Forget : A Dark Omegaverse (Unhingedverse)

I am addicted to Aisling Sullivan. I want to suggest going out again, but I don’t want to say the wrong thing while I’m with her. So instead, I’m relegated to texting her. God, I feel like such a chump, because I swear I can hear a twinge of sadness when she texts me back.

Work doesn’t slow down for long once Christmas is over, and a week later I’m in the back seat with Cian, on the way to go over amending the contract he has with a large logging company.

We happen to launder money through them, as well as transport drugs to suppliers through the trucking company they also own. It’s a good working relationship, but the owners want a larger amount for working with us.

I’m here to knock them off the pedestal that allows them to assume that kind of shit.

“Domhnall,” Cian drawls, making me flinch. Fuck, only my father calls me that, and I’m typically in a shitload of trouble when he does.

“Yes, Sir?” I ask, my eyes lifting from my computer. I tend to work while we drive places. I’m very efficient, and I’m convinced that’s one of the reasons he keeps me as his lawyer.

“What the fuck are you doing with my daughter? She seems unhappy,” he growls.

“I speak to her every day,” I tell him quickly, because it’s true. I’m out of practice at romancing people, especially pretty little omegas. A little smile here or there was always enough to spread the creamy thighs of the girls at the bar. Aisling isn’t anything like those girls though.

“I’m dying to run into her again, but the opportunity hasn’t happened.”

“I know Hayes is her scent match,” he says. “You and Aisling already have a connection, it makes perfect sense for you to ask her to go out without resorting to stalking.”

“Well, there’s a lot of that already happening,” I mutter, wincing. Cian surprises the fuck out of me as he barks out a laugh, shaking his head.

“Pack Hayes is filled with unhinged men,” he says. “I’m not surprised that you’re all watching her every move. I swore I felt eyes when I took her snowmobiling last week.”

“Evan,” I grunt truthfully. “He had more downtime then, so he followed her around incessantly. Aisling is really busy, and half the time she forgets to eat.”

“She’s building her legacy,” Cian says. “Aisling went through a lot, and she doesn’t want it to happen to someone else. Omegas face a lot of bullshit, but are ignored when they go to the authorities for help. Then there’s the fact that many shelters won’t accept omegas because they think they’re ‘troublemakers.’ Aisling said her mom and she were able to stay a night or two at times, however, they were told it couldn’t be for longer than that.”

“There’s a law that went into effect a few years ago giving shelters the right to refuse services,” I remember. “I remember thinking how insane that was to me. I’ll start working on getting that law overturned.”

“Good, so you understand that Aisling will not be expected to forget her dreams,” Cian growls. “Just because you’re meant to be hers, doesn’t mean you have the right to strip her of what’s best for her.”

All I want is to strip her of every stitch of clothing and inhibition she has, and then push her until she’s a mewling, crying beautiful mess.

Maybe I shouldn’t say that out loud to her father. Yeah, I’d really like to live. Pack Hayes probably isn’t who Cian thought his daughter would be fated by biology to be with.

“She’s very committed to her values and Omega’s Haven. We’d never take that from her,” I promise.

I will, however, spank her ass red for forgetting to eat. Pressing my lips tightly together, I force myself to hold that thought inside as well. I can’t afford to forget myself around a bigger predator than I am.

“Are you saying you wouldn’t care if I ask Aisling out?” I ask. “It’s true that we’re planning to hijack one of her dates as a pack, but that’s because of Hayes’ earlier transgressions.”

“I hope Aisling guts him,” Cian grunts. “He won’t get out of hurting her unscathed, that I promise you. She’s starting her dating app meet ups again, and now that she has the scent of one of her mates, no one else will be enough. She’s not going to understand why. She’ll get frustrated easily. It would be nice to have someone in her corner. Do with that as you will.”

Fuck, that’s as good of a blessing from this mafia father. Pulling out my phone, I quickly text Aisling before he takes it back.

Me:

Is it okay if I say that I miss you? Are you available for dinner tonight?

Blowing out a breath, I gaze down at the phone as if it’s a bomb.

“As far as I know, my daughter doesn’t bite much,” Cian says with a dark chuckle. “She’s at Omega’s Haven today, catching up on things. Leave her be. Tell me how we’re going to fuck over these punks at the logger business for getting uppity.”

Tossing my phone into my briefcase, I nod as I fix the cuffs of my shirt.

“You’re actually covered by the previous contract which states…”

I give him the rundown on how much the loggers are fucking up, since the contract can’t be amended without both parties’ consent. Cian is grinning evilly as I pack my shit up, ready to go to war with these guys. They picked the wrong people to fuck with.

As the sedan parks in front of the business, the driver lets us out, and two guards become our shadows as we walk in. I can practically hear Devan Daniel’s thoughts as we’re escorted into the conference room.

Yes, you’re exactly as fucked as you think you are. I don’t care what your father told you, to put you in the position. I’m ready for war.

I’m always at my best when I’m in the zone, working my ass off to get Cian the best possible outcome. I haven’t checked my phone in three hours, but Devan and his father are pale and shaky by the end as we walk out.

“I bet they weren’t expecting for you to own more than half the shares of their company by the end of this,” I say smugly.

“I didn’t have to pay for them either,” Cian says with a snort as we get into the car. “Don’t get into a fight with a bull if you aren’t the bull.”

Smirking, I nod. I didn’t get any blood on me at this meeting, either. I’ll call that a win.

Finally able to take a breath as I sit back against the plush leather seats, I pull out my phone to see if Aisling has answered me yet.

Aisling:

I thought you forgot about me. I have a date tonight at Pack Mohan. I’ll have to take a rain check.

“Pack Mohan, wait they have two omegas,” I growl. “Why is Aisling going over there?”

“I swear, Domh, you’re going to be fucking impossible, aren’t you?” Cian asks with a sigh. “Wren and Aisling are best friends and business partners. Pack Mohan has been very good to my daughter, but I can assure you it’s all platonic.”

“Oh,” I grunt. “So there’s more people I need to share her with?”

“Mmhmm,” my boss says, amused. “Aisling has a habit of collecting people. Pack Dray helped her and Wren find the building that Omega’s Haven is now housed in too. My daughter refused to ask for help, and the real estate agents wouldn’t work with her. I have a list of people to bankrupt if you’d like to help?”

“Yes, I want in on that,” I mutter. “How much do you want it to hurt? Should Caelin mysteriously drain their accounts or are we tapping in friends to steal all of their clients?”

“I’m a fan of not having to choose between my torture methods,” he says with a shrug. “I want them both. Are you done overreacting now?”

“Yes, Sir,” I mumble, flushing. Lifting my phone, I text Aisling back.

Me:

I don’t think I’ll forget how stunning you look while destroying shit, Sugar. Can I take you out for coffee tomorrow? Everyone needs a little pick me up, right?

“Why did you get Aisling that gift certificate for the rage room?” I ask, glancing over at her father.

“She’s had a challenging year,” he says. “Sometimes you just have to break a ton of shit and call it therapy. God knows, the state of therapists in this city is fucking abysmal. The things they’ve said to her makes me want to burn down their businesses.”

“Ah, can we?” I ask hopefully, to which Cian’s lips twitch.

“Aren’t you supposed to be convincing me not to break the law?” he asks, amused.

“I think you’re thinking of someone else,” I say. “My job is to make sure you’re never caught.”

Another text comes in on my phone as I glance down, and my eyes widen.

Aisling:

I guess you’ll need to make a few new memories, Domh.

Shifting the phone further away from Cian, I swallow hard at the outfit she’s wearing. It’s not necessarily provocative, it’s more that I’m starving for any scraps she’s willing to give me.

Aisling is wearing a long-sleeved red cropped sweater with rhinestone buttons over a leather skirt. She manages to make it look professional since she’s at work, but the thigh slit makes my mouth dry, even with the black tights that she’s wearing.

“She’s changing before she’s going over to see Pack Mohan, right?” I growl before I can help myself.

Rolling his eyes, Cian grabs my phone from me, making me glad all he can see is the photo.

“Are you going to be a jealous alpha?” he asks. “Aisling enjoys dressing up, playing with different styles. She always looks beautiful. Don’t be a dick.”

Cian punctuates this by cuffing the back of my head, making me groan.

“I’m not! At least, I’ll be less jealous when she’s mine,” I mutter. “Right now, I want to stab anyone who looks at her wrong outside of my pack.”

“Eh, well, that’s on you and your timetable, isn’t it?” Cian asks, getting comfortable as he pulls out his laptop to get some work done.

I hate when he’s right. My phone is next to my thigh, and I pick it up, staring at the photo.

Me:

You look good enough to eat, Aisling. Remember, I like the chase, Sugar. Don’t push me too far without giving me a crumb or two.

Aisling:

Would you eat me?

Closing my eyes, I ask myself who’s cheerios I pissed in to be in this position. These pants are not going to hide my raging hard on, and I’m in the worst place to have this happening.

Blinking my eyes open, I hold back the growl building deep in my chest.

Me:

Aisling, am I detecting brat behavior? I don’t think you’re ready for me. I would eat you whole, and enjoy every single scream.

Fuck, I should tell her I’m joking, right?

Aisling:

I can do coffee on Wednesday.

Two days, I can handle that, I think.

Aisling

I feel like I’m playing with fire as I go back to my desk, smirking as I pack up to go home. Wren and I swapped out today, so I’m back in the office, while she’s working from our she-shed. There’s a million emails and phone calls to return, so she’s tackling that while I help with paperwork and intake.

December is the month that things seem to come to a head for bad situations. Breakups, money issues, running away from abuse, I’m seeing it all today.

“Miss Aisling, do you have a second for me?” Meghan asks, cuddling her two-year-old against her.

Benji has curly brown hair and wide blue eyes, and is an absolute sweetheart.

“I have several,” I tell her, sitting down and reaching out for Benji. He gives me a wide smile, practically throwing himself at me. I haven’t had a lot of experience with babies until now, but I’m enjoying the snuggles and even the tantrums.

“How can I help?”

Nodding, Meghan sits down next to me with a sigh, smiling at her son.

“I’m feeling a little lost,” she admits. “I was in culinary school before I got involved with the pack I just left, and now I don’t know how to move on. How do I figure out childcare? Do I go back to school, or pick up a job doing anything?”

“Well, while I’d be the first to say that sometimes we have to do what we need to, settling isn’t something you need to do,” I say, rubbing Benji’s back. “You’re twenty-five, right? Let’s look at some scholarships for schooling. I gather you enjoy cooking?”

“I do,” she gushes, her blue eyes lighting up. Her brown hair is in a messy bun, and there are dark shadows under her eyes from the late nights with a toddler. “I went to culinary school in Wisconsin, and loved it. I began dating a pack about a year after I started. They initially promised they wouldn’t interfere with my dreams, but things got abusive quickly. They cut me off from my family, and the only person I could sneak in calls to occasionally was Morgan.”

“I met her, she’s really sweet,” I say with a nod.

“I swear she saved my life,” she whispers. “She sent our cousin out when I texted about leaving. Ian caught me as I was sneaking out the back door when I thought everyone was asleep. They drank heavily, and I added a sedative to their bourbon that night. He backhanded me.”

Looking down at Benji, I think about what she’s not saying before glancing back up at her.

“I had him in my arms,” Meghan whispers. “I turned my body so Ian wouldn’t be able to touch him, and pulled him close when Ian started kicking me. My cousin broke open the back door and knocked Ian out before picking me up and getting Benji and I out of there.”

“And your pack?” I growl. I’m already wondering if it would be unacceptable for me to call my father about this. Meghan’s pack should never be allowed to be able to have access to her or Benji again.

“Dead,” she rasps. “I know I shouldn’t be happy about that⁠—”

“I’m ecstatic,” I mutter. “Your cousin is a damn hero. I was already trying to figure out if it would be overstepping if I asked my father to help make sure they died really terrible deaths.”

“Who’s your father?” Meghan asks, looking slightly amused, despite the tears on her cheeks. The bruises and broken ribs she came in with are healed now, but she wasn’t ready to talk about what happened before.

The memories were too recent, and I respect that.

“Cian Sullivan,” I say softly, waiting for the response most people give me when I tell them.

“I didn’t know he had a daughter,” Meghan says with wide eyes. “That man is scary. Our families have been in each other’s orbits for years, but I’ve been gone for a while.”

“Well, welcome back,” I say with a smile. “We have a computer lab here in the outreach center where you can look up scholarships. Do you want to stay here in Minnesota?”

“I do,” she says, glancing at her now sleeping son. Benji curled right up against me and passed out. “You have a gift with children, Aisling. He’s been having a hard time since we’ve been here the last month and a half. He keeps asking about his daddies.”

That’s the hardest part. Explaining that they wouldn’t be coming back, and eventually discussing with him that they weren’t good men.

“I haven’t spent much time with children before this,” I tell her. “I’m actually an only child. Benji is just so sweet.”

“He is,” she says gratefully. “I feel like a failure for fucking things up so badly. I was promised the moon, and should have known I wouldn’t get it.”

Thinking, I shake my head. “I think they were the wrong people, rather than a failed experience. They gave you Benji,” I remind her. “My best friend has a pack who adores both their omegas. Their beginning was bumpy, but they figured it out. Have you come to one of our group sessions yet?”

I know for a fact that she hasn’t, but I leave the ball in her court.

“I’m not really a sharer, and it’s right during his bedtime,” she says, wincing at the paper thin excuse.

“You don’t have to say a word,” I promise her. “Sometimes it helps to listen to what others have gone through. There’s a woman who has a similar experience that attends group. I’ll also hang out with Benji. If it’s his bedtime anyway, he’ll probably curl up and fall asleep either way.”

Olivia Quinn’s story is intense, and while she tends to listen more than share, she will when she thinks it’ll help someone else. Unfortunately, abuse happens more than people talk about in packs.

The fact that they forced their bites on Olivia is despicable.

I don’t think Meghan’s pack were her scent matches based on how little she misses them, which is good. It’ll still be a lot of trauma to wade through though.

“You’d do that?” she asks hesitantly. I get it, because it’s really hard to accept help when you haven’t had any in years.

“Absolutely. Let’s get a small Pack ‘n Play set up, so you can get a little work done while he’s asleep,” I tell her. “I need to get a small daycare put together, as well for people who want to start looking for work.”

“Excuse me,” a girl says, biting her lip as she comes up. Her name is Falicia, and she’s been at the shelter for a month. Her stepfather was abusive, but her mother believed it was a boyfriend.

Falicia came home from college after graduating, and her stepfather beat the hell out of her after she found her mother killed on the kitchen floor. The stepfather is in jail, but she had nowhere to stay when the state seized the house.

God, I hate the way the world works.

“Hey, Falicia,” I say brightly with a smile. “What’s up?”

“I overheard you talking,” she says apologetically. “I’m currently looking for preschool teaching jobs, but graduated with a degree in childhood development and education. Can I help with the daycare?”

“That would be amazing,” I tell her with a nod. Meghan looks like she might faint as she glances between us, overwhelmed with gratitude. This is what my dream looks like. I may be putting the cornerstones together, but people pulling together is what will help my dream continue to grow.

“I’m going to see if anyone else wants to help, and put together a tentative schedule,” Falicia says before running off.

“Wow,” Meghan whispers as I lift Benji carefully in my arms, so I can stand. “This place is incredible.”Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“Only because of all the help we get,” I tell her honestly as I start moving toward the community room. The computer room is just off to the side, and we should be able to fit a small Pack ‘n Play behind her so Benji can sleep.

We have a couple of college students staying with us, but they never complain about the noise. They put on their headphones and get shit done, which is all you can do in a busy community setting.

Meghan trails behind me as she follows, shaking her head. “No, this place is incredible,” she says.

“There’s so much more that Wren and I want to do, but it’ll happen as we can do it,” I tell her. “I connected with an incredible therapist who is going to be here a few times a week. She actually has already started seeing a few residents, and it’s gone really well. We’re paying for her services, or running through insurance, whichever way is most applicable. She’s seriously incredible.”

“You’re sure?” Meghan asks suspiciously, opening a closet to grab a Pack ‘n Play. We had a few donated in pristine condition, and they’ve been a lifesaver.

“Positive,” I tell her. “I’ve met with her, and also listened to her at a psychology conference she was at. I sat in the audience, and didn’t have any conflicts with what she said. Trust me, I don’t think that’s ever happened before.”

Meghan smirks as she sets up the Pack ‘n Play inside of the computer room for Benji, and I rock him from side to side. There’s not many people in here right now, so this is the perfect time for her to get some research done.

Carefully laying him down, I wave at them both, and leave her to her work.

Grabbing my bag as I pass my desk, I say goodbye to everyone and hurry out. I’ll never leave otherwise. There’s just too much to do, and I know that. However, I’m starving, and Pack Mohan promised me food and time with my friends.

When I first met Wren, she didn’t have a phone, and I was worried her pack was isolating her. Turns out, she was sold at auction when she was ten. Wren presented early as an omega, and her parents were terrible people.

Her story is one of many where omegas are exploited and mistreated.

Walking through the side alley to my car, I call Wren to tell her I’m leaving.

“They kidnapped you and are holding you hostage at work, aren’t they?” Wren asks, giggling.

“Almost,” I sigh with a smile. “I swear, there’s never enough time in the day.”

“Well, I got through all the backlogged emails today,” she says, making me cheer loudly. I hate unanswered messages. They give me anxiety.

“Yeah, I knew that would make you happy. There’s an omega women’s organization that wants to put together a silent auction in our honor. I don’t know much about them, so we can do a little research together and then take a meeting with them.”

“Can we bring Shaw with us?” I ask with a snicker, unlocking my door and sliding into my vehicle. “No one is ever mean to us when he’s with us.”

“Shaw, I think you’re currently Aisling’s favorite,” Wren calls out as I start the car and hit the locks.

There’s been so much snow, Dad convinced me to drive one of his other cars. It blows my mind that he has so many, but he’s right. The SUV definitely drives smoother in Minnesota weather.

“What? That’s bullshit!” Everest yells.

“Tell Everest that people don’t believe he’s scary unless he’s actively torturing people, and that’s not the vibe we’re going for,” I say teasingly, backing the vehicle up and starting my drive to their house.

“You’re on speaker,” Everest says. “I’m sure I can do dark and broody just as well as this fucker.”

“What about me?” Ambrose asks. “I’m not just a preppy boy.”

”This is true, but Shaw has a way of sweet talking older women, while making sure no one is rude to us,” I remind him. I don’t know what it is, but Shaw is like catnip for older omegas.

Shaw chuckles, enjoying his notoriety. “Okay, troublemaker, please be careful on these roads. They just plowed up by our house, but we all still worry,” he says.

Making sure my headlights are on, I nod as I drive. “I’ll be careful,” I promise. “See you soon.”

Hanging up, I turn on my music and make my way out of the city and drive the forty minutes to their house. It’s closer when I’m at my dad’s, but there’s also a fair amount of traffic during the week. Still, I breathe a sigh of relief as I pull into the driveway with their gate and call box.

It’s bigger than the one they had before, because apparently, Wren’s brother had a fit of anger once and jumped the fucking thing. God save me from these growly alphas and their testosterone.

Shaking my head, I push the call button and wave at the video camera, smiling as the gate opens.

The house is on a slight hill, and I wince as the car slides a little as I drive. It’s dark now that the sun has gone down, making me long for summer. I’m getting tired of the cold, and it’s still early winter.

Well, it can fucking kick rocks.

After what feels like forever, but is really just me being dramatic, I pull into the garage where Everest is waiting for me.

“Are you okay?” he asks as I open the door after shutting off the engine.

“Yeah, I don’t think I was prepared for the stress of this hill though,” I tell him, grabbing my bag as I get out of the car.

“This winter has been out of control with snow,” he says, helping me with my bag as I close the door behind me.

Everest really is a gentleman, I just like to give him shit. He clicks the button to close the garage door as we walk in through the garage entry door into the mud room.

“The traffic didn’t help on the way out of the city,” I admit. “I just want to drop into a puddle on the couch and relax.”

“Your dad has drivers, Aisling,” he reminds me as I roll my eyes. Pulling off my boots, I leave them behind as Everest follows me through the house.

“I know, but I usually don’t mind driving,” I tell him with a shrug.

“Aisling!” Wren calls out, making me grin as I practically skip down the stairs to the sunken living room.

“Hi!” I say with a giggle, jumping onto the couch.

“Reunited,” Everest teases, putting my bag down. “God, I swear there are rocks in this, Aisling.”

“I mean, that’s almost accurate,” I tell him with a nod.

“Is Aisling here?” Flynn asks, grinning as he sees me. “Hey! Ah, Everest, there’s a timer on the oven for dinner. Could you let me know when it goes off?”

Hooking his hand behind Flynn’s neck, he gives him a deep kiss, and I smirk as Flynn melts against him. Yes, I feel a twinge of the sadness I typically do that my dating life is shit, but I’m really happy for my friends.

It’s a double edged sword.

“What’s the name of this women’s organization?” I ask, turning to Wren.

She’s staring at me, and I shake my head to show her I’m okay. At least, I’m not spiraling or anything.

“The Regional Omegas Women’s Society,” she says. “They’re a hoity-toity group that seems to think omegas need to conduct themselves in a certain way. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’re going to impress them very much.”

“You don’t need to impress them,” Flynn says, escaping Everest with a chuckle. “Also, what about the male omegas? I feel left out.”

“And that’s the other issue,” I say with a sigh. “There are male omegas, as we know, who need services as well. Although, we haven’t had any come through Omega’s Haven yet. I hope our website will get the point across as soon as I hire someone to do it.”

The last part is said with a groan, and Wren chuckles.

“Okay, let’s put out an ad for a web designer,” Wren suggests. “We need one either way.”

Ambrose ambles into the room, collapsing at Wren’s feet to drop his head in her lap.

“I need a nap before dinner,” he mutters. My lips twitch, knowing he’ll be passed out as soon as Wren pulls out the tie securing his long dark hair and starts to play with it.

“I thought they were doing more from home,” I murmur softly.

“They have been, but Corbin is changing some of his infrastructure. The guys have been training,” she says with a sigh.

“It’s a lot better than it used to be,” Flynn says seriously. “I appreciate that I get to see them more, and they hardly ever leave town.”

Ambrose snores, making us chuckle. He really needs this nap.

“Okay, yes,” I sigh, reaching down to pull out my laptop. Everest was right, I do have rocks in my bag. “I’ll put an ad up for it.”

Working together, the three of us set up an ad for Omega’s Haven to find a website designer.

“I hate the weird limbo between the end of one year and beginning of the next,” I confess. “So many people take time off, which makes it hard to find help.”

“I know, but hopefully, this will find its way to the right person,” Wren says. “Now that Ambrose is dead to the world, and Shaw and Everest are probably having a beer, as they babysit the roast, spill the tea. What’s going on with you?”

“With what?” I ask blankly, scanning the ad one more time before hitting submit. It’s a general job post on one of Minneapolis’ newspaper websites.

“Wren and my heats overlapped and then you fell off the face of the earth too with yours,” Flynn reminds me. “What’s with this mystery scent that’s your scent match?”

“I still haven’t figured out who it is,” I admit, closing the laptop and putting it away. “I’ve been sleeping in my nest with the pillow and the doors closed too because I can’t sleep without it. God, I feel like a scent stalker. I only wear my pheromone scent blocker gel now when I leave the house, and don’t reapply when I know I’m done for the day, so I can get another hit. This can’t be healthy.”

“You’re an omega,” Flynn says in a deadpan voice. “Prepare to feel twitchy, and start looking for that scent everywhere. Ugh, you’re going to get pissy, aren’t you?”

“I don’t think so,” I drawl. “Do I look pissy now?”

“No, you look like you,” he admits. “How are you compartmentalizing yourself so well?”

“I’m used to it,” I sigh. “Alpha scent blocker gel, extra strength panties, the whole shebang are my norm since I’m so used to working as a bartender. I found out very quickly that I am aroused very easily.”

My last words are said in a hiss as my cheeks flame, and Wren and Flynn chuckle.

“That’s normal,” Flynn says. “I promise it is! You’re nineteen, so an alpha winks, and you’re going to perfume. Because our designation has their heats after the age of eighteen, it’s like an extended puberty.”

“See, I had so much going on while I was sixteen on top of my body wanting to jump every cute alpha in sight, I went the easy route,” I grumble.

“Meh, I don’t think it was,” Flynn says. “Survival of any sort is the best kind. You found what worked and I’m proud of you.”

Blinking rapidly, I nod. Shaw steps into the room, eyes growing large as he sees me.

“I’m getting the ice cream,” he mutters, turning and walking quickly away.

“My dad hands me the ice cream and plots the murders of people who made me cry,” I divulge, laughing as I swipe away at my tears.

“I already liked him, but I think he’s amazing now,” Wren says. “Too many people are mean to you, he’d end up having to kill a lot of people.”

“Dinner is in half an hour, don’t overdo it on the ice cream,” Shaw says, handing me a pint of chocolate fudge and three spoons. “Wren also isn’t wrong. People really need to stop underestimating you, Aisling. I am definitely going with you two if you’re meeting with that organization.”

Popping open the top, I sink my spoon into the dessert with a small sigh. I’m like an addict who needs her next hit, and I don’t even care. Sticking my spoon in my mouth, I pass the carton and two spoons on.

“I think it’s the idea that a young omega has the ability to create what you and Wren have that scares people,” Flynn says, taking the carton from Wren once she takes a bite. “No one likes to have their noses rubbed in the fact that they’ve been failing an entire group of people.”

“And that’s exactly what’s happened,” I sigh, glancing out the window as the Edison lights in the backyard twinkle as the snow starts falling again.

All I can do is hope that it stops at some point.

My phone buzzes as Shaw leaves us to chat, and I check my messages.

Dr. Alys:

Are you still available to have your session tomorrow?

“Shit,” I mutter. “How did I forget that was tomorrow?”

“What?” Wren asks, taking the carton back from Flynn. I love that they don’t mind my quirks. They both lean into them because they have their own.

It’s nice to be accepted.

“Dr. Alys just texted me. I have a session tomorrow scheduled. I need to go, I just can’t believe I forgot.”

Opening my calendar on my phone, I add the appointment in.

“Do you like her?” Flynn asks in a small voice.

Glancing at him, I give him a soft smile. “Yes, I adore her. She’s working for Omega’s Haven and has already seen a few of the residents. They’re raving about her. Do you think you might want to see her?”

Flynn bites his lip and nods. “Baking isn’t working as well as it used to,” he says. “It’s out of control, and I had to start selling my desserts to the families, which means I hyper fixated even more on it all being perfect.”

“They always are,” I remind him. “But, that’s not the point, is it?”

Flynn shakes his head, his fingers raking through his hair as he steals another spoonful of ice cream before Wren passes it back to me. Sucking hard on the spoon, he swallows convulsively.

“It doesn’t stop the phantom fingers,” he whispers. “The feeling of Trey hurting me, how scared I was that he was going to break Wren finally. I was so focused on helping her break his alpha bark, I shut out everything else. But now… the nightmares make me remember.”

Putting aside the carton on the coffee table, I stand and walk over to him. Wren tugs him closer, while Ambrose continues to sleep. Climbing up next to him, we wrap our arms around him as he talks.

“There’s only so long you can hide from your mind,” I rasp. “Eventually, it all bubbles up to the surface and it sucks.”

“It does,” he whimpers. Ambrose flinches, sitting up as he hears Flynn’s broken voice.

“Baby boy,” he says, his voice cracking from sleep. “I want in on this hug immediately.”

Nodding, we make some space for Ambrose to move over and wrap his arms around Flynn.

“What hurts?” Ambrose asks.

It’s such a simple question, yet it makes me sob quietly. I have a feeling Flynn has been suppressing everything that hurts for a while. Wren hides her face in Flynn’s neck, breathing in his sweet scent.

“My heart hurts,” Flynn rasps. “It hurts so much.”

Shaw and Everest run in as if they can feel his pain, which I don’t know if they are. I don’t understand everything about the pack bond, but they’re in tune with each other.

“Then we’ll fix it,” Shaw says, wrapping his arms around Flynn and I. I’m trapped by alphas as Everest hugs Wren and Flynn, but I don’t care.

I knew this was close, I was just waiting for him to break.

“How do we fix it?” Everest asks, finding Flynn’s temple to kiss him.

“I think I want to talk to this woman Aisling has an appointment with,” Flynn mumbles. I don’t care who knows about it, since it’s not necessarily a secret.

I definitely don’t have many of those from this pack anyway. I’m an open book with these people.

“Who is that?” Ambrose asks, peeking up at me.

“Dr. Alys Edwards,” I tell him. “She’s a new psychologist that I’m also contracting for Omega’s Haven. She has her patients’ best interests in mind. I did a lot of research.”

I’m aware that they trust me not to send Flynn to the wolves. He’s too fragile right now to deal with anyone who doesn’t want to genuinely help him. His trauma is staring at him in the face, and it’s raw and angry after a year of being ignored.

The time table of trauma is different for everyone. Flynn really didn’t think he needed any help, until things started to spiral. Now I actually have a direction to run in to help him.

“Do you want to see her, Flynn?” Shaw rumbles. Each of these alphas have their flaws, but they adore their omegas and each other. They weren’t going to push him to do something he didn’t want either, because Flynn is one of the most stubborn human beings that I’ve ever met.

“Yes, I do,” Flynn whispers, sniffling. “I can’t do this anymore. All I see is his face when I close my eyes.”

Struggling to hide my crying, I bury my face in Flynn’s shirt.

“If I could kill him again, I would,” Wren sobs, which sets me off.

Instead of freaking out, our circle of alphas simply tightens. I’ve slowly become more comfortable with touch. I always thought omegas would scratch the eyes out of any omega who came near, and while Flynn told me that’s true, I’m different.

They’re my best friends, and Pack Mohan is somewhere I spend a lot of time.

They pulled me in when I was trying to figure out my place, refusing to let me wonder for too long.

“Aye, we all would,” Shaw growls.

“I feel so broken,” Flynn confesses. “I can still feel his hands on me, smell his scent… How can you stand to touch me?”

“Because you’re ours,” Ambrose says, his voice now raspy and swollen with tears. “We want you when you’re at your best and when you’re not.”

“We love you,” Shaw says. “We all want you to love yourself too. Because you’re one of the kindest people that I’ve ever met. If Aisling thinks this doctor can help, then you should talk to her. Even when it’s hard, okay?”

“Okay,” Flynn says, swallowing hard as he cries.

“Sweet boy,” Everest says. “Make the appointment, and I’ll drive you. We’ve all felt so helpless. You scream in the middle of the night, and then won’t tell us why when the sun comes up. Thank you for being so brave.”

The timer goes off twenty minutes later, pulling us slowly back to the land to the living. We’re all a mess of tears, but this was needed. Healing isn’t easy or pretty.

I don’t think it’s supposed to be.