Page 76 of Storm
As they file past me into the house, Alexander makes quick introductions. "Fox, this is Storm," he says, gesturing to the small woman, who looks up at me with fierce gray eyes. "And this is Rook," he continues, nodding to the tall alpha supporting her. "And Frankie," he finishes, indicating the beta, who offers a timid smile.
"They'll be staying with us for a while," Alexander adds, his arm tightening around me.
I nod, processing this information as I close and lock the door behind them. When I turn back, Reed is still watching me, his stormy eyes intense in a way that makes my pulse quicken.
"I'll show you where to put your things," I say to the group at large, falling back on the hospitality mom taught me, the routines that help me stay grounded when everything threatens to slide sideways.
Instinctively, I lower my face, keeping my gaze on the floor, an old habit from years of hiding.
"Fox," Reed interrupts, his voice gentler than I've ever heard it around others. "Sit down. You're shaking."
I glance down at my hands, surprised to find that he's right. The tremors I thought I'd controlled are back, worse than before. The stress of their sudden arrival, the memories that had surfaced just before, the unexpected physical contact from Reed. It's all too much, too fast.
"I'm fine," I insist, even as black spots dance at the edges of my vision. "I just need to?—"
My knees buckle. Reed is there instantly, catching me before I can hit the floor, sweeping me up into his arms as if I weigh nothing. The action is so familiar, so reminiscent of that night four years ago when he carried me out of that place, that for a moment I'm disoriented, unsure of what year it is, what's real and what's memory.
"Easy," Reed murmurs, carrying me to the sofa and setting me down with surprising gentleness. He kneels in front of me, one hand on my knee, the other tilting my face up to meet his gaze. "Breathe, Fox. Just breathe."
I'm dimly aware of the others watching us—of Storm's wide-eyed stare, of Alexander rushing to my side, his hands stroking through my hair as he makes soothing sounds, his chest vibrating with a protective purr.
"Is he... an omega?" Storm asks, moving closer with curiosity. "A male omega?"
I flinch involuntarily. I want to disappear. But Alexander's arm around me tightens, his lips pressing a reassuring kiss to my temple.
"Yes," Alexander answers for me, his voice steady but with an edge of warning. "Fox is a male omega. He’s ours. We've been protecting him here for years. This is his safe space, and your arrival has just overwhelmed him for a moment."
"Protect him?" Storm asks as her hand hovers near her throat.
"From what they do to male omegas," Reed says, his voice dropping to a dangerous register. "The rumors you've heard? They're all true."
A heavy silence falls over the room. I keep my eyes lowered, shame and old fear twisting in my gut. But then something unexpected happens. A rich, sweet scent of dark chocolate fills my nostrils, growing stronger as Storm moves closer. I should be repelled, omegas typically can't stand the scent of other omegas, but instead, I find it comforting, enticing even.
I look up in surprise to find Storm kneeling in front of me beside Reed, those fierce gray eyes now soft with understanding. She's beautiful up close, her wild auburn curls framing a face full of strength and fire.
"You are the strongest person I have ever met, Fox," she says, her voice a whisper that somehow fills the room. "Thank you for allowing us to stay in your home."
I blink at her, startled by both her words and my reaction to her. "I—I thought I would be repelled by another omega," I admit, bemused.
Storm grins, a mischievous spark lighting her eyes. "Must be my winning personality. Or maybe male and female omegas don't trigger the same territorial responses in each other. Either way, I'm calling it a win. The last thing we need is more drama."
Her sassiness startles a laugh out of me, genuine and unexpected. Reed looks equally surprised, his brows rising as he glances between us.
"Where's your medication?" he asks, his voice low enough that only I can hear.
"Bathroom cabinet," I whisper back. "But I don't need?—"
"Yes, you do," he cuts me off, rising to his feet. "Alexander, get him some water. Fox, I'll be right back."
As Reed strides out of the room, Rook moves to stand behind Storm, his hands settling gently on her shoulders. I brace myself, expecting the familiar terror to take hold. Since my rescue, I've avoided other alphas entirely. Certain their mere presence would trigger the flashbacks that still haunt my dreams. But this alpha—Rook—he's different somehow.
His strawberries and cream scent doesn't overwhelm, just softly announces his presence. I notice how he subtly adjusts his posture, making himself appear smaller, less intimidating. Nothing like the alphas who used their size to dominate and terrify. And when he smiles, there's a genuine warmth there, an openness that feels foreign yet comforting—friendly in a way I'd forgotten alphas could be.
When Reed returns, that subtle growl at the sight of Rook touching Storm has me smiling. He tries to mask it with a cough.
Storm smirks, clearly catching on. "Something in your throat, Reed? Maybe you need some water, too."
"Careful, Little Storm," Reed warns, but there's something almost like affection in his tone. He shakes out two pills and passes them to me, along with the water Alexander has brought. "Take these."
