Chapter 33 #2
She lets out a tiny whimpering noise. “This is such a nightmare. How can I possibly make up for being such a massive headache? I shouldn’t be a problem you have to inconvenience yourself with.”
“You are nothing even remotely like an inconvenience. You’re the greatest gift we could ever hope for.
An Omega to take care of and be scent-matched with?
That’s a goddamn blessing. Never apologize for being yourself, Wren.
” Brennan crouches down to put himself at eye level.
“If someone has made you feel this way…”
“Other than society in general, you mean?” she scoffs.
“You’ll be safe with us.” I squeeze her tighter, fucking hating that she carries such a weight of a burden that has nothing to do with her, and everything to do with the way the world is set up for Alphas and Betas.
“I’m a liability for the team—a complete headache for both of you. There’s no point getting involved with me. I’ve already lost too much.”
We glance at each other while Wren keeps twisting the fabric of her sleeve.
“I don’t know if Finch would have ever mentioned it.
Probably not, since he’s good at bottling shit up, and you know, doing the macho Alpha thing.
” She waves a hand vaguely while exhaling a shaky breath.
“We lost our parents to a car crash when we were young. Finch was affected the most and threw himself into rugby. So not only did my sister and I lose our parents, but we lost our brother for a long time, too.”
“Baby, I’m so sorry.” Leaning down, I place a soft kiss on her hair and see that Brennan has scooped her hands into his own.
“I’ve been through therapy. God, so much therapy. I’m okay… but I guess the fear of something being taken away all of a sudden never truly leaves you.”
“You have every right to feel that way.” Brennan rubs a thumb over each tiny palm of her hands, cradled in his own. “And I’m sorry, too.” His voice is hardly a whisper.
Wren sits up straight and looks at me with an unreadable expression; confusion, or maybe distrust, flickers behind her blue eyes.
“Is something wrong?” I ask slowly.
“How did you know what to do earlier? With the…” Her gaze flicks down to my hand, then jumps back to my face, with a little rush of pink flooding her cheeks.
My lips twitch. Ohhhh, that? She’s cute. “Gotta admit, I learned that trick from my older brother.” I give her a wink. “And let me tell you, it was mighty fucking awkward having to look my sister-in-law and her packmates in the eye over Christmas dinner after that.”
Thankfully, that cuts the tension hanging in the air. Wren can’t help but giggle, even though she tries her hardest to keep a straight face.
“Pack life is something else, huh?” She nibbles on her bottom lip.
“It’s really goddamn special, is what it is.” I bump my shoulder against hers. “Which is why this is important.”
“We don’t need to do anything tonight,” Brennan reassures her, still slowly stroking his touch that must be working some sort of scent match magic, because Wren looks like she’s visibly melting right before my eyes.
“But we do need to get you to move in. You’ve discovered a scent match, so it makes sense to be where Brennan is, since that’s going to be the most intense connection.
” As I say it out loud, I’m hoping like hell there’s a chance there’s still a possibility ours might eventuate.
“And that means a full-blown heat is only a matter of inevitability. We can’t protect you, or help you, if you’re halfway across town. ”
“We?” Big blue eyes blink rapidly at me, and the man crouched in front of her.
“Yup. I’m moving in, too.”
“I can’t. The scholarship will find out—” There she goes. Sprinting out the gate inside her mind again. Racing toward all the ways this might fail or blow up in our faces.
“Well, not full-time,” I chime in, giving Brennan a look to make sure he’s right on board with this plan. “Like… you would still have your stuff here. You’ll still have your own place, with the girls.” That feels like an important point to add.
“But you can stay with us as many nights as you want or choose to. And that way, the second you need us, we’re there. In one place. No messing around,” Brennan finishes for me.
“How are you gonna explain living with the team’s owner?” She narrows her eyes at me.
“Brennan?” I quickly shoot him a glance. “Any bright ideas?”
The guy honestly looks kinda wrecked, but it’s clear his brain is working overtime behind the scenes.
“It’s easy enough to tell the team that your address was leaked online. We can spin it that you’ve had one too many close calls with the public not respecting your privacy. We contact your agent, the team administration, and keep that part all above board.”
Wren starts squirming at the mention of telling other people.
“See?” I flash her a smile. “This is why the guy owns a fucking rugby team, and I’m just the idiot who runs around on the pitch week in and week out.”
At least that seems to snag her attention.
“You’re not an idiot. Who says you’re an idiot?” My girl frowns at me. The aftereffect of her mini heat still having something of an impact on her faculties. It’s like she can’t stand the idea of anything or anyone having something negative to say about me.
That drags out an even bigger smirk. “Talk sweet to me any time you want, Bambi. I like it.”