Page 135 of Sunshine

“Hmmm.” Ember opened the container. It was done up like a bento box, with a fried pork cutlet sliced very fine and a plum dipping sauce with tempura vegetables, and a seaweed salad. “This looks amazing. I accept the food.”

Ember swung out of my office, and I couldn’t help but grin. “Logan suggested he pack Ember some of Alejandro’s food.”

Holly laughed. “So your alpha’s playing matchmaker.”

“He’s not my alpha.”

Holly arched an eyebrow.

“We’re not bonded.” I shifted in my seat. “Okay, okay. I’ll work on not feeling like the fourth wheel and accept their love and support for what it is. I’m moving in. Happy?”

Holly beamed. “Yes. Yes I am.”

I considered leaving early to start packing, but just as Holly was getting up to leave, my door opened again, and Talia stormed inside.

Her face was red, and her eyes were puffy.

“What’s wrong?”

Talia looked at Holly and then me. “Stephen and Jones broke up with me.”

“I’m sorry.” Holly said, putting a hand on Talia’s arm. “I’ll give you some space.”

I sat down on the couch next to Talia, secretly glad I had a light day today. Some of my tasks were put off this last week because Talia had been fighting with her boyfriends and I needed to talk to her on the phone about the situation. “What happened?”

“Everything was going great.” She sniffled. “I don’t know what went wrong.”

I handed her a bottle of water.

“They said they didn’t need me.” Her voice cracked. “That I was too high maintenance, and I acted like I was an omega.”

“Those bastards,” I hissed.

“Right?” Talia was outraged. “I spent hours helping them with their sales pitch, I brought them cookies and cupcakes for their offices. I worked late and got up early to go to their events. And now this.” She gestured with her hands, her voice shaking.

“I’m so sorry,” I said, wishing there was something I could do.

“Alphas are all the same,” she snapped. “Absolute selfish jerks. Making you jump through hoops just for a scrap of attention.”

I patted her back. “Honey, that’s horrible. You don’t deserve to be treated like that.”

“Don’t let those alphas of yours do the same thing.” She held up a hand. “Don’t make my mistake. Just because we’re betas doesn’t mean we’re not important.”

“They don’t,” I said softly. “Thank you for looking out for me.”

“Two alphas who already have their omega? How are they not treating you like a fling?” Talia frowned. “Don’t let them treat you like you’re just there for the ride.”

“I won’t,” I said again, shifting my weight. I didn’t get around to telling Talia that me and the pack had said we loved each other. I guess now was the time. “They said they loved me. I’m going to move in.”

“Okay.” Talia paused, her anger momentarily derailed. “You’re sure about that?”

“Yes,” I replied, and I was. Moving it was the right next step. It was time to stop worrying that something would go terribly wrong and take them for their word.

“Good. Because betas are awesome.”

“Weare,” I agreed. “Super awesome. If your boyfriends didn’t see that, they weren’t the right ones for you.”

Talia sniffled again, her eyes welling up with tears. “I don’t know what else I could have done to show them I was perfect for them.”

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