52. Adrian
Adrian
My omega goes on to fill me in on exactly what happened.
The anger and fierce surge of protectiveness for both Opal and Rett hits so strongly I'm fighting my inner alpha from taking over and snarling into the skies from rage.
I've given up on trying to soothe and pet her back in calming strokes.
The best I can offer right now is stillness.
Because the slightest movement feels like it could signal a chase, a hunt, to my primal ready for blood.
Someone has hurt my mate. That's all my primal knows, clawing for the surface, for control.
The shame, guilt, and even embarrassment are evident in every word as she recounts her emotional, overwhelming response to the nonsense Annabelle and Vivian were spewing in the walls of the Venue bathroom.
What's worse? I'm fairly certain they're fucking lying.
I know Everette. He never dated Vivian. Not to my knowledge.
And I know him well enough to recognize that Vivian is not his type…
In fact, she's the exact omega persona that he would never pursue.
She's a talented Interior Decorator and is close friends with our Special Events Manager.
We hired her for secondary insight into some of the remodel/design aspects of the resort and have seen her a few times in town or meeting Annabelle as she's leaving work.
That's the extent of her relation to our pack or any of its members over the years.
So the fact that she's manufacturing and layering lies about dating one of us and putting images of Ever fucking her into our omega's brain?
Making her second-guess Everette's utter devotion to her?
Using her very limited knowledge of Opal's past against her for her own narrative?
Enraging. I can already see how this is going to end for the brunette omega and blonde beta once Calder learns what's really happened and what's caused her this level of distress.
She even volunteered the replay of yesterday and Annabelle's condescending bullshit when they basically fucking cornered her, telling her she didn't deserve our pack.
Knowing everything that happened, her response and reaction are somehow even more justified.
It's unfortunate that Rett was on the receiving end of it, but from her point of view, she thought she had just learned the love of her life had omitted his past lover and was having second thoughts about their relationship.
The reason they haven't finalized their bond yet.
The two of them need to reconnect as soon as possible to clear the air.
There is nothing to feel any capacity of shame or embarrassment over. If I were in her shoes, I certainly would have lost my shit. I'm not exactly the poster boy for emotional regulation though.
Taking deep, slow breaths, I focus on listening and reminding myself I still owe her my support while she explains. That's what she needs in this very moment. My hands find her back and sides, rubbing in what I hope are soothing strokes.
Trying to catch her breath, she pulls back and swallows deeply, wiping under her eyes to clear the small streaks of mascara formed from her tears. "I'm sorry I got so caught up in my emotions. I have to find him and apologize."
Nodding my agreement, I try to find my words without them coming out as a continuous, wordless growl.
"I think we need to fill our pack in. We put this in our lead's hands and trust him to handle it, because he will.
But, sweet girl, I need you to know that none of whatever the fuck they're hinting at or lying to each other about is true.
I guess I can't know for sure without Rett's confirmation, but I would bet everything that it's all a lie. "
"It…what? It's not true? I don't understand," she whispers.
"No, I don't think it's true in the slightest. Let's go find them, and you can have some time with Ever." My lips find hers in a soft, loving kiss. "I love you, sweetheart. Everything's okay. It's going to be okay."
"I love you, too. Thank you for being so understanding and supportive.
Your grace and insight mean so much, and I promise it doesn't go unnoticed, Adrian.
Thank you. I don't know what I would really do without any of you.
Being in a pack is overwhelming. It's a lot of change very quickly, and at the end of the day, I'm still adjusting and finding some things are more triggering than others. Some wounds are still healing."
I understand exactly what she means. And some wounds will never heal.
If there's one thing I've learned to be true, it's that grief and healing aren't linear.
Triggers can be unexpected and sparked from the most unsuspecting moments.
For years, Natalie's death has haunted me.
My guilt and anger, the shame of not saving her, not being enough, not doing enough.
My omega deserves to heal, deserves happiness and peace.
I want to take away all her pain, her hurts, her memories.
I wish I could carry them for her. But if all I can offer is my love, dedication to our life together, and my support, I will give her everything I have and everything I am, at her side, forever.
"Let's heal together." The look on her face transforms into deep understanding, more tears lining her eyes as she nods. "Now, let's go find the rest of your mates, little one."