2. Opaline
Opaline
Seconds pass before I pick up on the silence sucking the air from the room. Residual sleep and a heavy, odd layer of mental fog linger, leaving me a little groggy as I pull back. Seeing their expressions, the wrongness behind the look they share has my hackles rising in place of confusion.
"What? What is it? Why—" I gasp, fingers twisting in the fabric under my palms, eyes squeezing shut as a whine slips free as yesterday's memories bombard me suddenly enough to steal any breath. Scrapes and scratches reignite themselves, leaving phantom fire licking my skin.
Calder's got me, in a heartbeat, strong, brawny arms warm and just shy of too tight, in an effort to keep me grounded. "Shh, shh, shhh. I've got you, babygirl. You're okay."
"You're safe, sweetheart. You're safe, and we're here with you."
The memory of my lungs unable to suck in air is a terror so intense it feels nearly like I'm reliving it, gasping for air in unconscious confirmation I am actually okay. I'm here, in bed. I'm not on the ground, struggling to breathe, cold, and covered in rain. I'm not.
Their voices are murmurs through it all, until Calder forcibly pulls me back again, forcing me to open my eyes and meet his gaze. "You're okay," he whispers, tucking my hair back and offering soothing touches. "It's over. You're safe."
I do my best to nod in confirmation, albeit jerkily.
"Breathe with me, sweetheart." His hand dwarfs mine as he pulls my trembling palm to his chest, taking exaggerated inhales, urging me to follow. My chest rises and falls in time to his, eyes full of love as they watch me, slowing my heart rate and bringing with it a loss of some of the anxiety.
"Did you—I mean, do you remember what happened yesterday, sweet girl?" Sage's hand sweeps up and down my back, over the huge shirt I realize I'm wearing, voice gentle.
"I'm pretty sure she just remembered," Calder responds.
Nodding, I look at my sweet alpha's face so full of concern.
"Yeah, I—" Before I manage to get more than a couple of words out, my perfect Everette comes into the room carrying a massive tray.
Perking up, I peek further around Calder's wide chest to reach my hand out, needing him near me.
Everette comes to my right and sits on the bed next to me, more than happy to comply.
Calder's on my left, Sage now on his knees in front of me.
Breathing in a mixture of all their scents gives me a little comfort while the emotions of my embarrassment, guilt, and hurt pride writhe freely in my chest next to the remaining fright and anxiety.
Without asking, they all lean in, giving me touch and scent-marking my skin, holding on to me where they can.
"Here, honey. Drink something for me." Ever quickly moves to adjust the tray he had set down on the far table near the balcony, and shows me an array of beverages that make me smile despite everything.
Picking up a bottle filled with blue liquid, he twists off the lid and offers it to me.
"Hey, hey, let's slow down for a minute.
You're gonna make yourself sick, sweetheart.
" I pull the bottle from my lips and realize just how much I had downed. Nodding, I agree and offer my thanks.
"Listen, babygirl, we had medics look you over last night, but I'd really like to ask some questions and look you over myself now that you're awake, if that's okay? My primal is still on edge and riding the line a little now that I can…feel you again…" Cald trails off, and it hits me.
"Oh my god…love, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.
" Looking up into his eyes, I can feel my face crumple, chin wobbling at the idea that when I must've passed out on the trail, our connection had to have gone dark, especially with how far away he was.
"Oh god, your family. Your visit! Calder…
" I bury my face in my hands, muffling nonsensical sentences, sniffles, and groans. "I'm sorry."
"What on earth are you sorry for?" Sage asks softly, clearly trying not to poke me with a question that'll trigger a fresh round of tears.
"I was so fucking stupid. God, I'm such an idio—"
Growls erupt around me, sending a small shock through me. "I don't think so, babygirl. Try again, this time without the insults."
Swallowing thickly, I take in a breath and go on.
"I should have just told you where I was going.
I just… I don't know. I wanted to do it on my own.
It was my first time really hiking and I wanted to be proud of myself for doing it alone, for figuring it out on my own.
" I shake my head. "I'm so sorry. I ruined your entire trip.
" I continue on before they can interrupt me.
I can feel Calder is about to his limit of letting me talk badly about myself or my actions.
I don't even need the bond for that. "I must've passed out or something after my fall… " I trail off.
"Alright, okay. That's a good segue into my questions, baby. Let's start there," Calder finally interrupts. "What exactly do you remember?"
I take my time considering, letting little images and memories piece themselves together into something more cohesive.
The darkening woods, rain, and fear of being lost come rushing back as I fill them in with all the details, recounting my unfortunate escapade from the very beginning, answering more of their questions as they come.
"I had been struggling with reading the old, faded map I found at the trailhead.
It was the only one left and was in bad shape.
I thought I had been able to figure it out, but thinking back, after it all, I don't know if that was actually the right map, or I must've gotten the different paths mixed up. I don't know…" I sigh.
"Anyway, it doesn't matter. I figured I would just turn around and go back to the beginning.
But I got lost somehow." I shake my head in embarrassment.
"I was so sure of where I was going. But it was the wrong path.
I tried to backpedal to the last place I knew was correct.
I felt so stupid and scared that I was lost and you'd never be able to find me.
It was cold, and I was soaked with rain, exhausted and depleted after going up and back down the mountain.
I had finally found a lookout point, though.
I had stepped out on the ledge and thought maybe if I could get a better view, then I could navigate my way back since I had followed the trail with the other different scenic points for a large portion of my hike. "
My brows furrow in concentration, someone's hand on my arm, another in my own hand.
"I…" Looking down at my legs, partially exposed outside of the bunched-up t-shirt and blanket, the scratches are evident.
"…I fell." Wincing at the memory and the pain, I shake my head at the images.
"I don't know, I must've passed out then.
I remember having a really hard time breathing, and I was so terrified that I couldn't catch my breath, trying to get air into my lungs.
" My chest rises and falls quickly at the memory.
Sage turns away, thumb and finger rubbing his eyes as he starts pacing in front of the expanse of bay windows behind him.
Calder tucks his large hand against my cheek and behind my ear, thumb caressing my jaw.
"Do you know what a Drop is? Did they teach you any of that while at the Facility?
" He says the name with as much disdain as I could muster myself.
Despite the OCF's actions leading to our finally finding each other, I can feel his anger towards them at my forced departure.
"Well, yes. Of course." I nod as much as I can, remembering exactly what it means.
"It's a couple steps beyond a Regression.
It happens when an omega is too overwhelmed, basically.
It's mostly triggered during severe moments of stress.
Like traumatic events, grief, not feeling safe or feeling threatened.
Even hormonal fluctuations, like during Heats, can trigger a Drop. "
"Exactly. That's exactly right. It's your body's response to hormonal overload and emotional imbalance."
"It's a natural safety feature of sorts for you as an omega to keep you safe in horribly stressful moments. It effectively shuts off the brain, sending both the omega and primal into a state of unconsciousness," Ever adds with a soft nod.
"That's what you think happened to me? I didn't pass out? I Dropped?"
"The medical team did as much of an exam as possible while you were out. But it was pretty conclusive that it was a Drop. And…in turn," his eyes look towards the silent giant behind me. "Adrian fell into a Prowler-Hold."
My head whips back to look at Adrian, now sitting against the headboard, chest bare, arms crossed.
"You went into a Hold?" Of each of my alphas, the very fact that it was him that was driven to such a state is unbelievable.
I think back to last night, and brief flashes of him and me in a bathroom come back.
The dream-like haziness would have me doubtful of their reality.
But maybe… "You…" I croak. "Thank you for last night, Adrian.
Thank you for taking such good care of me in such a vulnerable state.
" And truly, I mean it. That explains the animalistic state he kind of seemed to be in, too.
Looking at the other three, I make sure they see how grateful I am to have them, too.
I try to push the emotion through Calder and my bond.
The moment he feels it, his eyes close, expression heavy and relieved, like the refound connection between us heals him.
"Can I please have a moment alone with Adrian?
" Looking back at the huge alpha, I add, "I think we need to talk in private. "