My breath leaves my lungs in a heavy whoosh as I read the name a second time. Jones I’m used to, but Scarlet Wren? A laugh escapes me. For so long I stayed alive with the help of Red Hawk, the special agent spy with unlimited skills.
But now?
Now I’m no longer alone.
I can sheath my claws and transform into a scarlet wren; fast, stunning, and cute. And how fitting to have a star named in my honor?
“It’s perfect,” I tell my anxious men. “I’ll be your little Scarlet Wren forever.” And just because I’m happy and feel like being silly, I lift my arms to the woods and declare at the top of my voice, “Dearly beloved! We are gathered here, in the sight of the sun, to farewell a tired omega, who fought the good fight. She left her mortal coil to become a star blazing in the heavens.” I wave grandly at the cloudless summer sky, which waves back with a blast of hot, dusty wind.
“Pfft,” I blow out, wiping a hand through my newly shortened hair.
Rickon chuckles and takes my hand. “Dust to dust,” he intones, swinging my hand between us as we trek downhill. Callisto grabs the box with the empty vials and follows us, shaking his head as if his pack mates just lost their minds.
Well, it’s not the end of the world if we have.
And Zack, well, he follows along, asking about flowers and trees, right up until he spots a rabbit. “What’s that?” he asks. “Is it for eating?”
“You could try,” Callisto teases.
Zack takes off like a rocket, faster than any of us expected, but thankfully not fast enough to catch the innocent fluff ball. Our laughter twines around the hillside as we stroll back to the car park at the foot of the hill.
Now I have just one more mountain peak to scale—my approaching heat.
Chapter sixty-five
Red
Sixty days.
Depending on one’s point of view, it could be a blink or an eternity. It’s enough time for the moon to cycle twice and for the seasons to change. And enough time for a desperate omega to find her missing alpha and return him home.
My last heat came with a terrifying scenario of restraints, sedatives, and only two-thirds of my team. This time around will be different.
I banned my alphas from going to the nest while I made the finishing touches. Zack disagreed vocally, of course, but we came to a truce with him sitting on the rooftop outside the door where he could still hear me while I tinkered around, rearranging plant pots and hanging last-minute touches. For the first time in my life, I have something that’s all mine, and that’s a greater gift than anyone can understand.
And today’s the big day we finally take my hot house for a test run.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. I mean, I’ve never had a positive heat experience, but the fact I enjoyed arranging my space says we’ve come further than I thought possible.
Humming under my breath, I run the brush through my hair and put a little mousse through the top, even though the whole style’s gonna get shredded as soon as my fever rises in an hour or two. For now, I don’t care.
I wink at myself in the mirror, mustering my courage. I look pretty fine, if I say so myself. Rickon suggested a restyle to deal with the singed locks, leaving bangs and some length on top but close-cropping the sides. It’s sleek and sexy while still giving us a few styling options. Rickon’s already raving about overnight curlers and fuck knows what else.
“Chin up, Red,” I tell my reflection. She gives me a tight nod, and I pull my robe closed before marching out of the bathroom.
The guys lounge downstairs, concerned voices cutting off as my feet thump on the stairs. I relax a little, knowing I’m not the only one nervous about today.
“Jones pack!” I call authoritatively from the second-last step, adding a little dramatic flair over the banister. “It’s time to migrate.”
They’re on their feet in an instant; my sweet first alpha, my growly prime alpha, and my redeemed third alpha, all gazing up at me expectantly.
Callisto’s Adam’s apple bobs hard as he takes in the white satin robe hugging my body. I grin. They aint seen nothing yet.
I swing a tote bag off the table that I prepared earlier and offer my hand like a noble lady waiting to be escorted. Zack swoops in to take my hand, alpha scent and bond both warming with desire.
“Shall we go, my lady?” Rickon asks, following my dramatic lead. “We’re dying to see your garden.”
“Innuendo much?” I giggle, breaking form, and he blushes.
