Chapter 79
My sweet girl is asleep, still filled with Al’s knot.
While I would love to stay here and just enjoy cuddles, I have some stuff that needs to get done, especially since she won’t be making it back to campus on Monday.
Whispering quietly to the alphas, so they know I’ll be right back, I grab my pants and run out to the van to get our luggage.
I don’t think either of us will be needing clothes for the next few days, but I’ll need my phone, and I don’t want to risk her wanting anything out of her bag.
My first text when I walk back inside is to Teddy, thanking them for their help, and letting them know how much I appreciate them being on bunny watch.
He hits me back right away with a picture of Kelly on the floor in the guest room, holding out a bundle of green stuff for Shaggy.
The bun looks on moodily, but Kelly is half in love with him already, so I know he’ll be ok.
Next, I send a quick email to my supervisor and Sarah’s dorm supervisor, letting them both know we are stuck in Mississippi while Sarah rides out her heat since we can’t get back on a plane for so long after it passes.
I have a couple of weeks of personal time saved up, but they might let me use heat leave for this.
I don’t know the policy on that, but it’ll be fine regardless.
Kimberly replies back—while I’m sending an email to Doctor Terra—with a quick confirmation, as well as surreptitiously asking how Sarah’s roommate is doing.
After a quick reply that he’s staying with friends, I call the main offices to fill them in on the situation.
It’s the weekend coming back from break, so their emergency line is open.
I don’t want my girl getting in trouble for not showing up, or someone calling the cops on me for kidnapping.
Finally, I use her phone to call her parents—and wish fervently that it would go straight to voicemail.
My luck doesn’t hold, though, as her mother answers without any preamble.
“Mija! You’ve been ignoring my calls this week!
Would it kill you to answer the phone so I know you aren’t dead in a ditch somewhere?
At least you finally called, I need to tell you about what Sasha did yesterday—”
I don’t actually give a flying shit what Sasha did yesterday, or ever.
In fact, if I never have to hear about Sasha for the rest of my life, I’d be a happy camper, but I’m not supposed to say that.
Instead, I cut the woman off before she can get any deeper.
“Actually, Mrs. Zhaing, Sarah can’t come to the phone right now; she’s in the middle of her heat.
” A shocked gasp is the only reply, so I power on.
“We aren’t at the center; we were on spring break, visiting a friend when it happened.
” More incomprehensible noises. “But she’s fine, found some nice alphas to help her through it.
We just didn’t want you to worry since you couldn’t get in touch.
Also, in case the school calls, she hasn’t been kidnapped or anything. I’ve already talked to them about it.”
She finally seems to regain her voice, but unfortunately for my eardrums, it's only for a loud screech. “What do you mean she’s having her heat with strange alphas? I don’t know these people!
She could have had it with one of the packs closer to home!
I’ve been trying to set her up with some nice alphas that Jayden knows from work.
They are good, traditional young men. She’s doing this to spite me, isn’t she?
Why didn’t she call me herself? She just doesn’t want to talk to me. ”
Oh yes, my omega decided to have her heat early, just to spite you, woman.
She loves being trapped by her hormones and unable to go home.
No, really. It’s what I want to say, but I love Sarah and don’t want her pissed at me, so I try to be gentler.
“Ma’am, she wasn’t expecting her heat for almost a month.
This kinda came out of left field and shit went sideways.
She’s doing the best she can right now, but she’s not super coherent”—plus she’s pinned to an alpha’s knot and asleep—“but, like I said, we didn’t want you to worry.
I’ll let her know to call you once she’s feeling more like herself. Ok, bye!”
I hang up quickly before she can say anything else, because I don’t like drama ever, and that woman seems to thrive on it. Not to mention, I absolutely hate how she treats Sarah. If I had my way, my poor girl would never have to deal with their gaslighting bullshit again.
My shoulders slump as the phone starts ringing immediately, and I quickly switch it to silent mode.
I may end up turning it off completely, since I’ve already reached out to the school.
I doubt anybody else important will try to call, but I’ll let Sarah decide if she’s up to it.
Meanwhile, I need to make sure my girl has some more calories before this heat hits hard.
It feels a little odd to wander around a stranger’s kitchen, but it’s what I’ve been doing all week, so I should be used to it by now.
Well, this pack aren’t total strangers. They’ve all been inside my girlfriend by this point, so that’s gotta count for something, right?
These dudes are apparently serious about their snacking because the counters are covered in protein bars and bags of granola.
There’s no telling how long she’s gonna be resting, so I quickly snag a loaf of bread and some peanut butter and a squeezy bottle full of honey—at least it‘s not bear shaped—then go searching through the fridge for anything else that might strike her fancy. By the time I’ve ferreted out everything I could need to get her fed, my arms are full, and the bag of bread dangles from between two fingertips.
Thankfully, I manage to make it upstairs without dropping anything, and find Sarah sitting up in bed, staring at the door.
“Heard you coming back. Whatcha got, Pretty Boy?” She looks tired, but her face is less flushed and Spence is sitting beside her, holding out an open bottle of water. It makes me think I helped pick out some good guys, if they’ll take care of her without any sort of prompting.
“I come bearing foodstuffs, my lady. We got…” I look down at my full arms, “lots of stuff for sandwiches, including your favorite, PB&H. As well as a variety of lunchmeat options for the more carnivorous-ly inclined.” Paul smiles at me and nods in thanks.
“Also, no offense guys, but it looks like a health food store exploded in your kitchen. I wasn’t sure what was up with all the breakfast bars and stuff, so I didn’t touch anything with those, and I’ll take all this back once our girl here has something to eat. ”
Spencer ducks his head while Paul outright laughs this time.
The big alpha mumbles something quietly, making Sarah turn to him and tilt her head, silently asking for clarification.
He doesn’t meet her eyes. “It’s not…I wasn’t sure what kinda snacks you two liked when I went to the store, and I wanted to make sure you had something that would work for quick eating during your heat.
Sorry if none of it’s to your taste. I can get something else…
er…somehow. If you tell me what you—” His rambling is cut off by Sarah leaning forward and taking hold of his cheek so she can kiss him.
The big guy freezes like a deer in the headlights.
He just stares as Sarah murmurs a soft, “Thank you,” before climbing out of the nest to fix herself a sandwich.
She told me before that there was no eating in the nest to avoid crumbs in “places,” and I’m guessing the rule still applies here.
She looks at my full arms before taking in the room and turning her attention to me.
“I don’t suppose you brought a knife or something to spread the peanut butter with? ”
I would forget my head if it wasn’t attached.
“Oh fuck…cramp.” Looks like I better hurry up.