Chapter Thirty Six.

I awake late in the morning, my head pounding like a drum. As I blink away the remnants of sleep, I notice Micah already deep in concentration at his desk, doodling away without a care in the world. He doesn’t even look up as I pull myself out of the nest, and I decide to leave him be.

Making my way to the bathroom, I groan inwardly at the memory of last night. I drank way too much, or maybe it was Elias who overindulged—maybe it was both of us. As I step into the shower, I pull on the bond and feel him nearby, far but not too far, likely at the club again.

The hot water flows over me, soothing my aching head, when I suddenly jump at the body that slips in beside me. Callum.

“Hello, sweet girl,” he says softly, nuzzling my neck as he breathes deeply, wrapping his arms around me. I can’t help but relax into his embrace, despite the surprise.

“Mmmm, you were so cute last night, losing over and over.” He chuckles, reminding me of our card games around the coffee table that went on well into the night. I had never played any of those games before, and I ended up embarrassing myself more times than I could count. But honestly, I didn’t care.

“You're just saying that because everything I pouted about, you got to kiss better,” I roll my eyes, trying to ignore the proximity of his body, the way the water cascades down his immaculate dark hair, glistening over his perfect physique. His cobalt blue eyes shine with mirth, affection, and a hint of desire as he turns me around.

I subconsciously pout at the lack of view but quickly forget as he starts massaging my head under the water. I lean into his touch, my eyes rolling back in my head at the blissful sensation. “How’s this head feeling, baby?” he asks, his voice low and teasing.

“Better now,” I groan, feeling the tension slowly ease away.

He chuckles.

~~~~

I spend my morning with Callum, who whips up a delicious breakfast filled with fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and perfectly toasted bread. The aroma fills the kitchen, and I can’t help but feel grateful for his culinary skills. After breakfast, he helps me choose a cute outfit—a flowy sundress paired with a denim jacket and my favorite boots.

Once we’re both ready, we head out for a walk to the park and the shops. The sun is shining, and the warmth on my skin feels invigorating. As we stroll, I enjoy the conversation and laughter that flows easily between us.

In the bookstore, I help him pick out a new book bag, and I can’t resist the allure of the shelves filled with new titles. I end up buying way too many books, my heart racing at the thought of all the stories waiting to be read. But as I make my way to the checkout, I feel a twinge of anxiety about my financial situation. I make a mental note to bring it up at the next pack dinner. I need to figure out what's going to happen. I am still working but I won't be paying rent anymore.

After our shopping spree, Callum treats me to a refreshing juice smoothie, the sweet and tangy flavors dancing on my tongue. By the time we return to the house, I feel so light I could float, the worries of the world momentarily forgotten.

We set up in the sitting area, where Callum pulls out his textbooks to study. I open one of my brand new books, eager to dive into a fresh story. The words transport me for a moment, and I lose myself in the pages, the world around me fading into the background.

But soon, the peace is interrupted by Micah’s hungry voice as he comes down the stairs, his hair tousled and his eyes bright with enthusiasm. “What’s for lunch?” he asks, rubbing his stomach dramatically.

Callum and I exchange a knowing look and Micah can’t help but laugh. “What? Did you two already eat?”

“Not yet,” Callum replies, rolling his eyes playfully. “But I think we can whip something up.”

With a flourish, Callum heads to the kitchen, and I follow, feeling the warmth of camaraderie enveloping us. “What do you feel like?” I ask Micah, who’s now rummaging through the fridge, like I am any help in this situation.

“Grilled cheese with tomato soup!” he declares, his eyes lighting up at the thought.

That does sound good.

I lock eyes with Callum and

He chuckles and nods. “I can do that. You both know that’s my specialty.”

As he starts gathering the ingredients, I watch him with admiration. It’s nice to have someone around who knows how to take charge in the kitchen. I can’t help but smile at the ease with which we all interact.

Micah leans against the counter, his playful banter keeping the atmosphere light as we wait for our food. I feel a surge of happiness wash over me.

When Callum sets down two plates of golden, gooey grilled cheese sandwiches alongside steaming bowls of tomato soup, I can’t help but feel grateful for these little moments.

~~~~

The Alphas didn’t arrive home until late. Micah had disappeared again, and Callum was busy doing his chores, a savory casserole baking in the oven. I sat on the couch, desperately trying to focus on the words in my book, but my mind kept wandering. I wanted nothing more than to speak to the pack about what happened yesterday and clear up some anxieties, but it felt important to have everyone present and equal, especially with what I was about to bring up.

Biting my lip, I stared off into space, lost in thought when suddenly, the front door swung open. A grin spreads across my face as I jump up, my heart racing with excitement. Theo steps in first, and without thinking, I leap into his arms. He catches me, surprise flashing across his features as our eyes meet.

“well hello" his gravely voice sending a shiver down my spin, a wide grin breaking out on his face. I can’t help but lay a kiss on him in greeting, feeling a rush of warmth.

It’s only the low chuckle coming from behind him that pulls me back to reality. I open my eyes to see Elias standing there, his expression amused. Without hesitation, I reach for him too, eager to share my excitement.

“Look what I got!” I exclaim, bouncing on my feet as I excitedly show them the stack of new books. “I went a little overboard, but I couldn’t resist!”

Theo and Elias exchange glances, their smiles broadening as they take in my enthusiasm. “Books, huh? What did you get?” Theo asks, his tone light but intrigued.

I start flipping through the pages, highlighting a few titles that caught my eye. “There’s this one about an omegas heat and how it limits them and another on herbal remedies! I thought it might be useful for all of us.”

Elias nods, his eyes sparkling with interest. “Sounds like you’ve been busy. We could always use more knowledge, especially with everything we’re navigating.”

“Exactly!” I say, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. Their support gives me the confidence I need to address my concerns. “I really want to talk about what happened yesterday, but I want us all to be here for it.”

Micah suddenly reappears, a grin on his face as he joins the three of us. “What’s this all about? I heard books and Omega heats?" He wiggles his eyebrows.

I giggle as I  look at him, but feeling the energy in the room shift. “I want to talk to everyone about our feelings and the bond we share. It’s important to me that we’re all on the same page.”

“Count me in,” Micah says, his enthusiasm infectious.

I can't help but beam.

As we settle in together, the earlier anxiety begins to dissipate. I feel a sense of unity among us, knowing that together we can tackle whatever comes next.