I nod, thinking that she’s insane, but Asher has always walked to her own tune and forged her own path.
Asher stands and blows us a kiss. “I’m going to go apologise to Felix, or he’ll be sulking for the next week.”
“Bye! Have fun tomorrow.”
And she’s gone, super quickly, and it’s just me and Sofia.
“Talk to me, Cordie. You’ve been quiet and not quite yourself.”
“I don’t feel like myself. It’s weird, my body doesn’t feel like mine, my life doesn’t feel like mine. Everything is rolling out of control, and I feel like I’m just barely hanging on.”
“Is it terrible dating Seb?”
I close my eyes. “No, it’s not terrible. He is…incredible.” I can’t lie to Sofia; I never could. She can see through me.
“So, you’re finally owning your feelings?”
“Yes, I guess so. When he’s nice, I see the alpha who charms the whole town, the guy they all ask for help, the one they look up to. I’ve heard people say the future of Sunshine is Sebastian Sol. It’s a lot of weight for one person, and I-”
Sofia snatches my cup and puts it down before turning back and grabbing my hands, squeezing them hard.
“You are enough, more than enough for Seb. Please don’t ever think you aren’t, Cordie. I know that you feel like you need to make up for what your mother lacks and for all the help the town has given you guys over the years, but you don’t. We loveyou both; you are family and, further, Sebastian would never leave you. He loves you, Cordie; he always has. I know you don’t believe me yet either, but you will.”
My eyes prickle, and I fall into her arms. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” I admit in a weepy sob.
Sofia pats my back and then carefully pulls back. “Uh, I hate to ask this, but while I was away, did you have a heat?”
I blink at her. “No, it’s, no. I couldn’t.” I think about it; all the signs are there. “No, it didn’t come. I thought it was going to once or twice, but it never came, so I thought I was maybe a bit broken.”
Sofia laughs. “You are such a goose, Cordie.”
“A heat?” I squeak. “What am I going to do with a heat?”
“Have delicious sex with the alphas of your dreams?” Sofia teases.
I stare at her, imagining Katsu, Fox, and Bas naked, waiting for me.
“Oh…”
“There you go. Oh, wow, you are potent, aren’t you?”
“I have a suppressant patch on,” I mutter.
“It’s not working.”
I stand up and go to the front door, yanking it open, only to find Katsu on the other side with his hand raised, just about to knock. He inhales, and I see the way his pupils grow, his nostrils flare. His chest expands as my scent fills his body. It's somehow incredibly intimate and at the same time has me wanting to turn tail and run.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Sofia raise her hand and wave, slipping out of the house through the back.
“Hi,” I murmur.
He opens the door and steps towards me. Once again, he captures my chin and stares into my eyes as if he’s taking the measure of everything about me.
“Let us help you with your heat,” he demands.
My stomach clenches and slick pools in a sudden rush between my legs.
“Let us take care of all your needs, Omega.”
