Page 70 of Talk About… Rivalry

Some of Leo’s confidence faltered as he led us up the porch. He glanced around at his house with fresh eyes trying to see it through our perspective most likely.

“Look, it’s a work in progress. There’s a lot about this place that’s a mess, but I’m working on it.”

“Wehave been working on it,” Taylor emphasized. “And that’s so not an important point right now.”

“Agreed,” I grunted, nodding for him to open the door. Leo did as I asked, holding it wide so I could lead Sidney inside, too.

Bennett walked in behind us, letting out a small hum of approval.

Even I couldn’t find much to complain about. The house had character. Sure, there were a lot of updates to be made, but itwas already starting to improve. Fresh coats of paint covered the walls and the floor shined under our feet. The base was here and that was what mattered.

This was one of those old houses where the architecture shined. I wasn’t the only one who loved it.

“This house is beautiful,” Sidney said. I hated how her voice wavered. Instinctively, I rubbed at the ache in my chest with one hand, my other tightening around her waist just a little. Feeling her in my arms was calming some of it, but I needed to know what happened.

“We don’t even have a couch yet,” Leo said. “But we can settle at the kitchen table.”

I led Sidney to the table he pointed out. I pulled out a chair and settled down, draping Sidney across me. I wasn’t ready to let her go yet.

She went red and tried to move, but I tightened my grip, leaning in to whisper in her ear.

“I’ll let you go if I have to, Sidney, but having you in my arms is calming my alpha down right now.”

“What happened at that doctor’s office today?” Taylor asked.

She let out a breath and I half expected her to not give us an answer. I should have known she’d surprise me. Her voice was a little stronger this time, even if she wouldn’t look at any of us as she spoke, eyes trained on the table in front of us.

“I’m pretty sure we all know that I don’t have the ability to scent and I have no scent myself. My heats have always been unpredictable. They’re short and choppy, something I could just ride out alone.”

My stomach turned at the thought of her riding out a heat by herself. Somehow, I kept myself from saying anything, knowing she needed us to simply listen.

“At The Landing last night… for the first time in my entire life, I caught a scent.” Her eyes flickered to Leo, confirming what he’d already told us.

Bennett cleared his throat and leaned forward, making sure her eyes were on him. “I scented you that night we spent together. It was brief, but it was there.”

A little growl escaped me but Bennett just waved me off.

“You don’t get to complain when you didn’t even tell her how you felt,” he chastised me. My mouth snapped shut.

He was right. What could I fucking say to that? This was all my fault. I could have had her for years at this point.

If today was any indication, she needs all of us, just as much as I need her.

“Dr. Graves thinks that at least one of you is my mate, and that it’s likely going to kick my heat into gear. Hence the weird emotions. He gave me a week, maybe two, to prepare but that’s only a guess. The doctor suggested that I talk to you guys about helping me through it and…”

She cut herself off, unable to get the words out. We glanced at each other to check in, not one ounce of hesitance between us.

We were all willing to help her through her heat if she wanted it. I would even put aside my differences with Leo.

Anything for her.

She shook in my lap and I tightened my grip, about to ask what was wrong when the other alpha spoke up.

“What is it?” Bennett prompted her. He had a way of speaking that was so commanding, firm but gentle enough that the answer came tumbling out of her.

“He thinks that mate bites will fix my issues. But I can’t ask you guys to give that up for me. If I’m not your mate, I’m not willing to ruin your chances at finding the omega fate wants you to have.”

Sidney

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