Page 26 of Omega Untamed
“When you’re here? You mean you’re gone a lot?”
“Yes. That is what I said.”
He sounded grouchy. Maybe he was as tired as I was. Maybe he got no sleep either. But what freaked me out a little was the idea that I’d be alone. A lot. I didn’t do alone well. Not without some help from steam. Or alcohol. Or sex.
But right now, my biggest worry was getting to a bed. And dealing with my pain.
“I have supplies here. After you shower I can disinfect and wrap your finger better, and your toe.”
I didn’t know if I had energy for a shower, but I didn’t argue. I went into the bathroom and started to strip. I didn’t have much on: my vest, my dirtied jeans. I went commando so nothing underneath.
I left my clothes in a pile on the floor, not for a moment inhibited or bothered by the fact that Bast was in the tiny room with me, turning on the water and testing it with his hand. He held the door while I stepped into the stall and under the running water.
Warmth seeped into my skin and the pounding of the water on my back released all my tension. I wanted to cry. And laugh. This must be what paradise feels like, I decided. Water pounding all around warm and serene and secure.
I found some soap and shampoo and used liberal amounts. My splint got wet but it didn’t seem to hurt it. The tape would moisten and come off later, but Bast said he had more supplies. The cuts on my skin, however, stung like hell.
Damp hair in my eyes, I could still see a dark shadow standing in front of the fogged-glass shower door. Waiting.
It was a rather strange sensation for me, knowing I was naked and bathing and there was an Alpha waiting for me but not to have sex. Not to do whatever he wanted and then toss me away. But to take care of me. Even if Bast behaved in a detached and clipped manner, he had done everything to save me. He’d even brought a pack to the burial site full of supplies. Water. Food. First aid. Like he cared. Like he felt responsible for me, or something.
When I realized I could barely stand, I turned off the water, wincing as my bad hand tweaked with pain, and pushed open the door. I stumbled out and almost into Bast’s arms. He had a towel out and unfolded, and shoved it at me.
Funny; it was the kindest thing anyone had done for me in, well, forever. Well, there had been Tarin. He’d been kind. He’d tried to help me in many ways, but I wouldn’t let him.
Now, I had no choice. I was a mess and I needed all the help I could get.
I grabbed the towel and began to blot it over my body as Bast turned away and fiddled in some drawers at the counter. One by one, he laid things out in a neat line by the sink. A new toothbrush. Toothpaste. Soap. A razor (though I had never needed one). Fresh hand towels and washcloth. A plastic bottle of aspirin. I figured it would be that and that alone for pain. Bast had made it clear there would be no harder drugs for me.
The withdrawal was not going to be fun, but for now I was okay in that regard.
“Dry off and put this on.” Bast handed me a lightweight, rather sheer pair of white drawstring sleep pants. “When you’re done, come into the bedroom and I’ll take a better look at your injuries.”
Yes, sir!I had an instinct to say it, but I kept my mouth shut. I was too exhausted for humor or games anyway.
It was hard to tie the drawstring. My fingers wouldn’t cooperate. I ended up pulling it tight with a single knot that loosened as soon as I took a step forward. The sleep pants rode low on my hips. I didn’t care. I was grateful for the shower and the clean clothes. Grateful to be with a man who seemed intent on keeping me healthy and alive. Why he was like this when the others were hell-bent on not only causing me pain but also causing my death, was going to be an interesting tale to sort out. Later.
I held my pants at the hip with my good hand to keep them on, and entered the bedroom.
Bast sat on the edge of a neatly made bed. Sheets and pillowcases were piled by the door. He must have re-made the bed while I was in the shower.
Normally, I loved it when Alphas gave me things, or catered to me. An Alpha might allow me to have his bed for the night and I’d take it. I wanted whatever I could get. I deserved to be treated well. My sense of entitlement was brazen. Alphas got what they wanted from me, so I should have what I desired in return. Soft clean sheets included.
But Bast was different. I was already indebted to him and it would only grow deeper. Guilt swept through me. It was an alien feeling. I lived my life with no regrets, no looking back.
Now I stood in a room I did not want to be in with no hope for immediate escape. My life remained in danger. How long I would be here was unknown.
“I—I can take a spot on the floor, make a bed out of blankets and pillows.”
Bast stared at my waist where my hand gathered my waistband. Slowly, he raised his eyes up over my belly and chest and finally to my face.
“You’re badly bruised.”
I looked down. I had red marks turning purple at the edges on my stomach and left side. My ribs ached but they were the least of it. The toe throbbed. The Alpha who’d broken my finger had also used his fist on me a few times. One time he hit so hard it made me retch.
“Come here,” Bast said.
When I didn’t move, he rolled his eyes and waved me over, his hand jerking back fast.
