Rhett. Myrick. Autry. Charlie.
They feel like home. And for that? Forthem?
I’ll kneel. Even if it kills me.
“You’ve got nothing to say for yourself?” Rhett finally breaks the silence. His words are quiet, not wanting to wake Charlie, but they still hit like a punch. There’s no yelling. No roaring. Cold disappointment laced with fury. That might be worse.
I swallow hard, trying to find words that won’t make things worse. “Thank you,” I force out, my voice rough. “For letting me be with him.”
Rhett’s eyes narrow.
“I know it couldn’t have been easy,” I speak softly, respectfully. “Letting someone else claim your omega like that. Lettingme…be here.” I’m stumbling through this, but I don’t know what else to say. So instead, I brace myself.
Rhett’s breath comes out slow, a faint trace of a growl in the air, but footsteps in the hallway draw our attention. Autry’s sugared lemons and Myrick’s spring aroma filters in before I see them.
Myrick enters first, tall and composed, his lips pressed tight as his eyes flick back and forth between me and Rhett. I should be focused on the tension in the room, but I can’t stop myself from admiring the beta. He has this quiet elegance about him—long, slender limbs, soft blond hair that falls a little too perfectly.
Then Autry enters behind him, nearly swallowed by the oversized throw wrapped around her shoulders. She’s tiny—delicate, almost. Pretty brown hair tucked messily behind one ear, pouty pink lips parted in concern. She looks like she climbed out of a storybook, and hasn’t realized she’s walked into a war zone.
But the moment the tension hits her nose, her body stiffens. She freezes, her eyes darting between me and Rhett,then without a word she folds herself behind Myrick’s shoulder, like a shadow trying to disappear.
“Alpha?” Charlie stirs, his voice barely audible. A soft noise escapes him as he shifts, followed by the slow blink of puffy eyes. His hair is sticking up in wild directions, cheeks flushed and lips parted as he pushes himself up, bleary and dazed. He looks like a beautiful, exhausted mess. And he has no idea how close this room is to detonating.
Rhett shifts, then stands. He looms over the bed like a storm about to break. His presence is massive, coiled with tension. Then he growls—low and dangerous. My name rumbles out of him like a warning. “Oli.” He’s clearly seconds from snapping.
But before anyone can utter another word, Myrick steps forward. “No,” the beta snaps, voice sharp as a blade. “If you two are going to fight, then get the fuck out.” His harsh tone makes everyone stop cold.
Even Rhett blinks like he’s been struck. Autry gasps softly behind him. I’ve never once heard the beta raise his voice, but he’s standing his ground right now—shoulders squared, eyes hard. Protective. Not afraid.
“Charlie needs rest,” Myrick says firmly. “Bothof the omegas do. And if either of you cares about them, you’ll keep your shit together.”
I stare at him, stunned and grateful. My chest tightens looking at the two of them—Autry, quiet and watchful, and Myrick, suddenly so powerful in his resolve.
This is what Charlie needs. Not alphas with tempers and teeth. But this. Betas who know how to hold the room steady. Who can stand their ground when the rest of us can’t.
I nod silently, then lower my gaze. Then I clear my throat, barely recognizing the rough sound of my own voice.The room is still too quiet, charged with things none of us are saying. But I didn’t come this far to cower.
“I’m glad you’re all here,” I say, voice low but steady. “Because I need to apologize.”
Charlie blinks, eyes still unfocused, confused. He looks so soft, curled under the blanket like he’s made of silk and warmth. I turn to him first.
“I’m sorry,” I tell him. “For biting you.” The words sting as they leave me. “I didn’t give you a choice. I let instinct take over and marked you like you were mine to take.” I shake my head, feeling heat crawl up the back of my neck. Every ounce of alpha in me is screaming. Telling me I did what I wasmeantto do. That omegasaresupposed to be claimed. But I silence it. Bite down on the growl rising in my throat. This isn’t about instincts. Not anymore.
This is about getting to keepthem.
“You deserved better than that,” I say to Charlie, and his hand curls around my forearm.
“It’s okay,” he whispers, but I can feel his lingering tension in our bond. He’s angry with me. Maybe even scared. And I understand why—he could have lost his pack.
But now isn’t the time to discuss this. I’ll talk to him later. Privately, when I can show him just how sorry I really am.
I shift my gaze to Myrick and Autry. They’re still standing close, her delicate fingers now wrapped around his wrist, grounding herself. Myrick’s eyes haven’t left me.
“I’m sorry to both of you,” I say. “For all the chaos. I never meant to bring this into your home. Into your family.”
Autry’s eyes soften, but she doesn’t speak. Myrick gives the barest nod.
“Rhett.” I look at the alpha.
