Page 84 of Where There's Smoke
Fitz shook his head, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “I think it’s best I call the lawyer sooner rather than later.”
“If her brother and parents turn up again, we’ll simply say that Melody isn't here,” I said, rubbing our trembling omega’s back. She needed to be curled up in her nest, being protected by us, but knowing Melody, she would much rather be looking after her animals.
“It’s a public building. Technically, we can’t stop them…” Fitz pointed out, a grimace on his face.
“I’d like to see them fucking try,” Samson growled, stepping in close to Melody and practically shielding her with his body.
“Yeah, this fire station is full of strong, athletically inclined firefighters. I think we can keep out a few betas who seem to think they're too big for their britches,” I said, pulling Melody in for another hug. When she sank into my embrace, needing me for comfort, I felt like I was ten feet tall. But the joy was quickly tempered by the reality of the situation.
I wanted to provide comfort, to keep Melody safe, and give her everything she could possibly need. There was no denying that I was quickly falling in love with this omega. The fact that just as I was beginning to come to terms with that, someone was threatening to take her away set my teeth on edge. Thatcouldn’thappen. I’d never felt this way about anyone before, and I would do anything to keep my girl right where she belonged.
Melody Smoke wasnotleaving us.
I didn't care what it took; I was going to keep her safe with me, with our pack.
“I’m going to go shower. Do you think you could let Dotty out for her potty break?” Melody asked, her voice somewhat muffled by my chest.
“Of course. Where is our little mascot?”
The puppy in question was in the den, so while Melody went to shower, I walked out of the room to where the young dog was sleeping on a brightly colored bed that hadn't been there a few days prior.
Every few days, a new item seemed to appear at the firehouse for the puppy. A new toy? A fancy bowl? At first, I had assumed it was Melody or my pack mates, but when I found one of the firehouse guys sneaking in a bag of organic kibble for her, I knew they were all goners for the dog.
The puppy was now getting big and was scampering around the place like she owned it. There had been a few potty accidents, but her space had plenty of puppy pads over the floor for that very reason.
Upon seeing me enter the den, she scampered over to me, yipping excitedly and falling over her own paws.
Just like her owner, the sassy little puppy had worked its way into my heart.Mascot, indeed. The entire station loves her.
Samson followed me into the den, the fury still radiating off him.
“We aren't letting her go, are we?” he said, his voice serious and low so that no one heard him.
“No way in hell,” I agreed, meeting his eyes and nodding.
“I know you weren’t wild about the idea of her coming here?—”
“That was then. We both know everything's changed.” I cut him off. A few weeks ago, I probably would have encouraged Melody to leave with her parents, but now there was no chance. “That woman is incredible, and she deserves a much better family than one who basically sees her as a cash cow. No. I won’t let them ruin her life. I won’t let anyone do that. Melody said it herself—my pack. She’s one of us, and that omega is going to stay exactly where she belongs, where she’s happy and we can be everything she needs.”
Samson grinned at me, stepping up to clap me on the shoulder as Dotty sat between our feet, looking up expectantly.
“Damn straight.” His smile stretched wider, and he looked between me and Dotty. “I never thought I’d get to say it, but Elliot Wilder has finally accepted an omega into our pack. I’m proud of you.”
I shoved him off, scoffing through a laugh that I couldn’t hold in. “Shut up. Still…maybe it took so long because I was waiting for her.”
I looked down the hall that led to the bedroom and bathroom, where I knew our omega was.
Chapter 41
Melody
Before I hopped in the shower, I picked up my phone and scrolled down to a familiar contact. Fitz had mentioned that his cousin, Blaze, had used the same lawyer for a similar issue when it came to Sunny, so I figured the omega would have some answers.
She answered on the first ring.
“Melody! How are you?” As her sweet voice rang out, my chest squeezed at the sound. I was calling her for a less-than-great reason, and interrupting her day for this was hitting all those “Don’t ask for help” issues of mine.
“I’ve been better,” I admitted, a nervous tremble to my voice and hands. “I have a fewomegaquestions.”
