Chapter 24
Orion
The snow is falling heavier by the time we meet back up with the others.
We return just in time for a break, stopping at the end of a road overlooking a waterfall.
It’s one of the shorter waterfalls on this mountain, but it’s wide and impressive. The rushing water is loud as it pounds on the rocks below.
The Cealdern River isn’t likely to freeze for a few more months, though at this elevation it’s rare for it to fully freeze over.
Hestia is enthralled with the waterfall, just like I thought she would be. Charm kept their truck running with the heat on so she’d be warmer, even sitting sideways in the seat with the door open.
The wind has picked up, and I see no reason for my omega to suffer unnecessarily. I won’t always be able to protect her from the elements, but when I have the opportunity to do so, I will.
We’re all standing near Hestia, ostensibly to appreciate the view, but really just to watch her.
A waterfall can’t compete with her sweet smile, curious eyes, and shockingly pink hair, not to mention her cheerful chattering.
I want to fast forward to two years from now, but at the same time, I don’t want to miss this moment, Hestia happy and smiling with my packmates. Another average day that’s made extraordinary by her presence.
I cherish every second we spend with her. I only wish I didn’t have to hide my feelings.
It gets more difficult to keep them to myself each day I spend memorizing everything about her. Hestia is intelligent, thoughtful, and sweet. Always so curious, eager to learn more, read more.
And yes, she smells delicious. She’s the best thing I’ve ever scented, even with just the sparse whiffs of her I get under the descenters. But I’m not attracted to her because she’s an omega.
I’m fortunate enough to live with her, yet I’m forced to keep my distance.
Hestia’s dedication to the job is admirable. I love being able to support her and take care of her. In the field she’s capable of standing on her own, but at home she shouldn’t have to lift a finger.
Every time I get close to confessing everything, I remind myself it’s for her sake that we need to keep things professional. I don’t want to interfere with her goals or make her uncomfortable if I happen to be reading her wrong and she’s not interested in us.
I desperately hope that’s not the case though. Hestia fits in so easily, it’s like she’s already part of our pack.
I watch her listening to Charm with rapt attention while he tells her about how Starsfalls got its name. Her eyes dart between him and the water as he talks about the stars suddenly falling one night, creating craters that formed the waterfalls.
“But how long ago did the meteors fall? I didn’t see anything about that in the history books, and I haven’t had a chance to read the paleoclimatology studies yet,” Hestia says when he finishes.
I laugh. Of course she would ask about the research immediately.
Hestia pouts at me but quickly returns her attention to Charm when he says, “I’m not sure. I can help you look in the library for books that reference it. If we can’t find some, we’ll pick up new books for you the next time we go into town.”
That satisfies her curiosity for now, but I’m sure she’ll be combing through the library later.
I’m almost surprised she hasn’t read the climate reports that far back yet.
We’ve been trying to keep her busy with recreational activities so she doesn’t burn out, and it sounds like the forced leisure time was successful.
She has years to read about the history of the Fossfells, there’s no reason to rush it.
“You’ve read about the other Starsfalls legends, right? Which one is your favorite?” I say, since I know I’ve seen her reading local folklore books.
“I’m not sure, they’re all so interesting. Do you have a favorite?” Hestia asks, already digging for more information.
The communications radio crackles as a call comes through, cutting off my reply.
I reach into the truck and answer it.
“There’s a lost dog on the south side of Mount Pleohduff.
That’s at the edge of your district, but based on your last assignment, you should be closer than the other rescuer station.
A storm is going to move in overnight, so we want to find him quickly.
Are you able to take this call?” dispatch asks.
“We’ll take it. We can be there in about three hours,” I say, already planning the quickest route.
This will mean a long day for us, but that’s the job. It’s not unusual to trade calls with other stations.
My teammates are already getting in the trucks, ready to go.
“Check the radar again, see where that storm is,” I tell Henri while I pull up the location on our GPS.
“The storm is moving in faster than when I last looked, but it still shows it won’t hit until after midnight,” Henri says, watching the mass of precipitation swirl across the screen.
“You have the lures?” I ask Magnus, even though I know he does.
He nods. “I have ten of them, we can set up a few and carry the others on us.”
“Then let’s go.”
Hopefully the animal treats Magnus made will lure the dog back to its family quickly.