"Why didn’t you?”
"With what money?" The laugh that escapes is bitter. "Callum monitors our joint account like a hawk, and a prescription for omega suppressants would raise questions Iwasn't ready to answer…” My voice cracks. "So they ran out two days ago, and I had to go without."
Late-presenting omega. Rare, but not unheard of.
“So you're not a beta. Well, I’ll be damned!” She giggles. Memories of our talks about omegas, and how I was safe being a beta are probably running through her head right now.
“But then I went back to Callum’s apartment.”
I'm already acknowledging my foolishness. Callum and I dated in high school back in Largo Waters. After graduation, we moved to the city together. Four years later, he dumped me. Said he was bored with me, with us.
I spent years trying to find myself until I started working with Sharon organizing weddings. Then two years ago, Callum showed up at the wedding venue where I worked. The apology came with tears and promises. He'd made a terrible mistake leaving me, wanted me back, had never stopped loving me. Right there, he dropped to one knee and proposed. I thought it was romantic, my second chance at happiness. I quit my job and moved back in with him. We've been planning this wedding ever since.
“I ran out of money, I’m not working I had no funds of my own. And I needed to buy more suppressants, but I thought I’ll be getting married I didn’t need anymore.”
Suddenly I could smell everything when the suppressants ran out a couple of days ago. The coffee brewing three rooms away. The flowers in the lobby of our apartment building. Callum's cologne that used to smell nice but now made me want to gag.
Then came the aches. The restlessness. The strange, pulling sensation low in my belly that I didn't understand.
“I just had an idea. I can get to my old doctor is in Largo Waters. That's where I grew up. I can get my prescription refilledthere. Figure out what the hell I'm doing." I take a shaky breath. "Then I'll come visit. I promise. I just need to go home first."
Home. Largo Waters. The place where four alphas still live. The pack I ran from six years ago because I was too scared to face what I felt.
"Okay," Sharon says. "But Jessica? Listen to me. You don't owe anyone an explanation. Not Callum. Not his family. Not the two hundred people sitting in those chairs. If I wasn’t heavily pregnant then I would have been there.”
“I know. I’ve got to run.”
"And call me when you're safe. I don't care what time it is."
"I will. Thank you, Sharon."
I hang up and look at Mom. I’m not sure how much she heard of the conversation.
"Largo Waters?" Mom asks.
I nod.
"Then go. Now. Here’s my keys!”
Another knock on the door. Harder this time. More insistent.
"Jessica, seriously. What is going on in there?" Melissa again. "Callum sent me to check on you. He's getting worried."
I'll bet he is.
Mom walks to the window and opens it wide. Fresh air rushes in, carrying the scent of roses and cut grass and freedom.
"Just a minute," Mom calls toward the door.
The knocking stops. I hear Melissa's footsteps retreat, but I have a feeling that she won't stay gone for long.
"I'm proud of you," Mom says, turning back to me. Her voice breaks on the last word.
I hug her tight, breathing in gardenias and vanilla one more time.
Then I move toward the window.
The balcony is narrow, barely wide enough for me to stand, I panic about my wide hips getting stuck in them, but then I dohot yoga, I’m more flexible than I look. So, I get rid of the fear of escaping and just get to it. The railing is wrought iron, cold and solid under my palms. Below me, a flower bed full of hydrangeas and a trellis covered in ivy.
