Tomorrow morning, I’ll wake up, and be sweet as pie. I’ll be so friendly and kind while I gather what supplies I can, then when their backs are turned, I’ll leave.
Simple.
Easy.
Smart.
…I hope.
The Next Morning
Basil
Jeremy leansagainst the kitchen counter, watching me rummage through the drawers. He looks so cute with his ruffled hair and puffy eyes. I wish he wasn’t so tired.
After Beth’s outburst last night, the sweet beta was beside himself with grief for the omega. I brought him up to my room, but it took me a few hours to calm him down. I told him that it wasn’t our fault how Beth ended up at the Morder and that she’d probably be dead or worse if we hadn’t claimed her. Unfortunately, Beth hasn’t realized that yet, and she’s going to have a lot of anger until she does.
I hope Killian bonded with her well. She needs to feel loved and protected for once in her young life.
“What are you looking for?” Jeremy takes a slow sip of his cup of coffee. His icy-blue eyes drift over my bare chest, down to the front of my loose black sweats. I normally enjoy it when he checks me out, but I’m too frustrated right now.
“I can’t find my phone charger.” I shut the drawer a little too forcefully.
“It’s not in your room?”
“No,” I let out a pained sigh, then glance up at the ceiling, toward Killian’s room. “I think it's in one of the bags we took to the Morder.”
As if reading my mind, Jeremy says, “In Killian’s room?” I nod and he smiles.
“I emptied them out and put them in his closet.” I grimace. I really don’t want to go up there and risk waking Beth up. She needs to rest. But I also need my phone. I’m expecting an important call about some work for me and Tristan. We just poured through all our savings at the Morder, and adding a whole new member to our pack won’t be cheap. And as much as I hate the idea of leaving Beth during such a difficult time, we need the money.
“Maybe it’s time to get on the family plan.” Jeremy pushes his hand into the pocket of the oversized pajama pants he stole out of my closet. He pulls out his fancy, sleek phone, shaking it at me.
“Iamon the family plan,” I say flatly, but I know that’s not what he means. My phone is ancient. It’s so outdated it uses a completely different charger than everyone else’s, but I like it. The navigation is simple, and it doesn’t buzz at me all damn day.
“Do you want me to go get your charger?” Jeremy asks, taking another sip of his coffee.
“No.” I check my phone. The red 3% in the corner changes to 2%, and I grimace. “I’ll do it.” I slip it into my pocket, but before I can go, Jeremy lets out a little hum as if remembering something.
“I almost forgot.” He sets down his coffee, then turns away from me. “Will you take this up?” He pushes up onto his toes, reaching for a small cardboard box on top of the fridge. Hisshirt lifts, showing me the small dimples on his lower back.He really is so fucking sexy.“I had planned to give it to Beth last night after dinner, but…” Jeremy trails off as sadness pulls at the corners of his pretty eyes.
“What is it?” I ask, eagerly taking the box and flipping it upside down to inspect it. The shipping label has Jeremy’s name and our PO box, but no return address.
“Let me show you.” The beta opens it and pulls out a teal velvet bag. “While you guys were gone, I read an article that said that some omegas don’t have their heat when they’re stressed.” He reaches for his coffee. “I wasn’t sure if our omega would have that issue, so I ordered this.” He pulls out a silver necklace with a circular charm hanging from it. “It’s a pre-mating tracker.” He lifts it high so I can see it. “It has GPS so we can keep track of Beth until you guys have a chance to mate her.” He smiles as if really proud of himself. “It’ll help us protect her should anyone try to snatch her.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Who would possibly try to snatch her?” I ask the beta. “She has three alphas and a beta to protect her.”
Jeremy gives me a pointed look before glancing out the main window. “I mean, we don’t exactly live in the suburbs.”
I think about that for half a second, then say, “You’re right.”
Jeremy smiles, giving me a little giggle. “I know I am.” He hands me the necklace. I toss the box onto the kitchen island and take the piece of jewelry. It’s pretty. The thin chain is short with a dangling circular charm. It has a B engraved in a pretty cursive font in the center. “They had a few options for what to put on the pendant, but I thought ‘B’ for the Bava pack was simple but elegant.”
It really is very nice, and delicate, but I’m worried Beth might not wear it. “So,” I keep my tone light, trying not to upset the beta over such a thoughtful gift. “I don’t think omegas are knownfor wearing jewelry,” I say, hoping Jeremy won’t be offended if Beth doesn't wear it. “They have very sensitive skin.”
“Oh, I know,” Jeremy says quickly. “It’s omega-made with micro-fasteners and coated in some kind of poly-something-another that makes it lay very softly against the skin.”
I nod, impressed.
