Chapter 27
MAEVE
“This is a great idea,” Blair says, nodding. “A really great idea. I’d be happy to lead it, too.”
I nod, pleased at her sign off on the animal support group.
I spent the night at the packhouse, and now, feeling refreshed, I’m back to my shift at work.
“I like the idea of meeting maybe once every two weeks, depending on who signs up,” Piper adds. “That’s a great way to build community.”
“I know some ladies that would love to come just to offer up some advice,” Mari adds. “Oh, this was such a lovely idea, Maeve.”
“And, yes to the cat stress balls, too,” Piper adds. “In our signature teal and white colors.”
“Yeah, these are all great ideas,” Blair adds, holding a purring, healthy Alvin in her arms. “But you know what isn’t a great idea? Showing up to work when you’re about to start your Heat.” She looks at me pointedly, glaring daggers.
“Uh…excuse me?” I laugh awkwardly. I chowed down on scent blockers and took my suppressants like I was supposed to.
“You heard me,” Blair says. Then, she turns to Piper. “I swear, this is the third time this has happened here. Each one of us does it.”
“Does what?” I ask.
“Shows up to work when we shouldn’t,” Piper says, frowning. “Shows up to work when we very obviously are about to go into Heat.”
“Okay, for one, I am not very obviously—”
Piper puts her hand to my forehead. “Oh, what the hell, Maeve.”
“What? I feel normal!”
“Pink skin, glassy eyes…” Mari shakes her head. “I should have known.”
“Should have known what? I just had a Heat!”
“Do you have cramps?” Blair asks, and even Alvin gives me a judgy look.
“Yeah, but I took some medicine, so I should be fine.”
Piper looks at Blair and shrugs. “You want to name off the reasons to her?” she asks, and Blair nods.
“Sure. For one, you just experienced emotional turmoil,” Blair says. “You know that can mess with your hormones and trigger a Heat early. Two, you just found your scent matches.”
“You just found them,” Piper repeats folding her arms across her chest. “And you know how unpredictable Heat cycles can be with a change like that.”
I shake my head. “Okay, I know a Heat is coming soon, but not like, today.”
“Three,” Blair says, ignoring my argument, “you are in close proximity of your scent matches at all times. You literally work in the same building, then go home with them. The chance of another Heat starting quickly due to those circumstances are extremely high.”
Mari tilts her head. “I wish I had a Heat again,” she says wistfully. “They were messy, but oh, were they nice.”
All three of us stop and stare at her.
“Fourth,” Blair says slowly, turning back to me. “I can smell how much perfume you put on today. You purposely doused yourself in it because you knew the scent blockers wouldn’t be enough.”
“I’ll have you know it smells delightful on me,” I huff.
“It does. But I’m still sending you home.”
“What! Why?”
“I just listed all four reasons!”
“But I wanted to huff the cats and have some kitten therapy,” I argue.
“Oh my god,” Piper says, closing her eyes and rubbing her head. “You can have some kitten therapy and then go. Charity is here, and we don’t want to set a bad example for her. We can’t have everyone running around hopped up on scent blockers and coffee.”
“Well, to be fair, I’m sure we’ll eventually set a bad example, but I’d like to wait at least a month or two before we do,” Blair adds. “But for now, we have to be on our best behavior.”
“What happens after two months?” I ask.
Blair waves her hand. “Spray the walls for all I care. Just don’t do it today.”
When I stick my bottom lip out at her, she sighs.
“You know I love you to bits,” she says, placing Alvin on the counter and pulling me into a hug.
“I am so happy you’re doing better, and I’m happy to see you.
But we have done this song and dance before.
Piper and I have each showed up to work when we were too close to a Heat, and it’s a pain in the ass to get back home when you’re dying of cramps and making a mess in your pants.
” She makes a disgusted face. “We’d rather you go home now.
Well, after you meet Charity and after kitten therapy. ”
I glance at the cat playroom and am met with a cream and brown colored cat standing on its hind legs against the glass door, tiny pink toe pads pressed into the glass.
“Actually, I could use some Bean therapy,” I say, and Blair smiles.
“Yeah. I think Bean could use some Maeve therapy, too,” she says. “You’re his favorite.”
I sigh. I don’t understand how sweet Bean hasn’t been adopted yet.
He’s a friendly Siamese cat, and usually those are the first to be adopted out.
“I’ll be out of here in five minutes,” I say, then head to the playroom.
There are already new furry faces, even though I’ve only been gone a day. A curious young Tuxedo cat regards me with piercing gold eyes, loafing in a plastic cube. Two white kittens sleep peacefully in one of the cat condos, their breathing deep and even.
Bean rubs against my legs, weaving back and forth around me until I pluck him off the ground.
“Hi, cutie,” I say, and he immediately turns into a purr machine. I hold him to my chest and press my nose to the top of his cream-colored head, inhaling deeply.
No one else senses it, but I swear he smells the tiniest bit like a fresh cup of coffee.
Closing my eyes, I nuzzle my chin against his soft fur, sighing contentedly.
“Oh! Are you Maeve?”
My eyes snap open, and I’m met with a pair of green ones.
The Omega in front of me smells like vanilla cupcakes and seems just as sweet.
Her light brown hair is tied up in a high ponytail, and cute freckles complement her warm complexion.
Dressed in a teal Furs and Purrs sweatshirt with torn faded jeans while carrying a large bag of cat food, she looks like she fits right in.
“Yes! Are you Charity?” I smile, already enjoying her energy.
“I am. Wow, I love your hair.”
I beam. “Thank you! Also, thanks for helping us out here.” Bean happily rubs his cheek against my chin. “We can always use more hands.”
“Oh, yeah.” She unlatches the door to the sleeping kittens and fills their bowl with kibble. “I just got out of a bad breakup, so I’m happy to keep myself busy.”
“Oof. I’m sorry.”
It’s only a first impression, but Charity seems great.
I know we’re not friends yet, but I already have beef with whoever she was dating.
“Me too,” she admits. “The only boyfriends I’m going to have are cats from now on.” She shrugs. “I’m Mari’s neighbor, actually. I’m so glad she told me about you all.”
“Yeah! Mari’s awesome.”
“Hey, if I ever want to dye my hair, could you help me, maybe? I’m looking for a fresh start, and all that.”
“Hell yes.” Placing a loud smooch on Bean’s head, I place him back on the cat tree. “Red would look amazing on you.”
“Ooh. That’d be great.”
I want to stay with Charity, but I know Piper and Blair are right. A mild cramp makes my stomach hurt, and I’m playing with fire the longer I stay here.
After saying goodbye to Charity and Bean, and I head back to the front, finding Blair at the computer.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be gone,” I admit. “I’ve never had a second Heat like this.”
She shrugs. “Take the week. We can put Charity on our payroll, and then Mari will cover whatever else we need. Worst case scenario, I drag Travis in here.”
“Travis hates people.”
“That’s why I said worst case scenario.” She smirks. “Also, it’s fun to push him out of his comfort zone.”
“I do that with Logan, too,” I say, the realization dawning on me.
“That’s what good partners do. Challenge each other.”
I nod slowly. “My pack does that for me, too.”
“I know. So, since you are officially stinking up reception, get to the packhouse and take care of yourself.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I give her a mock salute, and she grins.
“I’m proud of you, by the way,” she says.
“What? Why? Two days ago, I ran out of here.”
“Exactly. Two days ago. Yet you came back, and arrived with a great idea to help others, too. That’s growth, Maeve. That’s maturity, and it sure as hell is something Piper and I hadn’t thought of. The support group is a great idea.”
I beam, then wince as another crap hits.
“Ow.”
“Okay, seriously, go.” Blair shoos me off.
I debate telling Ivan and Logan that my Heat is likely starting—we didn’t drive in together, because our shifts were different—but I don’t want them worrying about me when there are animals to save.
Fang isn’t teaching today and should still be at the packhouse.
I shoot him a text that I’m on my way back.
By the time I drive back, my womb aches, and my forehead is clammy.
“Oh, ow,” I hiss, hobbling into the packhouse. I dropped my keys twice before fitting them into the lock, and bending down to pick them up did not help the pain.
Fang is at my side in an instant, pulling me into his arms. My purse hits the floor with a thud as I bury my face in his neck, breathing in his leather scent and whining.
“Fuck, baby, already?” he whispers.
“I thought I had a few days,” I groan. “But Piper and Blair sent me home.”
“Thank fuck they did,” he says. “Let me take care of you. I’ve got everything you need.”
I believe him. I can smell something savory and delicious coming from the kitchen, and I’m suddenly ravenous.
I don’t know what I need more—food or Fang’s scent.
He lifts me in his arms, carrying me into the kitchen. It’s only a few steps away, but I don’t argue. Being so close to him helps the cramping, and when he sets me down in the dining chair, I’m reluctant to let him go. I keep my arms around his neck, and groan when he tries to step out of my grip.
“I’m just getting you food, baby.”
I slouch against the cushion backing of the chair, breathing out slowly.
“It’s going to be bad,” I warn him, gripping the edge of the table. “It’s…it’s never been like this.”
“I can tell.” His voice is strained as he grabs a bowl from the cupboard and yanks open a drawer. “We have to get some food in you, first. Okay? Just so you can have strength.”