There's another clatter and wobble of the picture as Loz's face reappears. "Anyone other than Dels or North Shore calls me that, I'll gut 'em," she gasps, tears trickling from her eyes, "but North Shore, I'll give ya that one."
Seb snorts. There's a warmth in his bond. I have no idea what the fuck just happened, but considering the number of death threats that just got exchanged, it clearly isn't as bad as it seems.
"It's an Aussie thing. Don't worry about it," Dellie murmurs. Her bond is fluttering with happiness now, as well as worry and responsibility and concern. I flash her a pulse of gratitude into the bond. She leans her head against my shoulder. "And everything else is okay? Ruby's visit all worked out? The nest all good?"
There's a sigh. "Mostly." I feel a flicker of concern from Dellie. "Fucking Master Nater—"
"You mean Nate?" Dellie sounds almost as confused as I am.
Loz nods on the screen.
"Huh. Weren't you calling him Master Bater before?"
Loz sighs. "Yeah, but it turns out the prick's actually Good People. Which isreallyfucking annoying, 'cuz it means I have a soft spot for him, even though he used to work for the fucking pigs."
I know the word. But I clearly don't speak the language. "Pigs?" I mutter.
Seb glances at me. "Police." I feel the discomfort radiating from him. I let one of my hands rest on his shoulder.
"Oh, that's nice. I'm glad. I was worried there wouldn't be time to build rapport with him."
Loz scoffs. "That man will give your Allen a run for his money in the 'doing stupid shit to protect other people' department."
Ralph stifles a laugh. There's an odd sense of… pride coming through Allen's bond at that statement.Interesting.
I can sense Dellie's confusion. "Why? What happened?"
Loz scoffs. "The fucker insisted on helping Ruby with the sex swing. He threw his fucking back out. Heswearsit's fine. I'm trying to get him to see a physio, but he's insisting he can't be too far away from the nest this close to… y'know. Kick off."
I feel the question in the bond Dellie doesn't want to ask out loud, but our bond is lit up with her urge to help and the warring fear of overstepping. James obviously feels it, too. He shifts closer to the camera. He glanced at Dellie.
"Lauren, I have my essentials bag with me. If he wants—uh, and ifyouwant—I can come across the yard and check him out. See if he needs anything urgent. Work on the muscle a bit, tape him up if he needs it. Would that help?"
Relief washes through Dellie's bond. Then echoes through James'.
Loz frowns. "Yeah. He definitely needs to be looked at, the idiot. But…" She sighs and stills. "Um, no offence, but you lotreally don't do it for my omega." Her voice is softer, less strident. She seems… slightly smaller. A little more human.
"What if he sticks to the formal lounge? With the outside door left open to air out the room? That's well away from the nest," Dellie asks, concern radiating through the bond and writ large across her face.
Loz purses her lips and nods. "That'll work. And Dellie should still have your account details. I'll make sure you guys get paid."
"Lauren," James rumbles, anger flecking through his bond, "you have single-handedly done more for our pack in three conversations than just about anyone else.Ever. You're our mate's best friend—"
I send a pulse of support through the bond, and feel the echoes of similar pulses from the others. There's a squeal and another clatter and blur. The phone is pointing up at the recessed lights again. Allen can't suppress his smile. I can feel Dellie's relief and amusement coursing through her.
"Oh thank fuck!"
Her face hovers over the screen again. "I was worried you lot wouldn't get your shit together, but thankfuckyou did."
The background shifts again. James glances at Allen, who nods.
Allen clears his throat. "Anyway, uh, we obviously aren't the right pack for your heat—"
"Fuck, you can say that again. I'm not a fucking lunch cutter," Loz mumbles. Allen takes the phone as Dellie buries her face in Seb's shoulder, her back shaking with laughter.
Allen clears his throat. "Uh. But maybe we can still help out. Free up your support pack to take care of you. Make sure they are in their best form."
Loz sighs. "Oh yeah? Like, how?"
