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Lars placed a supportive hand on her shoulder, silently but resolutely, backing up his mate. The Omega's chest heaved with a decisive sigh, effectively putting an end to the conversation, and Zorah released her death grip on her skirt. Thank goodness for Grace.
As if to punctuate the point, Grace turned her back on Xavi and threw her arms around a startled Jake's neck, nearly knocking him over as he stumbled for purchase in the loose mix of sand and stone. "Thank you. Thank you for saving my boy."
Jake's posture stiffened, and his eyes skittered around like his world had flipped upside down and he didn't know where he was. Elbows hovering awkwardly away from his body, he faltered to handle the unexpected affection.
Lars went to his mate's side and grasped one of Jake's dangling hands for a heartfelt shake. "Thank you. We owe you a debt too great to ever repay, but we're happy to try."
The sincere gratitude unlocked something in the group, and suddenly everyone stepped forward to give Jake their thanks, including a much-subdued Xavi under the glare of his mate. Zorah sidled back, nerves still jangling from Xavi's indictment, Jake's defense, and her own instinct to defend him in return. He wouldn't look at her, hadn't said a word to her other than to ask about Ty's swimming ability. And yet, he'd defended her.
After the thanks had been dispensed, Colt excused himself back to the village proper, followed by Marie and Xavi escorting a sullen-looking Ty. Zorah would never say it, but with all the construction and food replenishment this summer, the boys had been left to their own devices much of the time. Maybe this would remind their Alpha fathers to spend more time with them. Or, at the very least, include them in the projects to keep them out of trouble.
"Zorah." Grace's voice drew her from her thoughts. Tears stained her honey-brown skin as she turned the soft light of her motherly Omega temperament on Zorah's face. She cupped a hand on Zorah's sweaty cheek. "Thank you, my dear. You've been such a help to our family, but this... well..." Grace's lower lip trembled. "We're so lucky you came to us this summer."
Now Zorah understood Jake's discomfort with the outpouring of gratitude. Never hesitant to bestow a hug, Grace threw her arms around Zorah in a tight, emotion-laden squeeze. It wasn't the first time Grace had embraced her, but it was undoubtedly the most unlike Zorah's mother's quick, cool attempts at motherly comfort.
Despite being an Omega, Ida never discomforted herself with outward shows of affection. Instead, she opted for a shoulder squeeze or a brisk approving nod on the uncommon occasion Zorah earned such a rarity. Zorah'd never given much thought to her mother's cool and withholding approach to motherhood, but since taking care of Grace and Lars's children, she'd seen a wholly different type of parenting up close and personal. It's not that she'd grown up completely absent affection, but mostly that came in the form of periodic visits from her Beta grandmother, Nana.
"You don't have to thank me," Zorah mumbled into Grace's shoulder. "I wish I could've done more."
"No. You did everything you could have." Grace forced a watery smile. "And you've probably had enough of my children for today. Take the rest of the day off and —"
"Oh, no, I couldn't," Zorah protested. "You'll need help with dinner and bedtime —"
"We can manage," Lars cut in, giving her a stern but kind look. "The pups need their parents, and I imagine you could use some time to yourself." Lars, holding Ginny one-handed, hoisted Nico to his feet, while Pixie and Jace chased each other in a circle around their father.
Zorah opened her mouth to argue but closed it when Lars arched a pointed brow. He was the kindest and gentlest of the Alphas, but an Alpha, nonetheless. Defying him would take more energy than she possibly possessed after the afternoon's ordeal.
Grace's arms enveloped Zorah in a second quick hug, and she whispered in her ear, "Should I tell Riddick you have some free time?"
"No." Zorah spat the word like a bite of too-hot food. Adrenaline from the rescue was wearing off, and twinges of an impending meltdown strummed through her nervous system. Having to entertain Riddick would not help her in the slightest. Backing away from the hug, she glanced around the empty beach, taking in the strewn-about blankets, cups, and all the other detritus of the afternoon they'd spent by the water. "I'll clean up here and then find something else to do. Thank you."
With one last arm squeeze, Grace threw herself back into her parental duties. In a practiced movement, she had Pixie propped on one hip and her other arm wrapped protectively around Nico's shoulder. Lars, carting both Ginny and Jace, led his family back toward the path. They moved as one frenetic, vibrating mass, leaving Zorah behind in the relative stillness of the now-abandoned lakefront.
Any other day, she'd bless her lucky stars for a moment of kid-free peace, but only hollow disappointment occupied her chest. Grace had absolved her, Jake had supported her, yet Zorah couldn't shake the feeling that she'd somehow failed. The frailty chewing at her insides deepened. Scanning the beach, Jake was nowhere to be found, and her spirits sunk even lower. She stifled the reaction as nothing more than her childish silliness. Why would Jake stick around, anyway? Nico was back safe with his parents, they'd all thanked him, and he clearly had no interest in any further interaction with her. He'd made that abundantly clear the first time they'd met in the darkness.
Apparently, living through a near tragedy didn't alter anything.
CHAPTER 7
Jake
He made the trek halfway back to the cabin when the first whimper rattled his eardrums. Like the screams from earlier, the noise stopped him in his tracks, and the dread in his chest made him certain of the source. Another broken cry reached his ears, this one overfull with suppressed and smothered anguish. With a sigh, Jake spun and retraced his footsteps, cursing himself. It wasn't any of his business. None of this was any of his business.Shewas none of his business, but he sped his pace nonetheless.
He'd check in with her, make sure she was okay, and then head back up the hill. No fuss. No muss.God dammit, what was he doing? He'd done his good deed for the day; wasn't that enough? Not that saving a child's life would make any difference in his status in the Pack at large. He'd be the hero until dinnertime, but an Omega mother's tears and gratitude only went so far. Tomorrow morning, he'd be back to the bottom. Where he belonged.
Jake slapped a branch out of the path of his face, hustling so as not to get struck in the back of the head on the recoil. Why couldn't he have a path to redemption? That motherfucker Silas, who'd sold the Pack out to a group of rogue Alphas, got to leave with his weaselly hide intact. Cal straight-up abducted Della for over a week, and no one gave him shit about it day in and day out. Although, warning them about the attack and losing his foot in the process probably helped grease the wheels for that reparation.
Cal also didn't abductHunter'sOmega.
Shit.Why was he even engaging in this stupid, self-pitying thought exercise? Who was he to demand redemption for any-fucking-thing? Had he already forgotten his life in Old Tacoma? He should count himself lucky he lived somewhere that wasn't a cleaned-out garbage truck and spent his days working in the fresh air rather than evading criminals and dealers. No, he wasluckyHunter took pity on him and let him come live here.
By the time the lake came into view, Zorah's sobs had quieted, but some sad sniveling gave away her location. Huddled on a crumpled blanket with her knees bent and her back braced against a cedar tree, she tucked her face into her folded arms. Dark brown hair frizzed out in all directions, half of it draped over her slumped shoulders and the other half hanging on for dear life in a disintegrating, broken-down braid. It was messy and unselfconscious and so fucking precious, it shredded his resolve to keep this brief and perfunctory.
That raw vulnerability did him in; the glimpse of fragility beneath the competent exterior he'd seen earlier, when she'd taken charge of the children, safeguarding them while keeping them out of his way while he tried to resuscitate the boy. She'd known exactly what to do, exactly what her priorities were, and exactly the best way to help in the highly fraught situation. That's why he'd almost blown a gasket when Xavi peppered her with insinuating questions, implying she'd made some faulty choice. She hadn't. She'd done well, and anyone with half a brain could see that. He certainly could.
He didn't rejoice in her misery by any means, but this unpracticed and unguarded vulnerability pulled him like a magnet. Whether or not she sensed his presence, she never looked up. Jake crossed the beach till his toes touched the edge of the blanket.
"Hey." His voice cracked on the single syllable greeting. "Are... are you all right?"
