54. Jack
Jack
We’ve been home for three days, and Clara has hardly left her room. I don’t think it’s just the asthma attack. Though that would’ve been enough on its own. It’s the anger and hurt Victor caused. Hurt we allowed to happen by not kicking his ass to the curb the moment he stepped out of line with her.
We tried to throw him out after the hospital. Bram tried to put his foot down, but Clara stopped him. She growled at him. Actually growled. And then burst into tears and apologized, explaining that she just couldn’t. I understood. Our instincts make us do insane, out-of-character things sometimes.
Still… I was impressed. It’s rare for an omega to growl, but when they do, it overtakes even the most dominant alpha. Clara’s always been rare and impressive.
So Victor stayed. No one’s spoken to him. No one’s looked at him. In practice, we’ve all pretended he moved out. Even Clara, despite her unwillingness to actually kick him out. I expected Victor to push back, to stir things up, but instead he’s been… quiet.
For his part, I’ve never seen an alpha look more wrecked.
The first morning after she came home, he was already in the kitchen.
Without a word, he started pulling out the things for her breakfast alongside me.
I have no idea how he knew what she liked.
He didn’t dare suggest taking it up to her and didn ’t argue when I did.
Instead, he sat at the bottom of the omega suite stairs all morning, like he was waiting for something he knew might never come.
So it’s a surprise when she comes padding down the stairs now. She looks beautiful. Healthier than I’ve seen her since the attack. Her eyes lock with mine, and I’m moving before I even register it. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her into a swift embrace, breathing her in.
“It smells so good,” she sighs, and I smile. I’d made a breakfast quiche I’d planned to bring up to her.
“How are you feeling, Apple?” I brush a stray strand of hair from her face, my thumb lingering to caress the soft curve of her cheek.
Her eyes flutter closed, and she turns into my palm, letting out the smallest hum. “Better. I think I’m going to go to work today.”
I rub her back in slow, even strokes. “If you enjoy working, I fully support it but we, as a pack, are financially solvent. If you wanted to focus on your writing instead…”
Her eyes widen, and her scent shifts, sweet with a faint sour edge of worry.
“It’s totally up to you,” I assure her quickly. “I just wanted to make sure you know it’s an option.”
“But the others—”
“We’ve all discussed it,” I cut in gently. Well… all of us that matter right now , I think savagely.
She nods, considering it.
Good. I want her to do whatever makes her happy.
“I have one more question for you,” I say.
“Okay.” She beams up at me, and my chest aches. For one horrifying moment, I thought I’d never see that smile again.
“I’d like to take you on a courting date. It’s been so crazy around here, we haven’t had the chance, and I wanted to see if you were free.” My palms are warm, my pulse in my throat. I want her to choose me. This is the first time I’ve asked outright.
Her smile widens, and she nods without hesitation. Her scent is nothing but baked apple goodness.
“Good,” I say, grinning right back. “Tonight after your shift? If you’re up to it.”
“Definitely. I’m sick of being cooped up in my room.”
I lean down, capturing her lips in mine. They’re soft, familiar, and grounding. She slides a hand along my cheek and into my beard, her fingers curling in it like she’s anchoring herself to me.
I can’t wait to take my omega out and show the whole world she’s mine.