Chapter 9

A new wave of grief washed over Jessica as she opened the door to the Motel. Slowly, stepping in, she looked around and took in the scent. It still smelt like her, letting her know that the housekeeper hadn't even come in. She ran her hand over the desks, chairs, and bed.

This place shouldn't have mattered to her. In truth, it didn't. What it did was what it stood for. Even though she didn't like running all the time, she had gotten used to the human trait of making it on her own, to having to worry about yourself and only yourself, and that everything you had, you earned and strived for it by yourself. Though she knew she should never want, what she cherished was independence, the freedom that life is what you make it.

She went into her pocket and pulled out the check and paper that held the number: The last two things she'd earned on her own, even if she never was able to call Kathy nor cash it in. Taking a look about...her room, she picked up her backpack that lay against the chair.

Her wolf whined again at Jessica's depression. It will be alright. We are going home now.

Jessica shook her head, "No, we're not." She decided against the instincts of her wolf, "But we will bide our time instead of running for now."

Now that she wasn't as fearful as yesterday, she was able to see the directions and road they took when she looked out the windows. On her way up here the first time, she had ridden the bus right through the Delaney territory to get to Jackson. If she wanted to leave without them catching her, she would have to flee west to Idaho, facing the Rocky Mountains and the possibility of more wolf packs. The best route would be to go south, but that is also where the compound was. The other two directions wouldn't work since that was still pack territory.

Her wolf whined yet again. We don't have to run. Just stay. Our Alphas will protect us.

"Our Alphas did protect us, and they're dead now," Jessica told her, putting her backpack on, "Now not another thought of this."

Jessica's wolf yielded and went to her resting place for now.

Jessica thought of her dreams then. She couldn't help it. She thought of the man and his wolf and how they called to her mind, body, and soul. The very thought of them would get her aroused, even now in this situation.

But she wasn't stupid. She's been having dreams of him since she first came up to Jackson, so he had to be somewhere up here. Even though her other self came back to the surface of her thoughts whenever she thought about him and wanted him, she pushed her back, especially now. The best thing to do was get out of here before she accidentally found him, or he found her.

Even though she wanted him to hold her with his strong, muscular arms, wrapping her tightly into his warm 6-pack chest, basking in his scent as they made love and drove himself inside her with his rock-hard cock—

Jessica's eyes snapped open and she shook her head, trying to rid herself of the ideas and the heat from her legs as she went for the door. With one last look at what used to be her freedom, she turned and closed it behind her.

After returning the keys to the checkout, she got back in the car smoothly, "I'm finished." Without another glance, they drove off back to the den.

~~*

"Where do I put these?" Jessica asked Katalin, asking her after she removed the brisket from the oven.

Katalin looked over before resuming chopping the potatoes into slices, "Wrap them in aluminum foil and put them back in. Follow your nose from there."

Jessica nodded and did as she was told. She found out that the chores of Omegas rotated throughout the week, and those from their house were in charge of the kitchen that day. Though she didn't like being packed again, the feeling of doing something for people other than herself, serving a larger group brought a smile to her face, even slightly.

"Hurry it up. Lunch starts at 1 and we will not be upsetting the others over you," Kamilla growled as she finished up the honey BBQ ribs.

Jessica nodded, but at the same time, she and her wolf were getting more and more irritated with her as the hours passed. However, she knew it was better not to pick a fight with anyone in this pack.

"Hey, is anyone finished in here?" A man with a military buzz cut strode in, and from the looks of it, it would be blonde if he grew it out. His body was nowhere near as massive as the other guys Jessica's seen here, but he kept his build strong.

He had been introduced yesterday as Oscar, one of her housemates and fellow Omegas. However, just like everyone in this pack, he gave her the cold shoulder too.

His hazel eyes moved through the kitchen before settling on Jessica, "You."

Jessica looked up at him as she continued to wrap the last brisket, "Yes?"

"You done?" His arms were crossed.

"Y-yes," Jessica nodded as she put the last brisket in the oven and went and washed her hands of the grease.

"Good," He then went over to the large cabinets and took out the plates. Going back over, he easily stacked several in her arms when she finished drying, catching her off guard a bit, "Help set the table. 35 at each one. Move quickly. Don't drop anything."

He then turned and she followed, biting her lip, but kept her frustrations to herself. As she went to the first of the three long dining tables, her thoughts flashed through her mind. She didn't mind so much if the Thetas or higher ranks treated her this way. She didn't like it, but sadly she understood why, and she could handle it. But when someone of her rank...

She sighed. She didn't need to bring it up again that day. She'd rather focus on just getting the task done and then retiring back to Kamilla's bedroom so she could plan her escape. She was thinking of picking up some vinegar next time she went out into town.