Omega Lost

22. Home Again

Chapter twenty-two

Home Again

I t took me two hours to get all the paperwork signed and extricate myself from the heat den. They had to be sure I was going with a pack that had claimed me, so Tiago called Ali to bring the papers they'd received at the Reassignment Center. He signed the form saying he was taking me out and went upstairs with me to collect my things.

I was shaking when I stepped outside, with Tiago's arm protectively around my waist. My eyes were on the ground, but I felt the presence of all my men standing there in the sun, waiting for us.

"Tiago gave us a couple sentences about what happened," Angel's voice cut through my anxiety. "We'll discuss it, but first, are you coming home with us or are you going somewhere else with Tiago?" His voice caught a little on the last bit and I looked up to see the gorgeous man clenching his jaw as if he were trying hard not to show his emotions.

"For now, we can go back to your place," I said.

Tiago squeezed me approvingly.

They put me in the front of the SUV and everyone climbed in, with Angel in the driver's seat. In the enclosed space, I could feel and smell all of them. Something that had been wound tight in my chest for the past three weeks loosened. I could finally breathe again, even though I was confused and tired and sad.

The drive home was mostly silent. No one wanted to ask anything until Angel pulled into a McDonald's drive-through and ordered. "What do you want?" he asked me.

I told him and he relayed my order in addition to what he already knew everyone else would want. He passed the bags to me at the pickup window and I handed them to Tiago and Max, who were sitting behind me. Then we drove in silence to the house and filed inside.

"Let's eat in the living room," Angel said, sounding exhausted.

I stole a look at all of them. They were all worn looking, even Zeke, though my eyes brushed over him without stopping. They had circles under their eyes and extra lines on their faces.

While Ali and Max sorted out the food, I curled up in my normal spot on the armchair and they all spread out on the sofas. It felt comfortable, like home, something I realized I'd missed terribly over the past few weeks.

When everyone had their food and drink, Angel turned to me. He was sitting closest, on the edge of the sofa. "Okay, I think we need to know exactly what happened, from you."

"You know what happened," I said, the words falling harshly. "You and Zeke know what you did."

Angel frowned. "Excuse me?"

Zeke was perched on the arm of the sofa furthest from me. He raised weary eyes to mine. "I'll explain, then she can talk."

"What the hell is going on? What did you do, Zeke?" Micah snarled.

Zeke raised a hand. "Look, before I say anything else, Melody, I'm so sorry. I was trying to be helpful and it backfired somehow."

I raised an eyebrow. "How was calling them helping? Unless you mean helping me realize that I'm not the right omega for this pack?"

"Who did he call?" Ali asked, looking confused. The others murmured in agreement.

"My old pack." I pointed at Zeke. "You called them so they'd lure me away from here and you'd be free to get a better omega."

"That's not what happened. I wanted you to understand that we are better than your old pack." He ran a hand through his hair, making it even more rumpled than before. "I called them and set up a meeting so we could all go and meet them in a neutral place. My plan was to give you some closure, let you say what you needed to with us backing you up."

"Then why did they show up at the house?" I asked, nearly crying in frustration. "They told me you called them. They wanted me to go back home with them!"

"I never told them they could have you," he insisted. "I swear on my brothers' lives, I never intended for you to feel like we didn't want you."

"So, Zeke, you called her old pack and set up a meeting?" Angel looked furious. "And you never thought to talk to us about this?"

"I was going to tell you all at dinner. They just texted me to confirm that morning, right after breakfast." Zeke ran his hand through his hair. "Fuck. I fucked up, I know I did, okay? But when you said you already had a bond and you didn't want to bond with us, I was pissed off at them. They ruined your chances of having a good life because they were cruel."

He wasn't wrong. I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly feeling very cold. Ali noticed and got up, moving toward me. When I didn't resist, he scooped me up, settled himself in the chair, and held me on his lap. I instantly relaxed and let his warmth soothe me.

"What exactly happened, Melody? When they showed up here?" Micah spoke up.

I told them everything about that morning. How Jack had burst in and hugged me and the others had crowded in. How they'd seen I had no new bonding bites and thought I would go with them. And finally, my decision to leave because I knew I wasn't wanted here.

"Fuck, baby, I never meant for you to feel that way. I wanted you to be empowered," Zeke said sadly. "If you need me out, I'll leave. You can have this pack, please, please don't leave them because of my mistake."

Silence fell and I could feel their eyes on me. Waiting for my decision.

"You aren't the only one who fucked up," I admitted. "I should have waited and talked to you guys. In the moment, I was too hurt and confused to make rational decisions."

"I'll say," Tiago muttered.

"You don't get to just walk away from your pack, Zeke," I told him. "You were here long before I was."

"If it means you can keep them, I'm gone," he promised.

"No, I want you to stay. But don't you ever talk to my old pack again. Any of you."

"I won't." He ducked his head, but not before I saw a tear running down his stubbled cheek.

My heart twisted for him. This man was just as messed up as I was. It was going to take the entire pack to keep us both upright at this rate.

Sliding off Ali's lap, I crossed to Zeke. "I'm sorry for not waiting to talk to you."

"I'm sorry, so sorry," he sobbed, wrapping his arms around my waist and burying his head in my stomach. "Fuck, I can't stand that I made you run like that. And to the heat dens."

"They weren't so bad," I told him. "Way better than during my heats. And I finished my book, at least."

"You did?" He looked up at me, his eyes red from crying. It was strangely comforting to see my tough guy in such a vulnerable position.

"Yeah. I'm going to publish it and see if it goes anywhere."

"If you need help, I'll help," he declared.

"So, you're staying, right?" Max asked, watching the two of us. "Forever this time?"

"I'm staying forever," I promised. "But I do need something from you guys."

"Anything," Tiago responded immediately.

"I need your bonding bites."