Page 37 of Mating With My Grumpy Alphas
“Muscle memory doesn’t disappear,” I said. “And the eye for composition, the understanding of light and behavior, that’s still there.”
“Maybe.” Willa looked around her living space, and I could see her trying to imagine herself being creative again. “I brought my camera equipment with me when I moved here. Haven’t touched it since I arrived, but I couldn’t leave it behind entirely.”
“That tells me part of you isn’t ready to give up on photography,” Wes said.
“Part of me is terrified to try again. What if Sterling was right? What if I’mnotactually good at it?”
“Then you take terrible photos for a while until you remember how to take good ones,” I said simply. “That’s how healing works. You don’t have to be perfect right away.”
Wes was quiet for a moment, clearly thinking about something. “Willa, if you ever want to practice, to see if it feels good to hold a camera again, I know some amazing locations around here. Wildlife spots that most people don’t know about. Places where you could work without pressure or expectations.”
“You’d do that?” she asked, sounding surprised.
“I’d be honored to show you some of my favorite trails. No pressure to photograph anything, just opportunities if you want them.” His voice was warm with genuine enthusiasm. “There’s a meadow about twenty minutes from town where deer come to drink at dawn. A grove where hawks nest every spring. Places where the light is incredible and the wildlife is used to quiet observers.”
For the first time since we’d arrived, Willa smiled. Really smiled, not the careful expressions she usually wore.
“That sounds wonderful,” she said. “Maybe when I’m feeling less like my body is staging a revolt.”
“Whenever you’re ready,” Wes assured her. “The offer stands.”
We sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the earlier crisis feeling more manageable now that she wasn’t facing it alone.
“Thank you,” Willa said finally. “Both of you. For helping with the medical stuff, but also for listening. For not making me feel broken or foolish for missing something I gave up.”
“You didn’t give it up,” I said gently. “It was taken from you. There’s a difference.”
“Maybe it’s time to take it back,” she said quietly.
She didn’t trust her own biology yet, but she was starting to trust us. And that was a good first step.
Whatever happened over the next few days, I’d be ready to support her through it. Not by telling her what she should do, but by creating space for her to figure out what she actually needed.
That was what real alpha support looked like. And Willa deserved nothing less.
Chapter 16
Rhett
Iwas cleaning up my tools for the day when my phone buzzed with a text from Elias.
Just left Willa’s after helping with suppressant crisis. She’s stable but had a rough afternoon. Thought you’d want to know. Might appreciate a check-in later if you’re free.
I stared at the message, my alpha instincts immediately shifting into high alert. Suppressant failure was serious business, especially for an omega who was already dealing with stress and adjustment to a new environment.
How bad?I typed back.
Manageable now, but she was pretty shaken. Wes and I stayed for a while to talk. She’s doing better but probably shouldn’t be alone tonight.
Without thinking twice, I locked up the garage and headed for my truck. Willa might not want company, but she definitely shouldn’t go without eating just because she felt terrible. And ifthere was one thing I knew how to do, it was provide practical support.
Maggie’s Diner was getting ready to close when I walked in, but Maggie herself was still behind the counter.
“Rhett,” she said with a smile. “Little late for dinner, isn’t it?”
“Actually, I need some takeout. Comfort food. Someone’s had a rough day and probably hasn’t eaten.”
Maggie’s expression immediately softened with understanding. “Ah. What can I get you?”
