Page 38 of A Pack of Mistletoe
I call the doctor the moment I woke up. Long before the others even stir. Rendon answered on the second ring, voice groggy but steady. I didn’t care that it was early. I just needed her seen. Quietly. No press, no rumors, no chance of anyone twisting her condition into a story. It’s no one’s business but hers.
If he’d said he was farther than two hours out, I would’ve called the damn helicopter.
A soft stirring from the bedroom pulls me back. She’s awake.
When I step inside, Rose’s big, caramel eyes find me immediately. Kai’s beside her, rubbing slow circles over her stomach. Logan’s still behind her, holding her upright in his lap. Evander and Wyatt flank her like sentinels.
I take the edge of the bed, my weight dipping the mattress, and rest a hand over her ankle.
“How are you feeling, Starlight?” I ask.
She ducks her head, a small grimace tightening her mouth. “Dramatic. Silly.”
To my surprise, Logan starts purring behind her. The low vibration fills the air. She glances back at him, startled. And then Wyatt joins in. Evander follows. Kai’s next. I add mine last, deep and even, until the room hums with sound and power.
The effect is instant. Rose melts. Her shoulders ease, her breathing steadies, though she still looks confused, like she’s never had this kind of comfort before.
“Starlight,” I say quietly. “We may not be courting for real…” The words scrape my throat like glass. My alpha hates them.Not courting for real.As if that lessens what she’s become to us. I’ve known plenty of omegas, some I matchedscent with very well, but it’s never felt likethis.Rose has no scent, and yet I can’t seem to stop reaching for her.
“But I hope you know,” I continue, “that we care about you.”
Her head lifts sharply, eyes wide with surprise. She didn’t know. How could shenotknow?
“We won’t let anything happen to you,” I tell her, voice rough with conviction. “Not with your parents. Not with the Blackbear Pack. Not with this medical shit, either. I gave my word and I’ll keep it.”
Her lip trembles. Tears gather, shining bright before she blinks them back.
“But… everything with my omega,” she says, voice shaking. “This tiny house. My friends. The town. You didn’t sign up for this, and it’s a lot. Maybe it would be better if you cut your losses?”
The words gut me.
My alpha surges forward, furious that she thinks we’d walk away. Furious that she’s hurting.
Ouromega, he growls.
The possessiveness startles me, but I don’t fight it. I’ve never repressed my instincts, and I’m not about to start now.
I reach out, take her hand, and gently pull her from Logan’s chest. She comes willingly, small and soft and trembling. I shift her until she’s straddling my lap, knees tucked around my thighs, facing me.
Her eyes are round and uncertain.
Kai’s watching, silent but hopeful, like he’s holding his breath.
“This is an unconventional situation,” I say. “There’s no right way to do it. But I know one thing—we don’t want to leave you, Starlight. None of us do. We’ll figure this out. Together.”
She doesn’t speak. Just looks at me with those wet, luminous eyes that seem to see too much. I worry for a second that her omega’s taken over again, but her pupils are steady. She’s here. She’sherself.
So I do the only thing I can think of.
I pull Rose closer until her chest meets mine and scent-mark the top of her head. Her curls are soft against my cheek. Her breath catches.
There’s a knock at the front door, but I ignore it. Someone else can handle it.
She hesitates and then carefully tilts up and presses her face into the space where my throat meets my jaw. The breath she releases is shaky, and then she scent-marks me back, even though she still doesn’t have a scent.
My answering purr rumbles out, low and uncontrollable.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers. “I can’t—”
