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“I’ve got you,” Yuri said. My alpha gently lifted me and carried me back to the couch. He settled in the middle of the couch, holding me in his lap as he ran his fingers up and down my arm. I snuggled back into him, humming when he pressed a kiss to my temple. Once the rest of the pack got comfortable around us on the huge sectional, I knew it was time.
“I guess you guys need some answers,” I said softly.
“A few,” King agreed.
I took a deep breath and tried to figure out where to start. Did I talk about the heat, or did I start with my mom’s situation? Chewing my bottom lip, I twisted my fingers together hard enough that Yuri pulled them apart so I’d stop.Better to start with my family.
“My sister and I are twins, but we’ve never been close. She’s my opposite, and I’ve always found her a bit too narcissistic and petty. When I left our hometown with Hazel, I thought the space would be nice. Instead, she called me before we’d even gotten to Alexandria.”
“To say your mom is sick?” Nash asked. His voice was soft and sweet, which made it a bit easier to choke out the answer.
“Yeah. It’s cancer, and it’s been spreading,” I managed to get out as a tear escaped. “Dad is working insane hours to help pay for what insurance doesn’t cover. Mom is exhausted and too sick to talk often, and I’m struggling with that.”
“And Sam?”
I shrugged. “She’s on the front lines, taking Mom to appointments and fighting the insurance company. She’s basically doing everything she can so Mom is taken care of.”
“That’s so hard. I’m sorry you’ve been dealing with that,” King said. “But when did it turn into starving yourself?”
“She needs the money. What else could I do? When Sam calls and says Mom needs meds that cost two thousand dollars, I work my ass off and get that money.” There was a challenge in my voice. They could say what they wanted, but my mom was my priority. If they eventhoughtthat they could say she wasn’t worth it, I’d be punching some alphas in the throat.
Finally I was brave enough to look up at them, expecting to be met with a mix of frustration and pity. Instead, I found compassion. Every one of them seemed to understand.
“No more,” Yuri said firmly. “I understand you want to help, and I won’t stop you. But if you’re going to do that, we get full permission to provide all food, transportation, and any other needs you have.”
My mouth started to open in protest, but River cut in.
“That means stuff like clothes and extras as well,” they added on with a confident tone.
“Andwe get to pay for dates,” Nash said as he crossed his arms. “We meananything.”
“Not only that, but we want to know you’re eating what we provide,” King said.
Somehow, my alphas had come to an unspoken agreement on how to handle this, and I had no clue how to process it.
They were giving me a solution to my biggest stressor. Their kindness and acceptance wouldn’t save Mom, but it sure as fuck would save me. That alone would provide more for Mom than I could alone. They were gifting me a way to survive while still doing what I had to for the woman who’d taught me to be the person I was today.
“Alright.” I could tell my easy agreement had them completely stunned. They’d expected a fight, or at least some small protest.
Did I want to take advantage of them?
Absolutely not.
But I would find my own ways to contribute, and I would do what I could.
“Thank you. You have no idea what this means to me,” I said. I knew there was more we needed to talk about, but they were kind enough not to push me for more tonight.
“Come on, omega, time for rest,” King said as he helped me up. “You coming, River?”
That invitation felt like it meant so much more than just a nap, and when King put his hand in the other alpha’s, I nearly cheered. The heat had brought them closer together.
The moment the two alphas got me in bed between them, my eyes snapped shut. I was safe, warm, and protected. It was everything I had craved for so long, and after this experience, I knew I’d never take it for granted.
* * *
YURI
“Thank you for your assistance,” I told the alpha on the other end of the line.
