Page 68 of For the First Time
When Atlas was in heat, his instincts demanded I be there even without the proper biological functions to help him.Preference.That would never be in a biology book—didn’t make it not true.
For every box that we put people in to help, to provide stability and ensure their wellbeing, there were people who wanted to be outside the box.To dangle from it or sit on it or to use it as a springboard to another box.
Adam wanted to reinforce the boxes in steel.To keep everyone inside.
An opinion that he was turning into law.His personal beliefs that he was making punishable if broken.
“What are you going to do?”Koda asked.“What’s the next step?”
“I’m not sure.Bartholomew said he would reach out to me in the next few days and let me know his plan.Plus, all the court stuff goes through him, too, so I don’t know anything about that either.I’m just waiting.”
Hannah groaned, the sound pure frustration.“I wish there was something I could do.I hate all the sitting around.”
Her words sparked a memory.A conversation with Bartholomew.I bit my lower lip, wondering if I was being selfish in the thought.
“Wait, what’s that face for?”
I didn’t even try to deny it.“Well, I might have something you can do.But you totally don’t have to.Honestly, you just sparked a memory, and I don’t want you to feel pressured like youhaveto—”
“Eve, just tell me.”
I took a deep breath before admitting.“Bartholomew, my lawyer, did say that he’d like to speak to you.About being a character witness or something toward me.I’m not exactly sure.At the time, I told him no because I didn’t want to bother you with this—”
“Didn’t want to bother me?”Hannah stood, an explosion of excitement and anger.“I would fucking volunteer to go on the stand and talk about what a dick that dick is.”
“I don’t know if that’s necessary...”
She slashed a hand through the air.“Whatever he needs, I’ll do it.Give me his number.I’ll call him now.”
Koda chuckled.“I can talk to him, too.I’m not crazy about the idea of being in a public trial, but I have no problem showing my support for you.”
My eyes burned, their sweet words wrapping around me like comfort.This was even better than them simply not hating me.They wanted to help me.I let out a shaky breath.
My pack was my shield, protecting and bracing me.Hannah and Koda, they were like the sharpness of my blade, helping me aim and strike down my opponents.They had fought their own battles and won, yet they didn’t abandon me to fight on my own.Not against an adversary this dangerous.
I cleared my throat, staring down at my hands and willing the tears to not actually fall.
Hannah clapped her hands, pulling mine and Koda’s attention to her.“All right.Enough sad talk.Onto the good stuff.Eve.”
“Yes?”
“How is the sex?”
I choked on air while Koda ducked her face into her lap, either embarrassed on my behalf or trying to hide her amusement.I wasn’t sure which.
“Come on,” Hannah drawled.“I’m curious.You’re with an omega and alphas.Have you gone through a heat yet?”
My cheeks turned bright red, the heat radiating so hotly that I cupped my hands over my face to try and cool my rising temperature.
“You don’t have to share anything about them.About the intimacy.I’m just wondering about you.How you handled it.”
“It was fine.”
“Fine?”
“I mean, I was pretty bruised up and sore after.Everett took off a week to stay home with me since I could barely walk.”
“Holy crap,” Koda said.“You were that hurt?”
