Chapter 15
FINNEGAN
SIX MONTHS LATER
I groan, rolling over in bed when I hear my phone ringing. I grab it off the nightstand, frowning when I realize how late it is.
At least that explains why I’m alone in bed when I know I fell asleep surrounded by Alora, Jordan, and Wells.
I blink a few more times before I realize it’s my da with a video request. “Da!”
“Hey, my boy.” Da frowns. “Are you still in bed? I know you’re hours behind us, but it’s still kind of late, isn’t it?”
“It’s just after ten, Da. We’re still on heat leave, and I certainly didnae mean to sleep in so late. Now, I’m sure you didnae call just to give me a hard time. What’s up?”
Da grins. “I just wanted to let you know I packed up the last of my stuff today. The moving company you hired said they’ll be here first thing in the morning.”
“That’s amazing, Da. We cannae wait until you get here.
Alora has been fussing over the guesthouse, saying it has to be perfect for you.
” I roll my eyes, but can’t wipe the grin off my face.
I love the effort my omega is putting in to make my da feel welcomed.
“I think she’s afraid that if it’s not perfect, you’ll decide you don’t want to live in the States with us. ”
“Silly lass. If I didnae want to be there, I wouldn’t have agreed to move there.” He frowns. “I certainly wouldn’t have agreed to allow your aunt to move into the house if I had any intention of moving back.”
I snort. “I’m still surprised you said aye.”
He shrugs. “What else was I supposed to do? I didnae want the house to sit empty while I start my new adventure with you and your pack. But I also couldn’t bring myself to sell it. This way, it’ll be here whenever we return home since your aunt isn’t selling her place.”
“I didnae say it was a bad thing, Da. I think it’s sweet.
” I sit up, getting myself more comfortable.
“I should warn you that Alora has made us both appointments for two weeks from today. We decided it was best for me to get genetic testing done to see if I carry the marker for pancreatic cancer that Ma had. That’s not something I want to pass down to our children, and since we’re trying to get Alora pregnant, we need to do it now. ”
Da grunts. “That makes sense, but I don’t need to have the testing done since you’re having it done.”
I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smiling, but I’m pretty sure I fail when Da’s eyes narrow on me.
“I’m not getting genetic testing done, am I?”
I shake my head. “I’m afraid not, Da. She set you up for a physical and cancer testing.”
“No, tell me she didnae.” He throws his head back, and it thunks off the wall. “Why would ye let her do that?”
“Have you met my omega? I don’t let her do anything. She does what she wants, and I say aye, ma’am.”
We laugh together because while it’s funny, it’s also true.
“As you should. Fine, I’ll do the tests I need to in order to set her mind at ease, but I’m okay, Finnegan. I don’t want any of you to worry about me—especially not that omega of yours.”
I shrug. “My omega is a worrier right now.”
Da’s eyes get wide. “Does that mean you’ve finally got her pregnant?”
“Sadly, no. Her doctor says everything looks good, and we just have to keep trying. Since there’s nothing she can do to change it, she’s worrying about everything else.”
“Aye. Not to worry, I will distract her when I arrive. Or just let her worry over me like your ma did.” He sighs. “That wouldn’t be so bad.”
I bite the inside of my cheek—this time to keep the tears filling my eyes from falling.
With each day, it gets easier and easier to think and talk about my ma, but there are times a wave of grief hits me, and it’s almost too much.
I thank the gods every day for bringing me Alora, Jordan, and Wells. They’ve been here for me every step of the way.
“I miss her,” I admit, and Da nods.
“Aye. As do I. She’d be so happy for you, my boy—just like I am.”
“And she’d be happy that you’re joining us in the States.”
He nods. “She would. Okay, Finnegan. I’m pure done in. Catch ye after. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Da.”
He ends the call, and I drag myself out of bed and to the bathroom. I take a quick shower before dressing, then set off to find Alora.
None of us goes back to work until the day after tomorrow, and I want to spend as much time with my pack as I can before then.
I hurry down the stairs and into the living room, smiling when I find my pack cuddling on the couch with a movie playing—starring Reginald Williams, a.k.a. the host of Heated .
Since I haven’t seen this one, I jump over the back of the couch on the other side of Jordan and settle in.
“Good morning, Finn.” Alora leans over Jordan to kiss me. “I was beginning to think you were never going to wake up.”
“Da called, or I probably wouldn’t be awake.”
Jordan digs his elbow into my side. “I think you wore Finn out during your heat, baby.”
I just shake my head. Sure, I was tired, but I wasn’t exhausted.
It’s hard to be since we slept most of yesterday, and then I slept in today.
Alora’s heats have settled back into running for about five or six days, and Wells hasn’t had any further issues with exhaustion after them. The doctor still can’t figure out why his body wasn’t holding up like an alpha’s should, but he has a clean bill of health, and that’s all that matters to me.
After all, he doesn’t need to help her through a heat with just Jordan ever again.
Just as I turn my attention back to the movie, my phone goes off again.
“Why the hell am I so popular this morning?” I frown when I see it’s Bree calling. “Can you pause the movie?”
I wait until Wells does just that before hitting the accept button for the video call. “Bree?”
“Finnegan Abernathy! It’s so good to see you.”
“Umm…it’s good to see you too. What can I do for you?”
Bree looks to my side. “Is that a pack member I see sitting next to you?”
Jordan grins, ducking down to wave. “I’m Jordan.”
“We were just watching a movie together. I can introduce you to everyone if you want.”
Bree nods. “Yes, please. Do you have it set up where you can put me on the TV? What I want to talk about involves your pack, so I’d rather talk to you all at once.”
“Yeah, sure. Give me a minute.” I fumble through getting everything set up, but within a few minutes, Bree’s face is grinning at us from the TV.
“Ah, look at the four of you. You look cozy. I don’t know if you watched Heated or not, but I’m Bree Timmons. I’m one of the owners of Fated Industries, and I was Heated’s first omega.”
“I’m Alora, and we definitely watched. We missed the last episodes, but we rewatched from the beginning with Finn. We love Heated around here.”
Bree’s face lights up. “That’s good to hear. That means you’re Wells, the other alpha. I’m really glad to get to meet all of you. I was ecstatic when I heard Finn found his pack in Scotland—for multiple reasons.”
She breaks off as there’s a rustling sound and what sounds like a whispered argument before Emmett pops onto the screen.
“Finn, congrats on finding your pack.”
I snicker as Bree glares at the side of his head, but he’s either oblivious or doesn’t care.
“Thanks, Emmett. It’s good to see you.”
“Damn it, Emmett. This is a business call. Get out before I have to call Roman to drag you out.”
A business call? Why would she be calling me for a business call?
Emmett grins, waggling his eyebrows at his omega. “I think I might like that.”
Bree throws her hands in the air before shoving Emmett away.
“I’m sorry. This is the problem with working from home.
Let me get to the point. Tessa and I have decided we’d like to bring a psychologist onto Heated.
We think it would be good for both the omegas and the suitors to have someone to talk to.
Your name was the first one that came to mind.
You’ve been through what the suitors are going through, so you can understand it better than someone who wasn’t on the show.
Especially since you’re mated now. Because we can’t allow unmated alphas to work on the show, as you know.
“It would be for about three to three and a half months out of the year. It would take you away from your patients, which I know will annoy you, but you could do video sessions. You’ll have your own cabin, so your pack can join you when they’re able.
We’re willing to pay you a crazy amount of money.
” My eyes widen when she tells us the number.
It’s double what I make in a year for three months of work.
“Now, I’m sure this is something you’ll want to discuss as a pack ? —”
“He’ll do it.”
I frown, turning to look at my omega, who’s giving me a sheepish grin.
“Sorry, Finn. I just got really excited for you. Think of how much easier the transition could be for the omega and suitors. The large sum of money they’re willing to pay you will never be a bad thing, but it’s not like we need it.
Our pack is well off, but that means I could visit you on set, and how amazing would that be? ”
Jordan laughs. “If it’s something you want to do, we can make it work.”
“For sure,” Wells agrees. “Plus, we all know Alora always gets her way, eventually.”
Bree snorts, lifting her hand to cover her face. “Sorry. You sound like my pack. According to them, I always get my way. Even though your pack approves, Finn, I’m more than willing to give you time to think about it.”
“I don’t need it,” I tell her with a smile. “I’d love to do it. We’ll have to work out the logistics, but I think this is a brilliant idea. Mental health isn’t usually something most people worry about, and that’s what sets you and Tessa apart from others.”
“Thanks, Finn. Tessa is going to be ecstatic. I’ll let you go so you can enjoy the time with your pack. Plus, I’m getting sick of Emmett making faces at me because he’s bored. I’ll get the contract sent to your office on Monday so you can look it over.”
I nod. “Thanks for thinking of me, Bree. It means a lot to me that the two of you want to bring me on in this capacity.”
“I don’t know what we would’ve done if you'd said no, because I don’t think I could give anyone else the job. Pack Abernathy, it was wonderful meeting you. We should all get together soon so we can meet in person.”
“I’ll have Finn send you my number,” Alora says with a smile. “We can set it up.”
“That sounds wonderful. Welcome to the Heated family.”
The call ends, and I just blink at the screen for another moment. “Shit. This is going to take some planning.”
Jordan squeezes my hand. “Let’s watch the movie first, then we’ll help you figure out the logistics.”
“Thank you—all of you. Obviously, I wouldn’t have taken this if you didnae agree, but I’m actually really excited about this.”
Alora climbs over Jordan and into my lap. She gives me a quick kiss before pulling back with a smile. “I’m excited for you. I think exciting times are coming for Pack Abernathy.”
We all hum our agreement before settling back to watch the movie.
So many things have changed in the last six months, but I don’t think I’ve ever been happier.
And to think we still have the rest of our lives to live.