I wanted…
“By the way, where did Xander go?” Len asked. “I thought I saw him with you, Remington.”
“That’s right,” Remington said. “When I realized Sage’s heat was starting again, we talked and came to the conclusion that it would be best if Xander left for now.”
I didn’t get angry often, but I felt a flash of anger now.
I leapt to my feet and snarled at Remington, “What? Why the hell did you do that for?”
He blinked, yellow eyes wide in surprise. “Um—”
“How could you do that, Remmy? He was hurt! And I don’twanthim to go away! Why doesn’t anyone ever listen to me?”
The shock on Remington’s face melted into a mix of sympathy and guilt. “I—I thought it would help you if he wasn’t here.”
I tried to reel in my flaring emotions, which weren’t helped at all by the heat ravaging my body. “Where is he now?”
“He left. On his own. I’m sorry.”
My heart felt like it was stabbed by claws. My body was crying out for him, and he wasgone.Stupid cat.
But thinking about Xander didn’t help. A ripple of hot shivers ran down my spine, forcing me to my knees. Wow, having a heat really did suck. I could barely move from how much it was commandeering my body.
“Sage, do you want us to help you somewhere private until your heat passes?” Morgan offered.
I mulled it over for a split-second. “No.”
The other omegas exchanged glances.
“Can we help at all?” Len asked.
They couldn’t, but I didn’t want to be an asshole about it. I shook my head and said, “Sorry, I just kind of wanna be alone.”
To show them I wasn’t completely helpless, I got to my feet. It was difficult but not impossible. I could still walk—for now.
Len and Remington didn’t look so sure, but Morgan nodded.
“If that’s what you want,” he said. “We’ll let your brothers know you needed some time by yourself. They’ll understand.”
“Yeah. Thanks, Morgan.” I took a step then looked back at him. “Um, if they start freaking out, can you tell them not to? I know I’m their younger brother, but I’m not a baby.”
A smile spread over Morgan’s face and he nodded. “Of course, Sage.”
As I walked off, I heard Remington mumble, “Will he really be okay by himself?”
“Let’s trust him. If he gets into trouble, we’ll always be nearby.”
Mentally thanking Morgan for existing, I walked faster until I was shifted and running. I needed to get away from my family for a bit. I wondered if this was how Hugo felt when he first had the idea to depart from our original pack. Maybe I was experiencing a less extreme version of it.
Was this how being an adult felt? Needing to prove yourself? Wanting freedom?
The hot cramps in my muscles that had hindered me now provided strength to run. I pushed forward.
Until—
That scent.
My wolf’s nose caught it. Xander. He’d been here recently and his trail was fresh. He smelled… afraid?
