Page 12 of SaaS & Class

Dylan handed Flynn some food, and we ate in mostly silence.

Well… they ate. I managed a few bites, but as delicious as the food was… my stomach wasn’t having it. I set it aside after a few minutes, and told Taal to have the rest so it wouldn’t go to waste.

I offered to stay with our things while they played in the water, and I snuck some pain relievers for some ovulation cramps when nobody was looking.

But Taal’s face told me I wasn’t convincing anybody that I was ok.

We left the beach sooner than planned.

I was unable to muster the energy to play video games with Taal, but he still showed up at my hotel room door with a carryout sack at dinnertime.

“I’m not hungry,” I muttered as I let him in.

“I… uh…” He scratched the back of his neck with his free hand. “I looked up the best foods for fate-sickness. Some sites said bone broth, others said spices like ginger and cinnamon. I thought…”

He held up the bag. “Pho? Can you at least drink some of the broth for me?”

I smiled, even as part of me was on the verge of tears from his kindness. “I’ll try.”

“May I join you?”

I nodded, and he set the containers on the small table.

Taal studied me as we ate, but kept his thoughts to himself.

I managed to drink half the broth, and took a few bites of noodles and meat, before my stomach refused anything else. I put my leftovers in the fridge and promised to reheat them if I got hungry.

I expected him to leave, but instead he asked me what I wanted to watch.

“Huh?” I asked.

He sighed and pulled me into his arms. “Get ready for bed.”

“What are you doing?” I asked.

But I didn’t push him away.

“Look, I know we don’t do the cuddle buddy thing,” he murmured. “But we’re doing it now. Your scent is damn near overwhelming with how stressed you are, and you look exhausted. I can’t do much. I’m not the alpha you need. But I’m still your friend. So we’re going to put on a movie, and I’m going to hold you until you fall asleep.”

“I’ll be ok,” I protested.

I still didn’t push him away.

“I know you will. But that’s future you. You, right now, are fighting the beginnings of fate-sickness, and I’m not going to stand by and watch you fight it alone. So put on your PJs, and do whatever you need to get ready for bed.”

I closed my eyes and slumped against him. He smelled good, calming.

He wasn’t my alpha, but he was trying to help.

His arms tightened around me. “Come on. You can be strong when you find him. But for now, let your friends help you.”

I nodded into his chest. “Ok.”

He released me, and I trudged into the bathroom to change and get ready for bed. It was still early, but I was exhausted.

Taal had turned down the bedcovers, and the television was on and waiting.

“Do you want me to put on a robe?” he asked. “Or is it ok for me to wear jeans?”