It had been a fleeting visit, but Ihadstopped by, waved hello to her and her new baby daughter, and given them the baby blanket. I’d refused to go into the house fully, considering I looked like death, and they thought I had the flu.
Can’t get little babies sick.
Sunny cocked her head to the side. “But you were visiting as a friend, not professionally. By the way, that baby blanket you gave us is the best thing ever, and I am obsessed with it. I can’t believe you make them.”
“You’re amazing at making blankets,” Melody agreed, smiling at me. “I am so thankful that all the ones you made for the rescue werehere, instead of at the rescue, when the fire happened.”
I beamed at Melody. I always liked hearing when my little creations helped people. “Well, if they had been, I would’ve just remade them for you! Okay, let me grab some tape, and you’re good to go. But you still need to be careful, and we’ll keep checking on this.”
The other two omegas started chatting about the asshole brother who’d burned down the rescue as I focused on cleaning and taking away the dirty bandages.
This felt normal and comfortable, something that was rare these days, and I didn’t realize how much I’d needed it. But the separation had taken its toll on me, making it difficult to do the very things that made me happy.
“What isthat?” Melody asked suddenly, leaning forward.
My heart plummeted as it dawned on me that, as I moved, the neck of my soft sweater had fallen down, exposing the bite mark.
Shit.
My face flushed bright red, cheeks positively burning. “Oh, uhh, nothing!”
I desperately hoped I could brush off the whole situation, like it never happened. Grasping the neck of my sweater, I tugged it up, trying to conceal the mark.
Unfortunately, from the other end of the bed, Sunny put the dog down and scrambled over to take a look. “That’s abondingmark!” she declared enthusiastically.
My stomach dropped further as I started to shake. Fear, panic, I wasn’t sure why, but everything felt too hot and tight and wrong. Waving my hands, I shooed both of them away, a little too aggressively, and I internally kicked myself.
“Shhh! Please don’t say anything.” I glanced toward the door, praying that none of Melody’s guys could overhear us.
“Why? You know the guys won't give a damn,” Melody said, frowning, that crinkle forming in the middle. “Unless… Is it another firefighter?”
Both the omegas made noises of excitement, but I only felt dread.
“You joining our ranks as a firehouse omega?!” Melody asked excitedly, oozing that joy for a friend that I wished I could appreciate at the moment.
“No, umm—maybe. Ugh!” I broke off in frustration.
Part of me knew it was best to keep my situation a secret, but another part of medesperatelywanted to talk about it. I’d been on my own in all of this, and carrying that around all day, every day had beyond drained me.
“Look, if I tell you, youcan’ttell your guys. This is very new, I’m very confused, and I don’t know what I’m going to do,” I rambled.
Melody leaned closer, placing her non-injured hand over mine in a comforting gesture. I practically melted into it.
Sunny and Melody glanced at each other as the silence persisted before Sunny turned to me, her energy calm now.
“Hey, we can keep a secret from our pack if need be. Are you okay? This is making me worried.” Sunny scooted forward, putting her hand on my shoulder.
“Is there anything we can do to help?” Melody offered.
She really was such a sweet omega, and the concern on her face nearly made me tear up. I was surrounded by women who cared, and I didn’t know why, but that was almost worse.
“No, I just—” I broke off, running my hands through my hair, despite how they were shaking.
“Talk to us,” Melody said with a sympathetic smile. “We're here to help.”
“I don't think youcanhelp,” I whispered. “The other night, I was stressed out about life things, and I decided to go into town to the local bar and have a few drinks. I met an alpha, and his scent wasamazing. It was like crack. But…ugh. The next thing I know, we’re fucking in the back alley behind the bar.”
“Heck, yeah!” Sunny giggled, clapping, before reeling it in while still giving me a look. “Girl, you deserve to get laid.”