Page 44 of Follow Your Instincts

My heart sank, but I nodded. It was what I had expected after Lachlan’s behavior, but it still hurt. Much more than it should have after only meeting her twice.

“Of course,” I said roughly. “Take all the time you need.”

Maggie nodded sadly. “Goodnight.”

I kissed her palm. “Goodnight, sugar.”

As I watched her walk into the front door, a dull panic settled into my stomach. We had to fix this. I just had no idea how.

Chapter 16

Maggie

“Maggie, dear, would you like to come out and join us for lunch?” Steffi asked.

“No,” I croaked. I was burrowed so deeply into the blankets that I couldn’t see her, but I could feel her disapproval anyway.

“Oh, chicken, it’s been three days, you can’t stay in bed anymore,” she pleaded.

“Yes, I can. I’m very good at it,” I said.

The foot of the bed dipped from Steffi’s weight. “I think it’s time for some tough love.”

I scoffed.

Steffi pulled at the blankets until she unearthed my face. I squinted at the bright sunlight pouring in from the window. She looked annoyed but concerned, like how Mrs. Rosen had looked when I was sick growing up.

“I think I’ve been quite patient, but you’ve had enough time to wallow. I don’t even know what you’re wallowingaboutsince you won’t tell me-”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I said.

Steffi’s nostrils flared delicately. “Yes. So you’ve said. Repeatedly.” She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, as if gathering her patience. “Please just come and have lunch, andthen you can get back into bed and wallow to your heart’s content.”

I groaned. The thought of being around other people was almost unbearable.

“Dear, you’re worrying me. I know I don’t know you very well, but you seem like a very strong young woman. If this is about what happened the night you presented, there are some great counselors you could-”

“It’s not about that,” I interrupted. The last thing I wanted to think about was that horrific cherry on top of the disaster my life had become.

It wasembarrassing. I had been around these guys, Soren excluded, for a few hours. I didn’t know them. Lachlan clearly didn’t like me at all. Ben was a shameless flirt who probably made everyone feel special. Lucas was sweet but seemed closed off.

So then why,why, did it feel like the end of the world that I wouldn’t see them again? Why was I listening to emo music on repeat? Why was I exclusively watching ’90s romcoms and bawling when the credits rolled? Why was I on the verge of tears thinking about their dumb faces? Why had I refused to shower so I could sniff my hair under the covers to try and unearth a few molecules of their scents left to huff like an addict?

Being an Omega was turning out to be the big pile of wet shit I had known it would be.

But instead of saying any of that to Steffi, who, bless her, was just trying to make sure an Omega in her care didn’t get bed sores, I rolled my eyes and sat up.

“Fine,” I said. “I’ll come eat lunch.”

“Wonderful, dear,” Steffi said. “I’m going to recommend a shower first. You are abitripe.”

I managed not to cry as I washed the last remnants of Soren and Ben’s scents from my scalp. Progress, right?

“Oh, goodie. Look who decided to grace us with herpresence,” Jess said when I slumped into the dining room. Everyone had already started eating.

“Hey girlie, glad you’re back with the living,” Austin said, smiling. They passed me a plate of salmon, wild rice, and roasted root vegetables. It smelled incredible, but I had no appetite.

“Thanks,” I said dully and took the seat next to Bridget. Steffi gave me an encouraging smile and gestured for me to take a bite.

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