Page 131 of The Heat of Us

But I had another topic in mind.

Aleks and Ben dropped me off at my 4pm appointment on the way into the hospital. “Remy will pick you up,” Ben said, kissing me goodbye.

I smiled at him. “Have a good shift.”

Then I was back with the bowl of polished rocks. I didn’t feel as annoyed with them today for some reason.

“Hazel, it’s wonderful to see you,” Kerry greeted me. “How are Ben, Remy and Aleks going? Did Ben and Remy finally settle their alphas?”

I blushed remembering how that particular issue got resolved. “Um, yes. They did.” My ears were unbearably hot. “Ben is prime.”

“Very interesting.” Kerry’s pen scribbled away. “Do you agree? What do your instincts tell you?”

I mulled it over briefly. “It was up to them to figure out and I’m glad they did. My omega is definitely happy that the four of us feel more stable now.”

“That’s wonderful. And how do you feel about them? I’d also love to find out if Aleks is fitting in well with the others too.”

I’d been opening up more about the guys in the last couple of sessions. Keeping details tight-fisted and surface-level as a protective mechanism.

But today I needed Kerry to know about them the way I knew about them.

Aleks and the ocean.

Remy and our new career direction.

Ben and the way he led us.

I took a gulp of water after, not used to talking so much.

“It certainly sounds like you’re all coming together beautifully as a pack.” Kerry couldn’t temper the pride in her voice.

Pack. Calling us that didn’t scare me anymore.

“Kerry.”

“Yes, Hazel?”

“I think I love them.” I snuck a quick look at Kerry to make sure her brain hadn’t imploded. Nope. She was a professional through and through. “I…haven’t told them yet,” I added.

“What’s holding you back?”

I glanced at the clock. “How long do we have?” I joked. But Kerry’s expression remained stoic. She would’ve read my file from the bond dissolution team. She knew what I’d been through even if I didn’t tell her in so many words.

“It’s scary, isn’t it? The thought of being vulnerable again to losing someone we love.”

“Not just one person this time,” I said, fiddling with the edging on the cushion I was holding. “Three.”

“You have come so far, Hazel. And you have worked so hard. Love would not be such a force if it wasn’t also deeply painful and frightening at the same time. You already have these feelings for them. Wouldn’t it be nice to embrace it fully? You cannot know what the future holds for any of you. But you can be certain of your love for each other.”

I looked at her through narrowed eyes. “It’s like you’re a therapist or something,” I said accusingly.

Kerry laughed warmly. “It’s my absolute pleasure to be able to help you with this.”

“I-I’m going to do it.” My voice grew stronger as I continued. “I’m going to tell them I love them. Tonight.”

“I am unbelievably excited for you, Hazel.”

Remy wasn’t outside when I finished up. I checked my phone and noticed a slew of messages waiting for me. I called him immediately.

---