Page 19 of Your Wild Omega

As annoying as he is, Callisto’s right. If Zack gets into any more trouble, the powers that be will take him away from me. I pull back to catch my breath, and Zack buries his nose in my shoulder to sniff me.

“I hope you trust me, Zack,” I whisper, stroking his uneven brown hair. He’ll have to if we’re going to teach him about life.

Callisto’s strained voice floats over my shoulder. “Should I get you a clicker that’s used for dog training?”

“If you think it could help,” I shoot back, even though I know he’s being sarcastic.

A cabinet door slams, and then Callisto’s footsteps sound on the stairs. Zack tracks his progress until he’s out of sight, vibrating.

Rickon sighs. “He’s just worried, Red. I know he’s not going about it the right way, but try not to be too angry with him.”

“I know.” The piece of buttered toast on my plate shreds under my fingers. “I’m grateful. I am. Zack and I only made it back thanks to him,” I mutter. “But I could do with less of the attitude.”

“Yeah,” Rickon says, slumping in his seat. “So do you have a plan?”

I nod, glad to move on. “If I write a list, do you think you could go shopping?”

“Sure.” Rickon smiles and clears the table, moving slowly so he doesn’t startle my wild alpha.

A more considerate guy couldn’t exist in the universe. I mean, he even let Zack kiss him last night. My body heats as I remember the way they responded to each other. Would they both ever want to take it further? Zack felt so curious, so I know all of this is new to him.

Rickon drops a kiss on my head. “Write your list now, Red. Sooner we get started, the better, because you’re due on set in eight days.”

Fuck, I’d lost count.

I slide over to the next seat and turn to study Zack. He shoots out a hand to capture my wrist, unwilling to have me out of reach. He lifts a bread crust, studies it, and then pops one end in his mouth to chew slowly. We’ll have to teach him everything: how to talk, dress, wash, eat well. He’ll need an education and bunches of emotional support for his inner rage, which simmers all the time through the bond. The heat in my body dissipates, replaced by an ominous chill.

Can I really get Zack settled enough to accompany me out of this house in a little over a week? We’ll need a miracle.

Rickon unloads the shopping bags on the table, and I open packages and line things up with Zack trailing a step behind me.I trace my fingers over a heavy-duty leather collar, wondering if I’m doing the right thing.

“Having second thoughts?” Rickon asks, hugging me from the side.

I lean into his embrace with a sigh. “Not exactly. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him out of a cage, but I’m sure I’ll get complaints from the human ethics commission or whatever.” From people with no idea what Zack or I have been through.

I worry my lip through my teeth as I study the plain black leather with a silver buckle, leash ring, and locking mechanism. “Say, Rickon, what’s this going to do for my image as an actress?”

He steps away and runs a hand through his hair. “They’ll say you’re an attention seeker, trying to make it big through your story instead of your skills.”

I scoff and pick the collar up. “I’m not asking anyone to notice my story.” The less said about my past, the better.

Rickon throws me a lopsided smile. “At least that collar’s designed for humans, not dogs. I found a proper adult toys store.” His plush lips turn up more and he leans across the corner of the table to stroke my hand. “Gave me so many naughty ideas.”

I snort. He always makes me laugh, no matter how dire the situation.

I hold the collar around my neck, the leather cool on my skin. That dark, foul room from my heats at the trafficking hub, with the table and restraints looms in front of me, ready to suck me dry. I choke as the horror presses in, and rip the collar away. Sweat trickles down my shoulder blades.

“Red?” Rickon massages my back, and Zack licks my bond mark, startling me out of the living nightmare.

“Sorry, I just—” I suck in a breath and steady myself on the table. “Bad memories.”

Zack curls protectively around my back, shielding me from the invisible threat. His faint growl quivers against my spine.

Rickon’s pale green eyes glisten with empathy as he takes the leather band from my hand. “Do you want to talk about it?”

I study him, taking in his pale face and intelligent eyes. Part of me wants to open up and tell him everything, but I can’t. Not yet. I shake my head.

Rickon slides past Zack to hold my upper arms, massaging lightly. “Okay, Biscuit. I’m here for whatever you need.”

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