Page 114 of Scrum Heat

I smile, and it’s soft and real and just a little shaky.

Because the thing is, part of me alreadyknew. But hearing it out loud—along with feeling Finn’s certainty through the bond—grounds me in a way I didn’t know I needed.

*

By the time we finally head downstairs, the house smells like bacon and barely concealed curiosity.

Theo’s at the stove, flipping pancakes with the casual grace of someone who knowsexactlyhow hot he looks doing it. Rory’s at the table, coffee in one hand, phone in the other, while Jax is already halfway through a protein shake and a plate of eggs, wood carving balanced in his lap like it's a perfectly normal breakfast accessory.

I hover in the doorway, slightly behind Finn, wearing one of his t-shirts that hits mid-thigh and smells very much like freshly bonded alpha. My hair’s a mess, my neck’s tender, and I’m trying very hardnotto look like I’m glowing.

“Morning,” I say, aiming for breezy, missing by a mile.

Theo doesn’t even flinch.

“Well, well, well,” he drawls, still flipping pancakes. “If it isn’t the radiant embodiment of post-bond smugness.”

Rory looks up once, clocks the shirt, the neck, theeverything, then silently returns to his phone. Jax glances over, too. He doesn’t say a word, but the corner of his mouth definitely twitches.

Finn makes a beeline for the coffee pot. “We’re glowing with emotional growth and sexual fulfillment, thank you for asking.”

Theo hums as he turns to look at me over his shoulder. “Shedoeslook fulfilled.”

I freeze slightly, not sure if I’m being teased or praised. Then I catch the tiny smirk he tries to hide as he flips another pancake. Yeah—teased. But in a weirdly respectful,“I’ll still be the best you ever have”kind of way.

I slide onto the bench, trying not to wince. Jax wordlessly pushes a glass of orange juice toward me. I catch a pulse of warmth through the bond—his quiet, solid approval like an anchor in my chest.

“I didn’t expect you guys to wait on us,” I say.

“We didn’t,” Rory says without looking up—no doubt messing with another one of his spreadsheets or reading through team tactics. “This is our second breakfast.”

Finn drops beside me, draping an arm across my shoulders. “VeryTolkienof you.”

Theo turns from the stove and sets a plate of pancakes down in front of me. “Eat, Omega.”

I raise a brow. “Is that acommand?”

“More of a seductive suggestion,” he says, sliding into the seat across from me. “You’ve just completed a significant biological event. You need fuel. Also, I put chocolate chips in these—you’re welcome.”

My stomach growls before I can form a response.

Theo eyes the faint flush on my neck. “So? How are you feeling?”

“Good,” I say around a bite of pancake, my eyelids fluttering slightly at how good they taste. “Tired, but good.”

“No dizziness? Muscle soreness? Excess scent fatigue?”

“Are those real symptoms, or did you just make them up?”

Theo leans back and grins. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Rory makes a low noise that sounds suspiciously like suffering. “He has aspreadsheet.”

“Please—don’t you start with me about spreadsheets. Besides, that spreadsheet is medically sound,” Theo grins, completely unfazed. “And since Frankie’s bonded to two alphas now, I’m just looking out for her. You know—ensuring her system’s not overloaded.”

“She ate half a tray of muffins and called me her ‘sexy cinnamon roll’,” Finn interjects, reaching over to swipe some toast.

“Idid notsay that,” I protest.

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