Page 138 of The Rogues

“Your fever may be broken, but I want to keep an eye on it just in case. You had a long heat.”

Her brows furrow. “I thought it felt like a long time. How long?”

“Nine days.”

She jolts. “Holy shit.”

I chuckle. “It’s okay, baby. That’s still very normal.”

“I didn’t—” She pauses, biting her lip. “I didn’t exhaust Lennon, did I? He was okay?”

My heart skips a beat when I process what she’s asking. She just had the most terrifying experience an omega can have, and she is worried about her alpha and his health. I hold her closer to me.

“He is wonderful. I promise you that we were mindful of him exerting himself just as much as we were of you and your needs.”

She huffs out a breath of relief. “Good.”

This omega is everything I needed and more. She’s attentive, mindful, and has the biggest heart. I’ve needed this energy beside me for a long time, and I’m so glad she is finally here, helping me with my rowdy friends, and loving them the same way I do.

“Get some rest. We’ll get everything sorted soon.”

Soon, we’ll have to hop back up, exit our bubble of privacy, and deal with the aftermath of the canceled tour.

There’s more bullshit to come, of course. I’m starting to realize that no matter what capacity you’re in the public eye for, there will be complications and hurdles to jump through in order to feel peace, but now I’m ready for it. Now, with my pack by my side and our fans knowing the truth about all of us, there’s nothing I can’t do to ensure my pack has the smoothest recovery possible.

The future of our career is uncertain, but that doesn’t matter to me right now. What matters is how much I love my pack mates, how much I love my beta and omega, and how unbelievably blessed I am that the universe has gifted me this life with them.

FORTY-SEVEN

“Alright, who took the last sparkling water?” Lennon asks, storming into the living room.

Malaki pauses with the bottle of said water to his lips. “Uh…”

I snort as Lennon dramatically puts his hands on his head and gives a shout of frustration.

“We can get more,” Cyrus says diplomatically, his hands massaging the kinks out of Jamie’s shoulders. The beta’s mouth gapes open slightly when he hits the right spot, and the sight causes warmth to pool in my belly.

Lennon shakes his head. “Josie said those were Lark’s favorite; now what are we going to offer her?”

My smile grows so wide, pain pinches my cheeks. I forgot that I told him about my bandmates’ favorite drinks, and he’s obviously trying to use that information today.

It’s been about a week since my heat, and settling into pack life has been smooth sailing. Besides all the stresses coming from outside sources—our labels and the public especially—everything has been glorious in the tight unit I’ve found myself in. I knew it would be, if watching them over the past couple months was any indication, but now I feel it. I’m a part of them, just like they’re a part of me.

And that means it’s officially time to bring my friends into the mix.

“She likes a lot of things; it’s okay,” I tell him, knowing how flexible Lark is.

“I know but I was saving that one specifically,” he mutters, glaring at Malaki.

The blue-haired alpha visibly gulps, putting the bottle down with a guilty expression. “Sorry.”

Lennon sighs. “It’s okay… I just want things to be perfect.”

I check the clock, seeing that it’s five to six, which means the girls will be here soon. I had no idea that my alpha would take my friends coming over so seriously, but by the look on his face, he is. There’s a stressed scrunch in his brow, so I stand up to go to him, squeezing his arm reassuringly.

One of those pack squeezes that I’m getting so used to doling out.

“You guys don’t have to be perfect. The time together doesn’t have to be perfect, either. I mean, come on, you guys saw how we were all tour long. We’re far from perfect.”