A green missile snatches the creature out of the air and lands with a squishy splat.
Pete has whatever it is in his mouth, shaking it from side to side to kill it. When he stops, I finally get a good look at the monster.
It’s amassivecockroach three times Pete’s size, legs and wings twitching until suddenly they go still. That first bite was enough to kill it, but I guess Pete wanted to show off with the theatrics while waiting for his venom to take effect.
“Everything’s okay, Hestia, it’s over now,” Magnus says, relaxing from his defensive position.
“Is that what upset you? The bug?” Orion asks, stroking her back soothingly.
“Agiantbug! It attacked me out of nowhere! I was just knitting, and it was in my bag, touching my beautiful yarn with its gross legs!” Hestia says, still trembling.
Cato growls at her words, though he looks slightly less murderous since Pete took care of things.
“I see that, it was a very big bug. I’m sorry it was in your nest. We’ll enhance our pest control and make sure this doesn’t happen again,” Orion says.
“Do you want us to get you new yarn?” I ask.
“No! Um, no. No, I’m sure the yarn is fine,” Hestia says, glancing at her knitting.
She must be really upset if she can’t even stand to look at the scene of the crime. That, and she’s showing no signs of climbing down from her perch.
“There’s nothing to worry about. If there were any other bugs around, Pete would find them,” Magnus says. “He’ll likely patrol inside now that he found prey here. You can rely on him, Pete will ensure nothing else bothers you. He was quicker to figure out what was going on than we were.”
“Oh, that’s good. Thank you, Pete,” Hestia says.
Pete pauses to stare at her and resumes dragging off the carcass.
I’m glad he’s taking it away. I’d prefer not to see how he eats it, and I doubt Hestia would appreciate it if he made a mess. Although now that I think about it, Pete never seems to leave any evidence behind.
In all the years we’ve lived here, we rarely have pest issues for long. The only traces of his protection are the occasional scuffs in the dirt, signs of a struggle, but not a drop of blood or tuft of fur to be found.
“Did you bring Pete with you?” Hestia asks Magnus.
“No, I wasn’t in the garden, so he didn’t hitch a ride with me. Pete must have heard you scream and came in on his own. I don’t usually bring him inside because he prefers to keep an eye on his territory, but occasionally he’ll make his way in on his own,” he says.
I only took my eyes off him for a second while they were talking, but somehow Pete disappeared, taking his prize with him.
Hestia also notices Pete and the offending insect are gone and finally relaxes. I fix the blankets on her bed while Cato and Orion help her down.
Hestia tugs the blanket out of my hand and rearranges it, so I move back to give her space. The desire to help makes me twitch when she accidentally covers her knitting things with the blankets, but I know better than to mess with an omega’s nest.
“Do you want me to hang out in here just to make sure it’s safe?” I ask instead.
“No, it’s okay, you don’t have to,” she says without looking at me.
I try to bury the feeling, but being pushed away hurts. I’m sure she didn’t mean it like that, but I often feel like I’m still playing a part with her. Acting like the helpful, charming alpha, while hiding myself away. Iwantto be the helpful alpha, but I also want to open up and show her I’m more than just that.
It’s not Hestia’s fault I haven’t been able to. I’m just struggling to be vulnerable and show her I’m not perfect. I don’t feel that way with my packmates anymore, I’m not worried they’ll leave if I show my flaws or negative emotions. I’m sure I’ll get there eventuallywith Hestia.
“Of course, enjoy your hobby time. I’m sure it’s fine since Pete didn’t stick around to hunt,” I say with a smile.
I can’t even admit I want to spend time with her.
“Do you want me to bring you some snacks before we leave you to it?” Henri says, swooping in to kiss her cheek. She tilts her head to give him easier access.
I move further back.
“A little something would be nice…and maybe more coffee?” she says, and Henri agrees.
