Page 2 of Omega Island
I know I’m asking a lot. I wouldn’t if I wasn’t so worried.
If it’s not right for you, okay, but I was simply hoping.
Bam and I can pay his way if need be. I’m not asking for charity.
Just think about. If you say no, we’re totally okay.
And now that I’m about to hit send on this email, I’m thinking I’ve worded everything wrong. I’m not trying to put you in a bad or awkward spot at all. Raimi’s a really great guy so I felt like it was the right thing to ask.
Stay well.
Love,Luca
I staredat the screen for a long time. My immediate response was an apologetic no. We treated omegas only. Alphas, with their more privileged positions in the majority of society, had all sorts of avenues for specialized help. It was still an unfair world to many omegas. Luca’s brother-in-law had lots of avenues to check out for his problems.
The coffee maker bubbled that it was ready. I got up and poured myself a steaming cup, mulling over Luca’s words. When I sat back down and reread the email, the wordshe needs to get away, he needs somewhere safestood out. Luca wasn’t actually asking for me to cure his brother-in-law. He was asking for a place where Raimi could stay for a little while to heal himself. A safe place.
If nothing else, Omega Island was that. Safe. Secure. Discreet. It offered low stress and low pressure since our patients were already handling enough in their therapies. And it wasn’t like we didn’t have alpha staff or guests.
I sipped my coffee and thought about the beauty of this place and how the healing energy seeped through every leaf and flower, every raindrop, every birdsong.
How could I deny that to someone who really needed it? To someone my best friend seemed to care about very much?
I ran the tips of my fingers over the keyboard, ready to answer my friend.
2
Raimi
Acrystal blue sea surrounding a jungle paradise. An island of peace and quiet where people minded their own business. A place of safety and healing. That’s how Luca described the retreat where he and Bam wanted to send me.
“The beaches aren’t much to speak of. I mean they’re gorgeous but rocky, but it’s beautiful. There are huge swimming pools and a golf course and a gym and wonderful food. Fresh fish! You’ll love it,” Luca said.
Bam had his arms crossed, watching me intently, protective like the big brother he was.
“It’s for omegas, though. I’d be an outsider. It doesn’t seem right,” I said.
Since leaving my ex, Straten, I didn’t recognize my own voice. Soft. Echoey. Like I was an afterthought to myself. “I’d just be a bother to them there.”
“You won’t bother anyone,” Bam said. “Everyone’s there to either work or heal. You should go and relax, get away from the stress.”
After Straten, I had barely any self-esteem left. I was afraid of anything that moved. Straten had made me play omega to his alpha for so long that I’d accepted it as normal that I didn’t rut anymore and that I couldn’t knot. I hadn’t really noticed when our relationship had turned from intriguing to unhealthy. I played so well that I didn’t even defend myself when Straten started threatening me if I didn’t do everything he told me both in and out of bed. He kept me away from the outside world. Over time, he’d managed to manipulate and control everything about me.
A cowed alpha was a shameful thing. I could barely look my older brother in the eye.
Luca held up his phone. “Bam’s right. You need this. You can read the email invite yourself. Senta’s pretty strict about the discretion of Omega Island. He doesn’t allow just anyone to visit. The fact that he had said you can visit for a couple weeks is a big deal. It’s right here in black and white. You’re welcome any time. You’ll get your own cabin all to yourself and all the amenities will be open to you. You can even request a personal therapist if you want.”
“I already have a therapist.” I hunched my shoulders and dug my hands deep in my jeans pockets.
“Yeah, but there’s a lot to do there. You don’t have to see anyone if you don’t want to.” Luca said.
“You can go for long walks. You can play golf all day. Swim. Eat ten meals a day if you want,” Bam added.
It all sounded too good to be true. “I’ll think about it.”
“You’re not going to think about it.” Bam threw his arm around my shoulder. “You’re going to say yes. He’s not even charging you a dime. If you hate it, you can turn right around and come home. We’re not kicking you out, okay?”
Bam was such a great brother, generous and kind. And Luca was a dream of a husband. I’d never find a relationship as good as theirs.
