Page 1 of Packed in the Fire house

Chapter 1

Sunny

“Come on, little man,” I cooed as I rocked Luka in my arms. He had been going through a severe sleep regression as of late, and the extreme lack of sleep was getting to me. I had read that eighteen months was a common age for sleep regressions, and Luka was just shy of that. Every night between the hours of two and three a.m., he would wake up and scream relentlessly. Nothing I did would calm him down. Warm milk, playtime, watching his favorite cartoons, or even just cuddles with me—nothing was working.

Luka had been born premature, and was a little slower reaching his milestones. I had been assured he was perfectly healthy, the little angel was just taking his sweet time.

Naturally the sleep regression came right on schedule, though.

I scrambled to fill the sippy cup with warm milk one-handed, as he was still on my hip. All the while, I resisted the urge to sob. Unlike most omegas who had a baby, I didn’t have a pack of alphas excitedly willing to help me. I was completely on my own. It was my fault, really. I was the one who chose to leave my ex in the middle of the night without a word. Did I regret it? No,because I adored my son more than anything. But it probably wasn't the best life decision I had ever made.

Actually, I wasn't completely on my own. I had my twin brother, Storm. He had been there for me since the day I’d told him I was pregnant. He was even the first person I’d told. I’d called him from the bathroom in tears when I was lost and confused and had no idea what I was going to do. But he had a pack of his own now, with an omega and children, and he had to focus on them. I couldn't call him every night just because Luka didn't want to sleep. His omega, Kennedy, was a fantastic creature, who I adored greatly, and would have jumped in to help me without hesitation. I loved them. I loved all my family dearly. But part of me resented how easy they had it.

When I watched my sister-in-law being doted on, every single member of her pack ready to help her in an instant with their two babies, jealousy pinged through my chest. Iwantedher to have that support. Every omega needed that kind of support when they had babies. Having babies wasn't easy business. It was messy and painful and exhausting, and I had done most of it on my own.

Luka had clearly decided that he didn't want to be in his own bed tonight, so once the sippy cup of warm milk was in hand, I wandered over to the sofa, rocking him slightly as I moved. Grabbing the threadbare blanket I’d thrifted after I had first moved in, I wrapped it around the pair of us as I turned on the TV quietly to not disturb my neighbors. Ever since he was a tiny baby, Luka had loved those dancing fruit videos, so I popped one of those on and cuddled down with him.

My son and I lived in an apartment building with thin walls, and the sound carried through the floors far too easily. I knew for a fact my creepy downstairs neighbor was into feet, thanks to the videos he watched loudly every night.

The downright hypnotic properties of the dancing fruit quickly lulled me into a restful state. It didn't help that I was weary to my bones with exhaustion, but thankfully, Luka was entertained, wrapped up in my arms, watching the fruit as he drank his milk. As soon as I could afford it, I was going to buy a TV for the bedroom. Too many times, I had fallen asleep in front of the TV, like I was starting to do now, my eyelids getting heavy with sleep.

Before sleep could truly claim me, I scrambled to find my phone, which was falling down the side of the couch cushion, without disturbing Luka, who was also drifting off in my arms. Setting several alarms for the morning, which was only a few hours away, I groaned internally. I had several college papers due, and I was so far behind. I was technically in the fifth year of a four-year degree. I had gone part-time when I’d first given birth and even took a few months off in the early days. As a result, my education was a mess, but I was determined to get through it.

Before I had gotten pregnant, I had been majoring in education with a minor in social studies, with the intent of going on to be a social worker or teacher once I graduated. The hours for both of those jobs were brutal, though, and now that I was a single mother, I doubted I would have the time for either career. Still, finding a stable job was what was best for my little family.

As a soft snore escaped Luka’s chest, I sighed in relief, knowing I could sleep now. Although, there was no way in hell I was going to be able to move from the couch. If I even tried, Luka would have been screaming in three seconds flat. So, despite the springs of the decrepit old sofa digging into my back, I let my eyes slip shut and drifted into unconsciousness, hoping for something akin to a peaceful rest.

Then again, I was a mother. I never got that.

I had been sleeping so deeply that I wasn’t even aware of my surroundings until Luka’s little leg kicked me in the rib. For such a cute baby, he really did pack a punch.

Sitting up, I cuddled him to my chest. My back was screaming in pain from the stubborn, lumpy old sofa.

The haze of sleep cleared, and my surroundings registered.

The room smelled wrong, like ash, and there was the faint smell of smoke.

A faint smell that was rapidly getting stronger.

Jumping up, Luka in my arms, I rushed to the window, where flashing lights were almost blinding me.

Fire engines.

Was the building on fire?

Judging by the plumes of smoke coming out of the lower windows, it most certainly was.

“Shit!” I hissed, clutching Luka closer to my chest. He was starting to stir in my arms, my cursing rousing him.

This was a very dangerous situation, and my head spun as I thought about what I needed to do. It was just me and Luka. My chest constricted painfully at the idea that my child wasn’t safe.

I didn’t care about myself; my baby was what was most important.

Obviously, getting out of the building was a priority. The elevator never worked—the building manager was far more concerned with what he could do for himself than for the good of the building.

Stairs, it was.

Living on the third floor, I was used to it. Tucking Luka closer, so his face was in the crook of my neck, I made my wayas quickly as possible to the door, my feet tripping over a few of Luka’s toys on my way.

---