Page 113 of Talk About… Rivalry

“Thanks, Dr. Graves,” I said, giving him a smile. He hadn’t seen me doing much of that over the years of treating me.

“Well, Sidney, I see you found them.”

“I did.” My smile was bright as I glanced around at the others. “It was a crazy heat but they were here.”

His eyebrow raised and the lines deepened as he noted the bite marks visible on my neck.

“I can scent them, and they can scent me,” I confirmed, every ounce of relief filling that sentence.

A laugh escaped him and he did a little happy dance that had us all joining in.

“I knew it!” he said. “There wasn’t a case I was more invested in than yours, Sidney. The amount of late nights and research seem to have paid off. Though, I can’t take any credit. This was all you, being brave enough to trust them with something so delicate. They must be good men.”

“The best,” I confirmed as Taylor stepped closer, placing a kiss on my temple and tucking me into his side. His hand found my wrist, putting sweet pressure on the bite he’d placed there.

“Then you’re all good to go, there’s obviously no charge for our heat services, it’s part of what we do, so you just have to gather your things and go home,” he said. “Just let the nurses know as you leave, they always have a little gift bag for new packs.”

“We will,” I promised but I didn’t have to say it out loud, the guys were already scrambling to grab the few items that were ours here and pack up. As soon as Dr. Graves walked out we changed into the scrubs, thankful for the clean clothes.

“Ready?” Maverick asked, taking my other hand and pulling me in. Taylor let me go as my alpha leaned down to place a kiss on my lips. The smile on his face as he pulled away stole my breath.

“What?” I asked, cheeks flushing at the intensity of his gaze. The hazel eyes were so full of love and other unreadable emotions that I couldn’t decipher them all.

“I can do that anytime I want now,” he admitted, kissing me again to mark his words. “You’re mine and the world is going to know it.”

“I am,” I agreed. “And if another omega asks you out again, I’m throwing hands.”

He laughed again, the sound free and deep, echoing through me.

“You have no idea how many men I’ve fought off with looks for trying to talk to you. Only a few got through, and I’ll be happy to show them you’re off limits now,” he said, smug and confident.

If I thought he was protective before, I had a feeling it was about to be so much more intense.

I barely registered stopping by the nurses’ station or Leo taking whatever they had for us. I was in a fog of happiness, something I was clinging to with everything I had.

I deserved this.

Just as we burst through the front door of the Omega Network clinic, Maverick’s phone rang, then mine, the sound sharp in the quiet morning sun.

My heart leapt into my throat at Avery’s number on my screen. I answered, knowing something important was happening. Since Arden was here when I arrived, she knew exactly what happened last week.

“Sidney, tell me you’re done with your love fest,” she grunted, face pale and covered in sweat. “Because these babies are coming. Get your ass to the hospital and bring my brother.”

“We’re on the way,” Maverick said into his phone at the same time I gave her the same reassurance. Everyone picked up the pace as we all threw our things into Maverick’s truck and Bennett’s sleek SUV, piling in and rushing to the hospital.

We screeched to a halt at the front doors and I climbed out, running inside with Maverick on my heels. He tossed his keys to Leo, the other three parking our cars while we hurried toward Avery.

Nash was waiting for us, his usual smile gone as panic settled in.

“This way,” he choked out, rushing us further into the hospital toward the maternity ward.

Cameron, Charlie, and Mama Whitaker were there, waiting with the same level of anxiety.

“Is she in full-blown labor?” I asked as I joined them, Mama Whitaker sweeping me into a crushing hug.

“I knew you’d find your pack,” she whispered, hugging me close before releasing me. “Love the matching scrubs.”

“It’s all we had,” I admitted with a huff of a laugh.

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