“He’s going to need it if he meets the Stellas,” Drax utters under his breath.
ELEVEN
Sabs
“Sabs?” I hear the sound of heavy footsteps racing down the stairs, accompanied by Delilah’s frantic voice. “Sabs!”
The loud knocking on my door sounds like it’s coming from faraway. The whole room seems to be spinning, like the time I drank half a bottle of tequila while attempting to keep up with my brothers on my twenty-first birthday.
“We’re coming in!” Kady calls.
Seconds later, my three best friends come flooding into the bathroom, where I’ve been since our phone call.
“Oh, Sabs…” Delilah kneels down next to me, draping her arm over my shoulders. Her sweet apple pie scent makes me feel a little better as she pulls me close. “It’s okay.” She rubs my arm. “We’re here now.”
Above us, I can feel Kady and Faye’s presence, but my neck feels so stiff that I can’t bear to look up.
“I-I tried to move…” My bottom lip quivers. “B-but?—”
“It’s okay. I understand.” She strokes my hair. “We’re here to help, but first we need to get you somewhere more comfortable, okay?”
“I’ll get all the cushions,” Faye squeaks, hurrying back into the bedroom before I hear flapping sheets and vigorous cushion plumping getting underway.
“We’re going to help you to stand up, Sabs,” Kady informs me before putting her arm around my other shoulder. Together, they manage to haul me to my feet and practically drag me back through the bedroom. I wince, squinting at the bright light streaming in through my windows. The sun’s rays catching on the massive disco ball on my ceiling are blinding. “Close the curtains, Faye!” Kady sounds unusually frantic. “We need it dim in here.”
Delilah frowns. “Your bathrobe is completely soaked through.”
“Is it?” I reply dazedly. “I hadn’t even noticed.”
“I’ve got fresh clothes ready here,” Faye pipes up, holding one of my favorite and most comfortable loungewear sets.
“We’re going to help you change, okay?” Not waiting for me to reply, Delilah gently peels the sodden fabric from my trembling frame. “You need to stay warm.”
“I’m fine as I am,” I argue, but my chattering teeth show otherwise.
“You can’t fool us,” Kady clucks, assisting Delilah in removing the heavily weighted gown from me. “You need to take care of yourself.”
“Fine,” I agree reluctantly.
Between the three of them, they wrestle my stiff denim shorts off my thighs. Before I know it, I’m dressed in buttery-soft leggings that feel silky against my skin, making me realize just how uncomfortable I was before.
“How is this?” Faye turns on my fairy lights, casting us in a soft, pink glow while Delilah bundles me onto the bed and tucks me under blankets.
Granted, being dry and surrounded by the familiarity of my friends’ scents has definitely helped, but being in this room doesn’t bring me the comfort it usually does. It feels alien and empty without him.
“I’ll get the Stella balm.” Faye rushes out of the room. “Be right back.”
Kady finds a bottle of makeup remover then sits in front of me, carefully dabbing at my cheeks. Even though she’s being delicate, my skin feels more irritated and itchier with every swipe of the cotton ball.
“Much better.” She nods in approval when she’s done, but deep concern is still etched into her features.
“The balm may help provide some comfort.” Faye’s back, clutching the pot of Stella balm. “While it can’t cure bonding sickness, Gram told me that the bond we share as scent sisters may help temporarily alleviate some discomfort.” She dabs the balm behind my ears then takes my wrists into her soft hands, smudging it over my pulse points. Smelling the cloves, sage, and amber does bring me a sense of safety, finally allowing me to exhale properly for the first time since I fled Adler’s house. “There you go.”
“Let’s get you cozy now, okay?” Delilah smiles warmly as Faye fusses around me, and Kady pulls closed the peach curtains around my bed to block out the rest of the room. They then set to work on creating a pillow fort in a way that only an omega could do perfectly. The colors are bold: bright pinks, deep purples, and loud oranges. Delilah positions a furry purple cushion underneath my lower back while Faye smooths my favorite pink checkered waffle blanket over my feet before Kady tucks my arms into the sides of it. It’s not just a mini nest they’ve built me but my own personal fortress.
“Thank you for coming.” I finally crack a grin when they’re done. “Sorry to ruin your breakfast, Del.”
“There will be plenty more breakfasts.” Delilah slides up next to me, putting her arm around me. I lean my head on her shoulder while she strokes my hair. “We’d drop anything for you.”
