“It’s a four-way tie.” Charlotte rose up, pulling me with her. “Come on. Let’s go make sure all the horses aren’t only half-done.”
We checked over the horses together and made sure all the equipment was properly put away.
Leo was fussing over Eclipse when we passed by. “You guys did great. Way different vibe than the shows, but it was nice spending time with the kids. We’re doing adult classes too, right?”
“We had a lot of interest in it,” replied Charlotte.
“Do you think…”
“I’ll ask Madison if she would like lessons,” Charlotte promised.
“Really?”
“I think she’d like it. Good excuse to spend more time together.”
“He’s got it bad for your bestie,” I whispered to Charlotte as we continued on.
“Better him than the one she’s with,” she replied.
I gave a mock gasp. “Princess, are you encouraging an omega to step out on her alpha?”
“I’m just letting her see what else is out there. I would expect her to either get the go-ahead from Tyler that he’s okay with packing up, or for her to leave him before she pursues anyone else.”
“Sounds terrifying for her.”
“I have no doubt that it would be. I just need her to realize what she wants now rather than years down the line, when she’ll have missed out on so much time with someone who actually gives a damn.”
I swung Charlotte up into my arms bridal style. “We’re turning you into a romantic.”
“It’s new territory for me.” She laughed and followed it up with a yawn. “I could sleep for a year. I feel like I used to recover from heats faster. I don’t know if it’s just because I’ve gotten older, or what.”
I slipped my arm around her waist. “In fairness, you wereparticularlyvoracious. Hot as hell, but damn, girl. I wasn’t sure I was gonna make it through.”
Charlotte hummed thoughtfully. “Do you think that’s just because of the scent match making it all more intense?”
“Probably. I bet the bonds amped it up too.”
“Makes sense. I get the feeling it went absolutely wild to make sure those bonds got snuck in before the opportunity was gone forever. I think maybe that’s another reason I’m not freaking out about it like I thought I would. It’s not like I have the luxury of time. If this was my last heat, I’m okay with everything happening at once rather than wanting to later and not having the chance.”
“I don’t like you being rushed, but I’m not upset over getting to bond you early.”
She blinked back tears, sorrow rising in the bond. The others noticed too, immediately making their ways over.
“What’s wrong, princess?”
“I just really wish my parents could have met everyone. I think they would’ve loved all of you.”
I drew her out of the horse stall so everyone had room to wrap around our omega.
“I miss them.”
Beau kissed the top of her head. “They may be gone but they’re not forgotten. They’d be so proud of you.”
We couldn’t do anything about her loss except love her enough that it filled in some of the broken pieces. Her grief wouldn’t lessen, but hopefully with enough love we could help her grow around it.
Heaven knew I had a lifetime of it ready to give her.
We hosted everyone at the arena to avoid being crammed in like sardines at the apartments.