Page 49 of Forget-Me-Nots and Apricots

I picked up my coffee again, needing something to do with my hands. "Whatever we're feeling is irrelevant. Our job is to keep her safe and find whoever is targeting her."

"And the other Omegas," Theo added quietly. "We can't forget there are twelve dead Omegas whose families deserve answers."

A heavy silence fell over the kitchen as we all absorbed this truth. For all our protective instincts toward Vivian, she was just the latest target in a pattern that had already claimed multiple lives.

"I managed to hack into Thompson's personal email," Theo said after a moment, changing the subject. "Most of it was encrypted, but I found several exchanges with someone using the username 'Artemis.'"

I frowned at this, “Keep digging. Find out as much as you can without alerting anyone. We will keep this to ourselves until we have more information.” The others nodded, and we all went back to work, we needed to keep going and not distract ourselves.

Even if Vivian was the reason we were distracted, to protect her we needed to close this case.

Chapter Twenty-One

Iwoketosunlightstreamingthrough the windows, casting warm patterns across my nest. For a moment, disorientation gripped me—this wasn't my apartment, wasn't my bed—but then memories flooded back. The attack, the shop, Gabriel's pack house. My nest.

I stretched, surprised by how deeply I'd slept. The combination of physical exhaustion and emotional drain had pulled me under completely, and for the first time since the attack, I'd slept without nightmares. The nest had worked its magic, creating a cocoon of safety that even my subconscious had accepted.

The subtle scent of coffee drifted in from somewhere in the house, along with the low murmur of voices. I reluctantly extracted myself from the nest, careful not to disturb its structure. My muscles protested slightly, stiff from hours curled in one position, but the discomfort was worth the good nights sleep.

After a quick shower, I dressed in fresh clothes from my suitcase—comfortable jeans and a soft sweater that wouldn't irritate my skin while working with flowers. I ran a brush through my purple hair, twisting it into a messy bun to keep it out of my face. The woman in the mirror looked more rested than she had in days, though the shadows hadn't completely disappeared from under my eyes.

I followed the scent of coffee through the hallway, padding quietly on bare feet. The house was quiet, but not eerily so—more like the peaceful calm of early morning. As I approached the kitchen, I could hear the soft tapping of keys and the occasional clink of a mug against a countertop.

Theo sat at the island, glasses perched on his nose as he focused intently on his laptop. He glanced up as I entered, a small smile touching his lips.

"Good morning," he greeted, adjusting his glasses. "Sleep well?"

"Better than I have in days," I admitted, making my way to the coffee pot. "The nest helped."

Theo nodded, unsurprised. "Studies show that nesting significantly reduces cortisol levels in Omegas experiencing stress or trauma. The familiar behaviors activate the parasympathetic nervous system, counteracting fight-or-flight responses."

I smiled, pouring myself a cup of coffee. "Is there anything you don't know the scientific explanation for?"

A hint of color touched his cheeks as he adjusted his glasses again—a gesture I was beginning to recognize as his version of bashfulness. "Many things. I just tend to research topics that interest me."

"And Omega physiology interests you?" I asked, adding cream to my coffee.

"Human behavior in general," he clarified, turning back to his laptop.

"Understanding why people do what they do helps us solve cases." He hesitated, then added, "And yes, Omega physiology is particularly fascinating from a scientific perspective. It's the most adaptable designation, biologically speaking."

I leaned against the counter, sipping my coffee. "I've never thought of it that way. Most people focus on the... less scientific aspects."

"You mean the stereotypes," Theo said, his tone matter-of-fact rather than judgmental. "The emotional sensitivity, the nesting, the heats. Society tends to reduce Omegas to those characteristics alone."

"While conveniently ignoring that those traits have biological purposes beyond making us seem weak," I added, surprising myself with the bitterness in my voice.

Theo looked up, his eyes sharp behind his glasses. "Exactly. Emotional sensitivity is actually heightened intuition—an evolutionary advantage that helps Omegas assess potential threats and identify safe allies. Nesting behaviors create secure environments for vulnerable periods. Even heats, which are often sexualized in popular culture, are actually complex biological processes that enhance pair bonding and genetic compatibility assessment."

I stared at him, momentarily speechless. I'd never heard an Alpha speak about Omega physiology with such respect and scientific understanding.

"Sorry," Theo said, mistaking my silence for discomfort. "I tend to lecture when I'm interested in a topic."

"No, it's fine," I assured him, moving to sit across from him at the island. "It's just... refreshing to hear an Alpha talk about these things without the usual condescension."

Theo's lips quirked in a small smile. "We're not all walking stereotypes."

"So I'm learning," I replied, wrapping my hands around my mug and took a sip of coffee, relishing the quiet companionship of the moment. "Where is everyone else?"

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