His Delicate Love

6

Annie slowly woke to the sound of water gently sloshing around her, her body submerged in the warmth of a bath. Her muscles, which had been aching and tense, began to relax, though a dull exhaustion still weighed on her. She blinked a few times, her vision adjusting to the soft light of the room, and as her senses came back, she became aware of the soothing touch of an older woman washing her hair with careful, deliberate movements.

Looking up, Annie's large brown eyes met the woman's. She had kind eyes, framed with gentle wrinkles, and her smile was warm, filled with a comforting fondness that reminded Annie of Ms. Ginny. The familiar warmth in the woman's expression caused Annie's chest to tighten with emotion.

"You had a long night, doll," the woman said softly, her voice carrying a tenderness that Annie hadn't realized how much she missed. The older woman's gaze was filled with understanding, and for a moment, Annie felt safe in the cocoon of warmth and care.

But the mention of the long night—the reality of everything that had happened—crashed down on her like a wave. The memories of fleeing, of the attack, of Ms. Ginny staying behind to save her, flooded her mind. Tears began to brim in her eyes, the weight of her loss and fear too much to hold back. The image of Ms. Ginny's last smile, her voice telling her to run, overwhelmed her, and the tears spilled over, sliding down her cheeks.

The older woman noticed immediately, her smile softening into something even more tender. Without a word, she reached out and gently wiped away Annie's tears with the back of her hand. "Oh, sweet girl," she whispered, her heart clearly aching for Annie. "You've been through a lot... more than anyone should. But don't worry, love. We'll take care of you here. You're safe now."

The woman's words, though simple, were like a balm to the wounds Annie carried. She wanted to believe them, to hold on to the hope that this place, Windhallow, could offer her some kind of safety. But the loss of her pack, of Ms. Ginny, weighed heavily on her heart.

Annie sniffled, trying to compose herself, though the tears still threatened to fall. She looked up at the woman again, her voice small as she spoke, "Thank you..."

The woman smiled again, continuing to wash her hair with gentle hands, humming a soft tune as she worked. "You're welcome, doll. Now, just rest and let us take care of you. You don't have to carry it all alone anymore."

Annie nodded faintly, allowing herself to relax into the warmth of the bath and the woman's care, though the grief still lingered. For the first time in what felt like days, she let herself rest.

After finishing a small meal, Annie sat quietly in the omega quarters, surrounded by a few of the other omegas who spoke to her in soft tones. They asked her gentle questions, offering comfort and warmth as they tried to make her feel welcome. Despite their kindness, Annie's mind remained heavy with the events of the last few days, the weight of everything she had lost still pressing down on her heart.

The door to the quarters creaked open, and the room hushed as Killian entered. His tall frame and commanding presence drew the attention of everyone around, his pale skin a striking contrast to his dark shaved head and the light stubble across his strong jaw. He paused in the doorway for a moment, his sharp eyes finding Annie in the midst of the group.

Clearing his throat, Killian's gaze remained fixed on her, his expression unreadable. Annie's heart skipped a beat as their eyes met, a strange spark passing between them like a sudden jolt. Her breath caught in her chest, and her brown eyes widened even more, startled by the sudden, unfamiliar connection. For a moment, the world seemed to narrow around them, the others fading into the background.

Killian, momentarily lost for words, blinked and quickly regained his composure. "Uhm, yes, Mr. Killian?" one of the omega women said, her voice pulling him back to the present.