Chapter Forty

CHAPTER FORTY

Now Playing: InfraRed- Three Days Grace

Heats have always been physically taxing, but experiencing one with mates has left me with a new level of soreness. Every muscle in my body aches from the several day marathon of sex we just finished.

I carefully stretch beneath the blankets, groaning with the pop of my joints. Maybe I need to start joining Nebula and Titan in their home gym to rebuild my stamina.

“Good morning, babygirl,” Nebula greets me, his voice husky from exhaustion. The blankets shift as he rolls onto his side to look down at me. “How are you feeling?”

“Sore,” I admit, “but good. Less crazy.”

Color floods my cheeks remembering the clearer snippets of the heat. Who would have guessed my instincts would turn me into a whiny, demanding crybaby during a heat?

“You were amazing,” he whispers, leaning down to brush his lips against mine. It’s still weird, now that I’m back to my senses, to have this level of intimacy with him after everything broke between us. A very tiny part of me still fears he will change his mind, but the reassurance flowing down our bond helps to combat those feelings.

His fingers trail down my jaw to where his bite mark sits. The contemplative look in his eyes paired with the insecurity in his bond has me on alert. “I’m sorry. That I didn’t ask you first. And for the way I treated you after learning you were Sarah Montgomery.”

“You’ve already apologized for that. I…” Guess it’s now or never right? “I won’t say I’m over what happened with the chemical rejection and abandonment, but I do forgive you. We all have more to work through, and I would rather take these next steps together.”

The cutest smile stretches across his lips, one of the very boy-next-door-ish ones women swoon over. “Thank you, Omen, for giving us the chance to prove ourselves to you. I promise we’ll never hurt you this severely again. You’re ours, now and forever.”

I shudder as his hand trails down my neck and across my collarbone, dipping between my breasts and over my stomach until he’s cupping my mound. “Are you too sore?”

He slips two fingers inside of me when I shake my head. It stings a little bit, but the pleasure outweighs the hint of pain. His lips press to my neck, sucking the skin between his teeth before he trails kisses to my breasts.

“Please,” I beg. We both need this. A chance to experience each other with forgiveness in our hearts and no heat hormones flooding my body.

Drool pools in my mouth watching the strain of his chest and biceps as he shifts over top of me. This man is a fucking god with his clothes on, without them I fear mere mortals would perish if they ever laid eyes on him.

Probably because I would claw their eyes out, but still.

“You own me, babygirl. Heart, body, and soul. I’ll be your knight in shining armor, the king at your command.” He lines himself up and pushes in slowly. “Yours,” he breathes as he bottoms out. “I’m yours.”

Unlike the frenzy of my heat, he isn’t demanding or punishing as he fucks me. This feels like making love. Slow and sensual. Filled with licking kisses and soft murmurs of adoration. It’s everything, healing the fragments of my battered soul one dragging thrust at a time.

When we reach our peak, it isn’t consuming. Instead, it spreads through us in slow, rolling waves. We’re still panting and breathless, soaked in sweat and slick, but we’re also content. Happy to bask in each other’s presence for a few peaceful moments.

The obnoxious growl of my empty stomach brings our post-bliss cuddles to an end, but I don’t feel bereft the way I do at the end of their concerts. I know this is only the beginning of our love story, the chapters without pain and suffering.

Our happily ever after starts now.

Showered and fed, I track down my phone. The guys told me they’d checked in with everyone as soon as the heat hit so no one would be worried when we went offline for several days, which was so very sweet of them.

I need to check in with everyone myself though, especially since we were left in the wind with no knowledge of what happened regarding Ben’s arrest.

A couple of texts from Bea, mostly snippets of her day or cool things she found while traveling. A few of them are reminders I’m ‘a lucky bitch’. I’ll have to call her to gloat later so she can live vicariously through me.

One text from Donovan asking me to call him when the heat has passed. He also told me to make sure we’re taking care of ourselves. For being an alpha in charge of such an extensive and sometimes dangerous organization, he’s a worrier.

When I see the picture messages from Foster, I burst into tears. Callisto looks up from where he’s writing in the corner of the living room, concern filling his eyes. “Starlight?”

I shake my head, trying to get a grip on my out-of-control emotions. Post-heat hormones make me as dramatic as they do during.

He stands and crosses to me, wrapping his arms around me. “It’s okay to feel overwhelmed right now. I would too if my body was still trying to regulate the mess of hormones you’re dealing with.”

When I’ve pulled myself together, I show him my phone screen. “Hannah went into labor while I was in heat,” I tell him gloomily. I’d already missed Kaitlin’s birth, now I missed the new baby being born too. I’m such a shit sister.

“Hey, I can feel you beating yourself up about this. Hannah understands. She knows you would have been by her side this entire time if you could have.” He holds me tighter, trying to comfort me. It doesn’t do a lot to ease the guilt churning in my stomach. “Why don’t you call her and check in? We can go visit her tomorrow after you’ve rested. Does that sound good?”

“Okay,” I mutter. Taking several deep breaths, I let his soft floral scent absorb the worst of my stress. “Okay,” I repeat a little more firmly this time.

He leads me to the couch, kissing the top of my head while I dial my sister’s number. Nebula walks into the room as the call is connecting, and I can faintly hear Cal telling him what upset me. Having a bond where they can feel my every emotion is strange and a little frustrating. I’m so used to regulating what I show to the world, the lack of barrier has me off kilter.

“Hello gremlin,” Hannah laughs as she answers. “How was your heat?”

“It was exhausting but nice.” I pause, swallowing thickly around the lump forming in my throat. “I’m sorry I missed–”

“Nope! You can’t control your heats, Omen. I know you would have been here if you could. Plus, you’ve never witnessed a woman giving birth before so I’m not sure you would have enjoyed it. It’s gross.”

“Beautiful,” Foster shouts in the background. “She means beautiful!”

I can practically hear Hannah rolling her eyes as she shushes him. “Have you spoken with Donovan at all?”

“Not yet. He messaged me asking me to call him, but I wanted to talk to you first.” I want to avoid whatever news he has about our family for as long as possible.

“They haven’t told me much yet, but Shepherd has been an overprotective menace for… well ever, but even more so than usual over the past week.”

Soft cries fill the line, making my heart squeeze. I haven’t been able to spend a lot of time around babies, but I don’t think anyone is immune to cuteness overload around a newborn.

“They arrested Ben,” I tell her. “He tried to break into our house with a bunch of mercenaries right before my heat started.”

“Jesus,” she curses. “I know Jacquelyn’s held a grudge against you for years, but this seems excessive.”

“She was arrested too.” Remembering my sister-in-law’s attempt to kidnap me makes me shudder. I’m over being threatened by my birth family. “I guess they can’t have kids. Ben because of his surgery, her for some unknown reason.”

“And they wanted to use you to continue the Montgomery line? That’s despicable.” Hannah fake gags, making me giggle.

“Montgomery-Pierson,” I correct, lining my tone with disgust.

“Even worse. Well, call Donovan. He may need you for the trial. Despite the video evidence showing everything you’d have to testify about. The church’s silent backers are trying to manipulate the system to fight Father’s charges.”

Her news doesn’t surprise me. I expected them to lash out in any way they could. It’s what their entire belief system in New Hampshire taught them to do. “Alright, I’ll call him soon. Can I visit you tomorrow?”

“Of course! I’ll let Foster and Shep know, so we can have lunch together!”

I end the call with her and immediately dial Donovan’s number. He doesn’t answer, so I shoot him a text instead. He’s probably busy with DAU work, so he can call me back when he’s free.

“Feeling better, babygirl?” Nebula asks. He’s leaning over the back of the couch in a cut-off shirt that has wisps of arousal blooming to life in my core.

Nope, this omega’s body is off limits for at least the next twenty four hours.

“I guess.” I shrug. My emotions are still too haywire for me to sort through them.

He hums, twining a piece of my hair around his finger and tugging lightly. “Let’s grab some snacks and go binge-watch crime dramas in your nest. We can visit your sister and take care of work tomorrow.”

“Nachos?” I ask with a hopeful look in my eyes.

“Anything you want, little Omega, it’s yours. Now get your ass back in the nest.”

“Well, Omen, I have good news,” Donovan says as soon as I pick up the call. “Your brother has taken a plea deal. He agreed to testify against your father in exchange for carrying out his sentence at a more secure facility.”

“So, I don’t have to testify in the trial?” I ask hesitantly.

“Hopefully not, however, it all depends on how far the opposition is willing to push this.”

Which means I could still end up taking the stand and facing my father again. Because there is no way his brainwashed followers are going to give up easily.

“Okay. Keep me informed, please.”

“You’ve got it, kid,” Donovan promises before hurriedly ending the call to accept another. Life as a DAU leader must be hectic and frustrating. I don’t envy his constant rushing.

“Not good news then?” Titan grunts from where he lounges behind me.

“Yes, and no. Ben is going to turn on our father, but that doesn’t exclude me from participating. It’s still up in the air whether I’ll be required to testify or not.”

He sits up, hands soothing over my shoulders and kneading the stress from my sore muscles. “Whatever happens, you won’t have to face it alone. We’ve got your back.”

“And your front!” Nexus calls from the bathroom. “I’ll protect those beautiful titties for you, gorgeous!”

His teasing breaks the worst of the tension. I send a pulse of love down our bond, silently thanking him for making me laugh when I feel like I’d rather be crying.

He emerges a few minutes later, perfectly done up with his usual winged eyeliner and styled hair. The green and black striped sweater he’s wearing is cropped to show off the inch or two of toned stomach his high-waisted, dark green skinny jeans don’t cover. It’s adorable and so utterly Nexus.

“Okay, sweet girl, let’s get you dressed and ready to go! We have a baby to snuggle!”

Anticipation builds the closer we get to Foster and Shepherd’s apartment. Nervousness does too. I’ve never held a baby before. What if I drop him? Or he starts crying and I can’t soothe him?

“You’ve got this, starlight,” Callisto interrupts my panicked spiral. He takes my hand in his, twining our fingers together and letting our connection steady us. He’s right, I can do this. There has to be some instinct inside of me that will tell me what to do. And if there isn’t at least I won’t be alone.

“Hi, Aunt Omen!” Kait giggles as she runs past us the moment we walk inside. She’s dressed in a princess gown with fairy wings and a superhero mask. Foster runs behind her, wings of his own on his back. She laughs louder as he chases her.

Visiting their house is so different from the last time I was here. It’s loud, messy, and chaotic in all of the best ways. Most notable of all though is the joy spread across both of my friend’s faces. Having my sister and the kids here has given them purpose outside of working themselves to death. Something they desperately needed.

“Oh, you’re here! Ignore the mess,” Hannah says, ushering us inside. I’m surprised to find her babyless, but the mystery is quickly solved when we walk into their kitchen to find my new nephew strapped in a carrier on a very grumpy Shepherd’s chest. I nearly choke on my own saliva when he narrows his eyes on me. This is fucking gold and I wish Bea were here to see it!

Hannah isn’t fazed by his menacing stare though, and quickly sweeps in to grab the baby. He’s so tiny in her arms. And cute, so fucking cute with his wrinkly little hands and chubby cheeks. I’m in love!

“He’s beautiful, Hannah.”

“Thank you.” She smiles down at him with the exhausted but proud look moms always seem to have.

“Everyone is going to have to fight me for baby and kid snuggles now. I have a lot to make up for,” I joke.

“You’re here now,” she lightly scolds me. “We never would have gotten out of New Hampshire if you were still there with me.”

I guess I never considered what would have happened if we were still together when she had Kaitlin. Nothing good, that’s for certain.

“What’s his name?” I ask, changing the topic. We’re here to celebrate this cutie, not to get lost in what-ifs.

“She hasn’t told us yet,” Shepherd grunts.

My head tilts as I look back at my sister. Her cheeks flame with embarrassment as she quickly glances away from Shepherd. Soft baby coos distract me from their apparent sexual tension. This little man already has me wrapped around his finger. They both will be spoiled rotten with us around.

“So, wanna share what that’s about?” I mutter while I rock back and forth. We’re alone in the living room after Shepherd kicked us out so he could finish making lunch.

“I did something..” She hesitates, glancing back at the door. “And I don’t know how they’re going to take it.”

My eyebrows raise, curious as to what she could be so nervous to share with them. I also know her nerves aren’t warranted. The Wilson’s adoration for my sister is blatantly obvious to anyone who sees them. There isn’t anything she could do to upset them.

I tell her as much, offering a comforting side hug when her teeth dig into her cheek. “Tell them while we are here, and if they react poorly you can come home with us.”

“I guess that sounds like a good plan.”

“Come eat!” Shepherd calls out. Feet tap across the floor seconds before Kaitlin appears sans costume. She’s shaking her hands out, sending tiny drops of water all over her shirt.

“Dry your hands, little bug, don’t shake them!” Hannah jumps up, rushing to assist her daughter. I follow after them, taking a seat at their dining table.

Shepherd sweeps over to take the baby back, returning him to his carrier. A pout pushes at my lips now that I’m not wrapped in baby snuggles, but he just points to my plate and starts dishing food for Hannah.

“So,” Hannah starts after a few minutes of quiet conversation. She hasn’t taken a bite yet, and I can feel the nervous energy radiating off of her. I slip my hand over and squeeze her forearm. Throwing me a grateful smile, she continues. “The baby’s name is Everett.”

Nebula hisses in a breath beside me, but I focus on my sister. She’s blushing so furiously she looks like a strawberry.

“Everett Wilson.”

Foster looks dumbfounded, teary eyes trained on Hannah from across the table. Shepherd nods, somehow expecting this news. “Good.”

“Y-you’re not upset?” Hannah stammers, her brows furrowed. Yeah, that tracks. Her husband was a real asshole, so dealing with genuinely good people is something she will have to get used to.

“No. We’ll get Kaitlin’s name changed too, as soon as the divorce goes through.” Shepherd takes another bite, moving on like he isn’t blowing my sister’s world apart with his acceptance.

“Foster?” She questions, turning her attention to him next.

“Everett was Foster’s brother’s name,” Nebula whispers against my ear. “The one who was killed by anti-designation purists.”

Oh. Oh.

Foster’s chair scrapes against their floor as he shoves to his feet. He rounds the table and slams his lips to my sister’s, kissing her like his life depends on it. It is Hannah’s turn to look shocked when he pulls away. “It’s perfect. I love it, and I love you.”

“Kaity has kisses too?” My niece asks with a pout. We all laugh as Foster presses a sloppy kiss to her forehead, making the little girl giggle.

Hannah smiles down at her plate, still a little lost from how overwhelming all of these changes are for her. She’s in good hands, so I leave her to soak everything in. One day she’ll figure it out and then she can find the happily ever after she deserves.