Chapter 29

**Elise**


Showering with Ezra started innocently but quickly turned steamy. He teased me and drove me crazy until I was nearly begging for relief before he gave in. The odd flashes of my heat is going to be confusing for me but it seems to flare up when the guys initiate intimacy. I can't figure out why my heat isn't consistent like most Omegas, but something tells me it has to do with whatever the drug was that helped me heal so fast.

I hope that when we finally find the people who hurt me that they will have an explanation. Is this going to eventually hurt me? What else did it change about me? It's clear that I'm not normal anymore.

"For heaven's sake! Where the heck are you guys?" Liddy's voice booms through the car as we head toward the mall where we are supposed to be meeting her.

"Calm yourself, little sis, we're on our way!" Sawyer replies.

"About time. Hurry up and bring me, my sister-in-law!" She says and hangs up before anyone can say another word.

"I like her," I say once the call ends and I get several wry looks from the guys.

"She already likes you more than she likes us. You better hope she doesn't start neglecting her alphas or they won't be happy, and then we'll have to kick their asses." Sawyer says with a chuckle.

"Since we only just met, I doubt that will happen." I shake my head but I can't help but smile.

It feels strange to have someone care about me that much.

"You don't understand sweetheart. Liddy isn't someone who adopts just anyone in her little circle. She can be sweet as pie, but she has a sixth sense about people and if you have passed her weird test then she's a friend for life. She can be just a tough as us for the people she loves. You have just been upgraded to Liddy's favorites list." He smiles brightly at me and I blush.

You would think the fact that we just slept together a few hours ago that a simple smile from him wouldn't make me blush but I think it makes it worse. From the gleam in his eyes, I guess he's thinking about it too. I have to fight back the flare of heat that look causes or we won't make it to the mall any time soon. At least that is one advantage I seem to have. Being able to control my scent is an extremely helpful tool. I'm not sure if I can do it for long or if it's temporary but I'm going to take advantage of it as long as I can.

We arrive at the mall shortly and anxiety creeps in when I see the number of cars parked outside. It takes us several minutes to find an open parking space which only cements the fear of being around so many people. Being bonded to my new Alphas will help but it doesn't settle my nerves at all. Memories start to hit me then. Sounds of people shouting numbers and laughing from beyond my cage.

"Elise?" I hear someone say but it sounds so far away, and I can't see who's talking.

I see darkness and hear whimpers...

No...no...no...

I can't be here!

"Elise!" I startle and glance around to see four worried faces looking back at me.

"What?" I ask.

My voice is shaky and my heart is racing, but I try to hide it.

"Are you okay? We looked lost for a second." Archer says.

He gives my hand a squeeze and I look down at where our hands are joined. He feels real...this is real.

"I...I'm fine." I look up at him and give him a tight smile.

He doesn't look convinced but he nods and releases my hand so he can open the door. I slide out after him and he closes it before taking my hand again. We follow the others and head for the huge building.

As we get closer the hair on the back of my neck rises and I glance around me. Have you ever had this feeling like someone is watching you? That's what it felt like. Except when I look around I see people but no one seems to be looking my way. Maybe I'm imagining things.

I move closer to Archer and he drops my hand to wrap his arm around my shoulder. He must sense how nervous I am, but I doubt he knows it's because of the weird feeling I just had. When we walk through the automatic doors I am hit with a rush of so many things. The sound of dozens of voices and the whirlwind of scents.

"Finally!" I hear the familiar voice and I smile.

"Shit. Are you a bloodhound or something? How did you find us already?" Sawyer grumbles as Liddy and her Alphas head toward us.

"Oh hush." She waves him off and walks straight toward me.

She reaches out and tugs me away from Archer and ignores his sounds of protest. Brushing all the guys off, she wraps our arms together and starts to lead me further inside.

"I can't believe my horny brothers bonded you so fast." She shakes her head and I laugh.

"It's probably my fault since I have been dropping in and out of my heat," I say trying to excuse our quick bonding.

She shakes her head. "No way. I have never seen them react to a girl as they did to you. It was clear right away that they wanted you. I had hoped they would give things a bit more time so they were sure because of the last time but now I'm happy. You are perfect for them."

I don't know about that but I'm going to try to live up to her expectations.

"Come on, I know the perfect place to start." She pulls me to the right and we pass several shops until we reach a clothing store that has some very pretty outfits in the windows. "This place is one of my favorites. The clothes are so soft. Perfect for our sensitive skin."

Omegas are extremely sensitive to almost everything, so we tend to wear softer fabrics. Well, most do. I was allowed to wear one thing and it was far from soft, which I guess was another way for my captors to keep us on edge.

We walk into the store and the lady behind the counter smiles at us. "Liddy!"

How often did Liddy come here?

"Hey Beth! I'm here to find some things for my new sister-in-law." Liddy says proudly.

The woman's eyes widen a little. "Your brothers finally took the plunge huh?"

I watch her carefully feeling a slight surge of jealousy when she looks their way but that's when I see the mark on her neck.

"They sure did so I hope you'll take good care of her." Liddy gives her a look and the lady laughs.

"Of course. What's your name sugar?" She asks me.

"Elise," I say feeling a little shy.

"Nice to meet you, Elise. If you come with me we can get some proper measurements. If there is anything here that isn't in your size they can be special ordered." She says walking around the counter and taking my hand.

Since she is an Omega it doesn't bother me that she's touching me and Liddy trusts her so I allow it. That's another odd quark about Omegas, we don't like to be touched outside of our pack or other Omegas who aren't a threat to us. I'm even more uncomfortable at the idea of touch after being handled roughly by male Betas for two years. It also makes me wonder if I knew the moment I met the guys that I was meant to be with them because I didn't recoil from their touch.

Beth leads me to the back of the store where there is a few small booths with curtains. In the center, there is a small platform and several mirrors around it.

"Step on up and I'll measure you." She instructs.

The guys spread out behind me and watch as Beth takes out a measuring tape and begins working.

"You sure are a tiny thing." She comments and a small amount of shame hits me.

I must seem like a mess to such a beautiful woman.

"She's perfect." Weston growls and Beth chuckles.

"Of course she is. All I mean is that we may have to make some adjustments to fit her." I feel a little better but also a little guilty to put her through all that trouble just for a couple of clothes.

"I don't need anything special." I quickly say, but Sawyer clears his throat.

"What did I say earlier sweetheart?" He asks with a raised brow.

I sigh and accept my fate...for now.

Once I have been measured Liddy takes off and comes back with an arm full of clothes. She pushes me into a fitting room and I drop down on the bench to try and catch my breath.

This all feels like way too much. I feel like maybe these people think I need all these things for the simple reason that I'm an Omega. They know some of the things I've been through but they don't know how it feels to be offered all of this.

It feels surreal.