Cordelia
Panic.
That is the only thing I’m feeling. Sebastian is going into a rut? That means he needs an omega, right? The pain that rips through me is unwelcome, and I shove it back into a box I can’t reach and focus on the important information.
They are here to unmask me?
Oh. My. God.
I struggle to think of anything to say, but I can’t. Fox sets the cat down, but it just follows us until it sees a guy walking the other way, then it races after him. I should find out who he is and let him know his cat has been breaking and entering.
I can’t right now. It’s too much.
“Cordelia, can you run these down to the jetty for me?”
The question is a lifeline, and I seize it. I turn with a forced smile for Mrs Natters. She’s the head of safety for Sunshine Cove and does so much for the community. With wispy salt and pepper blond hair and a thickening waistline, she is still incredibly spry for her advanced years. She’s respectable and a pillar of the town, and she doesn’t need to know I’m falling apart.
Sebastian is going to need an omega.
I’m an omega.
It will not be me.
“Sure. I can do that.”
“Oh, bless you, child. You are a wonder.”
I take the bag.
Where is he?
“Don’t forget the meeting Friday,” she says as she leaves.
I hiss to myself because I had forgotten it, but it’s just an hour in the morning. It should be fine.
Fox is watching me; his messy brown hair is covering one eye. His gaze is not unkind; it’s just concerned.
“Is this normal?”
I walk towards the dock, and he follows, staying right on my heels.
“Is what normal?”
“Does everyone always ask for your help?”
“Well…” I think about it. “Yes.”
He doesn’t like that.
“Why?”
“Why?” I echo with an amused glance at him. There’s a dog following us, one I don’t recognise. His owner is running down the street, calling his name, but the pup is oblivious to everything except Fox.
“I’m responsible. There’s no one else, and I’m here.” I say it like it should make all the sense in the world, but it doesn’t. I go in again, trying to explain because that sounded dumb. “Look, I have the time, and they need me…” I trail off because I don’t actually know how or why it started; it’s just a thing now. Do they need me? Really?
He’s going to call me on my bullshit, I can feel it
“Come on. Have you been down to the jetty yet?” I say to distract him.
