28
Phoenix
The storm raged outside, the bus rocking slightly as the rain beat down in a steady rhythm. Inside, the tension was just as relentless, but it wasn’t the storm that had me on edge. No, it was something else, something much closer to the surface. My heat hadn’t hit yet, not fully, but I could feel it creeping up on me, a warmth slowly building beneath my skin.
I’d taken so many showers today, trying to cool down, trying to stave off the inevitable, but it hadn’t helped much. Every time I stepped out of the bathroom, my skin still felt too warm, the warning signs all too clear. I’d slathered myself in scent neutralizer, desperate to eliminate any whiff of my perfume. And now, I was sitting here, wrapped up in moisture-absorbing underwear and doing everything I could to hold on until we reached the Airbnb.
Kage was in the corner, his phone in hand, pacing. His expression was hard, his brow furrowed in concentration. He’d been trying to get a black-market contact in Charlotte to deliver emergency suppressants ever since Wren’s flight had been canceled due to the storm. With the roads flooded and the airports grounded, my usual plan for keeping things under control had completely fallen apart.
I clenched my hands together, trying to steady my breathing. The idea of going into heat terrified me. I’d always found a way to put my heats off, ignoring the warning signs until it became too dangerous to go without. And when a heat finally hit, I rode it out alone, locked away with not an Alpha in sight. The risk of accidentally being bitten and bonded was too high, and I couldn’t let that happen. Ever.
But now, I was on a tour bus, surrounded by my scent-matched Alphas, with no real way to stop what was coming. I just had to hope that Kage’s contact came through in time.
“Kage,”
I whispered, glancing toward the front of the bus where Zephyr sat, his attention on his phone. “What if it doesn’t happen? What if we don’t get the suppressants in time?”
He paused in his pacing, his sharp eyes flicking to mine. He took in my expression and crossed the small space between us to kneel down in front of me.
“We’ll figure it out,”
he said quietly, keeping his voice low so Zephyr couldn’t hear. “I’m working on it. I’ve got a guy who says he can deliver, but it’s gonna take a bit of time.”
“And if it doesn’t happen?”
Kage’s jaw tightened, and I could see the wheels turning in his head. He was trying to come up with a plan, something to keep me from spiraling. “If it comes to that… we’ll have to talk to Zeph.”
The thought of telling Zephyr made my stomach churn. Parker and Kage had been careful about keeping him in the dark, knowing his complicated history with Omegas.
“You don’t think he’ll take it well,”
I whispered, more a statement than a question.
Kage shook his head. “No, Doll. Zeph… he’s got some baggage, alright? It won’t go down well, not with the way he is about this stuff. But that’s not your problem. That’s on him.”
I bit my lip, my heart pounding as I glanced over at Zephyr again. He hadn’t noticed our conversation, but it was only a matter of time before he started asking more questions. I was doing everything I could to hold it together, to keep my scent locked down, but the scent neutralizer wouldn’t last forever. And if my heat kicked in before we could get the suppressants…
Kage reached out, his fingers brushing against my arm, grounding me. “Phoenix, listen to me. We’ll make this work. You’re not gonna have to go through it alone, alright? We’ve got your back.”
I nodded.
Kage’s voice softened even more, the deep rumble of it vibrating through me. “You’ll be okay, one way or another. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
The sincerity in his voice, the unwavering confidence, was enough to calm me. Kage always had that effect on me. He was the steady presence, the one who could talk me down from the edge when things felt like they were falling apart.
I closed my eyes, trying to focus on his voice instead of the warmth pooling in my lower belly. It wasn’t unbearable yet, but it was there, a constant reminder that I was running out of time.
Kage’s hand squeezed mine. “Just a little longer.”
I had to trust that they could figure this out, that Kage’s contact would come through, that the storm would clear, and we’d get to Charlotte in time. And if Kage couldn’t pull off the miracle I needed, I’d have no choice but to tell Zephyr everything.
I shuddered at the thought, trying to imagine how that conversation would even go. Would he reject me outright? Would it confirm every fear he had about Omegas? Or would he be able to see past it, to understand that I was still me, even if my body was betraying me?
There were too many unknowns, too many variables. But for now, all I could do was wait.
I stared out at the downpour, trying to focus on anything but the low, simmering heat building in my body. The early signs of my heat were making themselves known, and it was getting harder to pretend like everything was fine.
Zephyr was still flipping through his phone, brow furrowed, but every so often, his gaze would flick to me, curiosity and concern etched into his features. He wasn’t stupid—he knew something was up.
“I think we need to pull over soon,”
he said, his voice cutting through the tension as he came closer. “The storm’s getting worse, and the roads are flooded in some spots.”
Kage nodded, his expression calm, but I could see the flicker of concern in his eyes. “Yeah, that’s a good idea. No point in risking it.”
Zephyr’s gaze shifted to me again, lingering a little too long. “You okay, Princess?”
he asked, his voice casual, but there was an edge of suspicion there.
I forced a smile, nodding. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired.”
He didn’t look convinced, but before he could say anything else, Parker intervened. “We’re all exhausted. Let’s just get to the Airbnb and get some rest. No need to worry, Zeph.”
Zephyr shrugged, but his eyes never left mine. I could feel the heat rising again, the tension swirling around us like the storm outside. The turbulent sensations in my stomach and between my legs made it harder to concentrate on anything else.
Parker’s hand brushed against mine subtly, and before I could react, he slipped me a heat pack. I glanced up at him, surprised, but he gave me a small, reassuring smile. I held it tightly in my hand, the warmth from the pack offering some small relief, but it wasn’t enough to quell the fire inside me.
Kage shifted behind me, his body so close I could feel the warmth radiating off him. And then, so softly that it was barely audible over the noise of the storm and the hum of the TV, I heard it—his purr. The sound vibrated through me, soft and soothing, and I relaxed just a little, knowing he was doing everything he could to ease my discomfort without letting Zephyr know what was going on.
The bus rumbled to a stop, and I looked out the window to see a small house surrounded by trees, barely visible in the darkness and rain. The driver opened the door that separated his area from ours and gave us a nod. “This is it,”
he said. “Pete and the crew are staying nearby. You all hunker down here. I’ll be back once we get the go ahead to move on.”
We stepped off the bus, and the wind whipped at my hair. The rain soaked us in seconds as we rushed toward the house. The moment the door closed behind us, the silence was deafening. The storm raged outside, but inside, it was just the four of us, standing in the entryway of the small Airbnb, drenched and tense.
My Alphas exchanged glances, their instincts sharp, and I could feel their eyes on me. I bit my lip, trying to stay calm, but I couldn’t ignore the way my body was reacting. The heat was building again, stronger this time, and I knew they could sense it. Parker’s nostrils flared slightly, and Kage’s purr, though subtle, grew a fraction louder. They were holding back, keeping their distance, but I could see it—the way their eyes darkened, the way their bodies tensed as if fighting some primal urge.
Zephyr, however, was oblivious to the depth of what was happening, though his eyes lingered on me longer than usual. He could tell something was wrong, but he wasn’t close enough to fully understand.
Parker ran a hand through his wet hair, trying to break the tension. “I’ll go check out the rooms,”
he said, his voice steady. “Make sure everything’s set up.”
Kage nodded, stepping away from me to help. “Yeah, let’s get things sorted.”
As they disappeared down the hall, Zephyr moved closer to me, his eyes narrowing in concern. “Phoenix, are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been off all day.”
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. “I’m fine,”
I lied. “Just tired, like I said.”
He looked at me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine as if he didn’t quite believe me. But before he could say anything else, Parker called out from the hallway. “Zeph, come check this out.”
Zephyr hesitated, glancing back at me one last time before finally turning and heading down the hall.
The moment he was gone, I let out a shaky breath, leaning against the wall for support. My body was trembling, the heat intensifying with every second that passed. The warmth of the heat pack Parker had given me was long gone, and the soft purr from Kage, though soothing, wasn’t enough to hold back the tide anymore.
I could hear the Alphas talking in the other room, their voices low and steady. They were trying to keep things calm, to keep Zephyr distracted, but I knew they were aware of how close I was to losing control.
The attraction between us was undeniable, heavy in the air, but no one said anything. We were all holding back, waiting for the moment when things would snap, when the heat would become too much to ignore.
◆◆◆
The rain drummed incessantly against the windows, the wind howling as it whipped around the small house we were holed up in. Inside, it was quiet, the low hum of a movie playing on the screen, but no one was really paying attention to it.
I was sitting between Kage and Parker on the couch, my body sandwiched between the two Alphas, every inch of me burning hotter by the minute. My skin felt too tight, my head buzzing with an electric energy I couldn’t shake. The scent neutralizer wouldn’t hold much longer.
Kage’s hand brushed mine, a seemingly innocent touch, but it sent a shockwave through my system. My heart skipped a beat, my body reacting instantly. Parker’s knee was pressed against mine, the smallest contact, but it only added to the overwhelming sensation of heat building between my thighs. I couldn’t think straight. The space between us seemed to shrink with every breath I took, every moment I stayed sitting between them.
I shifted in my seat, trying to pull myself together, but the heat made it impossible to focus. My brain was a whirlwind of confusion and desire, and every little gesture—every touch, every glance—only fanned the flames inside me. It was electrifying and uncomfortable.
Zephyr hadn’t said much since we sat down, but I could feel his eyes on me, feel the tension radiating from him. He was wary, guarded, but there was something else there, something pulling him toward me even if he didn’t fully understand why. His body was reacting, even if his mind hadn’t caught up yet. The scent spray was still masking most of my perfume, but I knew it wouldn’t last much longer. And when it finally failed…
Kage’s phone constantly lit up as he tried to get some last-ditch help. He kept checking it, his frustration building with every failed attempt to secure the suppressants. I could tell he was worried, though he was doing his best not to show it.
The movie droned on in the background. It was just there to fill the silence, to give us all something else to focus on. I kept tugging at the blankets, pulling them closer, trying to make myself comfortable. I wasn’t even thinking about it, not really, but the more I adjusted, the more I realized what I was doing.
I was nesting.
It wasn’t intentional, but it was happening. The cushions and blankets on the couch had slowly started piling up around me, my hands tugging them into place without a second thought. It was instinctual, my body trying to prepare for what was coming.
Kage’s phone buzzed again, but this time, he didn’t send a reply. Instead, he let out a heavy sigh and set it down on the table in front of us. I glanced at him, my pulse quickening at the resigned look on his face.
“Phoenix,”
he said, his voice soft but firm as he slid his arm around me, pulling me into his lap. My breath caught in my throat as my body pressed against his, the warmth of his skin igniting something deep inside me. “I think it’s time for a tough conversation.”
His words sent a ripple of anxiety through me. I’d been dreading this moment, hoping that somehow we’d find a way to avoid it. But with every passing minute, it became more and more clear that the suppressants weren’t coming. We were out of time, and there was no more avoiding the truth.
“I’m sorry, Sweetheart. I’ve tried everything, but with the storm and the way things are right now… we’re out of options.”
I swallowed hard, my throat tight. The truth was, I’d known it was coming, but hearing it out loud made it real.
Zephyr shifted in his seat, his brow furrowed as he looked between us.
“I don’t know what to do,”
I whispered. “I can’t… I can’t handle this.”
“You’re not alone in this. We’re here with you, okay? You don’t have to do it by yourself.”
I could feel the warmth of his body against mine, the steady rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. What if Zephyr couldn’t handle it? What if he walked away, leaving me here, vulnerable and exposed?
Zephyr’s gaze flicked between us again, his confusion deepening. “What’s going on?”
he asked, his voice low, the tension in his body palpable. “What aren’t you telling me?”
I couldn’t look at him, couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes. But Kage did. He glanced at Zephyr, his expression unreadable. “You need to try to think rationally about this, okay, Zeph?”
Zephyr’s eyes were dark as he stared back at his packmate. I could feel the tension rolling off him in waves.
I took a shaky breath, my heart pounding in my chest as I turned to look at him. “Zephyr,”
I started. “I need to tell you something… and I… I’m sorry for not telling you sooner.”
His eyes flicked to mine. “What is it, Princess?”
I swallowed hard, my throat tight. This was it—the moment that would change everything. “I’m an Omega.”
For a second, there was silence. A heavy, suffocating silence. And then, as if the words had finally sunk in, Zephyr’s entire body tensed, his eyes widening in shock before narrowing with anger. “What?”
His voice was low, dangerous. “You’re what?”
“I’m an Omega,”
I repeated, my voice trembling.
Zephyr shot to his feet so fast the couch rocked, his fury radiating off him like a physical force. The look in his eyes was nothing short of venomous. “You’re an Omega? And you didn’t think to tell me this?”
His voice boomed, reverberating off the walls as he pointed an accusing finger at me. “You’ve been hiding this the whole time? Playing us?”
I flinched, instinctively shrinking back under his anger. My throat tightened, and the words felt like they were sticking in my chest. “I didn’t… I didn’t know how to tell you,”
I stammered, my voice barely audible.
“You didn’t know how to tell me?”
Zephyr’s rage only grew, his voice escalating with each word. “You let me believe you were just another Beta, and all this time you were an Omega?”
He took a step toward me, his eyes wild with disbelief. “You’ve been lying to us—lying to me!”
My heart dropped into my stomach, the weight of his accusations pressing down on me like a boulder. “It wasn’t like that,”
I whispered. “I didn’t mean to—”
“Didn’t mean to?”
he interrupted, his words followed by a sharp and bitter laugh. “How long were you planning to keep this from me, huh? Until your heat was in full swing? Until you couldn’t hide it anymore?”
The tears I had been fighting back finally spilled over, silent and hot as they streaked down my cheeks. My chest tightened painfully, and every instinct I had as an Omega screamed that I’d been rejected, cast aside by my pack’s lead Alpha. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to keep from crumbling entirely. The betrayal in his voice, the disgust—it was too much.
“I didn’t want to lie,”
I tried, but the words felt weak. “I was going to tell you—”
“You were going to tell me?”
Zephyr barked, his fists clenched at his sides as if he was physically holding himself back from doing something reckless. “When, Phoenix? When were you going to drop this little bomb on me? After you screwed us all over?”
His words stung, and I could feel the hurt morphing into something sharper, more unbearable. My Omega side felt raw, exposed under the weight of his rejection. Every fiber of my being wanted to collapse, to curl up and hide from the harshness of his words, but I couldn’t move, frozen under the force of his anger.
Zephyr’s fury wasn’t just directed at me. He turned on Kage and Parker next, his eyes blazing with a betrayal that cut even deeper than his words. “And you two? You knew, didn’t you? You knew she was an Omega, and you didn’t say a damn thing to me?”
Kage’s posture was tense, his jaw clenched, but he didn’t flinch. “Zeph, listen—”
“No!”
Zephyr snarled, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. “You’ve both been lying to me too? This whole time and you just… what? Decided to keep this little secret to yourselves?”
“Zeph, calm down—”
Parker started, stepping forward, but Zephyr’s fury turned on him in an instant.
“Calm down? How the hell am I supposed to calm down?”
Zephyr roared, his fists tightening until his knuckles were white. “This changes everything! She lied to us, and you two just went along with it like it was no big deal!”
“It’s not like that,”
Kage shot back. “She’s our scent match, Zeph.”
“Our scent match?”
Zephyr’s laugh was cold, unhinged.
“Oh for fuck’s sake! Like that matters! She’s still an Omega! She’s been messing with our heads, making us think we were in control when she was hiding this the whole damn time!”
I whimpered, my body curling over as another wave of pain hit me, but it wasn’t just the physical discomfort of my impending heat—it was the crushing rejection that came with every word he hurled at me.
I could feel myself unraveling, my heart breaking in ways I hadn’t thought possible.
“She didn’t do anything to us,”
Kage growled, his patience clearly wearing thin. “You need to stop and think before you say something you’ll regret.”
Zephyr shook his head, pacing furiously. “Regret? The only thing I regret is letting her get this close without seeing through her lies! She’s been manipulating us from the start, using us—”
“That’s enough!”
Parker’s voice cut through his pack lead’s rage, sharp and commanding. He stepped in front of Zephyr, blocking his path. “This isn’t helping anyone. Phoenix didn’t ask to be an Omega, and she sure as hell didn’t ask for this situation. We need to focus on helping her through her heat, not throwing accusations around.”
“Like hell I’m going to help her!”
Zephyr shouted, his eyes flashing dangerously. “You expect me to just sit here and play along? I’m not doing anything for her after this. I don’t care what happens.”
The pain in my chest was unbearable, a raw ache that wouldn’t let up. I tried to hold back the sobs, but they escaped me anyway. I curled in on myself as the tension in the room became suffocating. The rejection, the hurt—it was too much.
Kage’s gaze snapped from Zephyr to me. Without a word, he strode over to me, scooping me up into his arms with surprising gentleness. I buried my face in his chest, unable to stop the tears from flowing freely now.
Kage didn’t even glance at Zephyr as he carried me toward the stairs. His voice was calm, but there was an edge of steel in his tone. “We’re not leaving her to suffer,”
he said, not bothering to hide the contempt in his voice. “You can sit out here and sulk all you want, but call Pete while you’re at it and tell him we’re pushing everything back a week. She’s going to need time, and we’re not letting her go through this alone.”
Zephyr stood there, frozen in place, his chest heaving with fury, but he didn’t stop us. He just watched as Kage carried me away, his silence more damning than any words he could have said.
As we moved up the stairs, the storm still raging outside, the pain of Zephyr’s rejection was all I could feel. It was like a hole had been torn open inside me, and I wasn’t sure if it would ever close again.