Page 151 of The Heat of Us

The feeling of being loved by them held the same power that rose armies and led nations. Pulled the ocean in and lifted the moon to the sky.

Infinite. Untouchable. Ours.

55

HAZEL

I didn’t like the alpha doctor who was telling me I was not allowed to go home yet.

“Why not?” I was being rude and did not care. “I want to fuck and bond the rest of my pack if that’s ok with you.”

Remy and Aleks choked visibly and Ben let out a huge barking laugh.

“She’s really back. I’ve never been happier,” he sighed. He turned to Dr. Baird. “You have no chance. If you thought I was stubborn…well, I would wish you the best but I don’t.”

Dr. Baird massaged his temple. “It’s protocol here at Eden, particularly after an extended feral episode. I know you feel like yourself again but it’s good to check your hormone levels so we know for sure.”

“I’m sorry.” I really did mean it. Omega healthcare wasn’t the biggest priority for government funding and I probably shouldn’t antagonise the doctors at one of the only hospitals in the country that were dedicated to us.

Even if he was being a giant, protocol-loving thorn in my side.

At least Dr. Marshall was with him. “Just a few tests and we’ll get you out of here,” she pacified me. “We’re ecstatic at how well this has gone for you. It will really change how we deal with cases moving forward, especially when an omega has such a devoted pack like yours.”

Well, now I felt like a right ass.

While we waited for the results to come back, I asked Ben if he could take everything from the temporary nest back home and wash it to get rid of the lingering hospital scents clinging to it.

“I have lots of ideas to make it smell like us again.” I waggled my eyebrows suggestively to sweeten the pot.

Ben didn’t seem amenable to the bait I was offering. “You don’t have to say that to convince me to do things for you.” He kissed my forehead. “I would do anything you asked.”

I was still not used to how jelly-like he made me now that I wasn’t in denial. “Goodness, that’s a lot of power to give me,” I said, fanning myself.

“You’ve always had it,” he said with a wink. He eventually left with the stuffed garbage bags hoisted over his shoulder and I thought he looked like a sexy laundry Santa.

Being in love was so…disgusting.

With the nest deconstructed I was back on the hospital bed. Remy lounged on the pockmarked leather chair. I had no idea how his back wasn’t screaming in pain from the weird contorted position but he insisted he was perfectly comfortable. Aleks was perched on my bed holding my hand. Of all my pack, he was the one who needed to be constantly touching me.

“Were you able to visit your grandma?” I asked. I hoped that he didn’t neglect his regular visits because of me.

“I wasn’t going to but the guys told me they could hold down the fort.” He coughed self-consciously. “I’m…glad they did because the nurses said she had a rough morning so seeing me definitely helped that day.”

I pressed my lips to the back of his hand. “Next time you go I’d love to come meet her.”

Aleks rubbed the nape of his neck with his free hand. “She’s not always herself.”

“Doesn’t matter,” I said immediately. “All the more reason for me to be there for you.” I glanced at the pretzel-ed Remy. “You too. If you need moral support visiting your family, let me know. And I’d love to meet your sister as well…if you’d like that.”

They shared a long look. So long that I was starting to feel cross.

“What?” I asked churlishly.

Aleks closed his eyes like he was lost in prayer. “I…don’t think we can handle all-in Hazel.”

Remy unfolded himself with a groan. “I know, my dick is so hard.”

“Commitment makes your dick hard?” I asked, my eyes innocently wide.

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