The final group was the omegas who decided to live in a shifter community. It was in a large town distant enough from the city that it didn’t overwhelm their senses, but close enough that they could eventually explore the urban landscape if they desired.
Jade, bless his snake heart, bought out a whole damn building so the new omega clan residents wouldn’t have to worry about rent. I had to admit, sometimes he made me proud to be his brother.
As the cherry on top, our family offered to pay for therapy for any omega who wanted it. We figured they could all use a reprieve from the cultish bullshit they’d suffered.
Poppy and I went to the shifter community for a special trip. We’d shared lunch at a cute local cafe run by a family of donkey shifters, then strolled over to the nearby apartments.
We paused in front of a low-rise building made of deep red bricks. Ivy trailed up the front railings, and a vibrant tulip garden bloomed on either side of the cobblestone walkway.
I double checked the address on a piece of paper, then stuffed it back in my pocket.
This was the place.
“Are you ready?” I asked Poppy.
My mate fidgeted, but he laced his fingers with mine. “Yup.”
As we took the stairs up to the third floor, I sensed Poppy’s pulse racing with both nerves and excitement. I knew this trip had been on his mind for a while. We could’ve visited earlier, but Poppy insisted on maintaining some space, and I wasn’t about to go against my mate’s wishes.
We knew we’d reached the correct unit because of the artwork taped to the door. The drawings depicted an arctic wolfand a polar bear happily standing next to each other. The style was amateurish but charming.
Poppy smiled at the artwork. The sight of it relaxed him. He seemed more confident now than he had moments ago.
“Okay. I’m knocking,” he announced quietly.
A few seconds after he knocked, Sorrel opened the door. In the months since we’d last seen him, his cheeks had filled out with a healthy glow. His hair was longer now, tied back in a casual ponytail. He wore denim overalls on top of a white t-shirt. It was the first time I’d ever seen him wearing clothes—a striking reminder of just how much his life had changed.
Sorrel’s face lit up when he saw Poppy. He hesitated, then threw his arms around his smaller elder brother. I watched Poppy’s nerves melt away as he hugged him back.
“Ouch. Something’s stabbing me,” Poppy said.
Sorrel leapt away, then grabbed the offending colored pencils out of his overalls pocket. “Sorry. I forgot I shoved them in here.”
“Did you draw these?” I asked with a grin, nodding at the artwork on the door. “They’re pretty cute.”
Sorrel looked embarrassed but pleased at the compliment. “Thanks. I’m not a professional or anything, but I’m learning.” He fiddled with one of the pencils in a way that reminded me of Poppy. “My therapist recommended I try it out. Something about a creative hobby being good for you.”
Poppy beamed. He was about to say something when a jarring piano chord rang out from deeper inside the apartment.
“Wrong note. My bad,” Charon called.
Sorrel grinned. “Charon’s learning how to play keyboard. But at leastmyartistic flops are quiet...”
I snorted in amusement. A few months away from that hellscape and the kid already had a sense of humor.
“I’m so proud of you, Sorrel,” Poppy said warmly. “Both of you.”
I could practically imagine my mate’s wolf tail wagging a mile a minute.
Sorrel rubbed his arm—another gesture that reminded me of Poppy. The familiar little mannerisms were quickly endearing me to him. I hadn’t been Sorrel’s biggest fan upon our reunion, but I knew most of his shitty behavior was a product of his shitty environment. Getting away from all of that was good for him. I already liked this new version of him much better.
Poppy sighed, relieved. “Well, we just wanted to drop by and check in on you. I’m glad you’re well.”
Sorrel dropped his shy gaze down to his feet, shuffling them as he spoke. “This place is great. Having shifter neighbors and being around kind shifters in general... It’s nice.” He paused, then forced himself to meet our eyes. “Um... thank you. I know I didn’t make it easy, but I appreciate what you’ve done for me. For us.”
I snorted, then reached over to ruffle his hair. “It’s all good, kid. Don’t worry about it.”
Sorrel blushed, flashing me a lopsided smile. “I’m still getting used to the dragon family thing...”
