Page 7 of Omega Island
“I don’t imagine I’ll be falling in love, but I don’t want to deal with an odd heat, either.”
Maxim’s eyebrows rose. “The infirmary’s waiting. What are you doing now?”
“Nothing.” Although I was in the middle of a dozen things. “I’ll go now.”
Maxim stood. “I’ll walk with you.”
4
Raimi
Iusually forgot my dreams as soon as I woke. But after my long nap, I realized I’d dreamed about Senta. Nothing concrete. He was just there in my dreams, gesturing, talking. His body glowed as if the sun constantly drenched his dark hair and lit his brown eyes.
I woke hungry. Famished, actually. I could’ve gone to the dining room at any time of the day, but I thought I’d first see what snacks were stocked in my fridge. I opened the door to find it overflowing with several different veggies and cheeses, lunchmeats, pickles, even a whole chocolate cake. There were bottles of soda and lemonade.
I took out plates of food and made myself a fresh sandwich, devouring it as I walked about the house and out onto the porch to look at the beauty of the parkland and jungle.
Colorful birds flitted everywhere. Insects buzzed. Everything smelled sharp and clean. My sandwich tasted amazing, all the flavors of the meats and cheeses bursting over my tongue.
It was still early afternoon, a little warm but the perfect time to go for a walk. Already I could feel the tension in my body lifting.
Luca had been right. This was a good place for me right now where I didn’t have to worry about anyone telling me what to do and I could sleep and eat when I felt like it. I hadn’t realized until I’d gotten away from Straten the tension and stress I’d been under, and how truly abused I’d been. And how embarrassed I was that I’d let it happen.
I needed this. To be away from people who knew me. To be away from a world that had made me feel inadequate for my choices. An alpha with an alpha was frowned upon, but also I had allowed myself to be a bad judge of character.
When I finished my sandwich, I grabbed a pickle and while still crunching it, started my walk. I had changed into a kimono like most everyone else here seemed to wear.
I headed away from the community and private pools and out toward the volleyball and badminton areas. There were gazebos, shaded benches and stands where fruity drinks were being handed out to thirsty athletes.
I sat for a while and watched the games. They looked fun and some players, all omegas, asked if I wanted to join. They didn’t act put off that I was an alpha and didn’t belong.
I shook my head, giving them all a gentle “no.” Maybe tomorrow I’d feel stronger.
I enjoyed sports but hadn’t participated in so long. All the exercise I’d done in the past couple years had been forced workouts to keep my muscles firm, all controlled by a boyfriend who demanded perfection even as he demeaned me every day. We had an in-home gym which was convenient for him since he rarely let me go out.
I rose and got myself a sweet pink drink full of cherries from a nearby cart, then let the tropical heat sink into me as I sat on a bench and watched the games.
I let my eyes blur and my mind wander. This place in this moment felt whole and right. I knew there were people here who did not feel that, and they were on the island to recover from trauma or be healed from it, as I was, but for now it was all right. I was not as raw and miserable as I had been in the first weeks at Bam and Luca’s.
For almost an hour, I dozed off and on, slumped in my seat. Finally, I pushed myself up and ran my hands through my hair. My drink sat, ice melted, by my side. I glanced to my left and saw someone coming up the pathway from the far end of the island where I had yet to explore.
It was Senta. People’s gazes followed him as he walked, and he waved and nodded. When he saw me, he stopped politely. Or, at least, it seemed polite and nothing more.
“Raimi. Good to see you out enjoying the sunshine.” He faced me, his body blocking the sun.
I pushed at the short sleeves of my kimono. “It’s warm but I like it. I’ve been cold in my bones for far too long.” I winced. Had I said too much?
Senta glanced around himself, seeming almost nervous, then sat beside me on the bench. It was as if he was forcing himself to sit, to be polite.
“If you have to be somewhere, that’s fine,” I said. “You don’t have to be polite and talk to me.”
“What?” His demeanor darkened. “If I seem distracted, I apologize. I always have time for my guests, which is how I think of each and every person on my island.”
“Your island. So you really do own it? Outright?”
He nodded. “Outright.”
I tilted my head back. “That tree?”
