“Is everything okay?” I asked hesitantly.
Theo looked up from the phone, blinking as if he hadn’t realized where he was.
“Huh? Oh yeah, everything is fine,” he said, not quite meeting my gaze.
I wasn’t sure what to say to that.
Yesterday he had been so tender, and now he couldn’t even look at me. I curled in on myself.
“Fuck,” he said, placing his phone on the counter before coming over and wrapping me up in his arms. “Sorry,” he whispered. “I’m just nervous about us leaving the house today.”
I nodded into his chest because I felt the same, but we all agreed that meeting at Jewel’s was the best option. It was centrally located, had a ton of security measures in place, and it would be easy to explain away a group of alphas accompanying their omegas on a shopping trip.
“Maybe we should stay here,” Cam growled, putting his cup of coffee down beside me.
“We have to go,” I said, looking between them, trying to sound more sure than I was.
“Maybe Amirah had the right idea,” Theo muttered.
“You think we need to go into hiding?” I asked, biting my lip.
He sighed, running his hand down my face before pulling away.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “They already got what they wanted from us.”
I couldn’t stop myself from gripping my arm, but then Ben was by my side, tugging my hand away.
“We’re going,” Ben said, his voice carrying an authority I wasn’t used to hearing from him. “Everything is set. We’re going to do this together.”
* * *
“Alright, that’s it. We’re postponing this meeting. You’re too tired,” Cam growled as I yawned. We had just finished going over the game plan for Jewel’s for the third time.
“What? No!” I responded. “I just need another cup of coffee.”
“You already drank your cupandmine,” he said, scooping me up in his arms.
“I just yawned,” I said, pouting as I looked over Cam’s shoulder at Ben, who was stifling a laugh, and Theo, who had a look of… longing? Before I could decipher his expression, Cam carried me out of the kitchen.
“Yawning means you need a nap,” he grumbled.
I didn’t want to tell him I had yawned from the sheer boredom of having to listen to him go over all the security risks of leaving the houseover and over. I knew Cam was on edge, and I wanted to be understanding and supportive, but frustration welled within me as he placed me down on our bed.
“I don’t need a nap.” I cringed as my voice came out in a whine.
“Why are you yawning, then?” he asked, crossing his arms and giving me a stern look.
“No reason,” I said, mirroring his posture and crossing my arms. “I’m going to Jewel’s.” I tried to make my voice as fierce as possible.
“You’re not,” he responded. His voice was calm, but he held his body rigidly. “I can’t guarantee your safety out there.”
“But we can’t have everyone over to the house,” I said. “It would look too suspicious. Taking your omega on a shopping trip is totally normal. And you said you wanted to get me more presents.” I was being a bit manipulative after how jealous he had been of Donovan’s gift, but I wasn’t about to let him keep me from attending the meeting I had planned.
“You’ve never been interested in shopping before,” he said, furrowing his brow. “I can buy you shit online. Or go out and get it for you. Is there something you need? Want?”
I bit my lip, knowing I had set off his alpha instincts. I softened my voice, reaching out to grab his hand before he could start pacing around the room.
“I don’t need you to get me anything. But I want to be a part of the Alliance’s plans.”
