Page 8 of Where There's Smoke
“Fine. You’re going to have someone around to watch you, yeah? You’ve inhaled a lot of smoke, and I need?—”
“Yup. I’ve got it taken care of. Thanks again for finding the shelter. I’ll take this little guy and the supplies I grabbed with me.”
Without leaving room for Fitz to say anything, I gathered up my stuff, which only consisted of supplies to feed and care for the puppy, and started walking toward my car. Before I’d even made it a few steps, the other firefighter was up in my face.
“Where are you going?” He was such a grump, clearly all alpha, and I was so over today that I just couldn’t.
“I’m going to my friend’s house. Thank you for your help, but I need to get?—”
“At least give me your number, so we can check in on you? Smoke inhalation is no joke. What if you pass out or something, and you need?—”
“Rune and Blaze have my contact information. I can reach them, if necessary, and if you really need to check on me, just ask them for it. I need to go.”
Something about being around this guy did things to me. I wanted to sidle right up to him and get comfy, but I was a beta, and thatwasn’thappening. I needed to get out of here and clear my head. I had done everything else in my life on my own, and I could do this too. No matter what anyone else thought.
Stomping off toward my car, I made sure to get the puppy settled before I hopped in the driver's seat and exited the parking lot. Of course, there was no friend to speak of, so I drove a block or two away before I decided that a drive-through was as good an idea as any other. I got myself a burger and fries, then waited in my car until I could see the flashing lights of the fire trucks leave my once-viable home.
It took a bit, but eventually, I was left with my car and a two-week-old puppy in the parking lot of a burned building. I munched on the fries in silence, roaming my gaze over the wreckage. Thick scents I couldn’t really distinguish lingered in the air; for some reason, my sense of smell was clouded with nothing but smoke.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t made a lot of friends since moving to California. No one I would feel comfortable asking for a place to stay, at least. My time was so consumed by the rescue that friendships had come second.
Just a short while ago, I’d been fantasizing about having a life with a pack of alphas like those firefighters. Now, I was wishing for my old garbage building to still be standing.
Appetite rather lacking, I leaned back in the seat and pulled my puppy into my arms. As I shut my eyes, I knew I’d be up soon enough to feed her again. There was no rest for the wicked, after all, and I’d clearly pissed off some god somewhere if this was how my night ended.
Chapter 5
Elliot
My pack mates were losing their ever-loving minds. Ever since Samson and I had gone to Station Sixteen to help them out a few months ago—while Walker was on goddamn bonding leave—he and Fitz had apparently decided that taking in a stray omega was the way to true love.
The time I had available for shit like that was next to none.
I wasn't a monster; I wanted an omega as much as the others did. We had gone on dates and even dated several sweet girls for a few weeks here and there. Unfortunately, most of them struggled with the nature of our work, which was understandable. We worked odd hours and weren't always available. It was one of the downsides of being a firefighter.
Otherwise, we all loved the job, deep down. The adrenaline, the exercise, the being outside, and the helping people were all so rewarding. I was perfectly content with living my life as simply rewarding. I wasn’t about to go looking for an omega. If it was meant to happen, it would. The others needed to chill.
With a sigh, I sat down at my desk. Although Sixteen was larger than our station, ours was a bit more modern after a remodel a few years ago, so all our walls sparkled, and theappliances were sleek and well-maintained. It was nice to work somewhere you knew was clean and functional, and then my mind drifted back to how the omega had been living in that run-down rescue.
“I’m going to go grab a shower. I’ll get you my report after,” Fitz said as he leaned on my doorframe, stretching lazily.
Nothing felt better than a hot shower after a fire. Thankfully, I had a private bathroom and could get through a few files before hopping in and getting clean. My skin was itching from all the soot, and the dried sweat was making the grime stick to me.
“Good. Make sure Samson gets me his as well, especially since he’s the one who actually went into the building. Without breathing gear, I might add…”
Fitz smirked and shrugged. “He was worried about the omega.”
“You don't even know if she reallyisan omega. Rune seemed pretty adamant that she’s a beta.” I had called the firefighter from Station Sixteen after we’d arrived on the scene and left a message that Melody was okay. When I’d finally checked my phone after we returned to the station, I had found thirteen missed calls from him. It was understandable that he was worried about his friend, so I had called him back and assured him that she was alive and well.
Rune had even offered to temporarily take in any bunnies that needed rehoming.
“Dude, you didn't get close to her, but I assure you, that scent was 100% omega and far better than anything I've smelled in a long time. Youreallyshould have agreed to meet her.”
“No, because I know for a fact you and Samson would have been trying to convince me that she needed to stay here. I know Walker is a good man and willing to give up his space, but I happen to quite like having a private bathroom. It's the one part of all this goddamn paperwork that pays off.”
“While I'm pretty sure they ended upsharingthe bathroom, considering they shared a lot of things”—he waggled his eyebrows at me—“I’m fairly certain he was rather attached to his bathroom as well, and look at him now.”
I snorted, shaking my head. “Fitz, I love you, man, but you are living in a fantasy world. Just because it worked out for Station Sixteen does not mean that taking in the first stray we find means we're going to find an omega.”
