“We can’t pressure her,” Cam said. “Bonding should be special.”
“I agree,” Theo said. “We shouldn’t rush it just because of the DC. I can’t imagine them actually trying to separate us. Alphas would revolt against them if they started taking omegas away from their packs.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Sorry,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck.
“It’s going to happen, just at the right time,” Cam said confidently, grasping my shoulder before heading out of the room.
* * *
Ikept stealing glances at Josie. She was curled up in the corner of the sectional under a heavy blanket, even though it was an unseasonably warm day outside. She had accepted the news of the DC interview calmly… too calmly. She seemed almost resigned when Theo told her, as if she expected something like this to happen. Anxiety clawed at my insides, and I wanted to scream in frustration. But instead, I sat quietly, following Theo and Cam’s lead. They were both laser-focused on prepping for the interview and didn’t seem to notice our mate’s silent, vacant gaze.
Theo had decided we all needed to review the DC’s omega manual. He’d made copies for all of us and occasionally read passages out loud as if he were leading a college study group. Josie hadn’t touched her copy. It sat on the side table next to her as she stared out the window.
“We’re not supposed to let you have any nesting materials outside your heat? What the fuck,” Theo muttered. He read from the manual, “Omegas frequently test their alphas. It is their nature to be manipulative and try to gain control of the pack. Therefore, it is essential to utilize punishments to keep the omega on track. Examples of punishments include sleeping apart from the pack, sleeping on the floor, removal of all blankets and pillows, removal of physical touch and affection, and corporal punishment. These punishments should persist as long as necessary for the omega to learn her lesson and earn back the privileges.”
Theo put down the manual, his eyes wide.
“Fucking barbaric,” Cam growled. It was a testament to how worried he was about the interview that he wasn’t engaging in his favorite pastime—staring at Josie. Instead, he thumbed through the manual, a scowl on his face.
I couldn’t stand any distance between Josie and me any longer, so I moved from my chair to the spot next to her, our bodies pressed together. The blanket shifted and I realized her skin was cold and small trembles racked her body.
“Josie?” She didn’t turn to acknowledge me. “Precious, can you hear me?” I gently shook her arm, causing her to jolt out of her haze and turn towards me.
“Sorry, did you say something?” she asked softly. Even though she was looking at me, her eyes had a glazed quality that made me feel like she wasn’t really seeing me.
“Where’d you go, beautiful? You were lost in thought there,” I said, trying to keep my voice low and soothing.
She shrugged, but her lower lip trembled ever so slightly.
Cam and Theo finally noticed what was happening, their heads snapping up.
“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” Cam asked. “You don’t have to worry about tomorrow. Nothing bad is going to happen.”
Josie stiffened next to me. “You’re probably right,” she said. “I just… I already know this stuff. I might go upstairs to rest for a bit.”
Theo looked unsure. “Did I upset you by reading it out loud? I’m sorry, love. I shouldn’t have done that.”
Josie just shrugged again. “It’s fine. It’s nothing I haven’t lived.” She stood up, keeping the blanket wrapped around her like a protective cape. “I’m just going to lie down.”
I desperately wanted to follow her as she disappeared up the stairs, but first, I needed to talk to my brothers. I turned towards them, a spark of anger moving through me. “Your decision to be all stoic about this is making it so she can’t show her feelings,” I hissed.
“You want us to be all dramatic and fall apart? How is that going to help her?” Theo bit out.
“I want you to act like a fucking human being,” I snarled.
“I’m trying to hold this all together and get us ready for tomorrow because, if you hadn’t noticed, Ben, a lot is riding on us doing well in this interview,” Theo said. We were both standing now, glaring at each other.
“If you haven’t noticed, Theo, Josie needs us right now,” I sniped back, hands clenched. Part of me knew it wasn’t really Theo I was angry at. He was doing what he always did—leading us through any challenge—but I couldn’t stop the avalanche of my emotions.
Cam stepped in between us. “We’re all on the same side here,” he growled. “Let’s just fucking calm down.”
I huffed. “Yeah, I’ll just do that. Our pack is being threatened, but I’ll just keep calm.”
“Ben,” Cam said, frowning, his brows furrowing with concern.
I looked away. I never rocked the boat and couldn’t remember ever being this angry with my brothers. I forced myself to take a deep breath.
“I’m going to go check on her,” I said, leaving the room before they could respond.
