Chapter 29
Flora
Isnuck into Bear's bedroom again.
There was something about his presence that was just so comforting, I couldn’t stay away. All night, I slept in his embrace, my rest more peaceful than it had been in weeks. Bear was like a relaxing drug, in the best possible way.
When I woke before him, I stretched luxuriously, taking the opportunity to watch him sleep. He was so peaceful, and I wanted to trace the line of his scars that he hated so much. I just saw it as just part of who he was. A strong alpha who had been through his fair share of trials.
In the light of day, I could take in his room a bit better. There was a large throw blanket on the bed in a shade of green that coordinated with the dark browns and forest greens of the rest of the room.
Sighing, I slid out of the bed, needing to start my day. I padded back to my room to change. Spencer and Chase had to know I was spending the night in Bear’s room—scent didn’t lie, after all.
A quick shower later, I threw on a pair of leggings and a hoodie that probably belonged to Spencer or Chase. Bear was the largest, and I adored his clothing, but the one I had grabbed was still comically huge.
I was brushing my hair when Chase knocked on my door.
“Hey, honeybee,” he greeted. He was wearing gym shorts and a T-shirt. One hand rested on the doorframe, while the other held what I assumed was his laptop. It was thin, sleek, and silver. One of those fancy brands that cost an arm and a leg.
“Hey,” I replied. My anger toward him was starting to ebb, but I was still a little peeved about the nightclub.
“This is for you,” he said, holding out the laptop.
“M-me?” I stammered, putting the hairbrush down and standing to face him. He handed me the device, and I knew instantly that it was an expensive one. “This is too much,” I insisted. “My old laptop was a dinosaur.”
I ran my hand over the shiny metal.
“It’s not,” Chase insisted. “I’m good with technology.
I picked this one up cheap a few weeks ago, and I’ve been refurbishing it.
The insides are state-of-the-art for a fraction of the price, so don’t feel bad about it at all.
You need a laptop for school, don’t you?
Your last one got destroyed with the rest of your stuff? ”
I nodded. “But I can make do with something basic.”
Chase shrugged. “But you don’t have to. I was working on it anyway. I would have given it to Spencer or Bear, but they both have good computers already. If it helps you, I want you to have it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Think of it as an apology for all the spying.” He grinned.
I narrowed my eyes at him, resisting the urge to stick my tongue out. “I’ll think of it as a start.”
“I’ll accept it,” he said with a dazzling grin, his eyes never leaving me as he backed out of the room, leaving me to my studies.
“Are you still studying?” Spencer asked from my doorway. It had been several hours and I had been busy trying to catch up with everything I had missed and emailing my professors.
I looked up from my textbook. “Yep. I have an exam next week, and I can’t get out of it.
” Between the laptop Chase had given me and the two textbooks that had survived in my apartment, I was able to do the majority of my prep.
As soon as I was able though, I needed to go to the university bookstore and get a few more textbooks.
They cost a fortune, but I had no choice. I had borrowed some from the university library a few weeks ago, but they were also destroyed in the carnage. So, until I paid for the damaged books, I couldn't check out anymore.
I had no idea whether I would actually make it to the exam, but I needed to ensure I was ready for it. The last thing I wanted was to end up sitting for the exam without having done any work.
“You’d think having a psycho stalker would at least give you some leeway,” he grumbled, cocking his head to the side.
“It probably does, but I haven’t informed the university about what’s going on.” I still had my phone and could easily contact them, but I knew it would be futile.
Spencer frowned. “How come? They’re usually really accommodating when I’ve spoken with them.”
I chuckled ruefully. Of course they’d be really accommodating when it came to him and the golden boys who played hockey. They would bend over backward to ensure a fancy-pants sports team stayed on campus. A single scholarship omega with no prospects? Well, that was a different story.
“Explain,” he demanded, taking a step into the room. He had two large bags with him I hadn’t noticed until that moment.
“When it comes to Pack Garnett, if anything happened, the university would see it as worthwhile to keep the pack on campus rather than to just make the problem go away. For me, they’d probably ask me to defer my courses for a year.”
“Is that a bad thing if it means you’re safe?” His brow was furrowed with confusion.
“Yes, it’s a bad thing,” I insisted, slamming my book shut. “Why on earth should my life be derailed because this crazed man has it in his head that he wants me?”
“You shouldn’t—not at all—but if it keeps you safe…” Spencer trailed off, unable to come up with a good reason.
“I’m staying in an exclusive building with twenty-four-hour security, living with three elite security guards who protect NHL players,” I pointed out. “If you really think I need to defer my studies with all that protection, I may as well just give up the ghost now and go live in a cave.”
Spencer’s brow rose. “You’ve got a point. You are more than secure here. I wouldn’t allow the university to convince you to postpone an entire year. I’m just curious why you’re so adamant that you couldn’t wait a year.”
“Do I need a reason other than not wanting to take a year off from my life with no plans or goals?” I said. “I worked my ass off to get into college. I paid for it all myself, and I know you looked down on my apartment, but I worked hard for it.”
“I never looked down on you for it. If anything, I was under the impression that the state of your apartment reflected poorly on the university,” he said.
“They should have ensured that all omegas—who are inherently more vulnerable, even though you don’t want to admit it—were in safer accommodations. ”
I bit my lip, trying to think of a comeback.
“You’re right,” I agreed softly. “I know I’m at a higher risk as an omega living off campus on my own, but what choice did I have? Stay home and accept the life my parents want for me? That would have been a whole different kind of torture.”
“How come?” Spencer asked, cocking his head to the side.
“My parents aren’t bad people. I love them dearly.
They just think an omega should jump at the chance to bond at the first opportunity, settle down in a small town, and have lots of babies.
They should have hobbies like baking or knitting.
And there’s nothing wrong with that—I have so many friends who enjoy those things—but it’s just not what I want.
I love numbers. I love puzzles and problem-solving.
I want to explore and see what is out there before I settle down. ”
“And you couldn’t have explored closer to home?”
I shook my head. “I considered going to a local college, but one, it was expensive because I didn’t get a scholarship, and two, my parents would’ve been breathing down my neck the entire time. When I got the scholarship to Avalon, I jumped on it.”
“I can understand that. You know we’re not going to do anything to slow down your schooling. At least, not on purpose. There’s no point in working so hard on your degree if you’re just going to get attacked in the middle of it and then be unable to finish.”
I groaned. “Why do you make so much sense? It’s annoying.”
He laughed. “Unfortunately, that’s my cross to bear. Hyper-sensible. Anyway, I think we need to call a truce. That move with the protein powder was mean.”
I may have thrown out a bottle of his fancy protein powder the second day I was in their apartment after Spencer had tried to convince me to drink a protein shake.
“And you getting rid of my chocolate was mean.”
“Oh, I’m well aware. Bear made me suffer for that one.”
“Good.” I smiled.
Spencer lifted the two bags and placed them on the desk.
“I saw these and thought you’d like them,” he admitted bashfully. This tough-as-nails security guard looked anxious. If I wasn’t mistaken, the tips of his ears were turning red.
Looking between him and the bags, I gently peeled back the plastic to reveal what was inside.
The softest, fluffiest white blanket, with little strawberries printed all over it.
A small chirp of happiness escaped my chest as I ran my hand over the fabric. It was silky soft and perfect—exactly the kind of material I wanted to nuzzle into while I slept.
While clutching the blanket to my chest, I opened the other bag. Inside was a matching strawberry-shaped throw pillow.
“Spencer, these are amazing,” I said. “How did you know?”
He scratched the back of his head. “I knew your old nest had strawberries and other fruit-shaped items in it, so when I saw these while I was out with Mable earlier, I couldn’t resist. Do you like them?” The last part came out almost nervously.
I hugged both items, beaming at him. “I really do. Thank you.”
“I know staying here isn’t ideal for you, but I will do whatever I can to make you feel comfortable,” he said. “I may have a shit way of showing it, but I care about you. When I first noticed you were being followed… I can’t explain it. Something just demanded that I investigate.”
“Thank you,” I whispered. Deep down, I knew that if he had never noticed what was happening to me, I probably would be in a much worse situation. No one would have been around to stop the psychopath from plucking me off the street.
Would I have even been alive?
That was too grim a thought, so I quickly shoved it out of my mind. Dwelling on that would do me no good.
Despite Spencer's amazing ability to infuriate me, he had been protecting me. More than that, he had been caring for me. Feeding me, the blankets, even the healthy food, had been his own misguided way of looking out for me.
Even if he made me want to murder him.
“Oh, and you’re back in class starting tomorrow. I worked it out with Chase and Bear. We’ve got a schedule in place. Someone will be with you at all times.”
I gaped at him as he grinned. For once, I didn’t want to smack that satisfied smile off his face.
“You could have led with that!” I exclaimed.
He shrugged. “Oh, well. Be ready for class. Economics at noon, right? I’ll be escorting you.”