Page 62 of Bound By Pain
“This is a surprise,” I comment, eyes tracking over the bags of takeout and groceries in their hands.
“Obviously.” Foster rolls his eyes as he sets everything on the counter and starts unpacking. “We’re having a sleepover! Omega’s only, so those three need to go.”
My lips tug into a grin when all three of my mates start to protest. It’s cute that they want to stay with me, especially after my meltdown at the doctor’s this morning, but a night of snacks, gossip, and cuddles with my best friends sounds like heaven.
“I’m in, but only if you brought-” Foster interrupts me to wave several bags of my favorite candies in the air, one dark brow raised. “Sorry, Alphas, but you heard him. Time to find somewhere else to be for the evening.”
“Omega,” Creed growls, advancing on me. He squats so we are at eye level. “You need at least one of us here, in case-”
“Nope,” Omen chimes in, curling up on one of the empty chairs. Her nose wrinkles slightly at whichever of my mate’s scents is most prominent there. “This apartment is secure, and if Bea were to need you for anything else, one of us will call you.”
I nod my agreement, pressing a kiss to the corner of Creed’s mouth before he can voice more objections. “I promise I will call if I need you.”
“Fine,” he grumbles, heaving himself to his feet. Orion and Ridley stop to press filthy kisses to my lips before all three of them leave.
Foster hands me a glass of wine and a bowl of mixed candies before sitting next to me. “Welcome to the mated Omega club, though I don’t envy your crazy ass with so many Alphas in your pack.”
Clinking my glass against his, I grin. “They’re all Alphas.” The aghast look on Foster’s face cracks me up, my stomach pinching from how hard I’m laughing.
“You psychopath!”
My shoulders shrug as I sip my drink. “How’s fatherhood?”
The wistful look that crawls over his face has a small flare of jealousy sparking in my soul, but I’m quick to brush it aside. There’s no way in hell I’m ready for a baby.
“It’s wonderfully exhausting. Having Hannah and the kids there… everything almost feels perfect.”
“Almost?” Omen asks, head tilted curiously.
Hannah is Omen’s older sister, and the DAU’s former leak from the Montgomery anti-designation cult. The two of them spent many years apart after Oms went into hiding to escape her birth family, only reuniting this past summer when a very pregnant Hannah and her daughter fled the state. She’s a verycaring Beta woman who was dealt a shit hand in life and used it to make the world a better place.
Her connection to Foster and Shepherd was a surprise to both me and Omen, but she deserves mates who will worship the ground she walks on. Exactly the way I know Foster and his Alpha do.
“I had a heat recently,” Foster sighs, grabbing the TV remote and flipping through channels. He isn’t focused on the screen, just keeping his hands busy. “It was too soon after Everett was born for Hannah to join us, so we used a heat helper. He was… incredible. Having him in my nest, it felt like he was meant to be there. Obviously, he didn’t stay after. Contractual obligations and such, but I miss him like crazy.”
“You think he might share your Fated Connection?”
We’ve always known Foster and his Alpha were Fate-matched mates, sharing a matching birthmark connection. It was crazy to learn Hannah was also part of their Fated pack, so it wouldn’t be a stretch to assume there are other matches out there for them.
Foster side-eyes me and shakes his head. “I’ve seen every inch of that man’s body, and there’s no birthmark.”
“That doesn’t mean he can’t be yours, though,” Omen adds softly, a small smile on her lips. “As long as he chooses you, too, that’s all that really matters.”
My stomach rumbles loudly, interrupting the sweet moment and making us all laugh. “Good thing we brought food!” Omen dips into the kitchen and returns a few minutes later with overflowing takeout containers of jambalaya, cornbread, and fried okra.
“Yes, please,” I groan, making grabby hands at the food as she hands it to me. “Omega anxiety shit always leaves me starving.”
“What happened?” my bestie asks, settling in with her own food. A teen drama show plays in the background, more background noise than something we are actually paying attention to.
I shove a piece of cornbread in my mouth and give her wide eyes. Omen just gives me a narrow look before rolling her eyes. I’ll tell them; I just need to enjoy this mouthwatering food before I try to deal with my hectic emotional state.
When our plates are empty and our stomachs full, I flop into the corner of the couch and groan, patting my belly. “Fates, I love gorging myself on delicious food.”
“Don’t we all.”
Foster turns to sit in the opposite corner, angled toward me. I can tell by the look in his sage-green eyes that he isn’t going to let me drop Omen’s earlier question. If I have to drag this topic back up, I suppose it is best handled with other Omegas who will understand my concerns.
“I went to the doctor today.” They listen as I explain what Doctor Russell told me, eyes wide and bodies shuddering when I mention my impending scentless heat.
