Page 30 of The Omega Lesson

“You don’t have to carry me,” I murmur into his throat, while my fingers brush up the back of his head and tangle in his pink hair. The alpha in me isn’t completely subdued, because I feel the urge to remind him, “I’m not helpless, Noah.”

“No, but you’re stuck with me now,” is all he says, and then we’re back in his magically cleaned living room. I expect him to walk us over to the couch, but he strides right past the others like he doesn’t see them and continues to the door.

“Noah!” Travis barks, but we don’t stop, and I hear the oldest Lyall harassing the doctor as we begin up the stairs. The others have spilled out into the hallway behind us and I’m faced with a myriad of expressions, from concerned, to hopeful, to annoyed. “I’m in heat,” I tell them. “And we’ve sorted things with the doctor.”

I’m not sure if we really have – because what kind of doctor erases medical data, just because someone tells him to? Admittedly, it was a Lyall directive, but the State Health Department takes its information seriously. But I can’t worry about that now. Not with Mattie and Jack hurrying up the stairs behind us, and Travis and Ben in a huddle with the doctor.

I wonder what they’re saying. Is he complaining about the way we acted during the exam? Or is he giving them all those tips on how to deal with my heat? I’m not sure I want the alphas discussing either of those things, but before we’ve even reached the first landing, there’s a sharp pain low in my belly. I groan, my teeth digging deep into my bottom lip.

“You hurting, sweet thing?”

Noah sounds concerned, but I can tell he’s been expecting something like this. There are enough stories around about heats to know it’s going to get really uncomfortable before it gets better. Like time-of-the-month, stomach flu, and a UTI all rolled into one. I must mumble something into Noah’s shoulder because his hand is on my chin, tilting my face up to his. Midnight eyes sweep over me, with none of their usual wicked sparkle. “Are you okay if I take you up to my room?”

I nod, but by now Mattie and Jack have reached us and I realise this isn’t just my decision. Trying to keep the wince off my face, I ask, “Are you guys okay with that? Going up to Noah’s room?”

“Depends,” Mattie says with a small frown. “If this is trashed like the room downstairs…”

“It’s not,” he says shortly, then blows out a breath. “No one comes up here. Promise.”

I know I shouldn’t care. We all have histories – a lot of which I’ve yet to share with them – but knowing this is Noah’s private space makes another purr vibrate in my chest.

“Your room,” I tell Noah and Jack nods, so we all head up. I can feel Mattie’s hand on my hip and Jack is smiling up at me. It suddenly strikes me that I’ve tasted all three of these men in the last couple of days, which is an impressive way to break my year-long drought.

“Is this weird?” I ask Jack. “Seeing a heat from the other side?”

He shakes his head. “It’s a privilege, love. None of us expected…” He stops suddenly and I realise this might just be as big a deal for them as it is for me. I don’t really know where they all stand on forming a pack, but they’ve clearly discussed it before. And one of the best ways for alphas to get over their differences is by going through a heat together.

Which just reminds me of the two men we left downstairs.

“Will Ben be okay? I know Travis doesn’t want any part of it, but I don’t want anyone to feel forced into tending me…”

“Ben is over the fucking moon,” Mattie interrupts, giving my hip a gentle pinch. “He’s trying to act all responsible, but don’t believe it for a second. He’s probably shoving that doctor out the door so he can get up here with us.”

I snigger at the image, but then we’re at the top landing, and I’m fighting another wave of pain. I must squeeze Noah too hard, but he just quickly opens his door. It’s not like any of them don’t know what’s wrong with me. And on the other side of this door is the cure, or as close as it comes for an omega in heat.

“I’ve got you. We’re here now, sweet thing,” he tells me, and then we’re moving into his room. The first thing that strikes me is its shape, the walls sharp, even angles to form an octagon. But it’s big enough to fit a huge black-and-white photograph on each panel and my breath catches as I realise they’re all pictures of horses. And not just any old nags, but a stable of thoroughbreds, all posed as perfectly as proper Victorian ladies.

“Are those your horses?” I ask, suddenly realising the breeches and boots he was wearing earlier aren’t just a quirky fashion statement.

Noah’s face softens. “Do you ride, sweet thing?”

“No. There were horses at my boarding school, but my dad signed me up for other classes.” I pull a face at the memory of finding out I didn’t have a single elective, even though I was interested in painting and photography. He was very clear I was there to study, get into university, and become a lawyer like him. Of course, he couldn’t dictate what I did with my body outside of classes, including hooking up with Bree’s future father. “But I’d like to,” I say quickly, pushing the memories aside. “Not a racehorse, obviously, but if you know someone who has a horse for a beginner.”

“Oh, don’t worry, sweet thing,” he chuckles as he lays me on the bed. “I’m going to train you so good, you’ll be ready for the Melbourne Cup in no time.”

I flush, remembering the last lesson he gave me. But then I’m distracted by the fact I’m lying in what can only be called a nest. It’s three times the size of a normal king, but low to the ground and with raised, curved edges. There’s a headboard of sorts, a glossy dark jarrah like the bureau and bedside tables, but the bedding is all shades of grey and cream. It’s surprisingly muted, given Noah’s penchant for colour, but with the thick carpet and charcoal walls, it feels elegant and warm. A bit like a cave, maybe, but that feels comforting to me right now.

“It’s perfect,” I murmur, and Noah gives another of those pleased smiles. But there’s no denying there’s a new energy in the room. Mattie is pulling the thick curtains closed, while Noah flips on the lamps, and Jack streams a playlist through the sound system. Soft, haunting music fills the room and I feel my pulse beat hard in my neck. Gazes catch and hold as they move towards me, and a small part of me wonders if this is how prey feels.

“We’re gonna take good care of you, Lexi,” Jack tells me, maybe seeing that hint of unease in my eyes. “But don’t forget you have other options.”

Noah looks like he wants to punch his brother, but there’s a noise at the door and Ben and Travis walk in. I instantly stiffen, but their eyes are sweeping the room as if they’ve never seen it before. Noah instantly drops onto the bed beside me and pulls me close. “Welcome to the inner sanctum. If you’re staying, leave your bullshit at the door. This is Lexi’s space now.”

It's the first time he hasn’t called me sweet thing, and it’s clear he’s not kidding around. But that doesn’t stop Travis from planting his feet and crossing his arms. “Your room, your rules,” he says slowly, his dark eyes flicking over both of us. “But it can’t be a free-for-all. The doctor said her heat is strong. It could last a few days. That means you need to be prepared to take some direction.” He cocks a brow at Noah. “And that’s not me waving my tiny gavel around. That’s the best medical advice money can buy.”

I bite my lip because it’s kind of funny how the gavel comment must have hit home. But Travis is all business, pulling his phone from his pocket and reading from the screen. “I’ll start with the role of the heat facilitator. The duties include monitoring the omega for shortness of breath, overheating, and nausea, and watching the rest of you for signs of fatigue or aggression. The focus is on meeting the omega’s needs, not falling into a rut. Is that clear to everybody?”

Ben and Jack exchange a glance, while Mattie huffs and flops next to me on the bed. “Tell us more about yourduties, Travis. Jesus.”

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