Page 68 of Heat Hesitation

"So… I've sort of come out as your omega. Or, as the Constantine Pack's omega."

He clears his throat, hitting the left-hand turn signal before accelerating. "Yeah."

"You think I can really make all those changes we talked about? Getting omegas access to decent health care, especially in South Loop?"

"In all underfunded communities, not just in Arrow Cove. But yes, I do. It won't be simple. With Fletcher, especially. It'll be an uphill battle because you'll basically be forcing her to accept that not all omegas will join the OFA. She won't like that loss of control. But I do believe, truly, that she wants what's best for them."

I've always wondered why Fletcher cares so much. There's a deep well of pain and history in her eyes; I noticed it when I first met her, and she tried relentlessly to get me to join the OFA with my sister. Only someone who has experienced fear or loss can have that kind of desperation. I doubt I'll ever know the true extent of what drives her, but I think Sully's right; Fletcher does mean well. Her need for control stems from a good place, a desire for omegas to be safe, even if I disagree with her methods.

Sully takes my hand in his. I let him. When we pull in and park, the house lights are on, but it's dark outside, everything quiet and still.

I don't let go of his hand. Instead, I trace patterns in his palm. "So, it sounds like I'll probably be pretty busy with all this omega-rights campaigning."

"Mmhmm," he agrees.

"Might not have time to work. With two and a half jobs, my plate might be too full." I glance up at him. He gives me an innocent look, but it's so fake I start laughing. "You planned that, didn't you?"

"Of course I did." He climbs out of the car slowly. I do the same, meeting him on the other side.

"Thank you, Sully." My hands crawl behind his neck, and he leans down, his forehead meeting mine. It's nearly a foot of distance, but craning his neck to meet me doesn't feel like a bother.

"I have a couple of gigs I told Melanie I'd do. I can't be done completely. But I can let her know and put my notice at Queenie's, too."

He nods. "Are you okay with that?"

"Do I get a choice?"

"Always, Ophelia. You will always have a choice. I might feel… strongly," he finds the most diplomatic word possible, "about what you do with your time. But it's ultimately your time. You're incredibly passionate. You put yourself at risk when you deliver those pills to those in need. It's time we helped carry the burden, which means taking it to the next level. No more back alley deals. We do it front and center, and all these high-society alphas who attend the galas and pay their fees to court omegas—we demand they show up, too. It's time we all share that burden."

I don't realize I'm crying when his thumb wipes beneath my eye. My lips meet his in an earnest kiss. I'm overwhelmed and tired, but it's so comforting. I expect him to push me against the car and have my pants off in the next few seconds like Theo would, but, like he always has, he puts my needs first.

Holding my hand, he leads me into the house. I kiss the guys who are waiting patiently for us to come home, but Sully's right when he tells them I need sleep. Before stepping into my room, my nest, he asks permission to come in.

I lead him into the room and watch as he looks around at what I've done with their previously empty omega's nest. At the things Theo and I bought, and how we decorated. Greta helped me pick up a few things, too, and Asher lent me his computer so I could buy the rest online.

It's a blend of all my old things and all these new things. It's a perfect representation of the changes in my life—all the good, all the new, all the old, coming together.

If he notices the collection of fabrics drenched in their scent hiding under the pillows, he doesn't mention it. Neither have the others. Leaving me at the bathroom en suite door, he instructs, "Take a bath, Omega. Rest your body. I'll see you in the morning."

And with that, he kisses me. And though my body is left wanting, I'm not unsatisfied when I crawl into bed. It's rare that I don't sleep with the guys. Still, I have slept alone a few times. After everything—making up with Sully, now on good terms with my entire pack, which means genuinely accepting them as my pack, learning more about the night Alma died and, coincidentally, about Alma, and, lastly, contemplating this very new, massive plan to take on the wealthy packs of Arrow Cove and demand better treatment and respect of unbonded omegas, it's so much to take in, that I'm grateful I can be alone to process.

I'm so grateful to Sully, that sneaky bastard.

I fall asleep with a smile and more content than I've felt all my life.

Chapter 28

Ophelia

"I can't believe you have the nerve to show up here."

Red stands there with a devil-may-care smile but is much less relaxed and mischievous than when Theo does it. Straight pieces of black hair fall into his face, obscuring the intense, nearly white-blue of his eyes, but I don't need to see his eyes to know they're rolling.

"We have an official meeting, Your Highness. I'm here to pick you up. Come on."

I slam the door in his face.

Turning on my heel, I storm into the kitchen, where Greta dances to mariachi music playing on her phone while she empties the fridge to prepare for grocery shopping.

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