Why should I deserve comfort?
What happened to Alvin was my fault.
The knocking eventually stops, and the sun begins to set.
The light from my window slowly dims, casting shadows on the mess in my bedroom.
My phone sits next to me, powered off but begging for my attention.
No matter what I do, I’m letting everyone down.
I’m being a bad friend to Piper and Blair, a selfish sister to Avery, and a pathetic Omega to the pack.
And a bad cat parent to all the kitties at the rescue.
Sighing, I turn my phone back on, bracing for the missed calls and messages.
My heart leaps when I see how many there are.
I have missed calls fromeveryone,including Doctor Jolie.
There are few texts from Piper and Blair, each telling me that they’re here whenever I need them, along with an update that Alvin is fine.
A sweet message from Ivan catches my attention:
I told Logan and Fang you wanted space. It’s hard to be away from you, babe, and we’re all here for you. We’re never far.
I swallow down the lump in my throat.
They’re far too good for me.
I make a call to Blair, ready to accept whatever she has to tell me.
“Hey,” she answers. “Are you okay?”
“I’m sorry,” I choke out.
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” she says gently. “We all just want to make sure you’re alright.”
“Is Alvin?—”
“He’s doing just fine. No blockage, no obstruction.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. “I’m sorry,” I stammer again. “I’m so, so sorry?—”
“Hey.Hey. Maeve, breathe.”
“I’m so embarrassed,” I croak.
“You don’t need to be. You want to take the day off tomorrow, take care of yourself? Have your pack come over and keep you company.”
She doesn’t see me shake my head.
They’ll think less of me.
“Maeve,” Blair adds. “They’re your scent matches for a reason. The universe doesn’t just gift us that for no reason. They weremadefor you. You know that.”
“Do I?” I whisper.
