Chapter 17
CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN
AUGUST
After handing Ryan instructions on which tiny homes were ready for the omegas to stay in for the time being, I felt decent enough to take Ryker to his.
Ryker, Rex, and Maverick follow behind us in their car, heading to the tiny house Ryker will be settled in for the foreseeable future.
My nose stings the longer I think about Ryker and what he’s had to live through.
His parents passed away a couple of years before he was taken.
He was in the foster system, suffering as a teen no one wanted to adopt.
Eventually he got to the point of just wanting to age out so he could start his life.
But before that could happen, he was taken.
My heart physically cracks open as I imagine how many heats he’s had to endure unbonded, being used and never cared for like all omegas should be. No one deserves to be treated this way, but especially not Ryker.
He’s survived enough.
Now he’s going to get to live any way he sees fit.
I make it my whole goal to get him into Heat Wave and hand back the power back he deserved to have over his heats all along.
We pull up outside the seafoam-colored tiny house, and I jump from the car, yet again.
“This place is beautiful, August,” Ryker’s voice is soft and airy as his eyes scan the house.
“It’s yours, for however long you want it.” I grab his hand and start walking him toward the front door, even though he protests me letting him stay here. I press the code for the door lock, swinging it open to allow him to enter.
I stand outside the door because I don’t want to get my scent all over the place. One thing I have learned the hard way is that omegas do not enjoy other omegas’ scent in their space—especially their own nest. It’s beyond disrespectful.
All that worry goes right out the door when he motions me to join him. “Get in here, August! What the fuck, this place is amazing!”
I blush at my long-lost best friend’s praise. “Thank you… I couldn’t have done any of this without Abel and Kev.”
They stand out on the little front porch with Rex and Maverick still, seemingly whispering about something important, and I can’t help but smile watching them. I look back at Ryker, and he has the same stars in his eyes as he watches the two beefhead Alphas talk to mine.
Ryker practically moans. “They smell so fucking good…” He pauses a beat and seems to come out of his omega scent land, shaking his head.
“No, no, no, that’s the last thing I need to be doing.
I have to get back on my feet. I don’t need to find myself on top of two knots.
No matter how hot those men are that the knots are attached to. ”
“You say the word, and I’ll put them through the background checks and testing to be a part of your heat if you have one coming up. I want your next heat to be all about you, Ry. And I have a feeling these two are not going anywhere.”
“Thank you, August.”
His eyes fill with tears as I grab him up in a hug and whisper, “I’m so glad you’re here and safe.”
“Ryker! Groceries, and I brought a ton of my clothes over for you!” The man comes barreling into the living area from his bedroom.
“Fuck yes! I’m so glad you finally gave into your emo side,” he jokes.
I roll my eyes. “It’s not called emo anymore, it’s alt.” I cross my arms over my chest and huff. “Plus I always dressed like this.”
“Yeah… but I remember you fighting it for a lot of middle and high school.” The rest of what he’s thinking is left unsaid. Before he was taken away and everyone thought they would never see him again—me included.
Changing the subject before I start to cry again, I tell him, “Your guard dogs still haven’t left.” I nudge his shoulder but turn serious. “But if you want me to kick—”
“No!”
I hold my hands up in mock surrender. “Okay, okay, they can stay.”
Rex and Maverick are never far from Ryker. They don’t pry or push themselves on him, but they have made it their whole job to protect him—and I think it’s the sweetest thing I’ve seen in a long time.
Ryker deserves Alphas who care for him.
Not that they are his Alphas… yet.
“Maverick came in last night for dinner…” I grin, wanting to beg for more from Ryker, but I don’t pry.
I know he’ll fill me in when he’s comfortable.
“I tried to get both of them in here because I made so much lasagna, but Rex said only one of them at a time.” This man is full-on pouting, and my smile spreads even further.
He likes them more than I thought.
I let the question that’s been burning in the back of my mind for the past week roll off my tongue, “Have you thought about your next heat?”
He immediately raises his brows. “Have you thought about yours, Mr. I want to get pregnant?”
The blush that’s creeping up my neck has my face and ears burning. “Mine will be here in no time, but the guys have everything ready. I’m focusing on Heat Waves’ grand opening now.”
We’re just a couple of weeks out, and the finishing touches are happening as we speak.
My few trusty employees have been hired and trained, countless tests have been done, and heavy background checks have been completed on the Alphas lined up with their deep pockets, ready to pay and worship these omegas.
I send out a silent manifestation that Ryker lets at least one Alpha help him through his next heat.