“I swear, it’s all true. A sailor would never tell a tall tale,” I say, hand over my heart.
Hestia laughs again.
It actually is a true story, but most importantly, it gives me an easy way to segue to something else I want to tell her.
“My dads were good parents, you know. They taught me how to fish and run the boat and deal with the people in our small town. The other fishers were at times our competitors and sometimes our partners. You have to stick together in a place like that while still looking out for yourself. That’s how I learned to handle all types of people in all sorts of situations, from a boat in a storm to unwinding at the pub after a long day, where business matters were often decided,” I say.
Hestia stills. Maybe I shouldn’t have transitioned soquickly from our lighthearted conversation, but it’s too late now.
“Like I said, my dads taught me a lot of things and did their best to prepare me for the world. Maybe it’s my fault for focusing so much on this one lesson, or maybe they impressed it upon me too often. Who’s to say. In the end, it doesn’t really matter. They taught me the best way to deal with others was to be agreeable, to becharming,” I laugh, but even I can hear how hollow it sounds.
“I take after my name, and relied on that skill to move through the world. It’s useful as a rescuer, and I’m happy I can keep people calm while we help them. Except I find it difficult to let anyone see beyond the charming exterior. See the bad parts and the good. I thought if I told you directly that I’m…insecure, maybe it will make it easier for me to be open and honest going forward. So, now you know I’m not the perfect alpha who always says and does and thinks and feels the right thing. Or maybe you’ve already realized that, I don’t know. I guess I just wanted to say I’m working on showing you the real me, flaws and all.”
My chest is deflated, like I let out so much there’s nothing left. I’m sure Hestia sees that, sees that I’m not as great as I made myself out to be.
She tilts my face up. I hadn’t even realized I wasn’t making eye contact like you’re supposed to.
“Charm,” she says, pausing as tears fill her eyes.
The perfect alpha, making your omega cry.
I open my mouth to backtrack, to fix this, but she cups my cheek and puts a finger over my lips.
“Thank you for telling me that. You’re an amazing person, and you’re allowed to have your own opinions and feelings, positive or negative or neutral. I don’t expect you to always be ‘on’ or say the right thing. I admire your socialskills when we’re on the job, and I know our patients appreciate you keeping them calm, but I’m sorry you’ve been masking outside of work too. Please don’t make yourself small, I want to know the real you. I don’t want a ‘perfect alpha.’ People are messy and imperfect. Whatever you want to say, whenever you feel like talking, I’m listening,” Hestia says.
I press my forehead against hers and nod.
I don’t know what else to say yet, but I don’t need to rush.
My omega will be there for me when I’m ready.
Chapter 52
Hestia
Ihold Charm’s hand while we eat breakfast. I always love cuddling with my alphas, and I’m more than happy to give him extra attention after our heart-to-heart yesterday. I want Charm to feel safe and happy, just how he makes me feel.
It’s an early morning now that we’re on call again, but I don’t mind the long work weeks. They combine my two favorite things: being a rescuer and spending time with my pack.
I’m the luckiest omega in the world. My life is like that fairytale where the main character finds her mates right after getting her dream job and they live happily ever after.
Although now that I think about it, most people probably don’t considerThe Very Bookish Scholarto be a fairytale. I think fairytales are supposed to actually have fairies or some kind of magic, not just a librarian finding love. But whatever, I read that book every night as a kid, and it always seemed magical to me.
I squeeze Charm’s hand, and he smiles and squeezes back.
We don’t linger once we’re done eating. I’m packed up and ready, listening as Orion goes over our plan for the day. “…we’ll split up briefly, so your group can check?—”
The siren cuts him off, and in a blink he has his phone in his hand, answering dispatch.
“We have a call about a trapped and injured omega,” the operator says. “One alpha with them, distressed but uninjured. They were climbing, and the omega fell and got wedged between the rocks. Let us know if you need further assistance once you arrive on scene. I sent the location to your devices.”
“Got it, we’re on our way,” Orion says, and we’re out the door.
Orion and Charm cautiously approach the man pacing in the snow. The rest of us hang back to let them figure out what’s going on and avoid overwhelming the on-edge alpha.
Behind him is a mass of boulders and rubble at the base of a cliff. Somewhere in there is our patient.
Magnus and Cato pull out the med kits while Henri and I prepare our climbing equipment.
