Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty-Five

JASPER

F uck, I'm exhausted, but we are all pushing to get home tonight. Back to Tiny. That's our new home, wherever she is.

I gave up the keys to my apartment today, checked in with my siblings, and did not enjoy Bentley's decree that I was moving for "omega pussy." I punched him in the stomach for that comment, and then put him in a headlock until he begged for mercy, red faced and angry.

"Want to try that again?" I growl, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Does Harper know her?" he asks instead. Bentley has survivor's guilt, because he got away from our parents and she didn't get that chance, since she was sold by then. He hasn't been able to find it in himself to call or see our sister.

Wren says she understands, and just smiles sadly at me whenever we talk about him.

"They're friends, actually," I tell him. "Do you still want to go to school out here? You know I can pull strings to transfer you."

Bentley snorts, because I can do whatever the fuck I want, and he knows it.

"Can I play football and get a degree in economics in Minneapolis?" he asks. My brother is insanely smart and talented, but he's also a little shit for an eighteen-year-old.

"Yes," I sigh, exasperated. "Do you want to transfer?"

"Yep," he says with a nod. "I wasn't starting until the spring. That's enough time, right?"

It is if you're me.

"I'll get it handled. Are you going to be nice to my girl? I will not stand between you two if you're disrespectful and she hits you," I say. "She's tiny, tattooed, and a badass."

Bentley blinks at me as he nods. "Omegas can be badasses? Really? Yeah, alright, I'll be nice. Maybe I can call Harper too," he says softly.

"She goes by Wren," I gently remind him. It took me way too long to get used to that. "Harper doesn't exist anymore."

Bentley looks sad as he nods. "That all was so fucked up," he mutters. "I don't think I'll ever want to scent match to an omega. There's so much that can happen to them. It's easier just to fuck around and have fun. I don't know when anything starts at the University of Minnesota. Will you help me with it?"

"I'll send you all the information, and when to drive in, okay? I just need to make a few calls," I say.

I didn't plan to blackmail the president of U of M today, but he shouldn't be going to strip clubs. It only took me thirty minutes to dig up dirt on him today, and then twenty to get whatever I wanted. A big brother's work is never over it seems.

The rest of my time in Chicago was spent packing, giving the movers instructions, and tying up the last of my loose ends. I broke the news in a call to my fighters about the move yesterday, and they were a lot more excited than I thought they'd be.

Apparently, they've all been wanting to be able to get jobs outside of fighting, and are excited there will be less fights each month.

I didn't realize that even though they're all making enough money not to need to work, they do have interests that lay elsewhere. Falcon wants to apprentice with a tattoo artist, Aris wants to open up a mechanic shop, and the list goes on.

My fighters know eventually they'll get hurt or won't want to fight forever. I appreciate that they all want to have a back-up plan. I care about what they want, since we've gotten close over the years.

I spend a lot of time with them, and Tommy and I have always been up front about how their time is finite as an underground fighter. This life is brutal as fuck.

My fighters, outside of Gabriel, packed up yesterday and drove in, so they could get settled in before their fights tomorrow. We also placed rumors in the right gossips' ears about a special change to the location of the fights, so they'll be ready when the text goes out tomorrow.

There's been a lot of prep work that's going into this, but it's all going to be worth it.

The underground location will be perfect for both the club I'll be opening and the fights, which is why they'll be able to be more spaced out. Who thought I'd ever attempt to go legit? Sure as fuck, I didn't.

Now, as I drive into Minneapolis at ten at night alone, I groan as I struggle to stay awake. Gabriel, Tommy, and I all drove separately so we'd have our vehicles. I have boxes in my trunk piled high, and everything else is in two different moving trucks with our combined belongings.

We also surprised Gabriel with the equipment for his new business, shocking him. Tommy and I were tired of being sneaky, so as it was being loaded onto the truck, we told him, "All of that is yours by the way. Surprise!"

I don't think Gabriel spoke for a full ten minutes before saying thank you.

It's been rough driving back today, but fuck if I was missing the rest of Tiny's birthday. We didn't even realize it until after we'd planned to go, and Augustine told me to keep our plans. I bet the fucker spoiled our omega rotten today. She deserves it.

Tommy has all of Cerenity's presents from Augustine, and we also took a break from the insanity today to shop. I bought her a new pair of teal knitting needles to either knit or stab me with, her call.

I also found soft purple and teal yarn, and bought everything I could find. Augustine sent photos of the curtains she chose today at the perfect time, which made it too good to pass up. Tommy, on the other hand, bought her a new knife with a perfect balance and holster, and Gabriel found a lounging chair he thought would be perfect for her room.

Blowing out a breath, I smack my face a few times to wake up as I navigate through the streets with Tommy and Gabriel behind me. I'm unsurprised when my phone rings, because I'm pretty sure I am dangerously close to weaving.

" You good ?" Tommy growls when I pick up.

"I'm tired," I tell him, trying not to whine. "My eyes are threatening to shut, but it's only another half hour to the apartment complex."

" We can spare a few minutes for you to grab a coffee, Ja s," Tommy mutters. " Don't be an idiot. We've had enough accidents in Minnesota to last us awhile. I'm sure Bluebell would rather we stop than you crash. Gabriel will follow if we turn off ."

Grunting, I hang up as I turn into a gas station and go inside for an iced coffee. Groaning as I suck it down after I pay for it, I feel the caffeine already starting to kick in. Tossing the empty can in the garbage, I salute Tommy and Gabriel before getting back in my vehicle.

Fuck, even the rest of the drive is faster now that I don't feel as if I'm about to pass out at the wheel.

"Finally here," I murmur as I pull into the complex. Augustine decided to make dinner with a different plan when he realized the perishables that are traveling with us would be arriving too late for dinner.

Apparently, our girl loves certain cuts of meat, and Chicago just does it better in some respects.

Rolling my eyes as I wax poetic on a city I've just left, I finally park with a sigh of relief. Getting out of the vehicle, I groan as I stretch my back. The walk in the store helped, but my ass is still asleep.

"Hi!" Tiny yells, running across the parking lot. She's dressed in a green, strapless dress with combat boots, and a part of me is worried her breasts are going to explode from it.

"Happy birthday!" I exclaim, sweeping her into my arms. Burying my face in her hair, I breathe in her sweet scent, groaning. "Fuck, I missed you. Are you having a good day?"

"Better now that you're back," she says with a smile as she lifts her face to kiss me.

"You would be the first person she finds," Tommy grumbles. "Parking is tight at this time of night."

"She couldn't wait, and insisted on waiting downstairs for you while she talked to Wren and Aisling when they called to wish her a happy birthday," Augustine says in amusement as he walks up at a more sedate pace.

"I'll help you bring in anything that needs to go into the fridge or freezer. The rest of this can be unpacked tomorrow."

Tommy tugs Cerenity away from me to say hello, hugging her tightly. God, you'd think we'd been gone forever.

"Bentley told me today he wants to transfer schools," I announce to Tommy, smirking as Gabriel steals Cerenity away from him.

Groaning, Tommy glares at me as he treks over to his truck to start pulling out the cooler.

"Did he say why?" he asks.

"For all his insistence that he's an adult, I think he doesn't want to be over six hours away from me," I explain. "I called in some favors…"

Augustine glances suspiciously at me, while Tiny snickers. "Who are you blackmailing, Casanova?"

"The president and the football coach, is all," I say with a shrug.

"Fuck," Augustine mutters. "It's always going to be this interesting around here, isn't it?"

"This is mild compared to some of the shit we get up to," Tommy grunts as he closes the tailgate.

"I'll help," Augustine says, hurrying to pick up one of the cooler's handles. The rest of us grab any bags we need tonight, and lock up.

"Besides the underhanded behavior, is it a good thing Bentley will be here? Is he a good kid?" Tiny asks.

"Oh fuck yeah," I say enthusiastically. "I'm biased because I practically raised him over the last almost six years, but he's great. All of my brothers have lived with me at one point or another to get away from my parents. They were drug addicts and pretty awful people. I think he is finally ready to get to know Wren too. He's got a lot of guilt surrounding her."

I know they're friends, but I don't know how much she knows. All of that fades away when her eyes flash with anger.

"None of that was his fault. He was a kid when she was sold," she says as we begin to walk up the stairs.

"Yes," I agree. "He apparently kept hearing them talk about Wren when they thought he couldn't hear them or were really high. We were told as kids that Wren went to live with my mom's sister. I didn't know she didn't even have a sister. One day, he biked to my house and told me my parents may have sold Wren based on a fight they had. The kid was pale and freaking out. That's how I figured out that she had been sold."

"Fuck," Cere whispers. "I can see why he'd want to stay close to you, though. I hope I'll get to meet him."

Remembering what he said before I punched him, I smirk. "Please don't give him any slack if he's a shit to you," I tell her. "The kid seems to think omegas are sirens looking to ruin men's lives. I can't wait until he figures out differently."

Snorting, she shakes her head. "That'll be interesting to watch, I'm sure," she murmurs.

Getting to the third floor, we walk to Augustine and Cerenity's apartment, walking in once she unlocks the door.

"You guys have to be exhausted," she says with a sympathetic smile as we move into the kitchen. "I can't believe you drove back tonight."

"Jasper almost fell asleep entering Minneapolis," Tommy tattles, making me roll my eyes.

Augustine chuckles as he pulls out dishes from the oven. It's a seafood boil with a rice pilaf that smells incredible. Tommy sets down the lemon cupcakes that we were told are her favorites and Tiny's eyes widen.

"We didn't want to miss the rest of your birthday, Tiny. Doesn't matter how long of a day it was, it's totally worth it to see your face right now," I tell her.

"Wait, where did you find those?" she asks.

"Do you remember when we went to Chicago a couple of years ago?" Augustine asks calmly as if this is no big deal.

"Mmhmm. We went to one of Gabe's fights," she says with a nod.

"A couple of years… that can't be right. We weren't talking then," Gabriel says, frowning.

"You weren't talking to me because you were being ridiculous," Augustine grunts, opening a bottle of wine. "I still came to watch one of your fights with my girl."

The pieces fall into place for Tiny, and she takes a shaky breath.

"Sneaky alpha," she mutters. "This is incredible, thank you."

"I still can't believe you came to see me," Gabriel mutters.

Tommy smirks, thoroughly enjoying this as he begins to serve everyone.

"I think we should agree that Augustine needs to be our alpha," Tommy says out of the blue. "I make decisions all fucking day. It's exhausting."

"What?" Cerenity asks, looking as if she has whiplash from the intensity of our conversations.

"I think so too," I say with a shrug. "He could have been really fucking petty about everything that's happened. It takes a real leader who understands when to push or wait someone out. Pretty sure that's Augustine."

"It's silly for me to pretend that you wouldn't want to become a pack, so I won't," Cerenity says with a deep breath. "I've been worried about the fact that you all have such strong personalities."

Augustine looks around the table as if to gauge if they're actually serious.

"You're being for real right now?" he asks.

"It makes sense," Gabriel agrees. "You know Cerenity the best, and you've helped us navigate how to make her happy without being in our faces about it. You also gave her the space to fuck up Tommy and Jasper when they needed it."

Tommy snorts and he rolls his eyes as he points at his hair as Exhibit A.

"I'm not easy to live with," Cerenity says, wincing. "I need things in their place, but the problem is that place changes from time to time. Sometimes I need the curtains open or closed based on how it feels at the time. It's?—"

"It's what you need," I grunt with a shrug. "Rooms hold energy, good, bad, or indifferent. Whether what you're working out are inner demons as you rearrange things or fixing the energy of the house, do it. I can tell you, it won't bother me one bit."

"Not me either," Tommy says with a shrug.

"The blankets are prettier when you fold them the way you want," Gabriel says with a smile as he takes a bite of food.

"You guys are as nuts as I am," Cerenity huffs. "Let's get through a heat before we decide to submit paperwork as a pack first."

"So, is that an invitation to fuck you for three days straight?" Augustine asks with a wink.

Throwing back her head as she laughs, she nods.

"I guess I'll accept this invitation, even if it isn't engraved in gold," I tease her, not even wincing as Tommy cuffs me over the head.

"Me too," Gabriel says.

"Well, I refuse to be left behind," Tommy says with a chuckle. "Our knots and hearts are yours, Bluebell, the rest is just paperwork."

"God, that shouldn't make me want to swoon, but I kind of want to," she says as she takes her first bite of dinner and moans.

Suddenly, the rest of my sleepiness falls away from earlier as I stare at her with hungry eyes.

"We got a bigger bed for her bedroom," Augustine says conversationally. "Happy fucking birthday to us."

Cerenity blushes even as she squeezes her thighs together, making me grin.

"Eat up, Mistress, we're definitely going to enjoy taking off that pretty dress. You can open your presents later," I growl.

Taking another bite, I count down the minutes until it's acceptable for me to make her my second meal. I can't wait to celebrate every birthday with her from now on.

CERENITY

The apartment is quiet today since everyone is gone. Augustine volunteered to help set up the underground fight with Gabriel and the guys today, since Jasper had questions about how to best manage the layout.

Their fighters came in two days ago to move into their new apartments, and Jasper said they were excited for the change. I can't wait to see everything they get into. I don't think Minneapolis is ready for them.

Standing from the couch, I start to pace, trying to decide what I want to do. I'm wearing one of Jasper's oversized shirts over a pair of panties, because I'm not planning to go anywhere.

I am starting to crave their scents at all times, and they dutifully all brought me clothing that they'd worn over the last few days for my nest. It would be gross for anyone else to crave well worn clothing, but it's an omega thing. They're steeped in their scents and make me happy.

I don't understand why I'm so twitchy right now as I pace. I don't have any cramps, my nest is gorgeous and encompasses my entire bedroom now. It's a sea of grays, teals, and purples with pops of navy.

God, I seriously love it so much. My alarm went off this morning, reminding me that my heat is supposed to come today, but there's been no signs of it. A little anxiety, however it is typical for me to have some throughout the day.

My eyes fall on the gorgeous yarn and knitting needles Jasper bought me. It's so soft, and will make the perfect blanket. I love that he saw this and immediately thought of me. Slowly, they're figuring me out.

They were so busy moving and tying up loose ends, yet they still insisted on buying me gifts. Sighing, I pick them up, hoping it'll help me pass some time. I'm supposed to be at the fights tonight, but it's barely eleven in the morning.

Taking them into my nest, I turn on some music and curl up in the chair Gabe bought me.

Tommy: You doing okay, Bluebell? There's been a fuckup with one of our deliveries, so I'm on the phone to fix it. I wish you were here to make this better.

Smirking, I imagine how exactly I could be helping him right now.

Blowjobs in the workplace probably are frowned upon.

The text bubbles make me giggle as I wait, shifting in my chair with a sigh. I'm getting twitchier by the second and it's annoying the shit out of me. My anxiety can get like this until I have to get out of the house and do something, but without direction, I don't want to roam aimlessly right now.

I keep reminding myself that someone killed Xavier and we don't know who. It's not safe to roam the city just because I need to move.

I pride myself on being someone who doesn't need to be saved constantly. I refuse to put myself in the position where I need to be.

Tommy: You know I don't give two shits about propriety, baby girl. Fuck, and now I have to talk to these assholes while hard. Thanks, baby. I need a photo to get through this time of need.

Snorting at his dramatics, I snap a photo of my eyes crossed and send it to him. Two minutes later, I receive various messages from the guys because Tommy shared the photo with them.

Jasper: Did you know that your eyes do that when you come?

Augustine: Fuck, I should have stayed home so I could break that new chair in.

Gabriel: I'm going to imagine you topless in that chair while I beat the hell out of my opponent in the ring tonight.

Giggling, I shake my head as I knit, excited to see them. For not being able to stand the sight of Jas and Tommy, to missing them, it's funny how fast things change. The way they worked together to make me come last night makes me shiver in need, and I groan.

"I can't be horny while they're gone," I mutter. "It's just not fair."

Tossing down my yarn and needles, I get up to twitch my curtains into place, touch the soft material of a new pillow I bought, and hug a squishy stuffed animal I touched while shopping yesterday, so Auggie insisted I needed it.

Each man in my pack fills something I need. I didn't really understand that mates could be like this because of what I was taught by my mom.

Tommy reminds me it's okay to be vulnerable when I'm sad, and that my past has made me stronger in a lot of ways. Jasper's voice fills my mind whenever I start to tell myself my need for order is ridiculous, allowing me to feel more accepted.

He also doesn't worry about challenging my brattiness. He spanked me during sex last night, and I almost fucking came. Jasper just smirked and asked if his Mistress liked it when he punished me.

Fuck, I'm officially dickmatized.

And Gabriel… God, he's fucking wonderful. He tempers the wildness in the guys. I can see him being the voice of reason during a heat.

Jasper: Be a good girl, Tiny. We want all your orgasms… Unless you're planning to video call us again.

"Where the fuck are you, anyway?" I sigh, shivering at his text as my pussy clenches around air. Great, now I'm talking to my fucking uterus. Just perfect.

My phone buzzes in my hand as I walk to the mini fridge Augustine relocated from my closet to my bedroom. Frowning, I see Weeping Willow Home's number scroll over my caller ID.

"Hello?" I ask, my surprise seeping into my tone. The last time I went to see her was almost three years ago. I've been terrified to go back, ever since the doctor told me I was part of her psychosis and delusions, likely making them worse.

How do you go back after that?

" Good morning, Miss Quinn," says a calm voice. " I am your mother's new psychiatrist, Dr. Brunes, and I wanted to let you know she's been asking about you lately."

"That's not possible," I say immediately. "Mama loses her shit whenever I go to see her. I don't see her asking for me. I'm sorry, are you sure you have the right number?"

I know he asked for me, but I'm having a hard time with this.

" I can assure you that I do," he says, sounding a bit miffed.

"Are you saying she's better?" I ask with a squeak. It's silly for me to hold onto this idea, but there's a part of me that misses her desperately.

" No, she's not," he says gently. " I want to try something new, and you're her only listed family member."

Mama cut ties with her entire family when she went on the run after she was kidnapped. She couldn't tell me why the alphas of Pack Cockburn kept finding her, and a part of me wonders if they bit and bonded her against her will.

Without her claiming them back, the connection between them wouldn't be as strong, but it would be enough to attempt to track her.

If she was too far away, the connection would be too faint, which is why she kept running. Now, she's safe, even if they may still be looking for her. It's been so many years since she was with them, I would hope they'd get over her.

"I don't think this will go well, but I can come see her," I murmur. It may soothe my unease today. I feel like I should be doing something, even though there's nothing for me to do. I'm supposed to be having a chill day.

" Today?" he insists as I blink slowly at the phone.

"Yes," I sigh, unsure why he's being so pushy. "I need to drive there, but it'll be today."

" Excellent," Dr. Brunes says, clapping as I shake my head in disbelief. " We'll be waiting."

He disconnects before I call Augustine, because this call was really odd.

"Auggie, I'm a little creeped out by this call I just had," I say when he picks up. "The doctor at Weeping Willow Home called and he's insisting that I go to see my mom today. The way he called and his tone kind of makes me uncomfortable, but if there's something going on at the assisted living center, I want to know, you know?"

" We'll find somewhere else for her," he agrees. " I understand your worry, can you keep me posted, please? All the usual stalker shit Tommy would usually ask for, I want. When you get there, when you leave, and if you need Gabe to go over there. He'll end up fighting to prove he's a beta and annoy the fuck out of everyone, but he'll do it."

"Oh, I get to fuck people up outside of the ring?" Gabe teases him. My lips twitch as I realize they're near each other, and my heart aches. Ugh, I'm going all soft and mushy around them already.

" Not yet, but you're on standby," Augustine grunts. " Thanks for telling me, Sweetheart. Let me know if you stop anywhere in between, please?"

Nodding, I realize he can't see me. Ugh. "Yes, I promise. I'm going to take a snack with me because I'm hungry, so I don't have to stop at all, I'll keep you updated," I tell him, saying goodbye.

Grabbing a cheese and deli snack pack from the mini fridge, I drop them on the bed, so I can look for clothing in my closet. Knowing it'll be hot outside but cooler in the home, I change into cargo pants, a crop-top, and then stalk into Augustine's room for an oversized long-sleeved button-up.

Rolling up the sleeves, I inhale his scent, even though it's not as strong. His room smells like Gabriel too.

"Get it together, girl," I grunt as I put on my socks and combat boots. Tommy's new gift slips perfectly into the hidden compartment of my boots, so even if I have to be checked for weapons anywhere, no one will find it.

Packing my bag with my snacks, phone, wallet and charger, I leave the apartment for the forty-five minute drive to see Mama. The roads are busier than normal with the lunch rush, and it takes me a little longer to get there.

I have no idea what I'll find, but I'm hoping it'll at least be a good visit. Even if she doesn't know who I am, seeing her will be enough. It's been too damn long.