Page 91 of Reckless Consequences

“Not anymore,” I say with certainty.

When I return to our quarters, I find them all waiting despite having perfectly good separate rooms now. Their combined scents hit me like a hug, my body relaxing before my mind can even process it—muscles loosening, breathing slowing, the headache that had been building melting away.

Theo is arranging cushions into a more comfortable nest, his omega scent deepening with satisfaction as he creates order from chaos.

Finn sorts through research papers spread across the bed, his movements precise and economical, his scent sharper and more complex since his recovery.

Ryker reviews security feeds on his tablet, his alpha presence anchoring the space through the solid set of his shoulders and the cedar notes that promise protection without demanding submission.

Jinx paces the perimeter like a caged predator, his alpha energy making the air crackle with electricity, yet the moment I enter, his circuit brings him directly to me as if pulled by gravity.

“She returns!” Jinx announces, immediately appearing at my side. His scent—cherry tobacco and gunpowder—wraps around me, stronger and more complex to my heightened senses. “How many chemical reactions did Mona start? We had a betting pool.”

“None, actually,” I say, dropping onto the bed beside Finn. His skin feels normal against mine now, his fever long gone. “But you missed quite a show.”

“Mona. Socialization. Fascinating combination,” Finn says, his mind as sharp as ever.

“She did surprisingly well,” I tell them, leaning into his solid warmth. “And we might have a solution for her ongoing research.”

“Aria offered resources,” Finn guesses, always two steps ahead.

“Full laboratory access,” I confirm. “And Mona tentatively agreed to affiliate with them while maintaining the California property.”

“Dual operational bases,” Ryker notes, approval evident. “Smart.”

“That’s exactly what Mona said.”

“How is she, really?” Theo asks, genuine concern in his voice.

“Better than I expected,” I admit. “Actually managed to interact without turning it into a science experiment. Mostly.”

“They accepted her,” Theo says with satisfaction.

“Never bet against the omega’s intuition,” Jinx says, throwing himself into a chair. “So what’s the plan now?”

“Mona starts at Omega Guardians tomorrow,” I explain, leaning into Finn’s side. “With better equipment, she can continue developing treatments for everyone affected by Sterling’s work.”

“Her research has applications beyond just the formula variants we encountered,” Finn says, his mind immediately grasping implications. “The designation science alone could revolutionize medical treatments.”

“It buys us options,” Ryker says, the quiet authority in his voice steadying us all.

“How’d it feel?” Jinx asks unexpectedly. “Having both worlds together?”

The question catches me off guard with its perceptiveness. “Weird,” I admit. “But good. Like pieces fitting together that shouldn’t, but somehow do anyway.”

“Like us,” Theo says quietly.

Finn squeezes my hand, his touch warm and solid. “Your headaches?” he asks, ever observant of my continuing adjustment.

“Just a few. I’m fine.”

“And the sensory spikes?” he presses, having noted my symptoms with typical precision.

“Those too,” I admit. “Had one while talking to Willow. Everything got super intense for a minute—scents, sounds, everything dialed to eleven.”

“Your body is still stabilizing,” he notes. “I’ve been tracking the progression. The enhanced perception seems to fluctuate during adjustment phases.”

“We’re going to be fine,” I say with certainty I finally feel in my bones. “All of us.”

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