Page 107 of Patiently Yours
“How dare you point that out.” She joins in my amusement. “It’ll be fun. If I can pull off a historical role, then my contemporary ones will be that much easier. It’s as simple as that.”
“You don’t have to convince me. I’m glad you have something you’re so passionate about, Cranny.”
There’s a moment of comfortable silence. I’m in the middle of putting my extension cords away in the same box as my candles when Rory speaks up again.
“Stacia… I know you’re excited about moving in with them and bonding, but I have to ask… are you scared?”
I hear what she’s not directly asking. It’s a bit of an unspoken thing for most omegas. We’re built for it, yes, but we all experience it at different ages. If an omega doesn’t bond with anyone at all, they never experience it. Still, I feel both exuberance and anxiousness crawl through me at the thought of it.
My very first heat.
“I’m terrified,” I admit, meeting her eyes. “I trust my mates completely, so it’s not about that. It’s about… ironically, how mindless I’ll be. That lack of control scares me. I’m guessing it’s something that scares you too.”
She gives me a solemn nod. “But I also can’t imagine trusting anyone enough to help me through something like that. It’s really beautiful that you have it.”
Her expression is pinched. I’m sure most newly-presented omegas discuss their inevitable heats with their friends, but Rory and I have been running from our designation for so long. It’s only ever been something we’ve talked about in code. Just another scary thing that loomed over us because of what we were. Something we couldn’t choose or control.
“I think I’m worried my brain will associate my heat with being dissociated and that once it’s over, I’ll convince myself that I’ve regressed.” I shrug. “It’s something I’ll bring up in therapy before we lock ourselves away, but I’m curious how it will feel. Or if I’ll feel anything at all. I’m also worried that I’ll give them a hard time about taking care of me. Atlas will probably panic if I refuse to eat.” The thought makes me giggle.
“That’s a lot to think about.” Rory smiles with me. “I bet it’ll be amazing, and not nearly as scary as we’re imagining. I’m here for you, if you want to talk about it afterwards.”
“Well, I’d hope so. You’re my best friend. And as you stated a long time ago, we don’t have privacy anymore. You’re required to know everything that happens.”
She rolls her eyes at me. “Don’t hold that against me.”
Rory tries to help me sort through the chaos when we hear a truck pull up outside. “That must be your pack with the U-Haul.”
I try and fail miserably not to beam at the words. We grab a few boxes that are already full and sealed. When I get to the door, however, it’s Opal on the other side.
“Holy shit! You came after all,” Rory exclaims behind me. Our new ginger friend gives us a sassy grin before grabbing the box from my hands.
“I wanted to see you off. I feel like it’s proper, seeing the recipient of my future room hauling off her belongings. It’s very… symbolic, I think. And anxiety-inducing, because I’ll be the one hauling items next.”
Rory and I try to hide our amusement and fail miserably.
Opal’s expression changes into something vulnerable. “And I also, maybe… just wanted to be here. For support.”
My heart melts at the uncertainty in her features. I look at my two friends and feel all the platonic butterflies.
“Oh, you,” I say vaguely. I also don’t know how to be vulnerable in casual settings. We’re working on it in therapy.
“Did you drive here, Opal? I didn’t know you drove,” Rory cuts in.
Opal shakes her head timidly. “No. My friend dropped me off.”
Rory narrows her eyes. “The same horrible friend that set you up on that blind date?”
Her expression is instantly guilty. She shrugs casually and waves it off. “It’s all good now. She feels bad about that.”
I can feel a protective anger start up in Rory, so I step in between them and give Opal my own stern look. “Just let usknow if she gives you any more trouble. You’re our friend now, too.”
The sentiment makes her smile and almost fumble the box in her hands. Before we can continue the conversation, I hear tires against asphalt.
“Now,thatmust be my pack. Or maybe Sam.” I’m certainly not expecting anyone else.
“Sam?” Opal asks.
“He’s the president of Alpha Xi,” Rory answers. “I thought you met him at the fundraiser?”
