Page 30 of In Deep
Daisy glances over her shoulder, then leans in closer towards the screen, her voice a whisper when she speaks, “I think I’m going to get my first heat soon. I’ve been having a load of pre-heat symptoms.”
“Oh,” I say, the heat rising to my cheeks. “Oh, that’s … Have you told Mum?” Daisy bites her lip, her hands wringing in her lap, and nods. My mum will be freaking out and putting the house on lockdown.
“Yes, Mum’s being really lovely about it actually.” Daisy giggles when she spots my surprised expression. “Like I said, it’s coming on slowly, so we’ve had some time to prepare. Mum took me to the doctor and they confirmed it, she thinks it’ll be here soon.” I can imagine our family doctor prodding and poking my poor little sister, just like she’d done to me. All those tests, all those searches for explanations that never came. I shudder at the thought, but Daisy doesn’t seem to notice. “Mum took me out shopping to find stuff for my nest and we set up my room real nice.”
My cheeks burn more fiercely, and I swallow down a hard lump in my throat.
My sister twists a piece of caramel hair, the same shade as mine, around her finger. “What is it like, Rosie?” she asks me, her eyes flicking up to meet my gaze. “I guess I was younger when you had your first one so I never even noticed that it happened and we never talked about it.” My sister’s face blushes the colour mine must be.
“Oh …” I fidget on my seat, a lump forming in my throat, preventing the words from coming. “You know …”
“Pretty awful, huh?” She sighs, her shoulders slumping. “Mum got me a toy, which she says will help.”
“You’re not going to find an alpha?” Daisy’s eyes widen in horror making me hate my mum for all the lies she’s told us. For telling us casual sex with alphas would ruin our reputations, would end all our chances of finding a nice, respectable mate. “It might be better,” I tell her. I don’t want my little sister to suffer when everyone knows being with an alpha can make the whole horrible situation exquisite.
“Sure,” Daisy smiles, “But Mum and Dad would never go for that. Anyway, I’m kind of pleased that I’m getting my first one soon. Then it’s out of the way, sort of thing.”
I hum my agreement. “Maybe talk to Mum about an alpha, Daisy,” I say, knowing in my heart there is no chance my mum will agree to it.
“Maybe.” She tilts her head to one side. “That’s Mum calling us for dinner.” She meets my eye. “I never got to hear about your news.”
“It’s OK. Go enjoy home-cooked food while you can. I’m living off baked beans and pot noodles here.” Not strictly true. Zane’s been taking me out to eat a lot.
“Yuck.” Daisy pulls a face. “Come back soon, then. Come visit us. We miss you. And we can fatten you up.”
“I’ll be home for the holidays. It’s not that long.”
“It is.” Daisy slumps her shoulders for dramatic effect. “It’s not the same without you here.”
“I bet there are fewer rows.”
Daisy shakes her head.
“Oh, come on,” I say. My mum and I spent the Christmas and the Easter holidays squabbling, her constant digs and off-hand comments driving me up the wall. I guess she thinks if she chips away long enough, I’ll give in and be the good omega daughter she wants. Bonded and married.
“It’s summer soon. We’ll go to the beach loads. Keep you out of Mum’s way.” I smile at her. “Love you, Rosie,” she says, blowing me a big kiss. I return it and then we wave and hang up.
I lean back against the trunk of the tree. That sensation of missing them has gnawed larger in my stomach. I feel hollow, empty.
My little sister is going into heat. A tear trickles down my cheek. What should I feel for her? Happiness? Concern? Relief?
So why do I feel sadness for myself?
Chapter 11
Zane waits for me outside my lecture hall later that day, dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, both splashed with water, his kit bag hanging off his shoulder.
“Did you come straight from the river?”
He sweeps his damp hair from his face. “Yes.”
“You’re so wet.”
“It’s hot out there today.” He throws his bag to the ground and reaches for my hips, walking me towards him. “You don’t mind me all hot and sweaty?”
I sigh. “You smell amazing, you know you do.”
He smiles to himself and then leans down to kiss me, right there on the pavement with people weaving around us. My cheeks warm, but it’s not from embarrassment. Everybody can see him kissing me and somehow that heats my blood. There are plenty of girls who would love to be in my place. But it’s me locked in his embrace, my mouth he’s plundering. I want them to all know I’m his, for now anyway.
