Chapter 26 Parker
PARKER
Anxiety is running through me at showing her my office.
I didn’t think I’d be so nervous. It is kind of a safe space for me but I’m so comfortable with my pack coming in, I assumed that would extend to Thea.
Which it does, and it’s not that I don’t want her here.
I know my plan will make her forget about Micah being an ass. He needs to figure his shit out.
I open the door, and try to see it through Thea’s eyes.
The room is a good size. There is a closet that lines the wall next to the door, leaving the rest of the room a basic square shape with no windows.
I work at all hours and I can’t handle the stimuli the windows would bring.
Some of the guys call this my work cave which is a pretty apt description.
The far wall to the right is my desk with its multiple monitors and computers.
The opposite wall is my—well, it’s not a couch.
It’s basically an oversized chair a couple people could probably fit in.
The cushion is wider than the typical furniture, plus it has a plush fabric covering it.
Actually thinking about it, an omega would probably love this.
There’s a matching ottoman that, when pushed up against the chair, makes it almost into a bed.
It’s the perfect spot when I need a break from work and screens.
I also have an LED lighting system hooked up all along the top of the walls, lining the ceiling, changing the color modes based on my mood.
Right now they’re set up in a purple and pink cycle. Those colors make me think of Thea.
“This is my office. I work completely remote for the IT company I told you about.” I run my hand through my hair nervously.
Her hand runs along the chair, her fingers spreading through the plush fabric.
She lets out a little gasp when she touches it.
Smiling, I plop into it and pull her in with me.
She’s laughing as she’s basically laying half on top of me.
Her smile is beautiful; I want to make her smile as much as possible.
“Was this the surprise, showing me your office?” she asks.
Taking a breath, I tell her, “No, I set up a way for you to video call Connor’s parents.”
Her jaw drops and she’s rushing to sit up. “Really?” she says tentatively, a slight shake in her voice.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t say it if I couldn’t do it.
You don’t have to worry about him tracking it.
It’s end-to-end encryption. Plus I have our end running through some extra hoops that would be hard to follow for most.” I cut myself off before I get too technical.
She’s looking at me like I just handed her the moon.
The alpha in me is puffing up in pride. I never felt like I fit the “alpha” stereotype but in this moment, making her happy is all I want to do.
Getting up to go to my desk, I finish setting it up so all she has to do is hit a button when she’s ready. When I’m done I find her standing behind me, some shock still evident on her face.
“It’s ready when you are you just have to click this button and it’ll call Sophie,” I say, standing up. “Sit here, you’ll be more comfortable. I’ll give you some privacy.” I move to leave but she grabs my hand. Looking back at her, I find uncertainty dancing in her eyes.
“Will you…will you stay with me?”
“Of course, if you want me to. I don’t want to intrude.” Sometimes I do that, overshare or cross a boundary that I didn’t realize was there. Definitely don’t want to do that with her.
“You won’t be. I don’t want to be alone…
” She squeezes my hand tighter. I squeeze back and give her a reassuring smile.
There’s an old desk chair in the closet which I roll out for me to sit in.
I move it closest to the wall so I won’t be in the camera view as much.
Unfortunately given the size of the room the camera will still pick me up a bit.
Thea looks at me then the monitor and back to me.
Instead of saying something, she stretches her hand towards me.
Reflexively I take it and it forces me to roll closer to her.
We aren’t completely side by side but I’m now in full view of the camera for this call.
She’s squeezing my hand so tight but it doesn’t hurt.
I give her a few light squeezes in response.
I’m here with you. Taking a deep breath, she presses the button.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
“Hello?” a woman answers, likely Sophie. She hasn’t connected the video yet so she can’t see it’s Thea. I look over at her, seeing that she’s frozen. Squeeze. Squeeze. Squeeze. Then she’s tightening her grip on my hand.
“Sophie?” Thea says. A loud gasp and then a banging sounds from the other end. Did she drop the phone?
“Thea? Oh thank the Gods, are you okay? Please tell me you are!” she rushes out, sounds like she’s crying.
“I’m okay. Safe. Sophie, you should see an option to connect video.
Press it then we can see each other.” There’re sounds like she’s fumbling with the phone and then a shaky video fills the screen.
Sophie is definitely crying and when she sees Thea, it turns into full-on sobs.
Thea in return has silent tears streaming down her face.
Squeeze. Squeeze.
The shaking doesn’t relent likely from her holding the phone. “We’re never going to be able to talk if we cry the whole time,” Thea jokes, sniffling all the while.
“Oh Gods, the guys. Max! James! Mateo!” Sophie shouts, making Thea and I wince.
Off camera we hear a chorus of, “What is it?” and “What’s wrong?
” Her crying probably doesn’t help. Instead of saying something, she turns the phone around and we suddenly see three very concerned men.
The concern quickly fades to shock when they see Thea, who gives an awkward wave that I can’t help but smile at.
Especially since that’s totally something I’d do.
Suddenly all three of them are asking questions at once before one of them gives a sharp whistle.
He’s the tallest of them and the bulkiest. He’s got to be on par with Keelan’s size.
He looks a lot like Connor based on the picture from his obituary, with his square jaw, dark brown hair and overall build.
“Settle down. James, can you hook up Soph’s phone to the TV?
This screen is way too small for this. Then we’ll ask questions, like what the hell were you thinking running off alone.
” His scolding makes Thea shrink a little.
A growl sounds from me unexpectedly, shocking the fuck out of me.
Thankfully it was too low to have been picked up on the call.
That would not be the best first impression to my future in-laws.
Thea gives me a shake of the head but doesn’t let go of my hand.
In a couple minutes all four of them are on a couch and we can see them all in view.
The largest man, likely an alpha, who scolded Thea is sitting to Sophie’s right.
To her left is the thinner man with light brown skin, short black hair, and soft brown eyes.
Next to him is James I believe, since he was the one setting up the phone.
James is a similar build to the man he’s sitting next to, only with light brown hair and hazel eyes.
That big alpha really seems to dwarf everyone.
Is that how me and Keelan look to other people?
Well for different reasons. Keelan is big but muscular.
I’m just big. Don’t think about that. You’re helping Thea, you’re supporting her.
Squeeze. Squeeze.
That was more a reminder for myself than her.
“I’m sorry,” Thea bursts out, her tears flowing once again. I see Sophie elbow the big alpha. Good, he deserves it for making my omega cry.
“You have nothing to apologize for, honey,” Sophie says, side-eying her alpha.
“She’s right. I didn’t mean to yell at you. But you have no idea how worried we’ve been since you left. Not knowing if you’re still alive. If that bastard got you—” He cuts off, getting choked up. Sophie is now comforting him, leaning into him more as she holds his hand.
“We just want you to be safe and it all happened so suddenly after…” the man in the middle says.
“After Connor,” Thea finishes. “I know, I’m still sorry for how it all happened and for Connor. It’s my fault and I left to keep you all safe. I’m just happy we’re able to talk now.”
Varying confused looks cross all of their faces at her statement.
“Why are you sorry for Connor?” the man in the middle asks. I really need to find out his name and the big one. Didn’t Sophie yell their names, but which is which?
I’m pulled from my thoughts as Thea’s grip on my hand tightens into a vice.
She looks ready to bolt, like our connection is the only thing holding her here.
I move closer, hoping my scent will help.
It seems to, since some of the tension bleeds away and her grip lessens a little.
My movement has also caught the attention of everyone.
Guess I faded into the background before with the shock of seeing Thea again.
The big alpha’s eyes are narrowing on me and it literally makes me gulp. Good thing he’s not here in person. I think I might turn into one of those old cartoons and bolt in a cloud of dust before I can get pummeled.
“Who are you?” he says with a growl. I have no idea what to say. I’m her scent match. Nope that’s too much, even I know that.
“Parker is the alpha who helped me set up this call securely so the stalker couldn’t track me. It’s safe because of him,” Thea explains, some steel returning to her voice.
The big alpha’s eyes seem appeased for the moment. “Thea, why are you sorry about Connor?” Sophie repeats the middle man’s earlier question.
Thea doesn’t look at the camera when she says, “Because it’s my fault he died.”