Chapter 77 #2
I puff out my cheeks. This whole situation might be squashed before it gains any traction online, but yet again, reinforces all of my fears. An article like that could potentially damage Atlas and Connor’s professional careers. It could put Theo’s involvement with the team at risk.
Moments like this make it hard to love my designation, even if I’m in no way ashamed of being an Omega. I just hate the unnecessary complications that come with the territory.
My phone starts ringing, and I expect it to be Theo… only, it’s my sister’s name that shows up instead.
“Whatcha doing?” Lark’s voice fills my ear the second I answer the call, beating me to it before I manage to say hello.
“Getting some studying in while I wait for Gabbie and Nikita. Why? What are you doing? You just texted?” My forehead scrunches.
Even though it’s not unusual for my sister to call me for no real reason other than to hear my voice for a few minutes, there’s something a little strange about her calling me at this time of day.
And if I know anything about my sister, her Omega nature is firmly that of a creature of habit.
“What’s with that giant hoodie? It makes you look kinda like you’re wearing a tent,” Lark snorts.
I hold the phone beside my ear while looking down at myself, more confused than ever.
My silence seems to amuse her. “Aw, how cutesy. Is your little Omega brain a little exhausted from too many knots?”
“Lark Murphy,” I scold under my breath. “You didn’t dare call me up just to hurl insults—”
“Surprise!” A body hurls itself into the booth while shrieking at me.
I nearly hit the roof with a squeal, clutching my chest. I’m blinking, stunned, while my pulse hammers. “You rat. You absolute toad. My stomach just about fell out of my ass, you know?” As I curse my sister out, I drag her against me in a bruising hug.
Lark mumbles against my hoodie. “Missed you too, Wrenegade.” Her arms squeeze me in return.
“What the fuck are you doing in Willow Falls? On this side of the country? I have a million questions!”
“You expected me to sit back and watch the excitement at home… alone? Get real. I’m here for big bro’s game and to see him crush it from a prime spot on the sidelines.
” Then she pulls back and holds me by the shoulders with a slight frown.
“Besides, seeing what was being said online just now… I’m more relieved than ever that I made the decision to come visit you in person. ”
“Wait… You mean to tell me you flew here alone?”
She shrugs, as if it’s the most normal thing in the world for an Omega without a pack yet, or to have had her first heat, to be traveling cross-country solo. “I took out Omega insurance. Don’t baby me. It’s fine.”
“Ouch. That costs a bomb.” I brush some of her blond hair away from her face. “You look even more stunning than ever. How is it that you landed all the premium genes in our family?”
Lark tips her head to one side. “Umm… hardly… says Miss Three Scent Matches.” Then she waves a dismissive hand in the air. “The flight was easy. Made sure I snagged priority Omega seating. And at least I’m covered in case of a scent or heat-related emergency.”
I grab hold of her for another hug, emotions rolling through me. “I can’t believe you’re here?”
“So… now that I am… what’s the plan?”
“Well, I was meeting Nikita and Gabbie for lunch, but they’re running late—”
“Like hell we are. Omegas are never late. Everyone else is just disgustingly early for no good reason at all.” Nikita lands in the booth with a thud, dragging Gabbie after her.
“What is happening here?” I stare at them. “How are you all appearing out of thin air like this?”
The three of them are all innocent smiles. Nikita pumps her eyebrows at me.
“Are you three conspiring behind my back?” I point between them all.
“We thought we’d plan a little exchange-a-Murphy for the weekend. Since you’re not in residence these days. Lark is gonna stay in your room while she’s in town. We’ve got it all sorted.”
“Oh, so planning and scheming behind my back, huh? You’re here for the whole weekend?” I look at my sister, who gives me a toothy grin.
“Yup. Here to catch the game, hang out with my big sister, and get a little taste of Vermont living.” She settles in, looking around the Acorn with all that confidence she always carries. My little sister, who suddenly seems so incredibly grown up.
How did that happen in just a few short months since I’ve been gone?
“Lark… you gotta enroll at Willow Falls.” Gabbie nods vigorously as she speaks. “You’ll love it here.”
“You’ll love it even more once you’ve got some sugar and caffeine in you.” Nikita cranes her neck and waves at the barista, who gives her a salute. “Add one more to the tab, please, darling,” she hollers and gets a nod and thumbs up in return to let us know that our orders will be ready shortly.
“Now that’s service.” Lark laughs.
“More like that’s the power of Nikita.” I shake my head.
“Hey, we’re practically long-lost family at this point in time... welcomed into the sacred fold of the Toasted Acorn Café community of misfits and caffeine-fueled cretins… isn’t that right, Gee Gee?”
“Very true,” Gabbie hums. “I think Nikita has been invited to every birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, five times over.”
“There’s more than enough of me to go around.” Her brown eyes gleam.
I chew on the inside of my cheek. “I feel like I’m missing out on so much with not being at our place anymore or getting to hang out all that much.”
All three make clucking noises at me, shaking their heads.
Gabbie is the first to give me her trademark big eyes and kind heart. “No way. You’re doing the best you can in a situation that you never saw coming.”
Nikita hums in agreement. “Don’t overthink it. No one here is judging you.”
“It’s literally biology, Wren,” my sister reassures me.
My lips twist with a slight smile. “Oh, so you’re the wise Murphy out of the two of us now?”
“Uh, yeah? This is news to you… why? Haven’t I always been?” She lifts one shoulder, looking at my friends, and they take her side without a second’s hesitation.
“I’m beginning to suspect you three have been spending far too much time plotting and scheming.” As I narrow my eyes at them all with faux suspicion, our orders that I placed earlier arrive at the table and are set down for us.
We chirp our thank yous in unison while Nikita hands over some cash for Lark’s extras.
“So, it’s their final home game this weekend… and then the Wolves are on the road for a long stretch.” Lark eyes me as she raises a conversation I’ve been avoiding.
I sigh, my shoulders deflating. “It’s definitely going to be difficult. Maybe more of a challenge than I realized to be with a pack while they have to travel for matches.”
“Have you got a plan in place for how you’ll cope?” My sister cuts straight to the point.
“They’re leaving their clothes for me, I’ll be surrounded by their scent. And other than that, we’re going to make sure to video chat a few times a day.”
Of course, our bonding helps, but I don’t mention that out loud. None of them know I’ve taken that step, and besides, I still don’t have one with Atlas. But at least, having two of my three scent matches bonded seems to be making it a little more bearable to be apart.
I told Atlas he had permission to bond me. While I wore his shirt and he was buried to the hilt inside me, I sobbed my way through a climax and told him he had my blessing. Whenever it feels like the right moment, I trust that he will.
He feels it too.
He’s been waiting such a long time.
I know when it’s right, it will truly be right.
Although we haven’t truly put my theory about being bonded but separated for long stretches of time to the test as of yet.
Being on campus for the day, while they’re at training in Willow Falls, is hardly a significant amount of time or distance apart from each other.
The true challenge is going to come when they’re thousands of miles away on the other side of the country.
My chest tightens at the realization that moment will be here all too soon.
“What if you go into heat while they’re gone?” Gabbie whispers.
I know she only means well. It’s something we’re all thinking, even if we haven’t said it out loud.
“Shush… don’t put that hex on our girl.” Nikita puffs out a breath. “I’m sure Daddy Brennan has got a plan for that eventually if it unfolds. Besides, it shouldn’t, since heats usually cycle every few months.” Her eyes dance with a particular brand of deviance.
I open my mouth to give her some smart retort, except the space at the end of our booth is suddenly obstructed by a wall of broad shoulders and the imposing presence of multiple Alphas.
“Keets? Hey, I thought that was you.” One of the men gives a dip of his chin while tugging on his cap brim to readjust it.
“They let you out of the ice rink for five minutes?” Nikita chuckles. “So it is true… You lot of heathens are capable of walking on dry land. It’s like finding out mermaids can grow feet and go for a stroll. Or are you all about to start stumbling around like baby giraffes on wobbly knees?”
“Cute.” One of the others crosses his big arms. “We’ll see how well that smart attitude goes in the next training session. I expect you to put your money where your mouth is.”
“Gladly.” She flutters her lashes. “Ladies… meet Willow Falls’ finest hockey stars.
” Then she covers her mouth with a gasp.
“Oh, wait, no… sorry, I got that wrong. These are Willow Falls’ finest goblins on ice.
They’re attempting pirouettes and spins choreographed to your favorite pop anthems at three p.m. daily. ”
“Are you ever gonna let us live that down?” the guy in the cap groans.
“Nope. Never.” She smirks ruthlessly. “Now shoo. Be gone, smelly hockey brats. Don’t try to muscle in on my much-needed girl time away from your stench.”
The assortment of very large men—who I’m sure are probably worth a sum of at least twenty million bucks a year between them—roll their eyes, grumble, and give a polite set of nods. A few murmur goodbyes as they pass us.
Meanwhile, the rest of us are barely holding back tears of laughter as we wait for Nikita’s explanation for whatever the fuck that was all about.
“Did you just call professional hockey players goblins on ice?” Gabbie wheezes.
“Those idiots have egos that need to be taken down a peg or two.” Nikita flicks her wrist in the air. “Their coach booked me to give them weekly figure skating lessons as part of their training regimen. I’ve had to put up with them stinking up my ice for the past few weeks.”
We fall about laughing as Nikita proceeds to fill us in on her newest class of burly students and how ridiculous it looks when a six foot four defenseman attempts to land a triple axel.
“Don’t get me started on the smell.” She feigns a gag. “It’s like something crawled into their locker room and died.”
I have to wipe actual tears from my eyes. This belly laugh with girlfriends was much needed and long overdue; besides, having my sister here makes it even more special.
Speaking of which, I glance her way and realize she’s staring off into the distance.
“Hey…” I gently touch her arm. “You doing okay? Do you need to get out of here to somewhere less crowded?” I’m instantly worried that this has all been too much.
A flight across the country, meeting at a busy café, and surrounded by the hustle and bustle of college students as they flow from campus.
Lark blinks at me, seemingly in a daze. “I thought they smelled amazing.”