34. Sidney
Sidney
M y heat felt like it was never-ending. There were flashes of each of their faces and more pleasure than I could comprehend.
Each day was more mind blowing than the last, my body insatiable as my omega claimed her men over and over again.
Now, seven days later I was sore, but myself again. My mind was clear and the fever was gone.
The only thing left behind was the always-present echo of our bond in my chest.
Bennett had even bitten Leo on Taylor’s demand, finalizing our pack bond so I could feel them all.
There were no lingering regrets, though from the looks on my pack’s faces, they were worried I’d be pulling away.
Instead of trying to find the words, I sent my reassurance through the bond, letting them feel how happy I was. My heart was full and my emotions settled.
Honestly, it felt like I could finally take in a full breath.
How long had I been walking around under this mask, pretending to be happy while slowly crumbling underneath?
“Are you ready to go home?” Leo asked as he ran his fingers over my jaw. His expression was so soft that it made my chest ache, not just where his bite mark was, but deeper than that.
They’d somehow broken down all my defenses and settled there, refusing to be ignored.
“Yes,” I admitted. “I need a shower and actual clothes.” We’d each taken a shower this morning but it was quick and easy.
“I don’t know, I kind of like you like this,” Bennett teased as his fingers danced over my naked hip.
“We have our whole lives for you to see that. For now, I need a shower,” I admitted. The room here at the Omega Network was nice, but it was tiny. The bathroom was bare essentials, a single small stall, a sink, and a toilet.
Everything was also a neutral gray or white, a blank canvas, and all wrong.
I breathed in deep, cataloging each note of their scents. I’d been terrified that they’d slip away the moment my heat dissipated, but they were still stronger than ever.
“I’m going to throw on some clothes and see what we need to do to get out of here,” Leo finally said with a sigh. I watched his toned ass as he plucked his clothes from the nest. We’d all come here with nothing so we were about to leave looking like a mess.
As the door closed behind him I stretched out my sore limbs, savoring the slight ache everywhere.
It was a reminder of the past week… of them. Something I knew I’d never get enough of even if they were right in front of me.
Or maybe that was the post-heat glow talking. I knew damn well I savored my independence.
It would be interesting to see how we’d all adjust to the changes, or if we would be one of those packs that simply worked, falling into place like puzzle pieces, forever changed in an instant and never looking back.
I felt their eyes on me as I pulled my clothes onto my body. When I was properly covered they finally groaned and did the same. We’d all need a few days to recover at this rate.
Leo shoved open the door right as Maverick pulled on his shirt, the last one to cover up. He glanced around before turning.
Dr. Graves stepped into the room, his eyes crinkling with a smile even though his mouth was obscured by a thick mask. The scent blocking material muffling his voice slightly as he spoke.
He handed over a stack of scrubs, a mix of sizes to give us fresh clothes to wear out of here. I didn’t hesitate to pull my size out of the mix, the guys doing the same before giving Dr. Graves our attention again.
“Thanks, Dr. Graves,” I said, giving him a smile. He hadn’t seen me doing much of that over the years of treating me.
“Well, Sidney, I see you found them.”
“I did.” My smile was bright as I glanced around at the others. “It was a crazy heat but they were here.”
His eyebrow raised and the lines deepened as he noted the bite marks visible on my neck.
“I can scent them, and they can scent me,” I confirmed, every ounce of relief filling that sentence.
A laugh escaped him and he did a little happy dance that had us all joining in.
“I knew it!” he said. “There wasn’t a case I was more invested in than yours, Sidney. The amount of late nights and research seem to have paid off. Though, I can’t take any credit. This was all you, being brave enough to trust them with something so delicate. They must be good men.”
“The best,” I confirmed as Taylor stepped closer, placing a kiss on my temple and tucking me into his side. His hand found my wrist, putting sweet pressure on the bite he’d placed there.
“Then you’re all good to go, there’s obviously no charge for our heat services, it’s part of what we do, so you just have to gather your things and go home,” he said. “Just let the nurses know as you leave, they always have a little gift bag for new packs.”
“We will,” I promised but I didn’t have to say it out loud, the guys were already scrambling to grab the few items that were ours here and pack up. As soon as Dr. Graves walked out we changed into the scrubs, thankful for the clean clothes.
“Ready?” Maverick asked, taking my other hand and pulling me in. Taylor let me go as my alpha leaned down to place a kiss on my lips. The smile on his face as he pulled away stole my breath.
“What?” I asked, cheeks flushing at the intensity of his gaze. The hazel eyes were so full of love and other unreadable emotions that I couldn’t decipher them all.
“I can do that anytime I want now,” he admitted, kissing me again to mark his words. “You’re mine and the world is going to know it.”
“I am,” I agreed. “And if another omega asks you out again, I’m throwing hands.”
He laughed again, the sound free and deep, echoing through me.
“You have no idea how many men I’ve fought off with looks for trying to talk to you. Only a few got through, and I’ll be happy to show them you’re off limits now,” he said, smug and confident.
If I thought he was protective before, I had a feeling it was about to be so much more intense.
I barely registered stopping by the nurses’ station or Leo taking whatever they had for us. I was in a fog of happiness, something I was clinging to with everything I had.
I deserved this.
Just as we burst through the front door of the Omega Network clinic, Maverick’s phone rang, then mine, the sound sharp in the quiet morning sun.
My heart leapt into my throat at Avery’s number on my screen. I answered, knowing something important was happening. Since Arden was here when I arrived, she knew exactly what happened last week.
“Sidney, tell me you’re done with your love fest,” she grunted, face pale and covered in sweat. “Because these babies are coming. Get your ass to the hospital and bring my brother.”
“We’re on the way,” Maverick said into his phone at the same time I gave her the same reassurance. Everyone picked up the pace as we all threw our things into Maverick’s truck and Bennett’s sleek SUV, piling in and rushing to the hospital.
We screeched to a halt at the front doors and I climbed out, running inside with Maverick on my heels. He tossed his keys to Leo, the other three parking our cars while we hurried toward Avery.
Nash was waiting for us, his usual smile gone as panic settled in.
“This way,” he choked out, rushing us further into the hospital toward the maternity ward.
Cameron, Charlie, and Mama Whitaker were there, waiting with the same level of anxiety.
“Is she in full-blown labor?” I asked as I joined them, Mama Whitaker sweeping me into a crushing hug.
“I knew you’d find your pack,” she whispered, hugging me close before releasing me. “Love the matching scrubs.”
“It’s all we had,” I admitted with a huff of a laugh.
Mama Whitaker smiled before turning toward the maternity ward doors and wringing her hands. “She’s close, I think. The pack is with her. I’ll let her know you two are here.”
She disappeared behind the doors before coming back a few minutes later, laughter dancing in her eyes.
“She wants you both in there. Good luck, if you thought she was feisty before, it has nothing on active-labor Avery.”
“Oh god,” Maverick muttered, taking my hand and pulling me through the doors.
Ford was waiting down the hall, his face nearly as white as his platinum hair. He walked into the room without a word, antsy to get back to his mate.
Avery was gorgeous, despite looking frazzled. She was breathing through a contraction, Mason on one side, Arden on the other, reassuring her. Cohen was settled at the end of the bed, her foot in his lap as he worked the muscles there, words of encouragement falling from his lips in a steady, reassuring stream.
I never wanted kids. Hell, this entire pregnancy I thought Avery was crazy for considering it. But seeing the men crowding around my best friend, I couldn’t help but picture my own pack in their places.
“There you are,” she snapped, holding out a hand for me as she sagged against the pillows. “You two are assholes.”
“I’m sorry, Av,” Maverick started but her glare shut him right up.
“Fuck you, not for being together, for being stupid enough to drag it out this long. You weren’t fooling anyone over the years pining after each other,” she accused.
“Well, that’s over now,” Maverick said, pressing a kiss to my temple. I sighed happily and Mason chuckled.
“You good, Sidney?” he asked, that protectiveness coming through. I nodded and looked right at Avery as I answered.
“I’ve never been this happy. I’m more than good,” I promised.
The tension in the room started to lower before the monitor beeped and Avery gasped.
“Fuck!” she screamed right as the nurses rushed in.
“It might be time,” one said, before ushering us out.
“Love you, Avery, you got this!” I called out before leaving. Maverick gave her a look that said everything and she blew us a kiss before screeching like a banshee.
Ouch. I didn’t envy her having to push out three Whitaker babies. I’d heard Mama Whitaker’s horror stories.
Everyone was on us the moment we stepped out to the waiting room.
“They think it’s time,” I confirmed. Mama Whitaker’s grin widened at the news and all three of her brothers started pacing. It wasn’t often their triplet mannerisms were obvious but right now it was downright comical.
Taylor reached out for me, pulling me to the group of chairs they had claimed for us.
“I ordered food, it’ll be a long wait and you need the calories,” Bennett said, pulling me from his omega and into his lap. “How are you feeling?”
“Terrified for my best friend,” I admitted, the worry evident as I spoke.
He wrapped his arms around me, placing a kiss on his bite mark, making me shiver.
“We’ve got you and her pack has her,” he promised.
“I need a coffee, anyone else?” Leo asked, standing and shaking out his hands. My nerves were hitting them all through the bond it seemed.
“I’ll come with, we could use another round,” Charlie offered, joining Leo as they took down everyone’s orders. When it was my turn Leo gave me a smile.
“I know yours,” he promised, making me smile.
“Happiness looks good on you, my sweet girl,” Mama Whitaker said. I looked at the only real mom I had, tears burning in my eyes.
“It feels good,” I admitted. “Thanks for always being there for me, Mama.”
Mama Whitaker’s eyes brimmed with tears and she huffed. “Don’t you make me cry, girl.”
“Sorry,” I laughed. “But I’ve done enough of it, I thought I should share the tears.”
Mama Whitaker rolled her eyes and dabbed a tissue at the corners. “I have, too. But just think, in a few hours we’ll have three babies to spoil. Charlie already bought out half the gift shop.”
I had wondered about the pile of gift bags in Avery’s room. Warmth filled me at the gesture. Charlie had swept in and taken an important role in this family. He’d stepped up for Avery and Mama Whitaker both, the brothers reluctant at first but now treated him with respect.
Again, I was struck at how one meeting, one moment, could change lives. It seemed that in this waiting room I was finding my answer to my earlier question.
Now that I had let them in and stopped running, my pack simply… fit.