Page 72 of Talk About… Dramay

“When it got too quiet during my spirals, I’d put on those fixer-upper kind of shows. There was one where they showed them finding dream homes for the packs in the episodes. Iwanted to help someone else find a piece of happiness even if I knew I’d never have it for myself.”

That last sentence hung in the air between us, dark and heavy, but as I parked, I couldn’t let it stay like that.

“I think that’s beautiful. You’re incredible for being able to survive all that, to find your place in the world and heal, without losing yourself in the process.”

She blinked back tears and swallowed hard.

“Thanks. I’m really proud of what I did, but I also lost a bit of myself. I had medicated heats until my last one. I had a lot of pain and bad reactions to the suppressors so I can’t take them anymore. Or birth control. They both do the same thing to me. After so long being strong and independent, as silly as it sounds, I’m ready to be able to have someone help take care of me, too.”

Oh, sweet omega.

“We’re going to take care of you, Oriana. I can promise you that,” I whispered, pulling her closer with my hand on her neck until our lips met.

Her lips were salty as a tear fell. The vulnerability we’d created here had her shaking slightly but it faded the longer our tongues danced together.

Her scent sweetened again and a moan escaped her kiss swollen lips as we pulled apart. The windows were fogging up and the other cars were all off. I could practically picture them inside, waiting in painfully awkward silence.

“Should we save them from themselves?” I asked as our breathing evened out. We both glanced at the house where only the foyer light was on. The door was open and three of the four were standing there.

She let out a soft laugh. “Poor Roman is trying to rein everyone in I bet.”

“Our pack is a bit of a mess.”

“You said ‘our’ pack,” she grinned, pure happiness on her face.

“It is,” I said with a shrug. “You’re mine, omega, I’m not going anywhere.”

“Then I guess we better get everyone settled in their rooms,” she said, leaning forward for one final kiss before opening her door. I tried to rush to her side and open it but she was already climbing down.

“Sorry,” she said. “Still getting used to having someone else around to do those kinds of things.”

Just like that, she knew exactly what I’d wanted to do. I was quickly realizing that finding a pack wasn’t just about scenting and lusting after each other, it was reading what the others wanted or needed. It was figuring out how to find commonalities and making sure everyone was included.

I’d never considered myself as a people person, but for her I was ready to wrangle this pack into shape. It needed someone not clouded by guilt to lead it and I knew damn well Hudson would want no part of that role.

I’ve always been our smaller pack’s leader, but now I wanted to make sure that everything was focused on my omega, that everyone was doing what they could to make sure she was happy.

Right now, that meant getting Cameron to keep groveling for her, to prove to her he was going nowhere ever again.

That also meant going in there and making sure this awkwardness faded. From what Lane and Hudson had updated, they got along well with Roman until he knew they were pack and told them to step up.

Then everything fell apart at the bonfire.

Though, it was cathartic in a way. We all had our secrets out in the open now, the only way to move now was forward.

Clear consciences and determination. That was a foundation for a lasting pack.

This sweet, independent omega who was slightly touch starved and vulnerable, deserved nothing less.

“Come on, let’s go save poor Roman,” I teased, leading her up the front steps and into the house.

They’d finally moved out of the foyer and had a fire going in the fireplace. Cameron and Roman were in the kitchen fumbling around for drinks and snacks, while Hudson and Lane created a cozy little nest in the corner for our omega.

“Oh, snacks!” she cheered. “Don’t forget the snack mix, Cam.”

“I’d never dream of it, Baby,” he promised as he added something to a bowl and shot her a wink. He was more relaxed now, less desperate. That was good. He’d stand a chance of fixing this if his emotions weren’t so high.

She shucked off her shoes and coat and snuggled into the spot in the corner, a happy, little grin on her face as they turned on the TV and handed her the remote. Her eyes met mine, amused, as she turned on one of the fixer-upper shows we talked about.