“I just mean that…” I swallowed, closing my eyes. Finally, I sighed. I was a grown ass woman. I didn’t need to be coddled. “I don’t know what I meant. Just ignore me.”
“Tessa, it’s okay. We thought you might like to be alone a bit. We’ve never taken care of an Omega in heat.” Dixon’s voice. Giant, smash-things-Dixon, who was such a gentle soul at heart.
“I don’t want to be alone.” I parted my lashes, eyes moist. Ugh. My damn hormones were so out of whack. Dixon’s expression was affectionate, his eyes holding a ‘knowing’ that assured me he wasn’t judging me for being needy.
At my words, Dixon crawled onto the mattress, getting close enough that he could kiss my cheek. “You’ve not seen luxury yet, Tessa. Oblivion Haze’s Omega deserves the goddamn world. And to answer your question, yes. One of us can always stay in the room with you. And if you change your mind and do want to be alone, just say the word.”
“I second that,” Mac’s silky, even voice sounded. “We’re here for you, Tessa. In any capacity you require.”
“Thanks,” I bit my lower lip, fighting the tears and losing. One slipped out, tracing hotly down my cheek. Dixon brushed it away with a gentle hand before shifting blankets and pillows to lay down beside me. He stretched one arm over my body, below my breasts and being careful to avoid my aching stomach. The weight seemed to anchor me back in reality. This was real. Not a dream. My Alphas weren’t going to vanish.
Mac’s voice floated to me, and I blinked over at him.
“Take the heat pills before you try the cocoa. They’re supposed to dull the cramping and keep the fever manageable when it comes. The water’s warmed a bit, but that’s better for you.” Mac was on the other side of the bed now, leaning over to offer me two small white pills and a glass. I took the items gratefully, swallowing the medicine and downing the liquid before handing the empty glass back to him.
“And, best for last,” Tray, who’d been hovering near the entrance, bounced over. He almost sounded like a gameshow host as he spoke, maybe trying to lighten the mood which was a habit of his. “Microwavable lavender and rosemary laced heating pad.” He crawled carefully onto the bed, tossing one knee over Dixon’s body to straddle him. “Can you lift your shirt, Tessa?”
“I’ve got it,” Dixon beat me to it, pulling up the silky top to expose my bare stomach. Tray gently placed the almost too-hot velvety pad against my skin. My knee jerk reaction was to ask him to take it off, but I endured the scorching feeling for long enough that the warmth began to sink in and actually feel nice. After Tray made sure I was comfortable, he shifted away, choosing to lounge on the other side of Dixon with one leg tossed over his pack brother.
“Where’s Ryder?” I frowned, realizing we were one Alpha short.
“Here,” that wonderful smooth-as-honey voice that got raspy when he sang greeted my ears and made my chest flutter. Ryder strode into the space, pushing a bar cart in front of him. “Mobile pantry at your service,” he spun the cart to give me the side profile. It was filled to bursting with chips, crackers, cookies, and more.
All the noise had woken Josie, and she meowed in annoyance. Standing up from her pillow, she stretched and then padded over to Tray,hopping atop his body and beginning to knead her claws against his stomach. He winced as her nails nicked his belly, and then he lifted her up into the air so she couldn’t cause more damage. She hovered above him, paws still scrunching fruitlessly. Tray laughed. I laughed.
The world laughed.
42
RYDER
TWO WEEKS AND THREE DAYS AFTER TESSA’S ARRIVAL...
“You can’t cancelthe charity concert.” Catalina turned her tablet around, tapping the screen to show a fundraising bar that was maxed out green, a plus sign indicating a surplus. “The donors were promised, and all of this money was raised because you’re headlining.”
“Maybe they just really cared about sea turtles.” Tray popped a grape into his mouth.
“Tray, I love the ocean as much as the next Los Angeles native, but no one was going to raise a million and a half to save the baby turtles without a celebrity backing. So,” she glared at me, “Oblivion Haze will appear, as scheduled, this Saturday at The Vault.”
“Cat, you know Tessa isn’t doing well right now. She’s still in heat and we need to be here for her. Can’t we move the concert? We’ve got less than a week to prepare. We can make an excuse.” I stood up, rubbing my hands together. The thought of leaving Tessa behind in the mansion grated. She needed us. Last night she couldn’t sleep until we’d all cuddled around her like a warm cocoon. And, damn, I wanted to be accessible should she need... a release.
“Tessa is a grown woman who has survived on the streets with zero help. I am sure she would agree with me. You can’t shirk your careerduties. Also, the concert has been clearly marked on the group calendar for six months.” Cat darkened the tablet screen and thrummed her nails on its case.
“Hell, Cat, we’ve all been dying. None of us had the capacity to remember something. You could have reminded us sooner.” I was making excuses now. Thin ones.
“I have been reminding you,” Cat used her clipped, professional tone now. “Once a month, like clockwork, when we talked about upcoming events.”
“But then we matched with Tessa. Nothing else mattered,” I reasoned, voice fading because I knew deep down that this wasn’t Cat’s fault. She always did her job impeccably.
“Yes, well. I will take responsibility for not keeping you guys on track while you adjusted to having an Omega. But now it’s time to get the show on the road again, Ryder.” She clicked her nails quickly now. The sound, though not very loud, was jarring.
Dixon and Mac, who’d been working out in the gym, came down the foyer steps into the living room. They’d taken the long way around, exiting next to the half bath.
“What’s going on?” Mac clocked the tension in the room.
“I’ll grab your tonic,” Dixon said, tapping Mac on the shoulder as he passed. He had his priorities after a hard gym session.
“Ryder wants to cancel the benefit event at The Vault this weekend.” Tray tossed a grape into the air, jerking his head around quickly, but failing to catch the fruit with his mouth. It rolled down his chest and plopped onto the plush carpet.
