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For the second marmalade and toast delivery, Dusk bundled the tray into my hands and shoved me to her nest door. It was late—like super late—though I didn’t think they were actively fucking right now. Dusk was confused about her heat, but I was quite clear on the matter: just like everything about Shatter, her heat was not behaving the way it should.
“She’ll let you in,” he said.
Would she?
But Dusk was already knocking and cracking it open. We both paused when we heard her voice cut off.
What I found within was the most precious thing I’d ever seen. She was curled up on Ransom’s lap in the bed as she read from an Arkology textbook. It was extra sweet because, as far as I knew, Ransom still hadn’t yet spoken a word. They both looked up at me.
“Umbra?”
“Yeh.” I glanced down at the tray in my hand. More marmalade and green tea. Dusk had chopped up some apples to add, too.
“Do you need to stay?” she asked. “Are you stable?”
I palmed my neck, but Dusk answered for me.
“No,” he told her, shoving me into the room.
I snorted. Stupid answer.
I wasneverstable.
Still, I didn’t feel bad because then she was lifting the covers in invitation and my worry vanished.
I crossed toward her and set the tray on the bedside table. I sat at her side, drawing her close and ignoring Ransom’s little growl. I grinned. He’d have to get used to sharing sooner or later. And he was looking good, even if he hadn’t said anything yet. His deep red hair was a shaggy mess, but his green eyes were bright and full of life. I couldn’t believe he was back with us, and out of chains.
I was getting my brother back.
He settled well enough when Shatter set the book down and took my arm—the one with the bandage—for examination. It was healing fast, but the cut had been deep.
“Is it doing okay?” she asked.
I nodded. Her bandaging skills needed work. I’d taken a photo, so that when Dusk replaced it for me he was able to copy all the outer layers exactly as they had been—hair clip included—so she’d never know we’d touched it.
Seemingly satisfied, she patted it, then glanced to the tray I’d brought.
Right. Nesting alpha was my job tonight.
I passed it over and she set it on her lap, smiling as she lifted one of the pieces of toast to Ransom. He took a bite without question, eyes drifting around the room.
“He doesn’t seem to like the tea,” she said sadly.
I cleared my throat, picking up the second mug for myself. Shatter cupped her own mug to her chest, watching for my reaction. I forced a smile as I tasted it, which was enough to make her beam.
A post heat omega picnic?
This was better than I could have expected, even if the tea tasted like musty asshole.
When we were done, I was expecting her to tell me to leave. Instead, she settled beneath the covers, adjusting Ransom’s arm around her waist before looking up at me expectantly.
Excellent.
I wrapped my arms around her, feeling the rumble of Ransom’s growl as my arms brushed his chest. I couldn’t help my chuckle. I could feel him waning in and out of the bond. He was confused right now, a collision of protection and happiness, as if he knew who I was deep down.
I huddled closer. “You saved me, Little Nightshade,” I breathed in her ear. She melted into my arms because, well, how could she not?
Oddly, her heat seemed mostly over, judging by the hormones in the air. “Where did your heat go?” I asked.
