Page 118 of Forget

It’s nowhere near enough sustenance, and I know that they’re all going to be starving when they wake up. I may as well get breakfast started since I’m ambulatory and getting ready to face the day.

While I pretended to sleep so they could have their time with Aisling, I did actually get some shut eye.

It'll have to be enough for now.

Washing my hair and body, I feel a twinge of sadness, because I am also ridding myself of our mingled scents. I don’t know when I’ll be able to experience it again, not when she’ll instantly recognize me and my scent.

She’s a smart girl, I know that she’ll put it all together quickly. Blowing out a breath, I shut off the water and dry off, winding the towel around my waist as I get out and brush my teeth.

My scruff is scratchy from growth, and desperately needs attention. I doubt I’ll be going anywhere, even though I need to call my boss, so it’ll have to wait until later. Swishing water around in my mouth, I spit it out and rinse my toothbrush.

My mind is creating a checklist of important things that I need to do, organizing it in accordance with damage control.

I didn’t think I’d participate in Aisling’s heat, didn’t expect her to scream for my presence. I’m imprinted on her as her alpha, even if she doesn’t know who I am. I’ve never heard of this happening, but her first heat and entrance into her designation wasn’t normal.

It was traumatic in both instances, both following on the heels of loss and fear. My heart spasms in pain, and I rub my chest with a wince as I pull jeans and a burgundy long-sleeved henley shirt from the closet. I forgo boxers as I dress, thinking about the pain I’m feeling.

I’ve heard that alphas are driven by instinct to be good to their omega, and anything outside of that can be dangerous for them. I’ve heard of some alphas losing their sanity due to it, the pain driving them to do things they normally wouldn’t.

I’m our pack’s true north, the one they look to for what to do. I fucked up this year out of fear, keeping them from knowing that Aisling was my scent match, with a high probability that she was theirs as well.

So damn stupid.

Caelin once told me that I kept them on the straight and narrow, which is why he chose to get his tattoo. Domh’s tattoo is for Evan, since his faint scent of orchids is often overlooked. His flames on his hands are also a mirror image of Evan’s.

Those two are thick as thieves. Evan has always felt insecure about what he could offer an omega, but Aisling begged for his presence as much as any of us.

I meshed all of their tattoos into one beautiful melded tattoo on my body, the only one I have.

Staying barefoot once I’m dressed, I find my phone and take it downstairs to charge, since it’s dead after four days. Shaking my head, it’s all I can do to wrap my mind around everything.

Keeping busy is the only way for me to deal, so I start to cook up a feast. I can see why some people find solace in this task, because it helps to quiet the demons, just a bit.

Pancakes, sausage, hash browns, and eggs, I maximize the burners on our stove as I cook and keep the oven on a low setting to keep everything warm. Once my phone charges, I call the boss, ignoring any texts or voice messages. Everything else can wait.

“Come up for air, boyo?” Cian drawls, making me cringe. Yeah, I guess he could say that.

“Yes,” I grunt instead. “I couldn’t stay away. I tried, but I couldn’t.”

“I didn’t expect you to,” he says.“Staying away is what is hurting her. Fix this, Hayes. Aisling is well trained, by the way. I’d suggest hiding all of your weapons. She's going to be fit to be tied when she realizes who you really are.”

“I heard about Pack Dayton,” I say wryly. “I decided it wouldn’t be right to kidnap and leave her without the security of her knife. I locked everything else up, though. I can survive a knife wound.”

Cian snorts, making me raise a brow as I flip more pancakes. I’m preparing myself for her anger and their hunger. That's all I can do.

“I think I underestimated you, though there’s still plenty of time for you to continue to fuck up,”he says. “Aisling can’tsurvive without her scent matches unless she rejects you. Even then…”

“Ah, about that,” I mutter.

“Did you fucking bite her, you motherfucker?”he growls. I can hear my death in his tone, and I shudder. He’s one scary asshole on his best day. This unfortunately is not one of them.

“No, Sir,” I deny. “However, the other alphas in my pack have. She asked, and I know that’s not considered consent, but?—”

“You give your omega what she needs, and tell the consequences to fuck themselves,”he grunts. “I’m well aware. Take care of her. Good luck. I won’t hesitate to bury you in my garden alongside my dead wife if she kills you.”

With that heartwarming comment, he hangs up. Sighing, I mutter, “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“Leather and whiskey,” a voice breathes from behind me, making me gasp as I turn around.

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