Chapter 5 Chapter 5 The Omega House

Victoria

Every Tuesday felt like a small rebellion against my suffocating life. The Omega House stood at the edge of town, its weathered exterior hiding the warmth within. It wasn't much-peeling paint, creaky floorboards, and windows that whistled when the wind blew-but it was sanctuary for the lowest-ranking members of our pack hierarchy.

Today, as always, I took comfort in the simple rhythm of my chores. There was something soothing about sweeping the worn wooden floors, replacing the wilted flowers with fresh ones from the market, and scrubbing Uncle Alessio's kitchen until it gleamed. Here, nobody cared about my mixed blood or my failure to shift. Nobody watched me with contempt or pity. Here, I was just Victoria-not the half-breed daughter of a once-great Alpha.

"You missed a spot, piccola," Uncle Alessio's gravelly voice called from his favorite armchair. Despite his teasing, his eyes held nothing but kindness as he watched me work.

Uncle Alessio wasn't actually my uncle-he was an aging Beta wolf who had once served my father's pack before Enzo took over. Now he managed this shelter, caring for those who had nowhere else to go.

I smiled, wiping my forehead with the back of my hand. "You say that every week, Uncle. I'm starting to think you just enjoy watching me clean."

"An old wolf has to find his entertainment somewhere," he chuckled, then his smile faded as I turned to face him. "Victoria, those shadows under your eyes... you're not sleeping well?"

My hand instinctively went to my face, fingers gently touching the concealer I'd carefully applied this morning. Had it worn off? Could he see the bruise beneath?

"Just stayed up reading again," I lied, forcing a light tone. "I'll pay more attention to my beauty sleep next time."

The truth was far uglier. Enzo had been in a particularly foul mood last night. I'd accidentally dropped a glass in the kitchen, and his response had been swift and brutal-a kick to my ribs that had left me gasping on the floor. The bruises there were matched by the ones on my face where he'd backhanded me for "making too much noise."

Uncle Alessio didn't look convinced. His nostrils flared slightly-trying to catch the scent of my lie, no doubt. But I'd become skilled at masking my emotions, at least on the surface. What choice did I have?

"You know you can tell me anything, right?" he said softly. "If there's ever trouble at home..."

I turned away, busying myself with arranging flowers in a vase. "Everything's fine, Uncle. Really."

I busied myself washing dishes, scrubbing countertops, anything to avoid his searching gaze. I knew he cared. I knew he worried. But what good would telling him do? He couldn't protect me from Enzo. Nobody could. I was too afraid, too powerless, too... alone.

"I made your favorite cookies," Uncle Alessio said, changing the subject. "The lemon ones."

My heart squeezed. This was why I loved Tuesdays at the Omega House. These small kindnesses that reminded me what family should be.

"You spoil me," I said, genuinely smiling now.

As I worked in the kitchen, washing the last of the dishes, I mentally counted the money hidden in my backpack. Two thousand dollars-every cent I'd managed to save over the past three years. It wasn't much, but it would be enough for a one-way bus ticket far away from Northern Territory and enough to survive for a month or two until I found work.

This would be my last Tuesday with Uncle Alessio. The thought made my eyes sting with tears.

"Here," I said, placing a small package on the table beside him before I left. "Extra cookies for tomorrow. Just in case I'm... running late next week."

He looked at me strangely, as if sensing the finality in my voice. "Victoria-"

"I have to go," I cut him off, afraid I'd break down if he showed me any more kindness. "Emma's expecting me at the bakery."

He patted my back awkwardly. "You come back next Tuesday, hear? Those flowers won't arrange themselves."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. As I walked down the cracked sidewalk away from the Omega House, I allowed myself one backward glance. Goodbye, I thought. I'll miss you more than you'll ever know.

The afternoon sun beat down mercilessly as I made my way down the dusty road. I pulled at the long sleeves of my shirt, wishing I could wear something cooler but unwilling to expose the bruises that mottled my arms.

I'd gone barely half a mile when a sleek black SUV pulled alongside me, moving at a crawl to match my pace. The tinted window rolled down, and my heart nearly stopped.

Leo.

His dark eyes locked onto mine, his expression inscrutable. The memory of our night together flashed through my mind-his hands on my body, his mouth against mine, the way he'd made me feel both terrified and exhilarated. I'd spent the week trying to forget him, and here he was, materializing like a phantom from my most secret dreams.

"Get in," he commanded, his deep voice brooking no argument.

I froze, my feet suddenly rooted to the ground. "I-I'm walking to the bakery."

"It's ninety-five degrees out here," he said impatiently. "Get in the car, Victoria."

The way he said my name-like he owned it, owned me-sent shivers down my spine despite the heat.

"The bakery is just on Maple Street," I said, pointing ahead weakly. "Emma's Sweet Shop. I can walk."

"Victoria." His tone hardened, becoming something no wolf-even a half-breed like me-could ignore. "Get. In."

My body responded before my brain could process the command. I found myself sliding into the cool leather interior of the SUV, pressing myself against the door to maintain as much distance between us as possible.

The air conditioning blasted cold air against my flushed skin, but it did nothing to ease the heat that spread through me at his proximity. He smelled like cedar and spice and something wild that made my pulse quicken.

"Why are you wearing long sleeves in this heat?" he asked, his gaze traveling over me with disturbing intensity.

I tugged self-consciously at my sleeves. "I burn easily."

His eyes narrowed. "You're lying."

"I'm not-"

"I can smell it," he cut me off.

I looked away, staring out the window at the passing scenery. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Leo shifted closer, and I tensed. His hand reached out, and I flinched instinctively, expecting a blow. Instead, his fingers gently brushed my cheek, right where Enzo had hit me. Even through the concealer, he seemed to know exactly where the bruise was.

"Who did this to you?" His voice had dropped to a dangerous whisper.

"Nobody," I insisted. "I-I walked into a door."

He laughed, but there was no humor in it. "A door named Enzo, perhaps?"

My eyes widened in shock. How did he know my brother's name?

"You seem surprised," Leo said, leaning back against his seat. "Did you think I wouldn't investigate the beautiful half-breed who tried to pay me for sex?"

My cheeks flamed. "I didn't-that's not what-"

"Wasn't it?" His lips curved into a mocking smile. "You came to my club, threw money at me, and asked me to take you to bed. What would you call it?"

"A mistake," I said miserably. "I was desperate."

"Desperate enough to offer your virginity to a complete stranger?" His eyes darkened. "What were you running from, little wolf?"

The endearment made my breath catch. Nobody had ever called me that before-most people went out of their way to remind me I wasn't a proper wolf at all.

"It doesn't matter anymore," I said softly. "Nothing does."

Leo studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "You're planning to leave, aren't you? That's why you were so desperate to lose your virginity."

I stiffened. How could he possibly know that?

"Your backpack," he explained, nodding toward it. "Too heavy for a simple trip to the bakery. And there's something final in your scent today-like you're saying goodbye."

I clutched my backpack closer. "It's none of your business."

"On the contrary," he said, his voice silky and dangerous. "I'm making it my business."

The car pulled to a stop in front of Emma's Sweet Shop, and I practically lunged for the door handle. "Thank you for the ride," I said hurriedly. "I have to go now."

Before I could escape, Leo's hand shot out, closing around my wrist. His touch was gentle but inescapable. "This isn't over, Victoria. You and I have unfinished business."

My heart hammered against my ribs. "There is no 'you and I'-there was one night, a mistake."

"A mistake I intend to rectify," he said, his eyes burning into mine. "Soon."

He released me, and I scrambled out of the car, my legs feeling like jelly. Emma was behind the counter, kneading dough, but she looked up when I entered. Her jaw literally dropped as she watched Leo's SUV pull away from the curb.

"Holy moon goddess," she breathed, flour dusting her cheeks as she stared at me. "Victoria Howlthorne, was that who I think it was?"