Chapter 17

**Elise**


I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep this secret for long. Even if I wanted to there is so much about it that I don’t know. Maybe with the guys and Liddy’s help, I could figure out what was done to me.

I suck in a breath to give me the courage I need.

Please don’t let them think I’m a freak…

“All I know is that one day they brought in a woman wearing a doctor’s coat and each of us was injected with something. No one explained what it was but the beatings started becoming more brutal after that. The men guarding us were hurting us more often but none of us were dying from serious injuries. I overheard Kane talking to another guard saying that the meds were working well and no one would know what they did to us. All proof would be gone in only hours or even a day.” I try to explain.

“So you knew you would heal?” Ezra asks.

I nod. “Yes but I had never had a head injury like that before so I wasn’t sure. I started seeing small bits of things but I figured it would still take time. I hadn’t expected to heal this fast. I’m sorry. I should have told you.”

Guilt is settling in again and I wonder if the guys feel used. I would have survived without them but I wouldn’t have a home or a family otherwise.

“Hey, you barely knew us, and like you said you didn’t know if you would heal the same,” Archer says reaching for my hand and holding it tight in his.

I nod and I’m glad they aren’t offended by my lack of transparency.

“So you never saw Raya again? Not even imagining you saw her. I’m sure when you were disoriented you could have seen a lot of things and contributed it to your imagining things.” Ezra says and I consider his question for a minute.

“They kept us mostly in the dark or with minimal light. So it was rare that I would see a face. The only one who really wanted me to see them was Kane. I think he had always intended to take me away but was waiting for the right time. When he was threatening me in the woods…it didn’t sound like a last-minute thought.” I explain and a slew of growls pass between the guys.

I have to bite back a smile at how they react to Kane hurting me. It’s sweet.

“Well, the name popped up in our latest investigation. The chief of police didn’t think it was worth investigating a passing name but we don’t brush things off so easily. Now I think we were right to consider investigating further. Archer, what’s the plan?” Ezra turns his attention to Archer who pulls out his phone.

“I’ve had the guys pulling up anything they can find on her and any possible associates. So far it’s been slow going. She has a short history which is a red flag in itself. How she got hired at Haven is beyond me. They do extensive background checks on their employees. Which means she must have some friends in high places.” Archer explains.

I try to remember seeing anything odd with her when I was under her care but I was young and watching wasn’t really important.

“We need to start with known associates then. Even someone low in the ranks will have to know something.” Ezra says rubbing at his stubbled chin in thought.

His stubble has grown overnight and I have to admit it’s a good look on him. I had never given it much thought but all the Alphas I had met were clean-shaven and well dressed. They screamed wealth and at the time I would have said they were more appealing to the eye but that was before I met these guys. Sawyer resembles those Alphas but there is a dark quality to him that taints that rich guy image. A mischievous side that peeks out under all that vibrato.

“Great. We should try and head to the office in a couple of days to prepare for scouting.” Ezra says with a clap of his hands.

The guys let out various sounds of agreement and start to stand. I glance at them a little confused.

“Shouldn’t we go now?” I ask and they all look at me.

“Well, we want to help you get settled a little more before we get lost in work. We tend to go radio silent on these kinds of missions.” Ezra tries to explain.

Harnessing my inner Liddy I move to my feet and drop my hands to my hips.

“I don’t want to get settled. I want to help find these people.” I say with a surprisingly confident voice.

The guys blink at me like they’ve never seen me before and my confidence starts to waver. Maybe they don’t want me involved in their work…

“You want to…help us? Be at the office with a bunch of Alpha males? I don’t know love it can get a bit rough there.” Ezra says looking wary.

I tilt my chin up and hold on to that strength inside and cross my arms over my chest like I see him do. His lips quirk up in the corner and he matches my stance. In the corner of my eye, I can see Sawyer and Archer looking between us in expectation. Ezra and I stand off like this for several minutes before he drops his arms and chuckles.

“Liddy has already taught you her ways. If you want to come then I’m fine with that but you’re going to need some training. No way is our girl going into this unprepared. Weston!” Ezra calls out to the giant now standing behind me. “Get her into shape.”

I look over my shoulder at Weston who is smiling wickedly and I start to question what I just started.

“Now since we were unable to stop off and get you any decent clothes I think we should do the next best thing. Online shopping!” Sawyer says jumping to his feet and tugging me out of the living room and toward the stairs.

"Sawyer, this isn't really the time to worry about this is it?" I ask but he's far stronger than me and I'm forced to follow him.

"There is no better time. If Weston is going to be training you to be a kickass princess then we are going to need gear." He says as he leads me past a door until we stop in front of one painted blue.

He throws the door open and leads me inside. I glance around and gape at how clean and organized the room is. It's big but nowhere near as big as the nest is.

"I'm guessing you have a thing for clothes, why didn't you take the room that the nest is in?" I ask when he leads me to his bed and pushes my shoulders gently to force me to sit.

"Because our Omega deserves the best of everything. You deserve the best sweetheart." He winks down at me before turning and walking over to a slim white desk and grabbing his laptop.

He comes back and climbs back on the blue and white bed until his back is resting against the wall. He taps the bed beside him and I relent. I crawl over to sit next to him and when I glance his way he is giving me a heated look. I reel back a little not sure what incited that reaction from him.

"Sawyer?" I ask waving a hand in front of his face.

He shakes his head and clears his throat before turning his attention back to his laptop.

"Right, so let's see." He types in a website and a clean simple looking shop pops up.

It's white just like most of his room and has simple writing and basic photos. Then I glance down at the price of one of the items and I almost choke on my own tongue.

"Sawyer, no this is too much money. Are you crazy? That for a shirt?" I shake my head at him and he just laughs.

"Sweetheart, we can afford it and I'm not asking for your permission." He gives me a tight sassy grin and I want to growl at him but he's right.

It's his money to burn and I can't stop him so I will let him have his phone, but it doesn't mean I need to help.

"So what size are you? I'm thinking a small and size zero in 2 in pants and let's see...." His eyes fall to my chest which is pretty well hidden under the oversized t-shirt but I still throw my arms up to cover them.

He smiles and glances up at my burning face. "Sweetheart I got a more than good enough look at them last night."

I gawk at him but quickly drop my arms because he isn't wrong. He saw me with Archer, as did all of the others. I suppose modesty is moot now.

"I'm thinking a thirty-two A." He says and I cringe.

I have gotten so skinny during my time at the auction house. He might as well shop in the little girl's section.

"Don't worry sweetheart, once we get some hearty meals into you you will fill out more. But for the record...you're beautiful." I look up from my lap and that heated look is there again.

A shiver runs through me and my heart starts to speed up. That look is doing something to me and I know any second he's going to know the effect he has on me. I'm still a bit on edge from my kissing session with Weston in the driveway. Oh god thinking of that is only making my body heat up even more. This isn't good.

Sawyer pinches his eyes shut and takes in a deep breath and when he lets it out there is a deep rumbling sound that comes with it.

"Fuck." He says sounding pained and I consider getting up and leaving for both of our good.

I don't want to run away though. They want me to be in their pack, and he has called me their girl. So why should I run? If he wants me and I want him...