Being around them is only agitating my omega. I need to hide in my nest to process my feelings.
I interrupt whatever they’re saying to apologize one more time before I flee, “I know we’re not allowed to date. I shouldn’t have jumped on you. I’m so sorry for putting you in this position.”
If they want to kick me out, they can stick a notice under my door or something. I can’t handle hearing it directly from them.
I go to dart out of the room, but only make it a few steps before Cato sweeps me off my feet and tosses me on the couch.
I bounce a few times, blinking up at the ceiling, the shock of it snapping me out of a panic.
When I try to sit up, Cato puts his hand on my stomach, keeping me on my back.
“Did you hear what we said?” Orion asks.
I pout and say, “Nooo.”
“Everything is okay. No one is upset that you kissed him,” Orion says.
“Least of all me,” Magnus mutters.
A giggle escapes me, and he smiles.
“Are you feeling better, little omega?” Magnus says, stroking my hair.
“I’m fine,” I say, closing my eyes and leaning into his hand.
“Cato, pull her sweatshirt down,” Charm growls.
I look down and squeak when I see my nude lower half is spreadeagle in full view.
I grab for the hem of my sweatshirt, but Cato reaches for it too, and we get tangled up trying to pull it down—or maybe he’s getting in my way on purpose.
I swat at his hands and finally cover myself, sitting up
Cato laughs and says, “Sorry, pet.”
He doesn’t sound sorry at all.
I cross my armsandlegs and glare at him.
“As you said, it’s against the rules for us to be romantically involved,” Orion says. “We had permission to help you with your heat due to the circumstances, but HR made sure to remind us afterward that we arenotallowed to be with a subordinate. They had our pack sign multiple forms confirming we wouldn’t pursue anything further with you. They also sent information about where to find local heat help for the future.”
“They really did all that?” I askforlornly.
I half thought we might get together in secret, or maybe even be granted special permission to date—one perk of being an omega that I’d happily accept—but this dashes my hopes. I’m sure HR is keeping a close eye on us now.
“Wait, why didn’t you give me the information about finding heat helpers?” I say, watching Orion closely.
He blushes and rubs the back of his neck.
“I was going to give it to you…soon. Your next heat won’t be for a while, and I wasn’t in a rush to help you find some other alphas,” he says.
Hope builds.
“I don’t want to see you with other alphas either,” Henri says.
“I want to be with you, Hestia, if I’m—if we’re not too much for you,” Magnus says.
“We would ask to court you if it were allowed to,” Charm says.
