Page 39 of Reckless: Corruption

“I need to shower.” I glance around his nest, guilt creeping in at the mess I’ve made of his sanctuary. “I’ve probably ruined your blankets.”

“You are far more important than any blanket or sheet.” The omega conviction in his voice brooks no argument.

The room feels wrong—too quiet, too empty of the pack presence I’ve grown used to during fever dreams. Their scents linger like ghosts—Jinx’s restless pacing marked in leather and gunpowder, Finn’s steady vigilance in rain-washed corners, Ryker’s pine-sharp protection by the door. “How long have I been out?”

“Twelve hours.” Theo settles beside me, his hands hovering over my skin like he’s afraid I might dissolve into fever dreams again. The tremor in his usually graceful fingers becomes more pronounced, and I catch him swallowing hard, as if fighting against something internal.

“Are you okay?” I reach for his hand, steadying it with my own. “You’re shaking.”

He hesitates, that beautiful face caught between omega instinct to nurture and something more vulnerable. “I’m fine.”

“Theo.”

A sigh escapes him, his shoulders dropping. “The suppressants have side effects. Tremors, headaches, vertigo sometimes.” At my raised eyebrow, he continues. “I’ve been holding off my heat. Not the best timing with everything happening.”

“How long?”

“I have about a week’s worth left.” His gaze drops. “It was supposed to be a temporary measure until things settled, but?—”

“But I went and got myself captured by Sterling.” The guilt crashes through me anew.

“Hey.” He lifts my chin, gaze fierce. “This isn’t on you. I made my choice. The pack comes first—you come first. The rest can wait.”

The weight of his sacrifice—fighting his own biology while watching over me—makes my throat tight. “We need to talk about this. When I’m not half-delirious with fever.”

He nods, accepting the promise of future conversation without demands. “How long will this last?” I ask instead. I don’t voice the question burning in my throat—am I past the worst of it? The death rate for Sterling’s virus hangs between us like a shadow.

“Mona said about four days.”

“How long has it been?” Though I already know it can’t have been that long, not with how my body still burns.

“You’re on day two.” His hands find mine, steadying the shakes. “She’s been giving you vitamin shots every four hours.”

“Where is everyone?” My enhanced beta senses pick up distant movement—the comforting sounds of pack in our territory.

“Finn’s working with Mona on analyzing the virus. They’ve taken over the guest house—you should hear them argue about methodology. It’s terrifying and hilarious.” Theo’s smile carries fondness as he adjusts a pillow behind me. “Ryker’s coordinating additional security. After what happened at Sterling Labs, he’s taking no chances. Motion sensors, guard rotations, the works.”

“And Jinx?”

“Patrolling. He hasn’t sat still since we got back—like if he stops moving, you might disappear again.” There’s something gentle in the way Theo describes our feral alpha’s worry. “He’ll be upset about the beanie.”

My heart sinks. “You know about that?”

“You kept mumbling about it during your fever. Something about Alexander?”

The memory flashes through me—Alexander and blood, and trying to survive. “I lost it. When I was in Sterling Labs fighting my brother. I’m so sorry—I know how much it meant to Jinx.”

“The beanie was just yarn, piccola.” Theo’s fingers trace soothing circles on my skin. “You’re what matters. Jinx will understand.”

“Mona?” I ask.

“Your insane sister?” Theo’s lips curve, but there’s something like respect in his voice. “Finally crashed after forty-eight hours of what she calls scientific vigilance and what we call terrifying dedication to keeping you alive.” His fingers trace patterns on my fever-warm skin. “She fought sleep like it personally offended her. Kept muttering about viral progression rates and optimal treatment windows while practically vibrating from caffeine and sugar.”

The image hits harder than any of Alexander’s blows—Mona, who turns everything into scientific observation, fighting her own body’s needs just to watch over mine. “She... stayed?”

“She hasn’t stopped since we got here. Ordered enough medical equipment to raise red flags—we had to have it delivered to Omega Guardians. Ryker refused to pick up more until she slept.”

I can picture exactly how that went down. “She probably tried to sneak out.”

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