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My stomach gives an answering growl of hunger.

My mouth waters.

I hurry down the hallway past the doors leading to guest rooms, probably faster than I should, but damn, I am sure that I can also smell sweet, caramelized onions and the kick of my favorite jalapenos.

Light streams through the stained-glass window with rippled glass that Evan worked with a local specialist to restore. The picture in the window beautifully mirrors the forest outside, filtering the harsh sunlight into a dreamy stream of light through the golden greens of the trees and the jeweled glass bordering it.

When I reach the top of the sweeping pecan wood staircase, which curves down to the lobby with ornate pine balustrades, I stumble.

The Heat Wave Clinic will probably charge me extra or reckon I am some type of tyrant.

But damn, it’s a good service.

One Alpha is gardening.

The second is cooking me breakfast.

And now here is the third acting like my handyman on the stairs.

I stare at Rhett, as he uses some tool I don’t even recognize to fix the rail that has been working itself loose for months.

Is this truly the Rhett Cole, wealthiest Alpha in Oak Hollow, descendant of the founders, and Fire Chief?

Rhett is wearing jeans and the same style plaid shirt that I have borrowed, but with its sleeves rolled up to reveal his strong, tan forearms.

When he doesn’t look up, I enjoy watching him, especially his forearms.

Who doesn’t enjoy a competent Alpha working for them?

Finally, I walk down the steps to sit next to his feet. “You don’t need to do that.”

When Rhett glances at me, there is heat in his lingering look, before he deliberately blanks it.

I flush, as my pheromones surge.

Rhett awakens my Omega instincts faster than anyone else has.

I feel guilty for thinking that. But I can’t deny it.

I edge closer to him.

“I know, darlin’.” Rhett focuses back on his task. “But I’m good at fixing things. As long as you’re okay with it, I’ll spend this week before your heat hits checking what needs doing around here and making it right. Luca has claimed the garden. He is territorial like that. I can finish off what needs doing inside.”

Warmth spreads inside me, but I force myself to say, “It’s not in the contract, unless I missed the chores clause.”

Rhett chuckles. “I’m not one for being told what to do, and Luca wouldn’t have signed if there had been chores involved. I’ve been trying for years to get this Alpha to put his dirty clothes in a hamper because he says, the floor and the hamper are both temporary storage.”

“He ain’t wrong.”

Rhett adjusts the railing. “Angel made the mistake of asking him to make the bed once. Luca blinked at him, before asking, why do we need a nest when we don’t have an Omega?”

I wince. “Ouch. And that’s a sore point for Angel, right? He wants one, and the rest of you don’t.”

I must know.

“It ain’t like that. Angel just…” Rhett’s expression darkens. “He grew up around Omegas, but in a pack where they weren’t treated right. I reckon he feels taking an Omega would be a kind of redemption. If he could bond an Omega, then he could prove to himself that he’s not the Alpha he was raised to be. Some Alphas need Omegas more than others.”

I play with the hem of my shirt. “And you don’t?”