Page 23 of Absolute Devotion

I find Bear and Xylo huddled around the kitchen counter, muttering around bags of groceries, the chaos unfolding in my home comfortable. It really does feel like family. I focus on our Omega for a few more moments, her soft breathing and little squeals of happiness a testament to the trust she’s slowly beginning to place in us. That isn’t something I’ll take for granted. Not after everything she’s endured.

Joining the brothers in the kitchen, I unconsciously move toward Bear’s side, the Zeta leaning into my touch on his shoulder. Xylo tracks the movement, a smile creeping onto his lips. “We grabbed a few things from the grocery store since we’ll be pretty busy and a few more blankets for her nest. Kinda forgot that we’ll have to wash things every once and a while.” We all share a look at the laundry piled up in front of the washing machine from her heat. I’ve attacked some of it but I’m just glad that we bought enough to replenish her nest or we’d be rolling around on crunchy fabric.

Bear nods as he starts unpacking some of the fresh fruit and cheese to stock the fridge. I hadn’t planned on being in Emsboro any longer than this investigation would take but wherever Nala goes, I’ll be following right after. It seems that she’d want to stay here near her brother but that’s a question for later.

Xylo slides a folder to me across the counter. “The cages Nala described sound like the ones here. Theyareconnected and I suspect that some of the other Omegas Nala had been with on those Saturdays became victims of POCA. Do you recognize any of these names?”

I frown at the list of names scratched down on a piece of paper. “How did you get this? That academy is locked down tight.”

“Our Omega woke up wanting chocolate in exchange for information. She said it’s not fair that she gets to have a happy ending when others are suffering and asked what she could do. Don’t worry, Alpha, I didn’t force anything but she wrote down all of her Omega classmates and anyone else she could remember. I recognize one of the names from a case last year and he's doing fine with her Alpha. Another one is deceased.”

I read through the names, picking out a few that have popped up in other cases. Redland Academy really could be a source, although that doesn’t explain Kieran’s involvement. I’m beginning to think that Michael—their abuser—really wasjust a loose cannon but that most of their prospects stemmed from places where parents wouldn’t miss them until it was too late. We’d already figured out that Omegas were being pulled from Omega centers and other places where Omegas are underreported. This realization just makes it worse.

Xylo’s jaw clenches, the faintest trace of anger flashing across his face before he can stifle it. “When I think about the shit she’s been through, it makes me want to tear through anyone who ever made her feel unsafe.” He picks up one of the orange juice cartons, squeezing it a little too tightly. “None of that shit should have ever happened.”

Bear places a calming hand on his brother’s shoulder, a silent reminder that we are here now, that this is a fresh start for all of us. “Let’s focus on her, yeah? She’ll feel it if we bring that anger around her.”

As if on cue, Zahria slips into the kitchen, her eyes heavy-lidded but sharp, carrying that air of fierce protectiveness that defines her. “I tried to convince her but our Omega is adamant about returning to work. Ren said he’ll swing by to pick her up. She’s fully protected at that school and I know how wary we are to have her out of our sight but this is just one of those little things we need to be okay with.”

Xylo beats me to the question. “It’s dangerous out there! Those lingering agents could be gunning for her. Why did you agree to that?”

Zahria searches through the bags to find bagels. Her eyes light up when they turn out to be blueberry.Good to know. “I didn’t agree to anything, Xylo. What Ididagree to was to listen to her. She wants to be that strong woman she used to be before everything happened. She wants to use her degree and show everyone that she’s more than just an Omega with a strong scent.”

Bear glances toward the living room and then back at Zahria. “Why does she feel like she has to prove anything to anyone? Ria…”

I finally understand what Zahria is alluding to. “She’s trying to prove to herself that she’s more than just an Omega with a scent. She’s not truly doing this for anyone else. There’s security around that building and Ren and several other staff are there if something should happen. She has our number and we’ll only be a few streets away. No, Bear, you cannot go sit outside the school. You’ll get reported for scaring kids.” I choke on a laugh just as Nala peeks her head over the couch.

Her gaze narrows at me before a wide smile splits her lips. “I’m going to work,” she muses as she climbs over the couch with an empty mug and a half-eaten bag of marshmallows. “I’m not in heat and I’ll just distract all of you with nothing to do here. I’m annoying when I’m bored.”

And suddenly, I want to experience every last moment with Nala. I’m curious to knowhowannoying she is when she has nothing to do.

twenty-two

NALA

I laugh at their playful antics, finding it comfortable to sit at the island and just watch. No one expects anything of me, not even to set the table. No one is asking me to fulfill those Omega needs that were shoved down my throat growing up. I’m just allowed to be. I know this happiness won’t last for long once I leave for work and they’re knee-deep in the investigation all over again but one can dream.

Xylo slides a plate of toast across the table, trying to hold back his laughter. “We’re not all that great at cooking but Zahria and Bear have some skills. Stick with them and you’ll eat like royalty.”

I know for a fact that that’s a lie. Zahria doesn’t really cook. Bear, on the other hand, I like his French toast. Bear rounds the table and squeezes my shoulder before placing a glass of orange juice beside the plate. “Don’t listen to my brother. I know a few recipes but the rest is improvisation.

“Improvisation sounds good,” I say softly, glancing around the kitchen. “I think I like it.”

Montgomery chuckles, taking a seat beside me. “Well, you’re in good company then. Improvisation seems to be our specialty.”

As we eat, the tension dissipates, the barriers that stood between us fully dissolving. The dynamics are still awkward and I’ll still blush if I catch Xylo kissing Zahria or Montgomery doing the same to Bear. I tamper down those thoughts, not wanting any of them to know what I’m thinking. By the way three of the four reach down to adjust themselves, I’m guessing that I didn’t stuff it down far enough.

A lingering question hangs in the balance as I swallow and turn to our Alpha. “Monty, what did you see when you found me? I was a wreck and I left but why did you look for me again? Besides all the biology stuff.”

He leans back, letting out a slow breath before answering. “I saw strength.” Those stormy gray eyes meet mine. “I saw someone who was fighting to hold herself together, even when everything around her was falling apart.”

I think it was Montgomery who first gave me hope that I was more than an Omega with a scent. Without meeting him, I would have suffered the same fate many Omegas did at Michael’s hands. But he gave me a sense of self-worth that I had lost over the years. “Thank you,” I murmur, placing my hand in his. “For seeing me.”

The day passes without excitement, Ren holding his tongue from asking the one question he wants to when he picks me upanddrops me off after work. However, I’m not a terrible person and I let him know that my mates took care of me and we’re working it out, as awkward as it is.

The warmth of the house greets me as I step back inside, all of them huddled in the kitchen like handymen rather than detectives. Xylo still isn’t wearing a shirt, Zahria crisscrossedon a stool wearing the garment he’s missing. There’s a lot of disheveled hair and loungewear that I found wholly appealing. I love them in suits but I also like this version as well.

Bear catches my scent first, bounding over to drag me into a hug, and then deposits me beside Zahria. They all dole out little touches and kisses, each one respecting my space in a way I thought I would have to ask for. I haven’t touched the bracelet on my arm once, each of them figuring out how far to push without going too far. It’s a new experience. The brothers start jabbering about something by the sink, Montgomery pulling me into a tighter hug as I rest against his chest.

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