Page 43 of Omega Untamed
The sun shone on a scattering of golden leaves from several trees lining the asphalt lot. It looked warm and inviting. I was a night person, for sure, but during the days when I woke late, wherever I was I often tried to find a patio and a lounge to occupy while nursing my hangovers from the previous evening. I loved feeling the warm light on my skin and in my hair. I luxuriated in the natural heat that embraced the Earth.
Now here I was behind thick curtains cooped up, bored, still craving steam in my darker hours, and there was nothing I could do about it.
Then I remembered: Bast had a tiny porch or patio out the back kitchen door. That door was double locked, with a bolt lock and a hinge clamp. Like he never used it, never went out that way. But I’d had a peek through the back door window and seen the little concrete area surrounded by a wrought-iron railing. It was a place a person would put potted plants and maybe even a barbeque grill if they actually spent time in the apartment. If they actually had a life.
I unlocked both extra locks and the door lock itself, then opened the door onto fresh sweet air and sunshine. I stepped out onto the barren patio area and breathed in deep. The scent of fresh mowed grass filled me up. The view was a small grassy field with a few trees and bushes and a concrete path winding its way to another apartment building, but part of the same complex. Everything looked neat and tidy, fresh and clean.
I wanted to drag a chair out here and sit for a while. It was so peaceful. So calming. For a moment I rested my hands on the wrought-iron fence, the coolness seeping into my palms. I breathed in and out, realizing little moans of pleasure escaped my throat as I did so.
No one was around. The apartments just across the way had their curtains well-drawn. I felt safe. Relaxed. For the moment, I was in no pain. My finger was splinted and secure, and as long as nothing touched the top of my toe, like socks or shoes, it was also fine. I gave a little spin and felt my mouth break into a grin. I had so much energy I wanted to fun forever into that sunshine and soft green carpet of lawn.
“Hello.”
My whole body jerked in shock. I turned around and saw no one.
“Up here. I live one story up.”
I glanced above me at all the balconies within sight and saw a man on the balcony above and to my right. I’d completely missed him! My heart went into my throat.
He had blond curls sticking out in all directions, a sweet smile, and his slender body was clad in pink shorts and a blue-striped shirt. An Omega.
His balcony wasn’t empty. It had tons of potted plants—flowers, ivy, big leafed clusters—and there was, indeed, a grill off to the side for cooking. Chimes hung from the roof eaves, glinting silver and gold in the sunlight.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you,” he said in a pleasant voice.
I gulped hard. In that moment, my mind played every scenario. He was a spy. He was one of Myre’s crew’s Omegas, I surmised, even though Bast had said he lived far away from anything work-related. He would tell the world I was here.
“I’m Del. What’s your name?”
“Tarin,” I lied. It was the first name I could come up with. An Alpha name. The Alpha who I’d known from the past.
“Nice to meet you, Tarin. Did you just move in here with your Alpha?”
I nodded mutely, realizing I was still wearing only the short black robe Bast had loaned me.
“It’s a lovely day, isn’t it?” Del said.
I took a deep breath. He was harmless. Why should I be scared? Bast had things handled on his end. This was merely a neighbor who knew nothing about me, who was simply being friendly. If I ignored him, I’d look strange. I’d bring attention to myself.
“It is lovely,” I replied. “And it is very nice to meet you, too.”
Del had a big smile with shiny white teeth. His golden hair curled all over the place, some locks were like corkscrews sticking out. “I’m watering my plants. And thinking maybe I’ll grill some chicken out here for dinner for me and my Alpha husband.”
“Oh. Wow. You’re married. That’s great!”
“Oh, aren’t you?”
I shook my head.
“Maybe soon?” Del offered.
I gave him a big sigh with one of my goofiest grins. “We’ll see, right?”
“But you’re living together, so that’s a plus.”
“For now.” I thought about what a laugh Bast would have over this conversation. If, indeed, he ever laughed.
“My Alpha and I have been bond mates since we met at the Farm in the Mating Hall. I’ll never forget. As soon as I walked in the room I knew instantly this was my mate. He says he knew, too.”
