaning as he chewed. “That’s how I felt when I had Mo’s pizza for the first time.”

Jules swallowed and nodded. “It’s so good! It’s been days since I ate.” Jules slapped his hand over his mouth and looked at me with wide eyes.

“He was starving you too?” I asked through gritted teeth. Jules just nodded, and I fisted my hand on my knee. “I will kill this alpha if I ever meet him.”

“Get in line.” Jules whispered, and I snapped my gaze to him. Jules was never a violent person. “Sorry, I just suffered so much from that man over the last two years. And then to have the balls to cheat on me with my best friend the entire time?” Jules growled and balled his own fists, his hands shifting to his talons.

Fuck, that was hot. My cock twitched in my pants as Jules looked at me and raised an eyebrow. Fuck! I forgot he can smell me. Clearing my throat, I pushed the pizza box closer to him, to get him to eat more. “I found you a place to stay.”

Jules paused with the slice halfway to his mouth. “That was fast.”

“There’s an older omega woman who takes in omegas who needs a place to stay.” I said softly.

“So, a domestic abuse house?” Jules supplied.

Nodding, “Yeah pretty much.” I replied.

Jules shrugged, “Better than where I was.” Then slowly continued to eat his pizza.

“I’m not just going to drop you off there and disappear again, I will be visiting.” I said, pleaded for him to believe me.

“Okay, Gun.” His sad tone broke my heart, but I knew this would be best for him. For both of us. Whether or not I liked it, I cared for my ex-stepbrother more than I should.

Chapter Five

Julian

Aftertwomoredaysin the hospital, I could finally breathe and stand without my ribs hurting. That also meant I could finally get the fuck out of here. As much as I wanted to stay here, especially with Gun, I needed to keep going. Needed to get as far away from Zach as possible.

I had just finished dressing when Gunnar walked into my room. “Ready Jules?” he asked, and I nodded, grabbing my bag to follow him, but he grabbed it out of my hand as quickly as possible.

“Gunnar, I can carry it.” I started, but he gave me a stare. “Okay.” I whispered.

“Good boy.” He said back as he led me out of the room, completely oblivious to the growing problem in my pants.

After leaving the hospital, if you could call it that, since it was smaller than a gas station. We walked down a cobblestone sidewalk. “It’s literally like a small Hallmark town.” I whispered as I admired all the quaint little shops we walked by. There was a flower shop, a general store, a clothing store, and a bookstore I was already dying to check out.

Spring had just arrived, so the flowers in the planters lining the street were just starting to bud. It was beautiful and serene, and with the mountain looming around the town in a half circle, it was like we were protected from all sides. “It’s beautiful.” I whispered as we turned down a residential street.

“It is, isn’t it?” said an older omega with gray hair and blue eyes, as she walked down the path from her house to the sidewalk. I nodded as she stepped up to me and held out her hand to shake. “I’m Lydia, but everyone calls me Mama Lydia or just Mama.”

I shook her hand softly. “Julian.” I pointed to Gunnar. “Only this dope calls me Jules.”

Lydia giggled and shook her head. “Sounds like our Alpha.” She replied, but paused at my confused face, before clarifying. “Gunnar is the only alpha in town.”

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