Page 41 of Daisy

"You sure?" His voice is gentle.

I nod quickly, then panic. What if he thinks I'm being forward? What if I'm supposed to suffer in silence like a good omega?

"Only if you're okay with it," he says quietly.

The fact that he's asking makes something tight in my chest loosen. Uncle never asked. The Fairburn pack wouldn't have asked.

"I think... I think I'd like it," I whisper, then immediately want to take it back. Too bold. Too demanding.

But something warm flashes in his green eyes. When he moves to the bed, he's so careful. Settles on top of the covers, far from me.

"Better?" I ask, then worry again. Should I not have asked?

"Yeah." He turns to face me. "Thank you."

"Thank you for staying." My voice shakes. I don't know how to do this. How to want things and ask for them.

We look at each other across the small space. His hand rests on the bed between us, palm up, fingers slightly curled. I want so badly to slip my hand into his, to feel those callused fingers close around mine. But I don't know if I'm allowed. Or what that means.

August shifts on the other bed, and I realize he's still awake, watching us with a small smile.

"Daisy?" he whispers. "Can I ask you something?"

I nod.

"Do you have family we could take you to? Somewhere safe where you could stay while this all gets sorted out?"

The question makes my chest tighten. "I... no. Not really."

"No one? Parents? Siblings?"

"My parents are..." I swallow hard. "My fathers were just a breeding arrangement. I barely know them. And my mother, she's..." I can't bring myself to say it. How she retreated to her nest years ago and never came out. How the bottles they bring to her room are the only way she can cope with what Uncle did to her life.

"I have sisters, but they're with their own packs now. And they wouldn't..." I trail off. Violet and Rose did what they were told. Accepted the system. They wouldn't understand why I'm not going back.

"What about other family?" August asks gently. "Anyone who could help?"

My blood turns to ice. I realize they don't know. They have no idea what they've gotten themselves into by saving me.

"August," I whisper, sitting up slightly. "You don't understand. My family... my uncle isn't just some wealthy elite."

"What do you mean?"

I take a shaky breath, knowing this changes everything. "He runs the entire city. The lottery, the police, all of it."

August goes completely still. "Wait. What?"

"I'm not just some omega," I continue, my voice getting smaller. "I'm the Governor's niece. When they realize I'm missing, they'll turn the entire city upside down to find me. I was promised to a very wealthy pack, and Uncle won't stop until I'm with them. And when they do find me..."

"Holy shit," August breathes. "The Governor. Like, the actual Governor."

I can't finish the sentence. When they find me, Uncle won't just be angry about a lost political marriage. He'll be furious about the embarrassment. The challenge to his authority.

And these men who saved me? They'll be destroyed.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, tears starting to flow. "I should have told you. You saved me, and now you're all in terrible danger because of who I am."

August is quiet for a moment. Then he reaches across the space between our beds and takes my hand.