“I get that our bonding is tough on him.” She sighs. “It’s not that I don’t want to bond with him either. I… I just need the timing to be right.”
“And it will be.” I lightly massage the back of her neck. “You’ll work it out.”
She smiles at me, her anxiety lessening, as we approach the OV gates. I roll down the window as Margie’s head pops up to greet us. The woman practically lives here, and she guards the SVU omegas with her life.
“You know I can’t let you in OV again, Nash,” she tsks. “I told you last time that it was your?—”
“I’m hoping you can make one more exception.” I tilt my head so she can see my new mark.
“Oh my!” She gasps, her hands darting to her mouth. “You’re bonded?!”
“You’re the first person we’ve told.” Delilah beams at her.
“I knew it!” She slaps her knee. “Since you told me about reading your horoscope daily, I’ve started reading mine—tickle me pink—and it said that I’d get a good piece of news today! This must be it!” Her eyes well up. “I guess this means you won’t be living in Omega Village for much longer?”
We haven’t even spoken about what’s going to happen next. Living arrangements are probably something we should have discussed before I decided to bite her and claim her as mine for the rest of our lives, but Delilah doesn’t seem alarmed by this. Her calmness rubs off on me.
“I’m just here to pick up a few things for the next few days,” Delilah brightly breezes over Margie’s question. “Can you make one more exception for us?” She bats her eyelashes. “Pretty please with a cherry on top?”
Margie swipes at her tears. “After all the things you’ve baked me and our lovely chats over the last few years, I’ll make one final exception for you.” She holds up her index finger. “I know it’s not good for mates to separate so soon after a bonding, but I do have one condition. I would like to meet the rest of your pack one day, Delilah.”
“You’ve already met one of them.”
“The cutie who loves chai lattes with the flowers? I knew it!” Swooning, she clutches her chest. “If I were thirty years younger.” She winks. “You’re lucky to have her, Nash. You won’t find a kinder one than our Delilah.”
“I know.” I smile at my beautiful omega, sharing Margie’s thoughts.
“Anyway!” Margie straightens. “I can’t stand around chatting all day. I have a mess to sort. Did you know that there’s an ongoing rivalry between Barbara and Persephone House? Apparently, toilet paper was involved this time.” She massages her temples. “Sometimes I think I’m getting too old for this.” She continues to mumble to herself as she retreats to her post to open the gates for us.
Delilah is entertaining me with a story about Margie when we come to a stop outside Stella House moments later.
“Do you mind staying in the car?” she asks when I reach for the door handle. “I’m happy you’re here, it’s just… I’d rather tell the girls myself.”
I cross my arms, a low rumble coming from my chest. Right now, I hate that we’re not cozied up in the safety of a nest. The distance between us—even just sitting in the car—feels like a physical tug on my heartstrings. As if she can read my mind, she leans to kiss me, providing all the reassurance I need. “I’ll be quick. I promise.”
“Good,” I grumble. “I’ll be right here waiting.”
She grins. “I know you will be.”
Where else would I be?
FORTY-ONE
Delilah
I let myself into the house, feeling a bittersweet sensation as the reality of what Margie said about me leaving Omega Village barrels into me. I’m not like Kady, who still likes her independence since finding her pack. I know I’d find it too hard to be parted from them, but I’ll sure miss this place… Stella House has been my home.
“Hello?”
I’m met with silence, indicating that they’re not back yet. I ignore the tugging in my chest, willing me to return to Nash. Instead, I hurriedly climb the stairs to my room to quickly change my clothes while pushing through the discomfort caused by our separation. Taking out a suitcase, I begin going through my closet, humming to the tune of a song that Jagger sang to me while I was falling asleep yesterday to ease my restlessness. Unfortunately, it doesn’t help much.
“Delilah!” Before I get the chance to start packing my things, Sabs’s voice calls from downstairs, the front door slamming. “Are you home?”
As I head downstairs, I hear the faint voices of Faye and Kady, who must’ve also just arrived. Faye and Kady are in the kitchen, but Sabs is wrestling her sneakers from her feet, stillsweaty from her volleyball practice. “Sorry. I ran all the way back as soon as I got your message. I saw Nash outside. Is…” Her eyes round, seeing my neck when she stands. “OH MY FREAKING GOD!”
Her scream has Kady and Faye racing out of the kitchen.
“What is it?” Kady scans me for injuries. “What did he do? I have my family lawyer on speed dial—” Her mouth hangs open, eyes lingering on my neck. “Is that what I think it is?”
