Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Luna
Ipractically run back to my house.
Okay, let’s be real. I’m not running anywhere in three-inch heels, but I walk as fast as I can.
I pass a few people on the way, but I ignore them when they call out to me.
Rude? Absolutely, but there’s no way I can stop and talk to anyone right now.
I have one goal in mind, and that’s getting to my nest, where I’ll be safe.
I almost fumble my keys when I’m unlocking the front door, but I manage to keep them in my hand. I lock the door behind me, abandoning everything except my phone on the floor and rushing up the stairs to my bedroom.
My house is entirely too big for one person, but I think all the widows did the same thing. We fixed up existing homes or built onto them, turning them into the homes we wanted for ourselves.
I tried living in a smaller house, but after growing up the way I had, I needed space.
So I moved to a larger house and just keep adding to it.
It seems silly considering it’s just me, but I can’t seem to stop myself.
I throw open the double doors to my room at the top of the stairs and practically dive through the door to my nest on the other side of the room. I fumble to find the switch for the fairy lights, sighing in relief when the soft purple lights flicker to life.
Unlocking my phone, I know exactly who I need to call, but I need to let the others know I’m okay first.
LUNA
Before Syrus tells you, I had a tough meeting with a potential client.
I closed up the office for the day, and I’m at home in my nest.
I’m not ready to talk about it, but I’ll talk to you girls soon.
Ismile as their replies come in, offering support. The best part about my sisters is that they know I don’t need or want them to converge on me when I’m struggling.
When my phone starts ringing, I smile. “I was just about to call you.”
“Sure you were.” Lark scoffs. “I can’t believe I was the one who had to call you.”
“I literally just sent the text. I was reading everyone’s responses, then I was going to call you. Impatient much?”
Lark sighs, her voice growing serious. “What happened?”
I inhale, a sob hiccuping my breath.
Damn it. I thought I had those under control, finally.
“The omega they need help with? She’s had an alpha name themself as her guardian due to being mentally unfit.”
“Okay…”
I bite the inside of my cheek. “The alpha in question is Fabian.”
“As in your brother?” she practically growls.
“The one and the same.”
“You told them no?”
I suck in another deep breath, fighting against the tears threatening to overwhelm me. “At first. They’re part of an MC in Florida. Three men, whom I thought were alphas. I felt guilty about saying no, but I have to take my mental health into consideration, right?”
Lark hums. “You do, but you haven’t told me everything.”
“I haven’t. It turns out that one of the men I thought was an alpha is an omega—and it’s his twin sister Fabian has.”
She curses. “You don’t have to take the case, Luna. We can find someone else to help them.”
“Can we? Because they were referred to me because no one else would touch the case. I know what Fabian is capable of, Lark. Can I really leave her in his hands? Can I hand it off to another lawyer who won’t understand and may not care?
I told them I’d think about it and sent Prescott to show them to the B&B. ”
“If this is going to break you, then yes, you can.”
Her words make me straighten my shoulders. “He hasn’t broken me yet, and he never will.”
“Of course not. That’s not what I meant.”
I sigh, running a hand through my hair as a stray tear streaks down my cheek. “I know it’s not, but if I don’t do this, then I’m letting him win, aren’t I? Someone needs to stand up to him.”
“Maybe, but that person doesn’t have to be you.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, focusing on my breathing until I’m sure I won’t burst into tears. “I think it does have to be me.”
“So you’re going to take the case.”
“I think I am.”
I hear someone call out to her in the background and sigh. “I can let you go if there’s something you need to do.”
“Absolutely not. There’s nothing more important than being here for you.” She pauses, speaking to someone, her voice muffled. “Why don’t you lie down? Close your eyes and see if you can nap. You must be exhausted after dealing with all of this.”
I want to argue with her, but I can already feel myself fading. “Maybe for a few minutes,” I murmur as I settle under my blankets.
“I have to tell you what Noah did the other day,” Lark starts in on a story, and I can feel her voice lulling me to sleep.
I’m not sure how much time passes, but when I blink my eyes open, I see she’s still on the phone.
“Lark?”
“Did you have a good nap?”
“I did. You didn’t have to stay on the phone while I slept. What time is it, anyway?”
“It’s a little after four, and before you freak out about me staying on the phone, I’ve been working. I wanted to be here in case you woke up needing me.”
And this is why she’s my best friend.
“Thank you, Lark.”
Before she can respond, the sound of my doorbell ringing has me sitting up.
“Who the hell can that be?”
Lark laughs. “I’ll give you two hints. It’s a male, and he’s obsessed with you.”
I frown. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“It’s Prescott.”
“He’s not obsessed with me. We’re just friends.”
“Who sleeps together every three months? Do you seriously not see how he looks at you?” Lark sighs. “No, I guess you wouldn’t.”
I shake my head. “He seriously doesn’t see me as more than that.”
“No?” I can almost hear the laughter in her voice. “Do the betas you share your heat with usually drive to the next town over to get food from your favorite restaurant and something from your favorite nesting store?”
“What?” The doorbell rings out, and I scramble to my feet. “What are you talking about?”
She laughs. “You’ll see when you answer the door. It sounds like you don’t need me anymore tonight, but if that changes, call me.”
She hangs up before I can respond, and when the doorbell rings a third time, I scurry from my nest.
I throw the door open to find a nervous Prescott standing on my front porch. He’s changed out of his suit, wearing a T-shirt and sweats. In his hand are two bags—one from Sabores del Horizonte, a Colombian restaurant I adore, and one from The Omega’s Nest.
Both are from the town an hour away.
“Pres? What are you doing here?”
His smile is soft as he ruffles his blond waves. “I don’t know what happened today, but it was clear you were upset. I figured you’d want some comfort food, and what omega doesn’t love something new for their nest?”
He shuffles from foot to foot, and I can see the worry that he’s overstepped.
Could Lark be right? Could he be interested in more than me beyond my quarterly heat?
“That’s really sweet, Pres. Why don’t you come in, and we can get the food warmed up before you show me my gift?”
His smile widens, dimples flashing. “Yeah. That sounds great.”
I step out of his way, allowing him to enter. “I assume you got enough for two?”
“I didn’t want to be presumptuous,” he says, cheeks flushing. “But yes, I did. Just in case.”
“Good. I’m glad.” I hesitate only for a moment before reaching over to squeeze his hand, before releasing it. I’d kiss his cheek, but that feels like a step too far.
I don’t want to give the man a heart attack.
Or send myself into a panic attack.
Shaking my head, I start toward the kitchen, but stop when I realize he isn’t following me. When I glance over my shoulder, I find him staring at me in shock and awe.
“Are you coming?”
“Uh, yeah. Sorry.” He trips over his own feet as he attempts to catch up with me, and I hide my smile.
I’m still not sure if Lark is right about his interest, but he did just drive two hours to get me food and a present. I can at least share the meal with him and see if I can pick up on anything.