Page 2 of Knot The Only Onee
I peeked out the window, glancing into the darkness outside. I heard some horses when we pulled in but it was too dark to see anything. The main building was a little down the driveway. The lights were on, a beacon in the otherwise dark landscape.
I knew this place would be breathtaking once the sun began to rise.
Sitting down on one of the beds, I placed my backpack on the floor next to my feet. Everything I owned was in that small bag—three changes of clothes, two pairs of underwear and a few pairs of mismatched socks. I’d only had a few minutes to grab things before having to run again.
I was thankful I was able to grab my headphones and keep my phone, although Xavier worked some sort of fancy magic on it to make it untraceable.
I didn’t even have any pajamas, but at least I remembered to grab my ponytail holder. That would have been a disaster to be without. My hands moved to my hair as I started to pile it onto my head. It helped bring a little air to the back of my neck.
Shit.
I hadn’t even grabbed my hairbrush or electric toothbrush.
Could there be something in the attached bathroom?
I padded across the lush carpet, savoring the texture beneath my feet.
My stomach gave a slight grumble. We’d had a little snack on the plane here but it was definitely not enough to get me through the night.
I wondered if there were any breath mints on the pillows.
Alas, there were none when I looked.
I bit the corner of my thumb nail just when there was a knock on the door. Maybe it was Simon with some food?
Opening the door, I blinked.
A man, only a few inches taller than me, stood there with a tray of food. The most surprising thing was his hat. It was a bright teal color, the shade almost matching his eyes perfectly.
The beta was beautiful. Sculpted cheekbones, long eyelashes, and medium length blonde hair. His eyes widened as our gazes met. His nostrils flared subtly as he inhaled deeply, and his smile brightened.
“Well, hello, darlin’.” He held up the tray with a wide smile. He brought me food and called me darlin’? Oh no. I was in trouble. “I know Simon said to leave you be but I figured you might be hungry.” He waited respectfully, but his eyes darted to the inside of the cabin.
I jolted. “Oh!” He wanted to come in. I bit my lower lip and listened to my stomach as it let out a rumble. “Please come in.” I stepped back and he walked in. His light scent danced across my senses. He smelled of fresh basil. It reminded me of delicious Italian food, and made my mouth water.
There was a swagger to his steps as he moved to set the tray on the bed where I’d sat my backpack near. He held his head high, an air of confidence surrounding him.
“My name is Lucas. I’m one of the owners here, and the cook.” Lucas turned to me with a gentle smile upon his face. He planted one hand on his hip. “And you’re Bridget.”
I fumbled with my hands, not sure if I should offer to shake his or not. “Yes, I am. Thank you for taking me in.”
“Oh, darlin’, you’re doing us a favor.” His drawl was slow and pleasant. And now he’d called me darlin’ twice.Swoon.“We’ve needed some help around the ranch for months now.”
I rubbed the back of my head and fought back the wince that threatened to twist my lips. “Oh?” I’d have to learn quickly. “Um, I wanted to thank you also for being my guardians while I’m here.”
Montana wasn’t one of the few places that an omega could be free and without guardianship. At least not those under twenty five years old. Once you turned twenty-five your guardians could submit a petition to have you declared legally independent. Something that Simon made the guys agree to before he even filed the paperwork. Or was going to when he got back to his office.
Stupid society rules made me want to throw up. It was ridiculously archaic.
Lucas waved his hand dismissively. “You are free here. We’re just your guardians on paper. We hate that shit just as much as Simon and his pack do.”
My shoulders slumped, happy to hear that they wouldn’t take the guardianship role too seriously. Not that I doubted Simon’s choice of who to leave me with, but the trepidation was still there. It would always be there in the back of my mind.
Those that grew up in Society, even if we had escaped, still had a fear of dominant male figures. Although Lucas was a beta, so was my uncle, and he was just as bad at tormenting me as my alpha father.
“Now. You eat up. You look starved.” Lucas tipped his bright colored hat at me. “Just leave the tray outside the door once you’re done. I’ll come get it in the morning. Try to get some rest.”
“Thank you, Lucas.” I kept my hands at my sides as he walked by me. I still wasn’t sure if this was a shake hands situation or not. Gods, I hated social niceties. I sucked at them after being away from Society for so long.
