“I’m also at your service,” Taz says with a wink.
Thea smiles in response but it’s not one of her usual ones. There’s a wicked glint in her eyes as she replies, “In that case you can help me make lunch for everyone. We’ll let you guys knowwhen it’s ready.” With that she leads Taz into the house, likely towards the kitchen.
Keelan is weirdly calm now, and he’s actually…smiling? I feel like I should be concerned. Is he plotting to kill Taz? I can relate, to be honest.
“Keelan, you good?” I ask worriedly.
“Oh yeah, our omega is about to put him in his place,” he says smugly. Ah, must be the bond. I haven’t seen that side of her yet, except when she deals with Micah. Campbell laughs in response, and Ren cracks a smile as well.
“I bloody hope so, he needs it after that drive, he was an arse the entire time,” Campbell groans, releasing some of the tension the group had. I quickly introduce our pack to them before we finally make our way inside. There may not be more than a dusting of snow on the ground but it’s still freezing this time of year.
As we settle into the living room, the only place besides the dining room to hold enough space for our large group to sit, I notice the fourth member of their pack isn’t here. “Where’s River?” I ask Campbell directly.
He and Ren glance at each other. Did something happen to him? He’s their tech guy, much like Parker is for us, except he does some questionable things to get the job done. With our situation, having him here is crucial. We can’t rely on Parker for everything.
Scrubbing his hand over his face, Campbell says, “Riv is working remotely for this job. He can’t be around omegas.” He lets that hang in the air. There’s really only one reason an alpha can’t be around omegas: if they’re dealing with ferality. I look over to Logan, who looks just as surprised as I feel.
“Ferality?” Logan asks, Campbell nods in agreement. “But he’s only in his mid-thirties. He should have had at least ten more years before it’s a concern.”
“It’s rare but not impossible to affect someone his age and since we don’t have a bonded omega yet, it manifested for him,” Ren explains in a soft voice, shrugging, playing down the situation.
I look around the room. My pack appears to be feeling a mixture of emotions. Most seem concerned, even though they don’t know River. Pride in my pack washes through me. Liam catches my attention. I just know his medical researcher side wants to ask a million questions, but thankfully he’s holding back.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I say sincerely. River was always a good guy and ferality is a horrible condition for anyone to deal with. It’s part of basic health education to learn about it, but us alphas are taught more in depth about it and how it can affect us. If an alpha is single or in a pack without an omega, usually after the age of forty-five, they are at risk of dealing with ferality. Being around omegas, specifically their scents, will override rational thought, often triggering an instinctual need to bond, creating a connection with an unbonded omega. But bonds can only be done if both parties are consenting. When an alpha dealing with ferality tries this, they also are not fully in control of their strength and often harm the omega without realizing it. There’s medicine to help mitigate the condition but unfortunately there’s no cure beyond bonding to an omega.
“It’s the early stages but to slow any progress, we deduced it’s best if he works from home from now on. At least if an omega is involved in the job,” Campbell explains. Before I can question him, he continues, “Don’t worry. We have all the equipment he said we’d need and know how to set it up. Speaking of, do you have a spare room we can use here at the house to set up the monitors for the cameras?”
“Space isn’t an issue. What’s your plan in the short term for Thea’s security?” I ask.
We all sit and listen as he explains setting up cameras along the perimeter of the property. One of them will always be at the house and/or with Thea when she leaves the property. But may have to reassess for the long term. I’m hoping this won’t be needed after a month or two.
“What about during the heat? Liam, it’s coming up soon, right?” Parker asks, his knee bouncing rapidly.
“Two of us will be here on the property. We won’t let anything happen while you’re all in a vulnerable state,” Campbell says sincerely.
“Thank you,” Liam says, before glancing at Parker. “Her heat could hit as early as a week from now. Most I’d say is three weeks, but I doubt it’ll be that long.”
“That’s helpful. Given the size of the property, it’ll take us a day or two to get the cameras set up,” Ren chimes in.
We talk a bit longer, listening to them laying out their plan and where the cameras will be. Micah and Ben jump in occasionally when questions come up about the property and surrounding land. It’s not long before Taz comes trotting in with Thea at his side, looking like best buddies, letting us know lunch is ready. We may not have the stalker yet but having them here for Thea’s protection brings some relief. I hope the others feel the same.
Now to plan a date with Thea before I leave on Sunday.
5
THEA
Ilead Taz through the house until we get to the kitchen. He reminds me of my college roommate’s boyfriend. He was a shit stirrer too, always trying to get a rise out of someone. It was annoying in college and that attitude is beyond frustrating even nearly ten years later as an adult.
When we enter the kitchen, I head to the fridge to get the food out to make lunch. My back is to him when he asks, “What can I help you with, sweetie?”
What is the best way to do this—call him out or call his bluff? I don’t think I can pull off calling his bluff. I’m not good at flirting with my own pack but fake flirting? Yeah, that’s not in my wheelhouse. Calling him out it is.
Turning around and dropping the food on the kitchen island, I level him with a glare. “You can help by cutting the shit.”
His blue eyes widen slightly but his obnoxious grin remains, and it actually widens. I sigh internally at how annoying this is, though I can’t help but admit it’s a nice distraction.
He leans over the island, resting his arms there. “You have some bite, that’s a pleasant surprise. What’s your name, sweetie?”
