42. Hannah
Hannah
M y heat lasted for twelve more hours after we bonded, and by the time we came out of it, I was feeling sore, achey, and oh-so-satisfied.
I'd never had a heat like this one, and now I have four bonding marks that make me feel like I belong somewhere.
They've healed quickly, already having faded to a silvery color.
I didn't even think about any of this during everything, but apparently Enzo had to call the salon and tell them I had gone into heat, and Lilah recognized his voice and told everyone in the salon I'd packed up. My phone is filled with congratulations messages from multiple coworkers.
Enzo also told Titus what was happening, so I have multiple texts from Cady and Wren cheering me on. I grinned at them, shaking my head before typing out a response.
Me
Guess who's all packed up now, bitches!
Cady
* gif of goat screaming *
OMG
Wren
You go, babes! You just won a lifetime supply of alpha dick
*gif of girl getting hotdogs thrown at her face *
Me
you're horrible ??
Cady
but she's also ?right?
Me
All I'm going to say is that a heat spent with alphas who love and cherish you is a million times better than spending it with volunteers at the heat clinic looking to get their dicks wet. 10/10 would recommend
And we get to spend the next two weeks on bonding leave.
Luckily, when my heat spikes started, the guys had the foresight to let their works know they'd need heat leave and most likely bonding leave right after.
I hate that Charlie is missing games because of me, but he insists that it's nice to have the break, and at least it's early in the season.
I'm personally looking forward to spending uninterrupted time with my alphas after the trial ends, no matter what the outcome is.
It's just what comes after bonding leave that I'm unsure about.
The guys all told me I don't have to go back to work if I don't want to.
Austin let slip my little comment about children the other day, and Enzo's eyes had darkened before promising me I'm free to do whatever I want.
If I decide to stay doing hair? Cool. If I want to completely change careers?
Great. If I want to stay home full time and start popping out babies? They are all the way behind me.
The future is bright and wide open, and I have the means to do whatever I want, even without Nana's money. It's about principle at this point. I'll probably end up donating the money. Or invest. Oh! I should help Austin open up a bakery.
My musing is interrupted when I notice a message from Brody that's been sitting in my phone since the day I went into heat.
I leave it unread until I can get all my alphas in one room.
I finally manage it, my anxiety echoing through the bond and sending out a metaphorical smoke signal that has my pack gathering in the living room.
"Here," I say, thrusting my phone at Enzo. "I can't read this. What does it say?"
Enzo looks at me, no doubt feeling my anxiety and trepidation. Noah pulls me down to his lap on the couch, nuzzling into my neck. "It'll be okay, princess."
"Yeah, let's just see what Brody has to say," Austin chimes in from next to us, running a hand down my back.
"The judge…" Enzo sighs, running a hand over his face.
That can't be good. "It was obvious he felt that the timing of your heat was suspicious, though he didn't outright say it.
Even with your doctor verifying that a heat was likely to happen off schedule after finding your scent matches…
" Enzo shakes his head. "The trial is in three days.
The good news is they aren't pursuing any charges of elder abuse at this point, they want to see how the trial plays out.
Brody is asking to meet as soon as we can to go over strategy. "
Three days. I have three days to figure out just how we're going to get out of this mess.
"Okay, so we invite him over?" Alpha growls rip out around me, and my brows shoot up, my hands going up in surrender.
"Okay, okay, so we meet him somewhere." More growls.
"I hope you know you guys are being very stereotypical alphas right now. " I plant my fists on my hips.
"We're sorry, reinita ," Enzo shakes his head. "Our instincts don't want another alpha here when we've bonded so recently, but we don't want to take you out in public just yet either."
"We should just have him come here," Charlie runs a hand over his face. "One alpha is less of a threat than a bunch of unknown ones in public."
"Good point, Charlie." Enzo nods. "Yes, we'll do that. My love, why don't you let him know he can come over as soon as possible? We'll just um…air out the house."
My cheeks heat but I laugh, shaking my head anyway. "Sure. Sounds good." I'm in the middle of typing out a text to Brody, Noah being nosy over my shoulder when Enzo clears his throat.
" Reinita , we wanted to talk to you about something we discussed during your heat."
My heart drops in my chest. I probably did something embarrassing or needy and they want to discuss my behavior. What the hell did I do?
"It's about our pack name," Noah says quickly, sensing my panic.
My brow furrows. "Well wouldn't it just be Mendez? Since Enzo is the head alpha?"
"That's the thing," Enzo comes over and kneels in front of me, "I may be the most dominant and…mature out of all of us, but…we never would have come together if it weren't for you, my love. We…well, we want our pack to be known as Pack Beckham."
I…I'm speechless.
My pack wants my name?
Mouth agape, I turn to look at Noah, Charlie, and Austin, who are looking at me with varying degrees of affection as their happiness leaks through the bond.
"You really want this? All of you?" My voice breaks. How…how is this possible? A month ago I was getting ready to spend my heat in a clinic, and today…my pack is changing their last name to mine?
The name that I kept after Mom remarried just so I could keep some illusion of connection to my Dad?
"I've never been attached to my last name anyway," Noah says, pressing a kiss to the side of my head.
"I'd be honored to have your last name, darlin'." Austin grins at me. "I had thoughts about makin' you Hannah Sullivan, but Austin Beckham has just as nice a ring to it."
"I can't wait to get my new jersey with 'Beckham' on the back in huge letters." Charlie is all smiles as he looks at me.
"I…I don't know what to say. It's kind of hard to wrap my mind around."
"It's simple, reinita . We want to take our omega's last name and be Enzo, Noah, Austin, and Charlie Beckham." Enzo's deep brown eyes are filled with love, and a smile stretches over my face as I take his hand and squeeze.
"I would love that," I tell them. "Pack Beckham does have a nice ring to it."
My guys take turns wrapping their arms around me and pressing kisses to wherever they can reach, and then the doorbell rings.
"That's probably lunch," Enzo says, standing. "I ordered pizza."
He disappears to grab the food, but right after I send the text to Brody, the bond lights up with surprise, then anger.
From Enzo. What happened to make him react like that?
I have no idea, but I can tell that my alpha is in distress right now.
Jumping up from Noah's lap, I rush down the hall, skidding to a stop when I see his tense back.
"I'm just here to see my step-sister." The voice pulls at the edges of my memory, and echoes of sneers and jabs aimed at me around the holidays filter through my mind.
"Birdie?" I ask, my voice incredulous. Peering around Enzo, I spot my oldest step-sister standing in our doorway, dark brown hair pulled up into a ponytail, her makeup as severe as ever.
My omega detests the fact that there is another omega here so soon after bonding my alphas, and I suddenly feel terrible for having Brody come here.
"What are you…" I look between her and my alpha.
Enzo never met Birdie, why would he know to be angry she's here?
"I told you to never call me that!" she snaps. "It's fucking Elizabeth!"
Enzo turns to me, worry in his eyes. "Lizzie. This…this is Lizzie."