“The guys aren’t responding to me,” I choked out as I tried to hold in my sobs.
“Reception around here is absolutely terrible with storms,” the alpha said, speaking in a low, soothing tone. “I’m sure they’re absolutely fine. I’m sure they’re not ignoring you.”
Her words just made me cry even harder. Great, now she would definitely regret offering me a ride home.
The car came to a stop and I squinted through the window, realizing we were already at the lighthouse. The rain was coming down so hard I could barely see the back entrance.
“I know this is a delicate question,” Frida said slowly. “But are you close to your heat, honey? Your scent is quite strong.”
“Oh no,” I said, covering my face with my hands. “I’m so sorry.” Now her car would smell like me, and I’m sure that would upset her omega. “I’ll just go.”
“Stop.” A gentle hand encircled my wrist. “Your scent doesn’t bother me, and it certainly won’t bother my pack. What I need now is to know my son’s omega is taken care of.”
Her son, who was apparentlysettlingby being with me when he’d spent years dreaming of someone else.
But that wasn’t a conversation I could handle right now, so I needed to pull my shit together.
I took a deep, shuddering breath. “I’ll be fine, I promise.” I curved my lips into a watery smile, but the expression felt foreign. “I’m sure they’ll be back this evening. This is just hormones.” I waved at my tears. “And I have Felix to keep me company.”
The cat chose that moment to poke his head out from his cozy spot under my jacket. He locked eyes with Frida and meowed.
Frida didn’t look convinced, but she sighed. “At least let me give you my phone number. If you need anything, please reach out. You won’t be any bother.”
She needed to stop being so nice to me or I would never stop crying. We exchanged numbers, and the whole time I wished my mom was here.
“Thank you,” I said. “For the ride and… just thank you.”
Frida gave my hand a gentle squeeze, and then I was out of the car and clumsily running to the door, making sure Felix was securely tucked into my jacket.
Ten minutes later,I had changed into dry clothes, wrapped a blanket around Felix, and made a cup of hot chocolate. After all that drama, I’d forgotten my latte in Frida’s car.
I perched on my chair in the lighthouse observation room, a dry Felix curled up on my lap. I had the radar pulled up and the radio on to catch any ship or Ocean Rescue transmissions.
The radio crackled with static. “Attention: Ocean Rescue is needed for a fishing boat that’s run into rocks. Starlight Grove is the nearest marina.”
I sat up straighter. Ocean Rescue generally didn’t leave from Starlight Grove since Briar’s Landing had the larger port.
“Ocean Rescue responding.” A female voice crackled throughthe radio. “We have a team dispatched to Starlight Grove Marina that is set to arrive in ten minutes.”
“Copy that, Ocean Rescue.” The man reported the details of the ship’s location. “There are three people on board and no injuries are reported. The name of the boat isMy Sweet Olive.”
I froze. My knuckles turned white from how hard I was gripping the table. Did he just say what I thought he said? I fumbled with the radio until I hit the correct button.
“This is Starlight Grove’s Lighthouse Keeper. Did you say the boat isMy Sweet Olive?”
“Affirmative.”
The room spun around me and the edges of my vision grew black. I pulled myself together enough to adjust the lighthouse settings before picking up the radio again.
“The Starlight Grove Lighthouse is now unmanned. The beacon’s storm pattern is lit.”
If there was a response, I didn’t hear it. I was already sprinting down the stairs, grabbing my rain jacket and boots as I went. Felix chased after me and batted at my leg.
“It’s them, Felix,” I shouted, almost falling on my ass as I pulled on my boot. “That’s why they’re not responding. They’re on the fucking boat.”
Because there was only one fishing boat with that name.
And only one reason it would be on its way to Starlight Grove.
