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“Accurate.”

“But also?” I sigh. “It feels like breathing for the first time.”

He sits back, watching me. “You don’t have to figure it all out today. And there’s still time to walk away.”

“Are you trying to scare me off?”

“No,” he says. “I’m making sure you know you still have the choice. You always will.”

For a long moment, silence falls between us. Then -

“I don’t want to walk away,” I tell him.

Theo smiles. “Good. Because we’re going to need you sharp when the OMB inevitably shows up with a clipboard and a superiority complex.”

I groan. “If they make me fill out one of thoseOmega Behavior Self-Assessment Forms, I swear to god, I’m biting someone.”

“We’ll keep Kai in the hallway. He lives for that kind of chaos.”

“Wonderful. I'll have Distraction Alpha. Backup Alpha. Stoic Alpha. And CEO Alpha with courtroom rage issues.”

“The perfect team,” Theo agrees.

I lift the spoon. “One spoon at a time?”

He nods. “We’ll figure it out.”

“It's weird. They’re all so different,” I say. “You'reall so different. Ash won’t even talk to me about what happened. Kai wants to joke through it. And Lucian…”

Theo’s face tightens. “Lucian’s trying. In his way.”

“He doesn’t want to share me.”

“No.”

“And you do?”

“I want you to behappy,Rhea.” Theo smiles.“If that means sharing, I’ll learn. It might go against all of my instincts, but… so be it. And if that means backing off, I’ll break my own heart for you. That’s what it means to love an omega.”

I look down. “Love?”

Theo shrugs. “I think I already did - before the bond. The moment I laid eyes on you. And the bond… it just made itlouder.”

I want to say something. To reach for him.

But I don’t know what I need yet, and Theo - bless him - doesn’t push.

He just stands, nods towards the soup, and smiles softly.

“One spoon at a time.”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Theo

Ifind Lucian exactly where I expect him - in his office, by the window, arms folded like he’s preparing to wage war on the sunrise.

Honestly, the man’s made of stone and spite. If you told me he hadn't moved in hours, I’d believe you.

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