Chapter 48

Chapter Forty-Eight

ELLIOTT

T he downside of taking an OPS private jet is the fact that I can't hide away in the shadows. Another is I can literally feel the tension radiating off of everyone.

Beckett looks like he's about to throw up, while also sneaking glances at Freya. She's doing the same, peeking at her twin from beneath her lashes. Ultimately though, the two of them haven't spoken.

I'm strictly on my omega's side with this one. I don't know how she feels, so I'm just going to keep my mind and opinions open as she navigates the new territory of having a brother.

I don't know if I was the only one that was skeptical when he blurted the admission out, but after taking into account their looks and behavior with each other, I decided to have an open mind.

Not only that, but Freya seems to agree with Beckett, not questioning or denying his claims. Her omega knows, she said. Fine by me as long as he's not a dick to my girl.

My initial opinion of the guy hasn't been the greatest. Honestly, he's a bit of an ass. On the other hand, though, I wasn't my best self in captivity either, so I would hope the brother of my mate doesn't judge me too harshly.

Then there's Remy, who not only demanded he be included in our safe house move, but declared he would keep an eye on our two packs. His parents eyed him a bit for his bossiness, but granted his leave and protection of his omega. There will be other agents staying near us, but life should be pretty quiet out there.

Unfortunately, Remy's plans of living with his fated pack he isn't bonded to is creating its own tension in the intimate space of the plane. Not only is it obvious that he and Kate are tiptoeing around each other, but Nick is another factor.

From what I've gathered, Nick has been the pack lead since he's more dominant than Beckett. They had years, fucked up years, but years to settle into their dynamics. Not only is everything changing, but I'm pretty sure Remy might be a bit more dominant than their pack's dark-skinned alpha.

It's setting me on edge but having Casey resting his head on my shoulder for the past few hours and seeing Freya across from me snuggled under one of her blankets with one of her many new books helps settle me.

"Do you need anything, sweetheart?" Lucas asks our omega for the hundredth time.

The anxiety radiating through the plane is setting off his instincts, too. Ronan hasn't stopped scanning everyone and everything. We're all affected by the oddities of our situation; it's just coming out differently.

Freya shakes her head, whispering, "Thanks, though."

Her book steals her attention once again. Lucas frowns down at his lap where his hands fidget with the edges of Freya's blanket.

I know what he's feeling. It's a mixture of worry and helplessness.

Freya's been like this since she woke up in the hospital. She borders on shyness and avoidance when it comes to us. I've had a hard time understanding some of her behavior, and I don't think I'm alone in my confusion.

When it was time to head out this morning, Freya was still in her robe. It wasn't our greatest moment; Lucas, Ronan and I just stood there frowning when she wouldn't get dressed. Thankfully, Casey walked over and just chose an outfit for her since we were running late.

So dressed in a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt Casey's mom brought for him, Freya walked out of the bathroom looking completely unsure what to do with herself.

I've also noticed she doesn't eat unless reminded to. Which I suppose makes sense with the scheduled meals for almost four years at the academy. Plus, she's far fucking thinner than she should be, so maybe she's just not hungry.

Fuck, I know nothing .

"Oh shit! Remy!" Ronan startles everyone .

Casey jolts and removes his head from my shoulder. "Christ," my beta murmurs, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

"'Sup?" Remy responds a few seats away.

"What about Butters?!" my pack alpha asks frantically.

Lucas snorts next to his brother. "I'm sure we can go grocery shopping if the house doesn't have butter, man."

"For toast?" Freya jumps into the conversation with her head cocked all cute and shit.

Casey nods. "Butter is also pretty fire on bagels. But most recipes need butter in some way, so we should for sure get some."

"Huh. Oh, for waffles too, right?" Freya asks, looking hungry for the first time in the past five days.

"No—" Ronan starts, but I cut him off, immediately shocked.

"Have you never had butter on waffles, Ro? What about pancakes?" Shit, now I'm hungry.

Ronan huffs. "That's not?—"

"I'll try it with you!" Freya offers with a big smile at her alpha. "My aunt and uncle only ever let me use butter on toast, but it looked really good on waffles in movies too."

Lucas grumbles something, but everyone else is quiet, soaking in her depressing words. Ronan clears his throat and turns to her while trying to hide his pained expression from our sweet omega.

"You can put butter on anything you want, Star," he all but growls. "But that's not what I was talking about. My cat's name is Butters. She actually looks a lot like your stuffed kitty." He gestures to the one she hasn't stopped snuggling with since Casey gave it to her.

My mouth isn't the only one that pops open in surprise.

Lucas jumps on the new development first, though. " You have a cat ?"

Ronan frowns at his brother beside him. "Yeah, so?"

"It's a little shit, but yeah Ronan, she will be brought to your safe house," Remy interjects. "Butts has been staying with me since you didn't come home. I have a friend looking after her right now. She's fine."

"Butts," Freya and Kate snort out at the same time.

My omega and Kate don't even notice the happy smiles they conjure from their men, too wrapped up in their laughter and teasing.

"Do alphas and cats even get along?" Casey asks, curiosity dripping from his tone as he studies Ronan like he's never met the man before.

"Yes," Ronan grumbles, crossing his arms. "Butters is a great cat, and I miss her. Does anyone object to her moving in with us?"

I think we're all a little stunned still, but Casey, Lucas, and I tell him it's fine. We turn as one to Freya.

"I've always wanted a cat," she says enthusiastically.

I don't think this girl will ever be deprived of anything she wants ever again if it brings the shine back into her eyes like it does in this moment.

It's been a while since my Ray shined like she is right now.

I'll put up with anything to keep her eyes sparkling like the galaxies Ronan nicknamed her after.