I was happy enough to hold Jo’s confidence when she didn’t know for sure one way or the other, but based on the fact thatMabel has been healing remarkably fast, and it seems that Rory sleeping in her bed is what’s helped that to happen…it’s not fair of Jo to keep this from them.
“Jo…” I say gently, and her eyes fly open, landing on mine.
“No,” she shakes her head, taking a step back. “Mabel should know before anyone, and—”
“We’re her true scent matches, aren’t we?” Declan’s expression is filled with disbelief and hurt. When Jo doesn’t say anything, keeping her eyes on the ground, Declan snaps, growling. “Aren’t we?”
Even my hackles raise at that. But it’s Sam who breaks away and pulls her into his side. “Watch it,” he growls right back. “She may be your sister, but she’s still my omega.”
“Yes.” Jo looks up, meeting Declan’s eyes. “And this is exactly why. You feel like you have a right to her just because she’s your match. But what about her? What about whatshewants? She needs to choose you without the pressure of the scent match. And that is why youwill not tell her.”
Rory’s expression turns hopeful. “But if she knows, she’ll—”
“Run the absolute other fuckin’ direction,” my omega snaps before turning to Declan. “You think she doesn’t like you now? It’s because she feels like she can trust you implicitly, and last time she trusted her instincts, she ended up force-bonded. If you tell her what you suspect, you will lose her forever. Besides, you can’t know for sure. Not until we fix whatever went wrong with the injections Thornfield’s been givin’ her, and she can scent you for herself.”
“But whether or not she can scent you, your scent, your pheromones being near her is helping her heal.” I don’t mean to speak out. I really don’t, especially considering the way Jo glares at me.
“Sneakin’ into her bed is crossin’ a line,” Jo scowls, turning back to Rory. “Leave her all the sweatshirts you want. Pants.Shirts. Fucking socks. If it will help her get better faster, keep doin’ that. But you, under no circumstances, are to sneak back into her bed, Rory.”
The beta huffs, crossing his arms. “And what if she starts screaming again? You’d let her deal with the night terrors?”
“If she starts with them, she’ll become aware it’s happenin’, and then the doctor can figure out a change in medication or somethin’.” Jo mirrors Rory’s stance. “This is my sister, Ror. Dec may be my blood, but I’ve protected Mabel since before I could walk. I’m not gonna stop now—even if it’s from the four of you.”
“So what do we do?” Declan asks bitterly. “Just…hope she stops hating me?”
“You give it time.” She sighs, running a hand through her hair. “Let her get to know you, no expectations and no talk of mates. Maybe…maybe if she falls for you beforehand, she won’t run when her sense of smell comes back. But you can’t do it yet. She needs more time. Weeks. Months, probably. I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s even longer than that.”
“I’ve also volunteered my services,” I add, stepping forward. “For Mabel—as a beta mated to her sister, I’m about as little of a threat to her as possible. This was all before the talk of scent-matches, so that’s notwhyI’m doing it.”
“You knew about this?” Kole hisses, and I smirk, shrugging.
“Right.” Declan sighs. “Time. Something we’ve got plenty of.”
“Are you going to tell Nolan and Aidan?” Jo asks, tilting her head.
“Aidan is…Aidan.” Declan shrugs. “I don’t think he’s even noticed her existence at this point. Nolan…well, he hasn’t mentioned her, but if he does I’ll tell him. For now, it’s for the best that it’s kept between the three of us.”
Hayden clears his throat, and gives a little wave. “Hello? What are we, chopped liver?”
Declan rolls his eyes. “Fine, the…” he mentally tallies the number of men in Jo’s pack, “the…seven of us.”
“Great,” the pyro claps, rubbing his hands together. “Now that all the messy business is out of the way, how does a guy go about getting pizza delivered? I’ve had a craving since yesterday.”
Turnip chirps in agreement, and a small smile tilts at Jo’s lips when she sees the little rat on my shoulder.
eight
Jo
Iinvited Mabel to the house to have pizza with us, but she declined.
Instead, my guys and I sit around the living room with Declan, Ozzy, Fuzzy, and Helaena, with two stacks of pizzas on the coffee table.
I’m wedged between Sam and Hayden on the floor, our backs to the couch, with Kole and West sitting on the floor on the other side of the coffee table.
Fuzzy and Helaena look mighty cozy, tucked into the corner of the couch as she blinks up at him with a rosy smile. Ozzy’s eyes keep catching on them, a look of longing on his face.
He must really miss Sam’s mom.
