Without his pack, the alpha who rejected me is suffering the same as I am. How painfully ironic that this gut-wrenching agony is something we have in common.
He goes on, speaking slowly. “Even though you didn’t have a great time there, the Omega Center was the first place you went to after your rescue.” Callisto shudders with a heavy breath, and then scoots around the edge of the mattress and takes my facebetween his hands. “Um, Zack asked me not to hug you, and I’m trying hard to resist—”
I choke on a dry laugh. Trust Zack to get territorial when he’s not even in the house.
“Can I . . .?” Callisto Wren, the fearless lawyer, crumples until his head rests over my heart. “Can I go with you? Can I help you?”
My body locks up with the brutal reality of my plan. “I’m not going there to have my heat, Calli. I’m going to sleep through it.”
He jerks upright, eyes feverish. “But that means—”
I nod. “Yeah. I’m going to be sedated.”
Callisto works his jaw several times. “Why, Red?” His gaze falls to my collarbone, and I cover the fine scars instinctively. But this man knows all about them, so I can’t hide. “Why go so far?” He strokes my hands while studying them. “I’m trying to understand you, but I know how much you hate needles.”
I grab the shirt Callisto brought me two days ago off the nightstand, knocking over a water bottle with a loud clatter. Lifting the fabric to my nose, I breathe deep of my missing pack alpha’s scent. “Because now the bond links me and Zack, and if I go into heat and lose control, he’ll freak out. Might even kill someone while trying to get to me.” I meet Callisto’s eyes and sigh. “And I will lose control, Calli. I know enough about myself to be sure of that.” Not even Ghost Red can control the wild omega lurking within. Add a fragile bond and a missing pack alpha, and it’s like a gasoline mainline to a fire.
I’m not okay. And I hate that I must think about myself when Zack’s out there all alone.
Callisto’s mouth twitches with a smile, drawing my gaze. His neatly trimmed beard and goatee frames surprisingly pink lips, and I can’t help recalling how he tasted the day we first met.
He nods, deep in thought. “So you’re willing to do the thing you hate most for the alpha you love?”
Yeah, that sums it up. Sounds self-sacrificing, but it’s really not. Just self-preservation. I manage a weak nod to answer his question.
I don’t deserve the look of wonder on his face as he stares at me, his thumb marking gentle circles on my cheek. “You’re incredible, Red.”
A scoff escapes me as I shake my head. “No, I’m broken.”
“But the pieces are stunning.”
I shove him away, knowing any more kindness will send me catatonic. I need to hold myself together long enough to get to the Omega Center. Avoiding his gaze, I return to packing my bags.
“Can I accompany you?” Callisto asks again. “I can’t replace your missing alpha, but as a friend to lean on. I’ll do anything, Red.”
His admission makes me pause, sweatpants folded over my hand. “If you want a challenge, then convince Rickon I’m doing the right thing.”
Callisto snorts and rises to his feet. “He’s just worried about you.”
The soft fabric envelops my hands as I shove it deep inside the case. “I know.”
Callisto squeezes my shoulder and leaves the room, as if understanding that Rickon’s concern is a burden I can’t carry right now. Even kindness hurts when I have a hole in my heart.
Whatever Callisto said to Rickon, he calmed him down. If we get through this in one piece, I might ask what they discussed because Rickon seems resigned as he clasps my hand in hisand helps me out of the car. But right now, I need all my concentration to will my feet into the big nest-shaped building.
Of course the staff welcomed my call, sounding delighted to hear from me. And they said I could have my old room back for as long as I needed it. “Only three and a half days,” I mutter under my breath as I force myself in through the front door.
Samantha waits for me in the lobby. “Welcome, Red. I’m so happy to see you again.” She spreads her arms and gives me a querying look to see if I’ll accept a hug.
Despite wanting to scratch the cheerful smile off her face, I lean in and pat her back awkwardly. “Hello, Samantha.”
She turns to greet Rickon and Callisto, who walks a few steps behind, carrying my bags, before leading me deeper into the building. “Come. Your room’s ready. Now, the booking notes said you didn’t want a nest. Have I got that right?”
“Yep. Just my old room.” Plain white curtains, a double bed, plenty of sunlight in the tall windows. Clinical. Sane.
Staff greet me warmly as we pass, looking delighted to see me back. If a single person saidI told you so, I might’ve walked myself back out immediately, but everyone treats me like this is an ordinary visitation. Even better. I’ll walk in, stay a few nights, and walk out again. I can do this.
Gotta do this for Zack. And maybe for myself.
