Chapter 44
WE’VE GRADUATED FROM THERAPY, BABY! Well, kind of. But who cares? Everything is working out and now we get to take our mate home and build a future. I’m so ready to be a good alpha!
Packing was never Jude’s strong suit, but this felt different.
Worse. His entire body felt heavy, like he was made from lead, and despite the complaints of his counterparts—Zayden—he just couldn’t make himself pack any quicker than he already was.
After all, this Airbnb was starting to feel more like home than home ever had.
Jude didn’t want to go back to music, either, and it didn’t occur to him until after therapy. But if he wasn’t going to do what he did best, which was drum, what could he do?
He hated school. That was not an option.
Soft hands wrapped around his torso, and he felt himself melt. “Zayden sent me inside to check on you. He’s getting a bit grumpy.”
“I just don’t want to leave,” he admitted, turning around so he could hug Sonnet. “This place has been so much fun and relaxing. I’m worried we won’t have time for each other once we go back home.”
“You don’t need to worry about that, Jude. I think we’re all going to be okay and very happy together. But not if you don’t finish packing so we can leave. Zayden might leave without you.” She cupped his face with her hands, bringing him down and kissing him softly. “Let’s go home.”
Home.
She is home.
Jude scooped her into his arms and twirled her around. “Alright. Tell the boss man I’ll be ready to go in ten more minutes!”
“I’ll let him know!”
She skipped off, and the weight in Jude’s body turned from lead to feathers.
He still didn’t want to leave, but knowing Sonnet would be with them made returning a little easier.
Plus, Zayden had big plans. House plans.
All the bad memories of their house might not be a big deal soon enough.
Maybe they’ll all get the new start they needed to be better alphas.
It felt like a new start. One month had gone by, but to Jude it felt like years.
With everything finally packed, they all piled into the rental car and made the trip back to their private jet. He shed a few tears, and Kai teased him relentlessly. But Jude knew that all his boys felt just as sad to leave as he did. Jude was just the only one man enough to cry it out.
When they got to their private jet, Sonnet squeezed his hand tightly all the way to their seats, only letting go to let him buckle up.
He couldn’t believe this. On the flight to the beach, they were a mess and didn’t know if they were returning home together or finalizing the nail in the coffin. But now, looking at all his brothers and Sonnet, he knew they were going home together forever.
The universe really did give them Sonnet right when they needed it.
“Here!” Sonnet covered them both in a blanket with Goose under their legs. “I know you like to sleep on the plane.”
An arrow shot into his heart. He couldn’t help it. He attacked her with kisses all over her face.
“Jude,” Zayden growled from across them, him and Kai staring jealous daggers at him. “Leave her alone, or I’m going to steal her from you.”
“Hmph.”
Sonnet gave him a sweet, soft kiss on the cheek before both of them watched the jet take off, one minute the view of the ocean, and the next nothing but a sea of clouds.
For the first time, Jude wasn’t the first one to fall asleep. Sonnet was snuggled into him, and it felt like being engulfed by the warmest, softest teddy bear with pink fur that smelled like strawberries.
“Man,” he whined, “do we really have to bring her back to our house? It doesn’t seem right having her, who’s like literal sunshine, be in our dark, gloomy bachelor pad.”
Kai frowned. “Our house isn’t gloomy.”
“Of course you’d say that. You picked it out and pouted until we all caved in!”
“Don’t shout,” Zayden growled. “Let Sonnet sleep. Besides,” he looked at Felix, each of them giving each other a familiar look that said they were planning something. Sure, Zayden was the lead alpha, but what’s a lead Alpha without his second in command?
“Things will have to change to benefit our omega. However, for now, we need to focus on strengthening our bond and building Sonnet’s trust in us. Her heat cycle will be coming quicker than any of us can plan out, and we need to make sure we’re all prepared for what that means.”
Zayden’s words held a deep edge, as if he were trying to drill into them to be on their best behavior.
But he was right. Sonnet’s cycle was coming up fast, and with that came a lifetime of commitment.
Did Dr. Burdough fix what needed to be in their pack before bonding?
Or could everything fall apart in the same amount of time they had just fixed it all?
Jude didn’t like those questions at all.
Zayden’s work phone chirped, and it wasn’t long before he put Maddox on speaker. He didn’t even say hello, just straight to business.
“We’re all pleased down here at the label to hear how successful your impromptu vacation has gone.
The marketing team is already prepared to run socials, and the rumors have been rewritten after the disaster of your concert.
Damage control has been a success. The next phase is what will begin your next chapter officially and publicly. ”
Jude and everyone else made eye contact.
They knew going into this that after their healing vacation would be a public display of courtship.
Still, it felt like a lifetime since Jude had been seen by the public.
He’d become a family man, a partner, and he didn’t know what it meant to be famous anymore.
Red carpet? No, thanks.
Being part of a boy band was feeling less exciting. Jude still didn’t know what he wanted to do, but he was becoming more certain that being a drummer was no longer it.
“That being said,” Maddox continued, “I know you’re all most likely planning your transition back to reality and home life. However, I’m here to remind you that you are expected to attend with your omega for Chicago’s Autism Awareness Charity Gala.”
“We remember,” Zayden said slowly, as if he was hoping to forget. “I’m certain you and the team already have a plan.”
“Indeed. After all, this will be your return to the light after your disastrous concert—”
“Do you have to keep reminding us of that?” Kai interrupted.
Maddox, being Maddox, didn’t respond. “I’ve spoken and directed the team on every possible scenario and preparation.
We’ve already rented a vehicle, and I have scheduled a private dressing for the four of you and your omega.
When you arrive at the charity, you need to be happier and healthier versions of yourselves, with your omega at the center.
Which leaves me to ask, are you all prepared to bring your bond to the public?
Were your sessions with Dr. Burdough as successful as you’ve said? ”
There was a pause. A lengthy one. And no one wanted to be the first to speak up.
To be real, Jude didn’t feel like any of them were ready to go public with Sonnet. They were comfortable in their little home-life romance with their omega. Jude didn’t want that bubble to pop and the paparazzi to come flooding in with their cruel photos and even crueler journalism.
But were their sessions with Dr. Burdough successful? Could they go public without breaking up in a month?
Jude didn’t know for sure, but looking at his brothers, he felt confident in his answer.
“We’re ready.”
Zayden raised an eyebrow. “Yeah?”
“Yeah!”
Maddox sighed with relief before going into game-plan mode. Zayden took him off the speaker and handled the discussion with ease.
Jude wasted no time and snuggled close to Sonnet, ready to snooze. Reality with Sonnet didn’t seem so scary anymore.