“Good morning, loves,” he grins, wearing his foraging apron and carrying several large stalks of orange fillano in his hand. “Thought I’d make a pie for dessert tonight.”
I look behind him, but he shuts the door.
“Where is Octavia?” I ask.
Ziam stops unloading his apron. “She’s not with me. I assumed she was sleeping a bit late, and I went out alone. Is she not awake yet?”
Every word he says makes me more concerned. “This is entirely too late for her to sleep.”
Lux is already on her feet, headed for the library. I’m on her heels, and I hear Ziam directly behind me.
“Octavia?” I call loudly, trying to keep my voice even.
No answer, as we take the stairs. I check my room, and the playroom, even though it’s not rational. Both empty.
“Omega!” Lux calls firmly as we take the flight of stairs to the third floor. Still nothing.
I see Lux throw open the door to the nest, but as I follow her into the room, it’s empty. The window is open, and the nest mussed, smelling thickly of Octavia.
My cock stands at attention, realizing before my brain does.
Heat. Octavia is in heat.
We pile into the bathroom, her scent trailing out of there in an almost visible manner.
The shower is on, the sound peaceful, except for the whimpers from our omega. I jog around the full bathtub to the shower, stepping in fully dressed to find Octavia on the floor, curled up in a ball, one hand between her thighs, eyes tightly closed.
Lux snarls behind me, obviously upset with our omega.
“Oh, baby,” I mutter as I drop to my knees and scoop her up.
I step out, and Zee brings over a towel, drying her in my arms.
I look to Lux. “Not right now. She needs our help right now.”
Her voice in response is tight. “I know, Atiox. I’m not impressed with her choices right now, but it’s not the time.”
Lux is stripping naked even as she heads for the door. “My cock is downstairs. I’ll be right back. Get her in the nest.”
We both nod as we finish drying Octavia the best we can. She’s wiggling and squirming in my arms, and her eyes flutter open finally.
“There you are, sweet girl,” I say roughly, heart in my throat. “I was worried.”
Her eyes fill with tears.
Fuck. What did I say wrong?
“I’m sorry!” she bursts out. “I... I...” and then sobs take her words even as Zee and I purr and touch her.
“It’s alright, wedari,” he rumbles. “We understand you’re scared to rely on someone outside of yourself. That nothing seems permanent and the systems you should be able to trust feel untrustworthy.”
I look at him, and he shrugs.
She nods as her little cries die off. She sniffles. “I’m sorry,” she mutters, eyes downcast, even as her fingers play with her clit. “I tried to... and I didn’t tell you... then I took that trainer out of my...”
“Oh fuck, omega, don’t apologize,” I blurt, “You’re scared and hurting. We’re here. We should have been keeping a better eye on things. Let us help. Just relax.”
I cross to the nest, climbing on it on my knees with her still in my arms. Zee hurries after me, pulling out the softest blanket he can find and spreading it. I lay her on it and she groans, rolling.
