Page 45 of Heat Hesitation

Ophelia holds herself together as best she can while she and Melanie say goodnight. Melanie tries to talk her out of accepting. At first, I thought it was obligatory, but the more they talked, the more Melanie realized that Sully would use money to fix a lot of problems, which wasn't necessarily a good thing. She makes an honest effort to get Ophelia to change her mind. I think back to Ophelia's comment after I told her I'd simply replace her coffee table when Enzo broke it. I didn't understand why it offended her at the time.

That's the thing about Ophelia, though, that I'm starting to learn. She's selfless in many ways, sacrificing her happiness for the greater good. She'd never say no to Sully's offer, and he knew it.

Melanie leaves, and Ophelia and Enzo disappear into her bedroom, where she presumably packs a bag. I try not to feel jealous that she and my brother obviously grew so close so fast, of the bond they get to share. I'm truly happy for Enzo.

She won't look at Sully as we make our way out of her apartment and downstairs, parting ways as she and Enzo climb into Theo's car.

"We'll pack up the rest of your stuff tomorrow and have it moved," Sully tells her before Theo drives off. She doesn't look up or respond.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but you did the right thing, forcing her like that," I tell Sully once we're shut inside the SUV. We sit quietly in front of her apartment building for a minute.

"I know. She could have been killed." We let that sink in.

Even though we want Ophelia to live somewhere nice and even though her neighbor shot a gun off so carelessly—not for the first time, apparently—we both feel uncomfortable knowing that even though we got what we want, it isn't going to make any of us happy for a while.

Chapter 20

Ophelia

I fell asleep with Enzo. It didn't even occur to me to ask for my own room, which I'm sure they have an abundance of in this massive house. Enzo didn't offer, and I didn't ask; he just clutched my hand as we climbed out of Theo's car last night and led me to his bedroom.

There must be an omega nest somewhere; most established packs build one in their shared home, but I haven't had the courage to ask. I don't think they've ever seriously courted an omega. I would have read about it, but I know they've dated plenty. I don't know how I'd feel knowing someone else had used the nest. By someone like Bridgette or Imogen.

I'm angry at the alphas for flirting with the other women, but Enzo assured me it was a misunderstanding, and I trust his—admittedly, sometimes brutal—honesty. In any case, last night was such a whirlwind that I'd nearly forgotten about the luncheon, overshadowed by Sully manipulating me into moving into their house.

Is it beautiful? Yes. Is it my dream house? Yes. Even better than I could have conjured up myself? Absolutely.

I'm still pissed.

It would surprise no one to learn that Enzo's room is immaculate and organized. His clothes are meticulously folded, and his bed is made like a hotel's. I asked about a cleaning service, and he said they have someone come once a week. The guys take care of the daily maintenance around the house, like their bedrooms, while Greta helps in the common areas and does most of the cooking. Which means Enzo folds and tucks in his sheets with the militant precision of a hotel maid.

I've yet to meet Greta, though I'm a little nervous. From previous conversations, I knew that she used to work for Sully's family and that she was something like a mother figure to the guys. When she came to work for the Constantine Pack, they set her up in a nice house only a few miles from theirs. She mostly cooks breakfast and lunch, leaving the guys to fend for themselves for dinner, cooking on their own, or reheating something she prepared in advance.

I should find her and introduce myself since I'm apparently living here now, but I don't want to risk running into Sully.

When I woke up this morning, the sky was still dark. Enzo was wide awake, sitting in a chair across from the bed, fully dressed in workout clothes, staring at me.

From the bond, I knew that he was feeling clingy but that he also has routines he sticks to, so I encouraged him to exercise as he needed, and I'd be right where he left me when he returned; sleeping, like a normal person.

It took a little more convincing than that, including a desperate fuck where I felt every little fear and anxiety he held inside at leaving me, but the bond goes both ways, and when we were both more relaxed, he relented and left the bedroom.

I'd woken three more times to him coming in and out of the room, between his long jog on the trails in the woods, his weight lifting in their lower level gym, and his breakfast routine. All of this before I was really fully conscious.

The man is a machine.

Now I'm awake and surprised to find the room empty. I can feel Enzo in the bond. If I look for it, it's like plucking a thread, humming with satisfaction, and I know he's close by.

Digging through my bag, I pull out a pair of leggings and a tank top with an oversized, loose cardigan. I don't have to work tonight so I plan to use the day to gain my bearings. And just because I'm pissed at the way Sully got me to move in here, I'm grateful for what he's doing for the residents of C-Block, for Melanie. So I'm going to make damn sure he follows through.

The smell of coffee and pastries pulls me down the halls of my new home. I get a faint impression of the alphas as I pass each bedroom. Asher's woodsy scent is the strongest, and I pause outside a door, wondering if he's inside.

My ear presses against the solid wood for barely a second before I fall inward as Asher whips open the door.

"Oof," I fall into his hard chest. His arms wrap around me, and I decide then and there that Asher gives the best hugs. It's a bear hug, big, warm and comforting but also supportive and safe, which is exactly what I need right now. He smells like adventure and summer nights.

"Careful little one, an alpha lurks around every corner of this house."

"I guess you caught me," I smile, rubbing my cheek against his hard pecs.

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