Knox nods, his arms crossed, listening like he’s storing every word, and Dakota stands, inching closer so he can see inside.
“There are also a three-pack of slick-panties and a starter pack of scent boosters.” The doctor lifts out a few smaller items. “They’re for nesting and bonding—help her space feel safe and smell familiar. Most alphas prefer their omegas to use those instead of scent blockers.” She glances up, assessing his expression. “But the blockers are in there too, if she ever wants them. Some omegas find it grounding when they’re overwhelmed. Especially in public.”
Knox’s jaw tightens, but he gives a small nod. “She can decide.”
“Good.” The doctor offers a faint smile, then pulls out a slim booklet with a pale blue cover. “And this—‘Living as an Omega.’ It’s mostly orientation material: gland care, suppression schedules, legal consent laws, that sort of thing. She probably won’t need it since she’s not a newly presented omega, but some find it useful, especially if they were… sheltered before presentation.”
Knox’s eyes soften slightly as he glances at Skyla.
Her head is down, staring intently into the box like she wants nothing more than to crawl inside it and disappear.
“Everything else in here is routine,” the doctor continues. “Supplements, neutral wipes, pheromone diffusers. Nothing urgent, but all important for adjustment.”
Knox nods again, slow, thoughtful, his gaze lingering on the box like it holds more weight than it should.
“Okay,” the doctor pats the side of the box. “I’ll be right back to clean and bandage this.” She turns to Knox. “Please, follow me, Mr. Romner.”
The silence after Mara and Knox leave is heavy enough to choke on. The hum of the overhead lights is the only thing that lingers in the air.
And Skyla sits there—lost. She doesn’t lift her head, or look at any of us.
I fucking hate this.
Dakota shifts forward on his chair, trying to look calm. “This is good news,” he says softly, careful with his tone. “You’re going to be okay, Skyla. We can handle this.”
But when she finally lifts her head, my chest aches. Tears streak down her cheeks, collecting on the tip of her chin before dropping onto her lap.
“You should leave me,” she whispers, voice frayed and raw. “I’m too much work. I’ll ruin you. I ruined them. My old pack fell apart because of me, and if I stay…” her chin quivers as she sniffles loudly, “I’ll do the same thing to yours.”
Her words hit like claws dragging across my ribs. Before I can open my mouth, Alex’s chair screeches back across the tile and he’s on his feet, all coiled, white-hot anger.
“Don’t you ever say that again.” Alex’s voice dips low but forceful, the kind of quiet that vibrates with danger. “If the fuckers that rejected you are broken now, good. They should be. What they’ve done is un-fucking-forgivable.” His gaze cuts to her neck, and his nostrils flare. “If I had my way, I’d gut every single one of them for what they did to you.”
Skyla goes still, clearly more stunned than anything else. Slowly, shock softens her, and her shoulders relax.
“Alex is right.” I surge forward, slipping Skyla’s cold hands in mine. They’re so small and fragile. “A weak packlooksfor excuses to fall apart,” I whisper, softer than I’ve ever spoken before. “That’s what your old pack was—weak.”
Her tearful eyes dart across my face, uncertain. I can feel the tremor in her hands, and I hold them a little tighter, hoping to steady her.
“Real men don’t run,” I continue, leaning down so I’m not looming over her. “Real men take care of what’s theirs. And you areours, Skyla. Do you understand me? There is nothing—nothing—you can do to destroy our pack.”
“You don’t understand.” Her breath shudders out, a little uneven. “I ruined them. I…I’m a burden. I?—”
“No.” I brush my thumb over her knuckles. “You’renota burden. You’re a gift. And we’ll keep adoring you until you believe it.” My words are completely cliché, but they’re fucking true.
Skyla blinks at me, and for a moment, I see something like confusion behind her eyes, like she’s never had anyone speak to her like this.
“Damn straight.” Dakota is instantly at my side, gripping both my and Skyla’s hands. “And if any of these assholes treat you like a burden,” he cuts a glare at me, then Alex, “then I’ll end them myself.”
Something breaks behind Skyla’s eyes—a tiny, wet laugh that wants to be a sob and a smile at the same time. It’s small and messy and immediate. She draws in a deep breath, lets it out slowly, and for the first time since she sat down, she looks...lighter.
We stand there, circled around her, Alex and I purring softly while our scents braid together—coconut, citrus, and lilac—comforting her.
Slowly, Skyla leans forward and rests her forehead against my shoulder, breath evening out. Deep pride blooms in my chest, and I have to resist the urge to scoop her up and hug her tight.Patience.
“Okay,” Skyla whispers, voice raw but softer. “Okay.”
Back at Home
