15. Jordan
Chapter fifteen
"So, three months in paradise, huh?" Lanie says, daintily taking a bite of her hummus wrap.
It's hard to believe it's been three months since I presented as Omega and met Vick. He's become integral to my life, fitting in seamlessly, like he was always meant to be there. Even the cats are getting along now.
Our little routine is so lovely. We get up together and have tea for him and a latte for me with breakfast, and then after work, we either go out to dinner or cook something together before throwing ourselves onto the couch. Sometimes, we'll parallel play, where he will read, and I'll watch trashy TV. Other times, we'll watch a movie together, play a board game, or build a puzzle.
It came as no surprise to me that Icarus Valentine is the type of man that builds puzzles.
"It's been great," I tell my best friend. It's Friday, so instead of packing our lunches, we decided to head to the Greek place down the street and grab lunch. I take a bite of my falafel wrap, and my eyes nearly roll in the back of my head.
This place has the best falafel. I can't help but get it every time we're here.
"How's the sex?" She waggles her eyebrows.
"Oh… uh," I take a swig of my diet soda, looking around the restaurant so I don't have to answer her question. She catches on real quick.
"Oh holy shit, you haven't fucked yet?"
"Wow, Lanie, say that a little louder, why don't you?" My face heats to red, and I try to make myself smaller in the booth. "It's none of your business, but no, we haven't."
"Why not? What's stopping you?" She puts down her half-eaten wrap and pushes the plate away, rubbing her stomach like she's too full to function.
"Well, nothing really. It just all happened so fast, you know? So we're taking it slow, getting to know each other."
I mean, I think that's all. He's repeatedly told me he's trying to respect me and my body, but eventually, a girl just wants to be disrespected, you know?
"You brought dudes home from the club regularly before Henrik, and now suddenly you care about slow and steady? She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest. "I don't believe you."
"You're not in my relationship, so I'm not sure why what you believe matters." Of course, I still wonder if maybe Icarus isn't as attracted to me as he says he is. Maybe that's why he's been able to control himself.
As if she has a mainline directly into my insecurities, Lanie leans across the table. "Look, Jay, you know I love you, girl. But maybe the reason why you two haven't fucked yet is because you keep eating stuff like that." She waves towards my falafel, wrinkling her nose. "I mean, I didn't want to say anything, but you've definitely put on that new relationship weight."
My heart falls out of my ass, and a baseball-sized lump fills my throat. She must be able to see a stricken look on my face because Lanie immediately grabs my hands. "I'm just looking out for you, babe."
Immediately, that falafel wrap I love so much looks rotted on my plate. I pull my hands from hers and scoot as far away as possible. "I appreciate your concern, Lanie," I say, fighting to keep my voice steady. "I'll see you back at the office. Just put this lunch on the corporate card."
I rush out of the restaurant, and on my way back to the office, I pull out my phone to shoot off a text.
Hey Dr. K, I need a session tonight if possible. My head isn't in a great place right now
Dr. K
Sure thing. Call me at 7.
Before I can put my phone away, it dings with another message—one from Icarus.
Vickasaurous Rex
Sunshine, what do you think about us going to Bea's Kitchen for dinner tonight? I've heard that the chef has a new menu.
It would probably be a waste. I had a big lunch.
Alright, no problem. Let's go tomorrow. Tonight, we can just have a lazy night.
Oh shit! I know!
I'm gonna make a charcueterie.
Charqueterie?
Carcueterie?
Fuck, spell check hates me today, I guess.
Sounds like a plan. I have a therapy call at 7, cool to work around it?
Of course! Whatever you need.
Also, sunshine. Can't wait to see you tonight. Go kick ass at selling stuff!
His words leave a smile on my face, but it feels hollow. I shouldn't let what Lanie says get to me. She means well, really, she does. I know that. She's always looking out for me. I wish I knew how to tell her that commenting on my food and weight makes me want to curl up in a ball and cry.
The rest of the day passes quickly, with neither Lanie nor I bringing up the awkward end to our lunch. I'm getting ready to leave when she comes into my office, holding a black box with a bow on it.
"A courier just dropped this off! Is Icarus sending you gifts at work now?" she squeals as she shoves it into my hands. "Open it!"
"It could be personal!"
"Bitch, nothing is personal between us. Open it!"
I roll my eyes and pull the ribbon. It's luxurious, clearly from a high-end boutique or store. Icarus doesn't know how to shop at anything but. But when I lift the lid off the box, I know without a shadow of a doubt this is not from Icarus.
"What is it?" Lanie chants. "Show me!" I turn it around and show her the contents. She squeals about how beautiful and expensive it looks and peppers me with questions about its significance.
I can't answer any of her questions. I can barely breathe as I stare at the beautiful crescent moon charm hanging from a thin gold chain. My mouth is dry, and my knees are weak. I sink down and prop myself on my desk as I fall into a memory.
I'm lying in a field thick with grass, despite how it makes my skin itch when it touches my bare flesh. The moon is high in the sky, a sliver of its full glory.
It's not long before I hear them coming, laughing and goofing off as they enter the clearing. I can tell the moment they notice me because their noises stop.
"What's wrong, peaches?" Simon says, sitting down beside me. "Why do you look so sad?"
"I met with another doctor today. He said there's no sign I will present as an Omega anytime soon." I can't look at him. I can't see the disappointment in his eyes. They don't know everything I've gone through to try to present.
"That doesn't mean it won't happen, Jordy," Rafe says from my other side as he lowers himself onto the grass.
I know that it doesn't. But since they presented as Alphas a few months ago, I have spent almost all my time worrying about what will happen if I don't present. What will become of us if I am not an Omega?
Cyrus lifts me from the grass by my shoulders and sits behind me, pulling my upper body into his lap. He doesn't say anything as he strokes his hand down my head, and I stare up at the moon.
"Do you know the story behind the crescent moon?" Simon asks softly.
"I mean, I know the phases of the moon. I do pay attention in science class, unlike Rafe," I tease. The Alpha in question gasps his dissent.
"Do you mean the story of the Omega moon?" Cyrus responds.
I tilt my head back to look up at him. He's so handsome with his curly hair and strong jaw. He gazes at me sweetly and strokes down my cheekbone. "What do you mean, Omega moon?" I say softly.
"Long ago, before we were Alphas and Betas and Omegas as we are now, we were all shifters. We had a wolf form and a human form," Cyrus begins. "The full moon was always a symbol of the Alpha. It was a time when Alphas would shift and run, their strange magic the most powerful at that time every lunar cycle."
"In contrast," Simon steps in, "the crescent moon was called the Omega moon. It was the time when all of the Omegas in the pack were at their strongest. In fact, an Alpha would call his Omega his Luna because of how strong the moon made them. New Omegas would present at a higher rate during that moon than at any other time. It's not something we track anymore, but I would bet that most presentations happen during a crescent moon to this day."
"Why haven't I heard this before?" I ask curiously.
"Probably because it's just a legend," Rafe supplies. "It's got no historical record associated with it. But some people still believe it."
"So what, you're saying maybe this isn't my crescent moon?"
"Maybe it's not, Jordy," Rafe continues. "Maybe yours is yet to come to pass."
I groan, covering my face with my hands. "I wish it would come sooner rather than later," I grumble.
"I know, peaches," Simon says softly. "But I've still got hope."
Cyrus grabs my chin and tilts my head back, looking directly down at me. "I know one day you'll be our Luna, Jordan."
"Me too, Cyrus. I just wish we didn't have to wait."
"Hello, Jordan? Are you in there?"
Lanie's voice pulls me out of my memory. I blink at her, trying to clear the emotions the necklace brought up in me. "Yeah, I'm here. Sorry, I just got overwhelmed by the gift."
"I bet! That shop is expensive . Your Alpha has good taste. Want me to help you put it on?"
"N-no," I stutter. "I need to head out. I'll see you Monday." I gather my things and shove them and the jewelry box into my bag.
"Already? What about Sunday brunch?" Lanie calls behind me as I head towards the elevator.
I don't even turn back when I respond, "Next week!"
I barely remember the drive home, I'm so out of sorts. My head is swimming with memories, and my heart aches. But on top of all of that, there's fear.
How did they find me?
Why are they torturing me with these memories?
When I walk through the door, I look up and see my Alpha standing in the kitchen as he slices various kinds of cheese. I can't help but wonder what it would look like with three more beside him.
No.
Those are dangerous thoughts, Jordan.
When he notices me standing in front of him, he drops the knife in his hand and crowds me, his hands on my face and my shoulders, touching all over me. "What's wrong? What happened?"
I can't make the words come out. I hand him the box, my hands shaking so much that the necklace rattles within.
And somehow, he knows.
Without being told, my Alpha knows precisely what's upset me.
He wraps his arms around me, a purr rattling his chest and relaxing my muscles even though I can feel how tightly his fists are gripped now that he's sat the box down. When my body finally stops shaking and the tears I didn't know I was crying stop falling, I pull back just enough to look him in the eye.
"It's from them," he says.
"It was delivered to my office." My voice is hoarse, and I struggle with the sticky fear clogging it. "Why are they doing this to me, Alpha?"
"I don't know. But if I ever see them, I'm going to have a hard time not going to jail, sunshine."