Chapter Two
Without waiting for Julian’s reply, knowing nothing good was likely to come out of the man’s mouth, Joe turned them both around and they walked across the courtyard.
“I’m sorry about that. I hadn’t realized things were so tense here or I’d have warned you.”
He could see Kai was looking uncertain and guessed the omega was having second thoughts about coming to Hilltop. Not surprising with the kind of welcome he’d received.
“That’s okay. It seems like there’s a lot going on here.”
“That’s no excuse for being rude. Here’s the clinic.”
They arrived at the building, which was identical to the houses around it, differentiated only by a sign on the door.
“We can drop our bags inside and then go get some food.”
It was well past lunchtime, and Joe was hungry. Hilltop had a communal kitchen, and there was always something cooking on the stove.
Pushing open the door to the clinic, he was hit with a musty smell and groaned. Hilltop’s nurse and midwife had left almost a year before and it was clear no one was taking care of the clinic. He knew Jensen had done an inventory last time he was there and asked that the clinic be cleaned regularly but it looked like Joe would need to do both. Luckily, he’d brought any supplies he’d thought he’d need with him.
“I don’t suppose you have any medical training?” he asked Kai.
The omega shrugged. “I don’t have much training in anything.”
“Don’t worry, I knew it was a long shot. The previous nurse left, and they haven’t found anyone to replace her. They can’t exactly advertise.”
“Why not?”
Joe turned to look at Kai, trying to work out if the omega was serious. “Well, the dens try to stay under the radar for one. And two, the shifter world tries not to bring attention to itself.”
“Oh, right.” Kai nodded slowly. “Um, why under the radar?”
“You’re an omega, right?”
“Right.”
“But you don’t know why the dens wouldn’t want to draw attention from other packs?”
Kai shrugged awkwardly, his face growing red. “I don’t know a lot.”
Joe hadn’t meant to put Kai on the spot and backpedaled. “No worries, I’ll fill you in later.”
He opened the door to the examination room and winced. Clearly, it had been used since they were last there, and no one had taken the time to clean it. The cupboard doors were open, supplies strewn about the place.
“How are your domestic skills?” he asked Kai.
“Domestic skills?” the omega repeated glancing past Joe into the room.
“Yeah. Are you any good at cleaning?”
“Um. Sure.”
Joe grinned. “Then I might rope you into helping me get this place in order. I’d rather not deliver the babies here unless I have to, but I definitely can’t if it’s in this condition.”
“I can clean,” Kai offered. “I mean, if they let me stay, I have to earn my keep somehow, right?”
Joe was reminded of Liam; terrified and so convinced he had to do whatever it took to be allowed to stay.
“Despite the impression Julian gave, we want omega here, we need them. There’s always work to be done in a place like this, and everyone has a role. But you don’t need to break your back trying to make a good impression, okay?”
An expression of relief crossed Kai’s face. “Okay.”
Joe led the way to the bedroom, opening every window he could on the way there.
“Let’s air this place out. That’ll be a good start.”
The bedroom was big with a double bed in one corner. The bed had been stripped and Joe dropped his bag on the floor next to it while he went in search of sheets and blankets. When he returned, Kai was unrolling a sleeping bag and setting it down in one corner. He set his bundle down on the bed and turned to Kai.
“You can have the bed if you like.”
Kai shook his head. “You’re working. You’ll need your sleep. Besides, I’m used to sleeping rough.”
The comment only piqued Joe’s curiosity about the omega’s story.
“Let’s see if we can’t find you a bed elsewhere. Julian doesn’t always give a straight answer when he’s trying to be difficult.”
Kai glanced at the floor. “I think I’d rather be here with you.”
Joe winced. He hadn’t painted the nicest picture of Hilltop so far.
“Most of the people here are nice. You’ll like them.”
“I like you,” Kai replied with a small smile.
Joe shook his head. “Come on, let’s go get some food.”
Joe led Kai to the communal kitchen and dining area. He called out a hello as they entered, but no one answered.
“They’ll be back to make dinner in an hour or so.”
“So, we have to wait?”
Kai looked disappointed. Joe guessed he was hungry.
“Oh no, we are shifters after all. Someone’s always hungry. Come on, we can help ourselves.”
Kai hung back as Joe raided the kitchen. There was a pot on the stove and a quick check confirmed it was something hot and tasty.
“Chicken stew. Smells good.” He ladled them a bowl each. There were loaves of freshly cooked bread on a tray and he cut a few generous slices. Finally, a glance in the fridge yielded cold meats and salad so he added some to each of their plates.
“Do you want some soda?” he asked, spying some cans in the fridge. “Or some juice?”
“Either,” Kai said. He only had eyes for the food.
Joe grabbed two cans and between them they carried their bounty out into the dining room, taking one of the tables near the window.
Joe picked up a spoon and started eating but when he glanced up, Kai was staring uncertainly at the table.
“Are you sure this is okay? I don’t want them to think I’m stealing their food.”
“This food is for everyone who lives here. And right now, you live here. Eat away.”
Kai still hesitated.
“Even if you were just a guest, like me, they feed their guests. Seriously, don’t stress over it, eat. There’s plenty more. No one needs to go hungry.”
That seemed to do the trick, Kai picking up the spoon and starting with the stew. And boy, was he hungry. He’d eaten half his bowl within the space of a minute.
He only paused when a hiccup hit him.
Joe snorted. “That’s what happens when you eat too fast. Slow it down, okay?”
Kai nodded sheepishly, taking a slow drink of his soda.
“Sorry, I got a little carried away.”
“It’s good food,” Joe said, taking a bite of the sandwich he’d made.
As they finished up their food, Joe couldn’t hold back his curiosity any longer.
“So where are you from? What pack?”
He was having a hard time tracking Kai’s animal scent.
The omega’s shoulders hunched. “I’m not from a pack.”
“Oh. Well, where did you live before you came here?”
“I moved around a lot.”
“You didn’t have a home? A family?”
Shifters didn’t live alone, it just wasn’t the done thing.
“It was just me and my dad, but he died a few years back. Since then, I’ve been by myself.”
Joe almost choked on a mouthful of soda, swallowing hard.
“Wait, you’ve been alone for years? How have you survived?”
Kai just shrugged, like it was no big deal. “Lots of people live alone, don’t they?”
Lots of people weren’t omega. And omega didn’t do well in isolation. Joe remembered Hunter and Cade talking about how sick Cade had been after prolonged isolation. And they were talking weeks, not years.
“It can’t have been easy living by yourself.”
“I got by. Winters were the worst, but I went south where it was warmer and spent a lot of time in my animal form, so I didn’t feel the cold so badly. It made it easier to find food as well.”
“And the rest of the year?”
“When my dad was alive, we used to stay near this farm. During busy times, we’d help out in exchange for food and sometimes money. The year after my dad died they took me on again but then they sold the farm over the winter. Things got harder after that.”
“I’m sorry about your dad,” Joe offered belatedly. “But I’m sure he’d be really proud of you, surviving alone all this time.”
“It’s been tough,” Kai admitted quietly. “Not having anyone to talk to, having to move around all the time. I started venturing into the cities during the winter, it was easier to find shelter and food. But they’re pretty scary places for a fox.”
“And that’s you?” Joe asked. “You’re a fox shifter?”
“You can’t tell?” Kai asked and then grimaced, flushing again. “Sorry, I know I probably don’t smell so great. I shouldn’t be surprised you can’t scent my fox.”
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about. You did what you had to do, you survived out there. And you made it here.”
Joe reached across the table, his hand finding Kai’s. The omega seemed startled at the touch, his hand flexing before it stilled. There were tears in his eyes and he blinked rapidly.
“I’m sorry. I haven’t had anyone to talk to in months. And I can’t remember the last time someone touched me.”
Joe took Kai’s hand, holding it between both of his.
“It’s okay. You don’t need to apologize. Shifters, omega especially, need contact with other shifters. It’s wired into us.”
“What if Julian doesn’t let me stay? What then?”
Joe gave Kai’s hand a squeeze, letting go slowly. “Hold that thought. You finish your meal, and I’ll be right back.”
He got up from the table, pulling his phone from his pocket as he headed outside to call Cade.