Chapter Seventeen.

Morgan, of course, wasn’t home, but it felt nice to step into my own space for a while. The quiet was soothing, and after a moment of standing in the familiar stillness, I grabbed one of my favourite books off the shelf and decided to head to the café. Even though it was my day off, I needed the comfort of routine. Besides, maybe Clara would be working.

Unfortunately, Clara wasn’t on shift today, but the elderly Alpha working the counter was the same kind woman I’d met the first time I visited.

“Oh! Hi! Ivy, right?” she exclaimed, her warm smile lighting up her face.

“Yes, hi,” I replied with a small laugh. “How’s it going today?”

“Oh, good, the usual,” she chuckled. “What can I get you?”

I ordered my regular, including the raspberry muffin I couldn’t resist, a smile creeping onto my face. On impulse, I ordered a second muffin to go, tucking the paper-wrapped treat into my handbag before finding a cozy corner to sit down with my book.

Before diving in, I shot a quick text to Morgan:

Ivy: Hi 👋 I would love to catch up today before five if you’re available at all! I need help processing—things happened last night 🙈. Let me know when you’re home. 💗

Satisfied, I set my phone aside and let myself get lost in the pages of my book, immersing myself in another world for a while.

~~~

Morgan’s text came through around 2:30 p.m.

Morgan: I’m home. Bring fries. X

I grinned at her simple reply. Typical Morgan.

Grabbing my things, I stopped at the counter to pay and to pick up some fries before heading over. The scent of salt and grease filled the air, mingling with the winter chill as I walked up the stairs to her door.

As I stepped inside, I could hear her calm, steady voice on the phone with someone. Her frustration was evident, though her tone remained strong and measured.

Morgan was perched at the kitchen table, glasses resting low on her nose, her hair in two neat braids. Her laptop, calculator, and a mountain of textbooks were spread out in front of her like she was about to conquer the world with sheer determination.

She held up a hand to acknowledge me as I walked in, motioning for me to wait while she finished her call. I set the fries down on the table and took a seat, watching her handle the conversation with her usual mix of grace and fire.

Morgan was always like that—unshakable, even in the face of chaos. It was one of the many reasons I’d come to rely on her.

Guilt washed over me like a wave as I sat there, watching Morgan expertly juggle the conversation and her endless workload. She did so much for me—always so strong, so supportive, like a rock I could cling to in any storm.

I decided then and there that I wouldn’t burden her brilliant, busy brain with all of my worries. At least, not all of them. But I still wanted to talk to her about what happened. Even if I didn’t share every messy detail, I needed her perspective, her guidance. Morgan always had a way of cutting through the noise and helping me make sense of things.

As she hung up the phone, she let out a small sigh, rubbing the bridge of her nose before turning to me with a raised eyebrow.

“Fries?” she asked, her voice light but her expression suspiciously curious.

I slid the paper bag across the table with a sheepish grin. “Fries,” I confirmed.

She smirked, popping a fry into her mouth as she leaned back in her chair. “Alright, spit it out. You’ve got that look.”

I blinked. “What look?”

“The one where you’re trying to figure out how to say something without making me freak out. Just say it, Ivy. You know I’m unshakable.”

I hesitated for a moment, nibbling on a fry for courage. “Okay, fine. Something...happened last night.”

Her brows lifted. “Something? That’s vague, even for you.”

I groaned, sinking into my chair. “It’s just—ugh, I don’t even know where to start.”

Morgan chewed thoughtfully, her sharp eyes never leaving my face. “Start wherever. I’ve got time, and I’m clearly well-fed now.”

Her teasing tone made me smile despite myself. “It’s about...them. Elias, Theo, Micah, and Callum.”

“Ah.” Morgan leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. “Go on.”

I felt heat rise to my cheeks as I stumbled over my words. “Things just got...intense, and now I don’t know how to handle it. Like, what does it even mean? What do they want? And what do I want?”

Morgan’s smirk softened into something more compassionate. “Ivy, first of all, breathe. Second of all, it’s okay to not have all the answers right now. You’re allowed to figure this out as you go.”

I exhaled, feeling some of the tension ease from my shoulders. “It just feels like a lot. I mean, I’ve never—”

“Let me stop you right there,” Morgan interrupted, holding up a fry like it was a magic wand. “You don’t need to figure this out alone. But you do need to be honest—with yourself and with them. They can’t read your mind, Ivy.”

Her words hit me like a bucket of cold water. She was right, of course. She always was.

“Okay,” I said quietly, nodding. “You’re right.”

Morgan grinned. “Obviously. Now, tell me everything. I want all the details.”

I laughed, shaking my head as I launched into the story. It felt good to talk, to let some of the weight off my chest. And as I sat there with Morgan, fries, and all, I realized just how lucky I was to have her in my corner.

~~~

It was 5:30 PM when I glanced at my phone. Morgan had just spent the better part of the last hour showing me pictures and telling me about the Alpha she's casually seeing. Morgan has always been a casual dater, even when we were younger.

I remember when we were seventeen

and she just lost her virginity. We giggled about it for hours up in my room while my parents soundly slept.

As for me, I never dated. The one boy that even came close kissed me under the tree out the front of my house when I was fourteen, and my father saw and made sure it never happened again.

The Alphas they got for the omega acadamy were always so slimy i never let it get far, and obviously, I only just had my first heat. So it worked out fine. I lived vicariously through her, which is why she was so interested in my stories now—and also why she's so protective of me I persume.

I jumped up, rushing around when I realized the time. I had only half an hour to get across town, and I knew the buses would be a nightmare. Morgan offered me a ride, and I gladly accepted.

As we walked to the parking garage, we giggled like schoolgirls. My heart was so full from today’s girl time, especially after all the new experiences lately. Before last night, I had only ever been kissed. I bit my lip, I do decidedly want more, I just have to be an adult about it, like Morgan says.

My stomach knotted as I thought about the conversation that was about to unfold.