CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO - Nicolette
My long scarf streamed out behind me as I hurried down the clinic corridor. It was the main health facility which serviced the town and had only two doctors. It was a modern building, and as it was constructed to handle most medical needs, there were several small rooms. The four overnight rooms they had were tucked in the back.
I was intensely aware of the heat of Silas’ body behind me. Even if I couldn’t physically feel him there, I would feel our bond. It still blew my mind that he claimed me, that the Alpha I’d thought hated me didn’t. Now he was mine and I was his, and I didn’t know how to tell Ezekiel and Kodiak. In my heart, I wanted all of them. It didn’t seem likely they would share though.
That anxiety had me gripping the bag with the breakfast food hard enough my hands were hurting. I swallowed hard as we rounded the corner to the last room on the left. The quiet murmur of the television seeped out into the hall.
I glanced back at Silas and he gave me a nod. The tightness of his handsome face said he was every bit as stressed as I was.
Taking a deep breath, I put on a smile and knocked on the partially open door before peeking my head in. It was a small room painted with what I would call hospital blue. It had a single bed which was just a little too small for Kodiak, but he was propped up in it anyway.
Ezekiel rose from where he was sitting and hopped over to me to wrap me in a big hug. “Good morning, beautiful. I missed you last night. How are you doing?”
I leaned into the hug, drawing in his soothing scent. Everything would be okay. It had to be okay.
“I’m fine, but you, mister, you need to sit back down and put that foot up.” I helped him back to his chair and handed him the breakfast bag. Without missing a beat, I turned to Kodiak and gently hugged him. “I was so worried. How are you?”
“Better now that you’re here, baby.” Kodiak cupped the back of my head and kissed me. He tasted minty, like he had just brushed his teeth before I arrived. He kept his hand there—the grip tightening slightly—as Silas entered the room and placed the coffees he had on the bedside table. He nodded once in acknowledgment. “Silas.”
“Kodiak.” Silas retreated to the far end of the room to lean against the wall and sip his coffee. It seemed that a thousand things were said between them without any other words. My stomach twisted, but I kept smiling.
“I brought everything you guys asked for. Silas fried up the sausage, and I made eggs, French toast, cranberry muffins, and scones.” I fetched the tiny rolling table from near the door and placed it between Kodiak and Ezekiel. “If there’s anything else you want, name it, and I’ll go get it for you.”
“Thank you.” Ezekiel beamed as he started to unpack the bag and put all the containers on the table.
“This is great, but you don’t have to go through all that trouble.” Kodiak snagged the sausages and opened the box, breathing in the scent of the meat. “Oh yeah. I’ll be up and getting around by the end of the day.”
“Like hell you will, Kodiak.” A middle-aged woman in scrubs entered the room and gave him a stern look. “I’ve already told you that you’re on bed rest for the next week, and then no work for six.”
Kodiak muttered something that sounded like ‘bullshit,’ and stuffed a muffin in his mouth.
The woman turned to me and held out her hand. She radiated tough mama energy, and I greatly appreciated it. “Hi, I’m Doctor Katherine Berg. You must be Nicolette. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” My smile was much more natural as we shook hands. “Thank you so much for taking care of Kodiak and Ezekiel.”
“Oh, don’t thank me yet. Kodiak will go home tomorrow, and then you’ll have to make sure he doesn’t do any work where he’ll aggravate his ribs. I don’t envy you there.”
I couldn’t stop my giggle. No doubt Kodiak would hate sitting around, but I was determined to help him recover. “I’ll tie him down to the bed if he doesn’t behave.”
Kodiak made a pleased noise and my cheeks warmed.
Katherine chuckled and tapped Ezekiel’s foot with her clipboard. “Ezekiel needs to keep the foot up over the next few days and ice the ankle. Luckily for him, it was only a grade one sprain. It should be better in the next couple of weeks. Just don’t overextend yourself.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Ezekiel grinned at her from around a buttery scone.
“How have you been, Nicolette? Being in heat can take a lot out of an Omega.” My face got hotter as she spoke. “We have two other mated Omegas in town, and I like to keep a close eye on them during their heat cycle. Dehydration is a worry and overexertion.” The doctor studied my flaming face and then looped an arm through mine. “Come walk down the hall with me for a moment.”
I didn’t think of saying no. Ezekiel gave me a wink as I glanced back at the guys, but none of them said anything either. Clearly Katherine ruled the clinic, and everyone respected her.
“This is your first heat, isn’t it?” Katherine asked quietly as we walked. I nodded and she smiled. “All the more reason to check in with your gynecologist. And if you’re living here, that would be me. I’ve dealt with all the Omegas on the island for the past twenty years. Mind you, there haven’t been a lot, but Omegas do require more care than Beta and Alpha females. So if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t be embarrassed to bring them to me.”
“Thank you. It’s been… crazy.” That was an understatement. “I think I’m past the climax of my heat. There were three days I was lost to it completely, but I feel more myself this morning than even yesterday morning.”
“Good, good. And if you don’t mind my asking, which one of the Alphas claimed you? Was it Ezekiel or Kodiak?”
Oh God. I wanted to hide behind my hands, but maybe she could help. She’d been here for twenty years, so she’d know the pack. “Well, it was actually Silas.” At her surprised expression, I rushed forward. “But it was Ezekiel and Kodiak who helped me through most of my heat. They’ve made it clear they want to claim me, and I want them to. I want all three of them. Is that normal? I have one friend who was claimed by a pack, but I don’t know any other Omegas who did that. Or is that something to do with my heat?”
Katherine guided me into her office and set her clipboard on her desk. “In my opinion, and I guarantee you a million Alphas will say different, an Omega benefits from having a pack take care of her. Her heat can be so intense, and if there’s only one Alpha to meet her needs, they can’t help but neglect some of their needs. The fact you’ve had these three helping you is fantastic.”
Hearing this from a medical doctor was immensely reassuring. While all my doctors had always been women, none of them had ever said anything like this. They always ensured I was healthy for when I was ready to meet my mate. None ever mentioned multiple Alphas.
“As long as they’re okay with sharing…” Katherine eyed and raised her brows.
“That may be a problem.” A gigantic problem. “Do you have any advice?”
She pursed her lips as she took a moment to think on it. “If they have all been helping you through your heat, then it shows they can do it. Yet Alphas are notoriously possessive. I’ve listened to Ezekiel and Kodiak talk about you. I couldn’t tell which one you had chosen, and now I know why. They’re both smitten. I’ve known those young men all their lives. Kodiak is stubborn, but I think you could convince him. Ezekiel is the most easy-going of the three, and Silas…” She sighed and leaned back against her desk. “He was trouble when he was young, and we still see that now and then. They’re also incredibly close as a pack. The fact Silas hadn’t come in with Kodiak and Ezekiel when they were rescued was a surprise.”
I dipped my head as my cheeks heated again. “He had to rush home to attend to me.”
“Good on him then.” Katherine nodded. “All I can tell you is to be honest. Sit them down and let them know how you feel. It will be a bumpy road at the beginning, but it can work. And after everything around town that I’ve heard about you, I think you’re the Omega who can wrangle the whole pack in.”
My eyes widened. After everything she’s heard? Of course the guys were saying nice things about me, but who else was talking about me?
Katherine laughed and reached to give my hand a squeeze. “Don’t worry too much, dear. Petersburg is a small town and everyone knows everyone’s business. You’ve made a great impression on everyone you’ve met. Even Savva likes you, and that grumpy old man doesn’t like many people. I think it’s wonderful you’re working with him to get the greenhouse going again. I worry about how much time he spends alone up there. You’re very good for him too. For all the men. It will be far less lonely on the mountain now.”
My stomach fluttered and my throat tightened with happiness. I wasn’t thinking about curing anyone’s loneliness, but I was glad I was helping. Something lifted inside me. Hope, a purpose, a clearer idea of my future here.
“What else do you do, Nicolette? We could always use another nurse at the clinic.”
A small wave of guilt went through me. I wished that I was a nurse to help out. I shook my head. “No, unfortunately. My passion has always been dancing. All types. Ballet, jazz, tap.”
“Really?” Katherine’s face brightened. “I have two daughters who have wanted to be ballerinas since they were little. June is twelve now, and Cindy ten, and they watch those YouTube videos to learn, but it’s not like the real thing. I would love to give them lessons as a Christmas present. I would pay you generously for your time.”
I bounced on my toes and nearly squealed. “I was actually thinking about starting a dance school here. To be able to share my passion with the next generation would be amazing. Once I have a space to teach, I would happily teach your girls.”
She rounded her desk and took out a card to scribble a number on it. “This is my personal number. And there’s my address as well. I live just a block away from here. I can suggest a few spaces where you can find space until you have your own place, and I can help get you in. The school and the church would be excellent spots.” Her excitement had her bobbing too. “There are a few old warehouses which aren’t used anymore. With the proper team to renovate one,” she gave me a wink. “You could have a fantastic dance studio close to the school.”
I laughed at her wink. I had no doubt the guys would be happy to help build a dance studio. My mind was already dreaming of how I wanted it to look. I pocketed her card and grinned. “Thank you so much. This will give me a lot to do over the winter to keep me busy.”
“Keeping busy through the long winter is the best way to beat those seasonal blahs. And yes, that’s a technical term.” Katherine chuckled. “My cure is usually going to Aruba in February.”
“I love Aruba. I’ve spent a lot of time at Eagle Beach and Manchebo Beach.”
“Manchebo is where we go. We stay at the resort and soak up the sun.” Katherine sighed wistfully. “This year, the girls want to learn to snorkel.”
“It’s so fun.” Maybe I could convince the guys to go somewhere tropical mid-winter. Picturing them in tight swim shorts emerging from the sea was a very pleasant thought. “I should get back to the room now or else there won’t be any food left. Thank you again. You’ve been really helpful.”
Katherine smiled. “It’s my pleasure. Any outlet for my girls to be creative and get out all their energy is welcome.” She then shooed me. “Go on and get back to your men. Remember what I said. It’ll all work out, I’m sure.”
I said goodbye and hurried back down the hall. It was quiet, and I hoped that it was a good thing. All of them were eating as they watched the morning news and turned to me as I entered the room.
“All good?” Kodiak asked between mouthfuls of sausage.
“Yeah. Doctor Berg is really nice. She gave me some good advice, and,” I grinned and clasped my hands together. “She’s going to help me get started teaching dance here in town. She mentioned that the school might let me use some space until I could get a studio up and running, and suggested a few places for it.”
“One of the old warehouses across from the fishery would be easy to convert,” Silas said thoughtfully. It was as if he read my mind, but more so, it assured me that Katherine’s advice was sound. “The mayor’s been wanting to do something with those buildings.”
“Red cedar would be a brilliant color for the flooring,” Ezekiel added.
“We could cut down a few trees when we’re back out in a few days.” Kodiak bobbed his head.
While I greatly appreciated their enthusiasm to help me get a studio started, there was no way I was letting them go back to the forest any time soon. I went over and made sure Kodiak was tucked in and his pillows fluffed. “You aren’t going back out any time soon. Six weeks. That’s what the doctor ordered, and I’m going to keep you honest.” I then eyed Ezekiel. “You shouldn’t be going out for a while either. And Silas,” I finally turned to him. “Don’t you dare go out by yourself. It’s dangerous enough with the three of you.”
The Alphas chuckled, all smiles at me taking charge. I couldn’t help but feel my spirits rise. They felt like a pack again. This could really work. Katherine said to be honest, and when we all were home together, I would sit them down to have the conversation. Right now, I was going to bask in the feeling of togetherness, even though they were smirking at me being bossy.
“We have to go back out. There’s a contract deadline we need to meet.” Kodiak tried to keep his face neutral, but there was no hiding his humor. “You can’t keep us at home.”
I put my hands on my hips, overplaying my outrage. “You will not go back out. You’ll stay in bed and heal or I’ll force you to stay.”
He tugged me toward him with a snicker. “I’m going to enjoy seeing you try.”
Batting away his hands, I huffed and unwound my scarf, holding it up threateningly. “I will tie you to the bed.”
Kodiak laughed again and then suddenly stopped. He sat with a hiss and brushed my hair back from my neck. His eyes went from merry to furious in a second. “What the fuck is this?”
Oh shit. My heart pounded in my chest. I couldn’t get any words out with my voice lodged in my throat. This isn’t the way I wanted to tell him or Ezekiel. I didn’t even think when I took off my scarf….
“Don’t you talk to her that way.” Silas was at my side, hand on my hip, and glaring at Kodiak.
My stomach twisted and I thought I might vomit with the smothering tension. We’d been laughing just a minute ago. The peace and unity in the pack shattered.
“Did you claim her?” Ezekiel was on his feet, breakfast dropped on the floor and forgotten. His chest heaved with each breath as he pushed it out between clenched teeth.
“Yeah, I claimed her. What the fuck are you going to do about it?” Silas snarled, urging me with a firm hand to stand to the side.
“Guys, let’s calm down.” My voice shook with my soft words, but it didn’t seem any of them heard me.
“What the hell happened? I thought you wanted her gone, Si. You said you hated her.” Kodiak’s bellow echoed in the small room. My whole body shook with it. “You even bought that fucking hunk of junk to live in.”
Silas bought what? He hadn’t been planning on living at the house anymore? It was like a monster’s claws raked across my heart. Even before he claimed me, he had left. Tears ran down my cheeks as I turned to Silas. “What does he mean?”
“It doesn’t matter. That was before—”
“Fuck you, it does matter!” Kodiak pushed at the table and the breakfast containers crashed to the floor. Food spilled out everywhere. “You can’t claim her when you weren’t even going to be there! She’s mine—”
“Hey!” Ezekiel barked, his face red with anger. “She’s mine too.”
“I’m the one who stepped up and claimed her. So fuck you both!” Silas yelled back and moved me behind him. His hands clenched as if he was ready to fight the other two Alphas.
I couldn’t stand it. My body shook with sobs. They were a pack. They’d grown up like brothers. They couldn’t fight like this. I wouldn’t have it. “Stop! I care about all of you, and I don’t want you at each other’s throats.”
“I’m going to bash your head in!” Kodiak launched a punch at Silas, but Silas dodged.
“Try me, asshole.” Silas beckoned with a sneer.
“Stop it!” I cried and covered my face with my hands. I couldn’t stand them fighting. It was so wrong. I needed to make the pack whole again. “I can’t handle this.”
“You guys are being shits. You’re making Nicolette upset.” Ezekiel snapped and hobbled to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders to rub my back.
“That’s because she’s going to have to choose. Which one of us will it be, Nicolette?” The sharp edge to Kodiak’s voice made me flinch. I didn’t want to choose. I couldn’t.
Ezekiel held me tighter to him. “Kodiak, don’t—”
“She’s mine already.” Silas lifted his chin in a challenge to Kodiak.
“Get the fuck out!” Kodiak boomed. “All of you. Out of my fucking room!”
It was like I could feel the pack implode. They all turned away from one another, anger furrowing their brows. It was like the others didn’t exist for each of them.
I had ruined their pack.
Silas stormed past and disappeared down the hallway. Ezekiel was shaking as he escorted me out. None of them said another word to each other. Not even a bad one.
Katherine met us in the corridor, her face pale and concerned. Ezekiel whispered to her something, and she quietly escorted us out to the truck. Silas had left the keys in it, and he hadn’t taken it. Where had he gone? My heart hurt with every beat.
Once we got Ezekiel up in the cab, Katherine followed me around to the driver’s side. “Are you doing okay, dear? That was a big mess.”
I was nowhere near okay, and I neither nodded nor shook my head. The words felt numb on my tongue. “Everything is broken.”
“Give it some time. They’ll get past it.” She gave me a hug and wiped my cheeks, more like a mother than a doctor. “I’ll watch over Kodiak for you. You take Ezekiel home and get some rest. I’ll send someone to check on Silas too.”
“I don’t know where he went…” It was a lame thing to say, but I felt so lost. Silas had claimed me, and I never thought he’d leave my side. Now I had no idea where he was, never mind if he was okay.
“Silas bought a liveaboard the other day. I bet he’s there.” At my confused expression, Katherine gave me a small smile. “It’s a houseboat, dear. Don’t worry about it.”
Worry? Fuck, Kodiak had been right. Silas had left and bought himself a new home. No longer part of the pack.
“Thank you.” I barely heard myself say the words as I climbed up into the truck. Shutting the door, I started up the engine and drove us slowly up the mountain. Ezekiel rested a hand on my leg, and after assuring me it would be alright, his gaze went to somewhere beyond the trees blurring by as we went home.
The pack was broken, and there was only one thing that could heal it.
Fresh tears fell. I knew what I had to do.