Page 49 of The Bright Omega

The words come out sharper than I intended. Beck’s eyebrows shoot up. Piers makes a low, growly sound behind me that vibrates through the room.

I swallow and try to explain. “I don’t know you guys well enough yet.”

That’s only half the truth. The real issue is Finn and Leith. It feels right with Piers and Beck already, which is insane, because I barely know them. My omega is fully on board with both of them, no hesitation. And who am I to argue?

But with Finn and Leith… it feels right too. At least on my end. Finn is practically telegraphing how much he wants me here, even if he’s too shy to say it outright. Leith, though? I have no idea what he thinks. The man is a fortress. And without knowing where I stand with him, claiming a nest in this house feels way too big. Too much like I’m assuming I belong here when I’m still figuring it all out.

Piers’ growl deepens, that dominant alpha edge slipping out before he can stop it. Beck puts a hand on his arm, calming him instantly.

“It works for now,” Beck says smoothly, flashing me that charming smile. “No pressure, sugar. There’s a nice guest suite on the main floor. No stairs to climb, easy access to everything while you’re still healing. Sound good?”

I nod quickly, relieved. “Yeah. That sounds perfect.”

They wheel me down another hallway and into the guest suite. The second I cross the threshold, I have to fight the urge to sigh out loud. More black. More white.

It’s beautiful, of course, with all its luxurious bedding. There’s a massive bed with fluffy pillows, elegant furniture, and tall windows that look out over the backyard. But it feels exactly like the rest of the house: expensive, tasteful, and entirely devoid of color. The scent is fainter in here too, like they haven't spent enough time in this room yet to fill it. Ugh.

I keep the thought locked behind my teeth and force a smile instead. “This is great. Thank you.”

Beck parks the wheelchair beside the bed and crouches again, resting a hand lightly on my knee. “We’ll get you settled. Anything you need, just say the word.”

Finn hovers near the doorway. Leith stands a few feet behind him, arms crossed. Piers watches me with those dark, intense eyes, clearly still unhappy about the nest rejection.

I look around at all four of them and feel that familiar swirl of too much, too soon mixed with something warmer. This is going to be complicated. But right now, I’m too tired to overthink it.

twenty-six

Camelia

My heavy eyes blink open slowly. For a second I have no idea where I am. My heart is going too fast and there's a split second where I'm back on the pavement, the impact still ringing through my bones, before the ceiling registers. White. Unfamiliar but safe.

I lift my wrist and squint at my watch. 7:24 PM.

Damn. I slept for at least two hours. Maybe more. I should be tired of sleeping by now, since I’ve done nothing but sleep for days. My body clearly disagrees. Even with the pain meds getting dialed back, exhaustion still clings to me.

I reach for my phone on the nightstand and nearly laugh at the sheer number of notifications waiting for me.

Lucy: Made it there yet??

Lucy: What’s the house like???

Lucy: I’m staying with a friend for a while. Parents lost their minds about what happened at your apartment and wanted me to move.

Lucy: Actually, they wanted me to move back home. Heck no!

Lark: Cute, Luce. That was almost a curse. Cammie’s getting to you.

Lucy: #corrupted

Lucy: Answer me!! I’m dying over here.

Lark: Hey babe, just checking in. You good?

Lark: How are the alphas treating you?

Lark: Love you. Text when you can.

And then a private one from Lark, just for my eyes.