Page 71 of Forget

“Wow,” Meghan whispers as I lift Benji carefully in my arms, so I can stand. “This place is incredible.”

“Only because of all the help we get,” I tell her honestly as I start moving toward the community room. The computer room is just off to the side, and we should be able to fit a small Pack ‘n Play behind her so Benji can sleep.

We have a couple of college students staying with us, but they never complain about the noise. They put on their headphones and get shit done, which is all you can do in a busy community setting.

Meghan trails behind me as she follows, shaking her head. “No, this place is incredible,” she says.

“There’s so much more that Wren and I want to do, but it’ll happen as we can do it,” I tell her. “I connected with an incredible therapist who is going to be here a few times a week. She actually has already started seeing a few residents, and it’s gone really well. We’re paying for her services, or running through insurance, whichever way is most applicable. She’s seriously incredible.”

“You’re sure?” Meghan asks suspiciously, opening a closet to grab a Pack ‘n Play. We had a few donated in pristine condition, and they’ve been a lifesaver.

“Positive,” I tell her. “I’ve met with her, and also listened to her at a psychology conference she was at. I sat in the audience, and didn’t have any conflicts with what she said. Trust me, I don’t think that’s ever happened before.”

Meghan smirks as she sets up the Pack ‘n Play inside of the computer room for Benji, and I rock him from side to side.There’s not many people in here right now, so this is the perfect time for her to get some research done.

Carefully laying him down, I wave at them both, and leave her to her work.

Grabbing my bag as I pass my desk, I say goodbye to everyone and hurry out. I’ll never leave otherwise. There’s just too much to do, and I know that. However, I’m starving, and Pack Mohan promised me food and time with my friends.

When I first met Wren, she didn’t have a phone, and I was worried her pack was isolating her. Turns out, she was sold at auction when she was ten. Wren presented early as an omega, and her parents were terrible people.

Her story is one of many where omegas are exploited and mistreated.

Walking through the side alley to my car, I call Wren to tell her I’m leaving.

“They kidnapped you and are holding you hostage at work, aren’t they?”Wren asks, giggling.

“Almost,” I sigh with a smile. “I swear, there’s never enough time in the day.”

“Well, I got through all the backlogged emails today,” she says, making me cheer loudly. I hate unanswered messages. They give me anxiety.

“Yeah, I knew that would make you happy. There’s an omega women’s organization that wants to put together a silent auction in our honor. I don’t know much about them, so we can do a little research together and then take a meeting with them.”

“Can we bring Shaw with us?” I ask with a snicker, unlocking my door and sliding into my vehicle. “No one is ever mean to us when he’s with us.”

“Shaw, I think you’re currently Aisling’s favorite,”Wren calls out as I start the car and hit the locks.

There’s been so much snow, Dad convinced me to drive one of his other cars. It blows my mind that he has so many, but he’s right. The SUV definitely drives smoother in Minnesota weather.

“What? That’s bullshit!” Everest yells.

“Tell Everest that people don’t believe he’s scary unless he’s actively torturing people, and that’s not the vibe we’re going for,” I say teasingly, backing the vehicle up and starting my drive to their house.

“You’re on speaker,” Everest says. “I’m sure I can do dark and broody just as well as this fucker.”

“What about me?”Ambrose asks. “I’m not just a preppy boy.”

”This is true, but Shaw has a way of sweet talking older women, while making sure no one is rude to us,” I remind him. I don’t know what it is, but Shaw is like catnip for older omegas.

Shaw chuckles, enjoying his notoriety. “Okay, troublemaker, please be careful on these roads. They just plowed up by our house, but we all still worry,”he says.

Making sure my headlights are on, I nod as I drive. “I’ll be careful,” I promise. “See you soon.”

Hanging up, I turn on my music and make my way out of the city and drive the forty minutes to their house. It’s closer when I’m at my dad’s, but there’s also a fair amount of traffic during the week. Still, I breathe a sigh of relief as I pull into the driveway with their gate and call box.

It’s bigger than the one they had before, because apparently, Wren’s brother had a fit of anger once and jumped the fucking thing. God save me from these growly alphas and their testosterone.

Shaking my head, I push the call button and wave at the video camera, smiling as the gate opens.

---