Page 25 of Our Haunted Omegas
“Ambry?” Cobalt’s voice reached my ears and something inside me relaxed. He wasn’t Indigo but he almost was. He almost smelled like him and to my wolf that meant safety. The phone wielders turned to him and he smiled out of instinct. My dad was there by his side, his brow creased with worry. I tried to remember the last time I had a panic attack because of this stupid festival and couldn’t.
“Could we have a minute for the survivors to have the space?” Cobalt asked, putting on a thick Londoner accent that he didn’t normally have. He sounded so much like Clarence Moonscale when he spoke like that. “If you’re a survivor too please feel free to stay but if everyone else would give us just a little space.”
Someone muttered about Cobalt being full of himself, but his smile never broke. He kept his hand on the small of my dad’s back as if he feared the older man might break. His scent wasworried but Dad always smelled like that. When everyone left except for a few people, Cobalt walked out of earshot and Dad sat down next to me. I leaned against him as the other survivors drew in close too. They were part of a walk that spanned most of the city, visiting each location that once sheltered us during the worst attacks.
“He flew me here. Would’ve never gotten through the foot traffic so fast if he didn’t,” Dad whispered. “Odie’s with the other one. I don’t even think they know we’re gone.”
I didn’t tell him but with all our links shooting every which way at least one of them knew we’d left the apartment. Cobalt spoke quietly to a small trio of teenagers, giving them directions, that avoided coming this way. I hated myself. The park was for everyone. It had always been for everyone.
“It’s for us right now. For us to remember them,” Dad said. “They’ll come back when we’re gone to take their photos but they’ll just have to wait.”
I nodded because I didn’t have the energy to put my conflicting emotions into words.
“It’s hard to be happy today, huh?” Dad asked as if he read my thoughts. “It seems like a crime to wake up happy today. I did, though. Happy that you found your mate and Odie found his too, even if I have my reservations on it all. It’s hard to be happy today without feeling like a horse’s arse and it’s hard to trust that anything good can actually be good. Maybe I’m too old to learn new tricks but I don’t think you and Odie are. When you’re ready, I’ll help you all get ready for your camping trip. Don’t worry about work or the apartment. I’ll take care of things while you’re gone.
And just like that I let the memories wash over me – not of the night they died but of my carrier’s laughter and the long nights of playing Go Fly in the shelter. I tried to poke the happy moments up to the surface of my brain because no one wanted tobe remembered as the person who got blown to smithereens by the crazy people.
When I stood up, Cobalt was by my side before I even thought to look around for him. Without telling me to shift back he led us to a cross street where a limo waited. Sure, it was overkill, but I decided maybe that was the only car and driver he could get on such short notice. Then I remembered all the limos were fireproof and bulletproof because not everyone liked the Moonscales. Hell, maybe they’d hate me too just because Indigo was my mate.
Indigo.
His name circled around my head until it was hard to breathe. I missed him so much that it left my whole torso aching. I didn’t wait for anyone to open the door when the limo pulled to a stop in front of the apartment building. I just hit the button and sprinted inside. I appreciated Cobalt having my back but I wanted my mate.
Inside the apartment was as quiet as when I ran out. I tiptoed into the bedroom and peeked inside. Odie was out cold his head on Indigo’s arm. I froze in place, afraid of disturbing the quiet moment. He needed his rest. Indigo beckoned me over with his other hand and I circled the bed before climbing in. He kissed me on my nose, and I fought off the urge to play sneeze that came up so often every time someone booped my nose in any way. Safe beside my mate, my wolf gave up control and let me have my human form back.
“Sorry about that,” I whispered.
“I would’ve gone with you but he was pretty upset. Seemed to think he messed everything up with Cobalt,” Indigo whispered back to me.
“You didn’t let him fall asleep thinking that, did you?”
“No,” he shook his head. “I wouldn’t do that to anyone. From what I heard of the conversation it wasn’t even an argument.Cobalt talked about how much he wanted his mate and then he ran away.”
“Believe me he didn’t run away from sex,” I laughed.
“I know that. He knows that too.”
“What’s he really afraid of?” I asked.
“If you don’t know by now, he’ll have to be the one to tell you, mate. It’s not my story to tell.”
I let out a long sigh. I hated when people turned what I said around on me. It was such a bloody therapist thing to do but this time I let it go because Indigo was right. If I had missed something Odie would tell me sooner or later. I just hoped it was sooner because I couldn’t help him if he didn’t let me know what was wrong.
A few minutes later, Cobalt joined us and Odie rolled over onto his chest in his sleep. I wanted to thank Cobalt for saving me back at the plaque but once again I didn’t have the words so I said nothing. We all lived on graveyards even before London was built. That was something I might never get used to.
Chapter Ten
Indigo
It took us three days to make it to Moonglow Cabin. The cabin was located a few hours outside of the city. Under normal circumstances, we’d have made the trip on the spur of the moment. Having wings and wind resistance made most trips easy.
Didn’t feel like hunting? You could always fly out to the shop in the little town not that far away as the crow flies.
We also were used to traveling with less baggage but neither of us had the heart to tell our mates to travel light when we had no idea how long our matingmoons would last. Sure, Teal would do some wingwork for us, but we didn’t want to run him ragged either.
Besides, it took us two days to agree on which cabin would be the best. Moonglow was the most equipped for long-term living and sported six bedrooms along with four and a half baths. It was also sorted out for winter and summer living and had a tower nearby built during the war to watch the skies for enemies. Now, it could be used for a nesting tower if we wanted. It also had a storm shelter/cellar if Ambry or Odie preferred to den down like proper wolves.
Staying in the cramped quarters of their apartment meant not much romance happened while we packed and prepared. Odie and Cobalt were shaky around each other after Odie’s panic attack. Watching Cobalt coming undone every time his mate experienced anxiety was ironically funny at first but after a few days it started to worry me. My brother’s thoughts turned to worries about his mate more often than not, leaving me asdetermined as he was to do whatever it took to help our wolves feel safe. Sometimes he daydreamed about moving them back to Heartville. Sure, they’d be around more wolves there but my father-in-law’s business was here. All of their lives were here.
