“Get in line. I just wanted to give you a heads-up—we’re going to have to figure something else out for Flora’s nest. Can you go back through the footage to see if we can identify who the fuck did this?”
“Yeah. If he was desperate enough to trash the place, maybe he slipped up and showed his face,” Chase said.
“Hopefully. But given he probably realized I had installed cameras, I wouldn’t be surprised if he hid his identity.”
“You know she’s going to hate you even more if you’re the one who brings her the bad news.”
“Would you rather do it?” I asked.
“Fuck, no. She hates me more than she hates you right now.”
“I’ll get Bear to tell her. She’s least likely to Taser him.”
“See? That’s why you’re the boss.” Chase laughed. “Now, go salvage whatever you can. I’ll comb through the footage. Bear’s in the kitchen with Flora, making grilled cheese sandwiches. I was going to ask her to make me one, but I don’t trust her not to poison it. She’s a resourceful omega—I’m sure she’d find some cleaning product to take me out.”
“I don’t doubt it,” I agreed, hanging up.
We rarely lingered on goodbyes, especially in the middle of situations like this.
I spent an hour going through what remained of Flora’s possessions. I did my best, sifting through item after destroyed item. No matter how gently I handled her things, some were so badly damaged they disintegrated in my hands.
It was beyond fucked up, doing this to someone’s space. Especially a sweet omega who had done nothing to deserve it.
Unfortunately, all I managed to find were a few pairs of leggings that had come through relatively unscathed. A couple of textbooks had also survived, though the damaged ones could easily be replaced.
Every time my eyes landed on the tangled mess that used to be her nest, a pang of sadness hit me. Just knowing how devastated Flora would be over the destruction of her safe spacemade my chest ache. I wanted nothing more than to make her happy and bring her comfort—this was going to crush her. Omegas spent a lot of time in their nest, and there had been many days I had watched Flora in hers, reading or studying.
Once I’d packed the few surviving items into my car, I closed the apartment door as best I could, quickly repairing and securing the lock. I didn’t remove the cameras, in case whoever trashed the place decided to return. I locked the door, using the copy of Flora’s key I had made ages ago. I doubted it would stop this guy, but it at least stopped random people or squatters entering her place.
On my way back to the car, I took a quick detour to inform the building manager that I was the one taking over the responsibility for that apartment, and I would have workmen there soon to fix it.
He had been about to complain, but as soon as I shoved some cash into his hands, he quickly shut up.
Sitting in the car, I scrolled through my phone and tapped a familiar number. A sweet, soft voice filled the speakers.
“Hi, Spencer. What’s up?” Mable asked.
“Hey. Sorry to bother you,” I replied, trying to keep my anger out of my voice. Mable didn’t deserve my rage.
“You’re never a bother,” she insisted.
“Don’t speak too soon—I have a favor to ask.” As I spoke, I put the car in drive and headed back to our apartment.
“After everything you did when I was sick, you can ask anything,” she said warmly. “I’m pretty sure the guys would buy you a pony if you asked.” She laughed.
I’d taken care of Mable during a rough bout of separation sickness—her pack had been halfway across the country and hadn’t realized how badly it could affect a newly bonded, pregnant omega.
She’d been stubborn as hell, fighting me over electrolyte drinks and food, but she’d been heavily pregnant, and I’d refused to let her get worse.
“Has Percy told you about the girl in his advanced statistics class I’ve been following?” I asked.
“Oh yeah—the one being stalked. He mentioned it a few weeks ago, then again today because Bear called him.”
“Yeah. We’ve got her at our apartment now. Someone tried to kidnap her at knifepoint.”
A sharp gasp came through the phone. “That’s horrible.”
“I went to her apartment to gather some nesting supplies. Whoever’s been following her broke in and trashed the place.”
