Page 123 of Forget

That's what we’re dealing with, gentlemen. An omega that’s been pushed too damn far.

Chapter 23

Aisling

It’s been three days, and I’m ignoring my guard as I walk up the street in Minneapolis. Could I have been driven? Yes, but I don’t want to be surrounded by Domh’s scent today. I need the ice cold breeze, the snow blowing in my face, everything that will distract me from his presence.

“Where are we going, Aisling?” Domh asks me. I told him I had shit to do today, and told him where to drop me off, hoping he’d do exactly that.

Instead, he’s dogging my every step.

“I have errands,” I sigh, turning toward a store that has toilet paper and groceries not far from Omega’s Haven. My house mom for the shelter is sick, and I need to take care of things.

“Okay,” he drawls, following me into the store. I’m getting annoyed by his questions because I’m not used to having a keeper. My own father doesn’t bother me this much.

The reminder of how many calls and missed texts I have on my phone makes me wince. I’m avoiding a lot of people rightnow. I don’t have the emotional bandwidth to handle it, and I just got my phone back yesterday.

Pushing a grocery cart, I grab toilet paper, tissue boxes, and paper towels as I walk through.

Looping around, I also get coloring books because we’re running low, crayons, and plain paper. Lips pursed, I stalk through the store as I shop, ending with actual groceries. I’m going to put Domh to work if he’s going to insist on being here.

“Please tell me you’re going to let me help carry this?” Domh asks, to which I grunt with a nod.

I’ve been giving a lot of one word answers, because I’m tired, annoyed, and my mind is racing. I’ve slept a lot the last few days, which means that my soul is tired. The only thing that sometimes helps is serving others, so I’m going to throw myself into work.

I canceled my next appointment with Dr. Alys, because I don’t know how to explain what’s happening right now. The level of devastation that I’m feeling is too much, even though I’m still in motion, doing the things that people expect me to.

Taking a breath, I force myself to head toward the check out line.

I pull my card out that's linked to Omega’s Haven, to pay for this, sighing heavily when I see Domh swipe his ahead of me.

“I’m right here,” he says mildly, putting away his card. “Don’t thank me, this was just easier.”

“Okay,” I tell him. I need a second to sit alone. I just need to get to the shelter, drop this off, and hide in the alley for awhile. Domh can’t come back that far, since his scent can’t be near the shelter. The last thing I need is someone to panic over an alpha’s scent who shouldn’t be there.

Grabbing a few bags, I let Domh carry the rest as we leave the store. I’m going to need to call in a larger order later in the week, but the shelter will be fine until then.

“Please don’t talk to me,” I say as he opens his mouth. “This is going to sound really bitchy, but I am really close to snapping at you. Don't speak, breathe in my direction, or go farther than the alley when we get to Omega’s Haven. You can wait until I’m done, whenever that is. I just need time to get my shit done.”

Inclining his head toward me, he allows me to march ahead of him. I feel… overstimulated. I’m anxious, depressed, and my skin feels as if it’s buzzing. I just want to be left alone.

“Stay here,” I grunt as I walk down the alley to the shelter. It’s at the back of the building in order to give people more time to leave if there’s an emergency.

I’m not Pollyanna by any means, as much as I try to provide every possible opportunity for safety and security, it is possible for it to be breached. I can’t guarantee complete safety.

Those who stay here understand that, but it’s still a port in the sea of uncertainty.

Wren and I get to be that for people.

Knocking on the back door with my arms full, I wait for someone to open it.

“Hey,” I say with a smile as it does and Bernie appears. She’s one of my betas who works at the shelter and does intake paperwork when we have new people come in.

“This should get you all through till the bigger shipment comes in on Wednesday.”

“Why didn’t you park closer?” she asks, taking bags from me. “Kayla, come help Miss Aisling!”

An omega in her mid-thirties comes running, and she also works here with Bernie. They’re both equally capable of running the shelter today.