53. Ben

BEN

I think Remy wanted me to be more surprised when I returned. Obviously I was happy for him and ecstatic for what it meant.

But he belonged to her. Of course she could recognise that, even when she was hiding herself away. We eventually all made it into her nest. Hazel slowly expanded it to fit us all and we became part of it somehow, warm bodies for her to nestle against.

Everything took ten steps back when Dr. Baird burst in after 24 hours were up, ordering us to let him monitor her. Hazel curled up into a ball, whimpering at the flood of noise and strange scents flooding in from the hall.

I was fucking furious. "What part of this room needs to only have her pack do you not fucking understand?"

"She is your omega but she is also our patient," Dr. Baird boomed, refusing to back down. "You should understand that we have a duty of care to her, doctor."

I stepped into his space and he subconsciously drew back. "I have been monitoring her vitals. She is just fine. I promise you if there was anything I thought you could do to help my omega, I would have been out here so fast demanding it." I looked down at the notebook he had clutched in his hand. "If this is about some goddamn paperwork, I'll give you what you need if it means you get the hell out of here."

"The drugs should be out of her system. And she's still the same, isn't she?"

My words were tight, held close to my chest just like the truth. "She is improving every hour. And will continue doing so as long as this environment is maintained."

His eyes narrowed as he left and I knew he wasn't going to let it drop.

I immediately rushed to check on Hazel. She reached for me, adding me like another brick to her protective wall with Remy and Aleks. "I'm so sorry, Hazel," I whispered, banding my arm around her. She still didn't react to her name. I told her it was going to be ok, and for the first time since we began, a tiny sliver of doubt crept in.

I didn't let it show on my face. I couldn't.

We were doing a puzzle in the nest. It was now big enough that we could all lie in it comfortably. I don't know where Aleks managed to find something big enough for us to use as a flat surface but I think there was probably a room somewhere missing their whiteboard.

Hazel watched us curiously, picking a piece up on occasion to examine before setting it back down.

"So…those were your parents the other day, huh?" Aleks asked.

It felt like a lifetime ago.

"Yep. That's them."

Remy cast a confused glance my way. "What's this?"

I explained why I had been delayed in answering his calls.

"Shit," Remy said after I was done. "Do you think they actually left and went back home?"

"Dunno. Doesn't matter." Thinking about them aged me ten years. "Either way I'm done with them."

I'd blocked them when they didn't stop trying to call and text me.

I had a family and it wasn't them.

The nest was silent apart from the shuffle of puzzle pieces and the occasional click as it snapped in place.

"Well, it'll be ok," Remy said finally. "You have us now."

Aleks punched my arm. "Yeah, Ben. We'll take you to soccer practice."

"Teach you how to ride your bike."

"Play catch with you in the park."

"Go get ice-cream when you're sad because you lost your debate club final."

I glared at them both. "Are you done?"

Remy laid a hand on my shoulder. "Never…son."

Aleks snorted and they both laughed, inexplicably proud of themselves.

"Oooh."

We all stared as Hazel put a puzzle piece where it belonged and smiled.

I think they were going to call it if nothing happened soon.

"We tried it your way, now you need to let us do it our way," is what they would say. I could already see Dr. Baird's smug face.

Ok, now that wasn't fair. He was trying to help. Trying to do his job. I imagined what it would be like if I had a patient's pack barricade themselves into a room for days.

Now I was surprised by the leniency they showed us.

Hazel was sleeping on my purring chest. The others were close by and I was the only one awake. It was late at night. Or maybe early morning. The blackout blinds worked a little too well and it was too easy for the hours to bleed into one another.

I didn't know what would come next. All I knew was that I wanted to be gentle and patient with her. It didn't matter to me that some statistic or research paper said that extended feral periods in omegas meant they were more likely to stay that way. I wanted to listen to what my instinct was telling me about my omega. That she was more and more content with each passing day, surrounded by the ones who loved and cared for her.

But I couldn't let anyone else in here to see that. They were going to stop taking me at my word soon. How was I meant to explain that none of the food they brought was being eaten but Aleks fed her hot Cheetos with chopsticks today? That while she still didn't really look at us in the eye, her scent has gone from a whisper on her skin to filling her entire nest like her very own sanctuary?

I needed more time and I didn't know if they would give it to me.

"Hazel," I whispered. "Is this what it's supposed to be like? Having a scent match? Having an omega? I think we can both agree it's a special kind of hell. I know I haven't been an alpha for very long. But I cannot imagine a life that is not tied to yours. Nothing makes me happier, more fulfilled, more alive than when I am caring for you, loving you and simply being with you."

She continued to sleep, unaware.

"Your pack is waiting for you. I'm waiting for you." I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye. "Please come back to us."

I woke up the next morning and she wasn't in my arms.

I sat up, relieved when I saw that she was still in the nest. Sitting on her feet, looking almost prim, watching me. She reached over and stroked my stubbled face, as if fascinated by my days of growth.

Then she looked at me.

Her soul struck mine like a flint.

And the best thing I'd ever heard came out of her mouth.

"Hi Ben."