Runaway Rogue

Chapter Ten: Indigo's POV

The controlling bastard of an alpha left, closing the door firmly behind him. Trapping Indigo inside. With her mate.

This was not the plan. Though, in fairness, the plan had fallen apart the second her wolf had overpowered her suppressant and sent her into a heat. Even more so when Paris had decided to shift. But her mate seemed kind enough and, more importantly, shocked enough, that she thought she could share a drink with him, shoot him a few smiles and scamper off while his guard was down.

Apparently not.

"Listen, I'm sorry about all of that. Forest is a great person and a really good alpha, we just—"

"Caspian," Indigo interrupted, then, when he jerked back, she added, "It is Caspian, right?"

His throat worked as he swallowed hard, those green eyes unable to leave her. "Yes."

"I don't care how nice he normally is. He has trapped me here," she seethed. Would an alpha really give out an order to kill his beta's mate on sight? She wasn't sure, but she certainly wasn't brave enough to find out just yet.

"I'm sure it's just temporary. This isn't going to be forever, just long enough that your scent can change to..." His heavy brows furrowed, a frown darkening his features. "Why do you smell like that, anyway?"

Indigo felt her hackles raise, but just rolled her eyes. "I can't smell myself. I have no idea what you're talking about." But she did, of course she did. The silver they ingested altered all of their scents. The first time she had smelled it on Paris and Sasha, she had almost gagged.

"You don't smell like a rogue," Caspian pressed, oblivious to her discomfort. "Are you doing something to mask your scent? Honestly, if you're using a perfume, I can't say I would recommend it."

"Thanks for telling me I stink," Indigo shot back.

He had the decency to flush. "Fuck, sorry, I'm not really good at this whole thing. I just...didn't expect you."

She hadn't expected him either. He was rather inconvenient, Though, if she was being honest with herself, he was also rather nice to look at. Perhaps he could be a welcome, though temporary, burden. "Yeah, mates this late in life aren't exactly the most common thing."

"Were you in a pack before?" Caspian pressed. "I thought I travelled enough. Are you from around here? Would I know your alpha?" He paused then, seeming to remember that she was not to be associated with a pack. "How did you end up a rogue? Were you born one?"

With every question, Indigo's mind flashed back to the life she had before. Two parents who loved her beyond measure, then sold her. Andrew, who seemed okay at first and tolerated her fears, her anger. Then the isolation. The depression. The anxiety. The desperation. She straightened her spine, matching her mate's intense gaze. "Would you like my social security number while we are at it?"

There was no denying the wariness that he viewed her with and she supposed it was fair. Even humans distrusted those who could not function within their society. But there was a little softness too, a little bit of awe. "I'm sorry," Caspian said. "I don't mean to pry, I just-- Can we start with your name?"

Indigo wasn't exactly in the same market as Sarah or Madison or Chloe. But, the tricky thing with mate bonds is they had a tendency to reveal some things. She could lie, but he would be able to smell it on her just like he smelled her 'bad perfume'.

"Indigo," she admitted softly.

Caspian paused for a moment, taking her in. She wondered what he saw, thought about how deranged she must look after sprinting here and fighting to save Paris. When she was younger and thought of meeting her mate, she imagined herself being in a cute dress with her hair styled, or stumbling upon him during a night out with the girls when she was already dressed impeccably. Whatever this was, it was the complete opposite.

Still, he smiled. "Alright, Indigo, let's get you settled."

Caspian's home was small, fairly common for his situation. Families were given larger homes, those who were single were given the smaller ones. Presumably, he had thought he would move out of the one bedroom, one bathroom house at some point, but her suppressants prevented him from finding the key.

But it was still homey. With the earthy toned walls and simple pictures of landscapes, it felt like the indoors were an extension of the great wilderness outside. For just a second, she spotted the cozy brown couch with a thick knitted blanket and she thought of herself there, fuzzy socks on her feet, him bringing her a cup of steaming tea.

She snapped her gaze away and followed him as he gave her a tour that could only be described as shy. It really was a small place and it really was masculine and simple, minimal decor and high function.

"I have none of my things," she complained when he pointed out the bathroom where his shaving cream and razor were lying on the counter. "I can't even shower or change my clothes. Really, would it be so bad if I went home?" He was the beta and judging by the framed photo of him and Forest, they weren't just duty bound, but bonded. Maybe he had some sway.

"Where is your place? Maybe I could swing by and grab the things you need?" he suggested. The question was kind enough, but she saw the skepticism every time he looked at her.

What a convenient way for him to find out what kind of life she lived, where she had been. Who she was protecting.

She was trying to play her games and he was playing his. She narrowed her gaze on him, hating the way her body softened to his entire being when he was probably just as weak as the rest. How much would it take for him to turn her in? Ten thousand, a million? Somewhere in between, probably.

"Forget it, it's fine. I can survive the night," she dismissed with a wave of her hand. "I'm assuming that the couch is free?"

She watched his body shift as he tried to keep up with her sudden change in demeanor. "I can move. I can take the couch—"

"Don't be silly, I just need a blanket or two."

"Uh, okay, do you want something to eat, you must be hungry."

"Oh, no thank you," she said brightly. The less she owed this man, the better.

~~~Question of the Day~~~

What is your favorite reading snack?