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I think I even let out a little gasp when I see the huge chandelier hanging above the spiral staircase to the upper floor.

“Kinda crazy, huh,” Madden says, his chest vibrating with a small chuckle. “When I first saw these sorts of houses I didn’t know what to think either.”

First saw? Does that mean he hasn’t grown up in houses like these?

He must see the question written on my expression when he glances down at my face because his eyes tighten in the corners as if he’s almost a little hesitant. If I hadn’t been staring up at his face, I would have certainly missed it because the thought of this huge mountain of a man carrying me now being anything less than completely self-assured doesn’t seem to compute in my brain. But I saw it. I noticed.

I’m not brave enough to vocalize any sort of reassurance, just in case he takes offense to me pointing outanything that could be seen as vulnerability, but I do rest the palm of my hand against the left side of his chest, feeling his heartbeat.

“I wasn’t born in the Northside. I—I’m also from the Southside.” He hesitates like he’s expecting me to scramble away from him in fear or something.

I don’t understand why he expects that. The thing that would send me screaming and running in the opposite direction is an alpha being an alpha, not where an alpha is from. And technically, considering I’m staying put in his arms, I’m doing a pretty good job managing my fear.

“Do you—is that okay with you?” He asks.

My brows knit together in confusion and I bite the inside of my cheek. I don’t know what he’s looking for, why he’s asking me this. “I—I’m not sure what you mean.”

“I mean, are you okay with me being a Southside alpha? Considering, you know,” he nods down at my body, wincing as his eyes catch the bruise on my jaw. “What you’ve been through.”

Does he think a Southside alpha did this to me? I mean, that would make sense. Someone would’ve had to put the bruises on my body.

But my father isn’t an alpha. And I’m pretty sure Alpha Niall was from the Northside, considering the amount of money he was willing to throw at my parents.

“You—you haven’t been cruel to me,” I say softly, unable to meet his gaze. “Where you’re from doesn’t matter to me.”

A pleased purr rumbles through his chest, vibrating into my own body and making me melt against him even more. The intensity of his dark chocolate scent heightens like he really likes the sound of my words.

He opens the door to a bedroom on the second floor. Madden walks me over to the bed with a dark green duvet bedspread, setting me down on it. He turns on a lamp on his nightstand, casting dark shadows throughout the room and emphasizing the sharpness of his jawline.

His brows draw down in thought as he glances around the room. “We should get you out of these clothes,” he mutters under his breath, running a hand through his hair. He meets my eyes before giving me what seems like a resolute nod. “I’ll be right back.”

Panic claws its way back up my throat as Madden clicks his bedroom door shut. This is it.

I said it myself. These alphas haven’t been cruel to me. Which means it should be easy to give myself to them. I’ve given myself to plenty of men who haven’t been anywhere near as kind to me.

Sure, it was always during my heat and I never really had a choice, but still. These alphas are the most gorgeous people I’ve ever seen in my life and they’ve shown me kindness.

Madden’s brought me to the nicest bedroom I’ve ever been in, with carpet that looks like it’s as soft as the clouds and an actual bed. He’s not going to take me on a thin mattress that barely cushions me from the cold, hard concrete of that cellar.

I can do this.

I slip off Madden’s jacket, gently folding it to my side before I take off the rest of my clothes. Not that there’s much to take off. I drop my old panties and nightgown to the floor. They’re musty smelling and gross, from the heat I just went through in them. I don’t want to dirty Madden’s bed with them.

Even in their warm home, a shiver runs down my spine as the chill of being naked sinks into my bare skin. I wish I were allowed to get cleaned up before I serviced them. I feel dirty and unworthy of being in their home.

That just means I have to work even harder to prove my worth. I’ve never been with anyone other than Alpha Niall outside of my heat, but he trained me well. I know how to please alphas.

I turn towards the headboard, bending forward, head down, ass up, presenting myself towards the doorway like a good omega should. I try to reach behind my back to cross my arms at the wrist, but the pain in my ribs keeps me from trying again.

I settle for just crossing my wrists above my head. Will that be good enough for Madden?

The way he insisted on being called just Madden, instead of Alpha Madden like his designation demands, gives me hope he won’t be too disappointed in me.

Madden’s dark chocolate scent drifts to my nose from his jacket folded beside my head. I relax into my position even more. I can do this.

Or at least that’s what I repeatedly tell myself, until the door opens, shining bright light from the hallway into the room.

A new scent hits me. A new, very alpha scent: sharp and spicy cinnamon.