Page 65 of One Wild Omega

Kind of how he felt.

Fitz came up behind him. Close, but not touching. Tanner almost leaned back into him, but he wouldn’t make the same mistake again.

“It can be rebuilt.”

Tanner had heard that same sentiment over and over again through the night. They would rebuild… yet Tanner knew he’d never get those paintings back. The statues… the creation that had poured from his mind and his hands… the legacy he wanted to leave behind… it was simply all gone.

Bellamy approached. “I need to get home to Carter. Quinn’s staying and making sure you get home.”

“I can make sure he gets home,” Fitz said.

Bellamy looked between the pair of them, a faint smile playing at his lips.

“He’snotmy alpha, Bellamy. I already told you that,” Tanner said, exhaustion gripping him. He was in no mood for this game… even if that article was zipping around at the back of his mind.

Bellamy’s smile faded. “Of course. I never said he was.”

“I saw that knowing look. I don’t want to see it again. There’s nothing to know. Nothing to see…” Tears burned the backs of Tanner’s eyes again.

Bellamy came over and hugged him. “You need to go home and get some rest.”

Quinn was suddenly at Bellamy’s side. He eyed Tanner, pity in his eyes. Pity he couldn’t stand to see. “I’ll take you home.”

“I’ll take him home,” Fitz interjected. “You two have the baby to get back to. I’ll make sure Tanner’s okay.”

“I’m right here,” Tanner murmured, but even he barely heard his own voice.

Quinn replied to Fitz as if he hadn’t said a word. “Yeah, thanks. I’d appreciate it if you could. I’m already late for a morning meeting—plus I’ll have to call the insurance company and get all that started, I assume.”

“I thought the building was Tanner’s?” Fitz asked.

“It is. Just legally in my name,” Quinn said.

“Why?”

“Because I’m just a silly omega who can’t take care of myself,” Tanner interjected.

“Ineversaid that,” Quinn shot back.

So theycanhear. Tanner scrubbed his face with both hands, not in the mood to argue. He wasn’t in the mood for anything. He just wanted to be alone. Somewhere quiet. “Just go. Carter needs you both. I don’t. I’ll be fine.”

They both looked to Fitz, as if he couldn’t handle getting himself home. Fitz nodded, which only set Tanner’s jaw more.

“Hey, Quinn—make sure you call the utility companies first. They’ll need to know to turn off the electric and the gas.”

“Will do,” Quinn said before giving Tanner a hug. “We’ll get it all handled. Don’t you worry.”

Tanner just stared at his brother, numb.

“Get some rest,” Bellamy said after another hug—and they both turned and left.

Rest? As if he could sleep after watching his life go down in flames. He turned back to the empty, charred shell of a building…

The numbness intensifying.

Until Fitz pulled him close.

He closed his eyes a moment, reveling in the feel of his alpha protecting him.

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