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“I’m not blaming you, but this attitude is on you. Your pheromones are getting to me,” she said while standing in front of the door.

I pointed to myself, not sure what to make of that. I couldn’t feel anything happening besides my brain wanting to combust.

“Yes, you. You don’t have control of them, so they are leaking all over the place. They won’t affect everyone, but I’m still a kid, and they are your mates, so it’s a mess.” Without a word, she handed me my notebook, knowing I would have questions, and dropped the bag on her bed before patting it, telling me to sit down.

I did as she wanted and wrote a response.

How do I make it stop? They said you’d teach me.

Ellie sighed as she pulled out some wipes to clean up the area first. They were nice and cool, but it also stung even though she was being very gentle.

“I know they did, but I’m not very good at it. That’s part of the problem with me being his heir. I can’t do what he does.”

Her jaw was tight, and this was clearly a sensitive subject that I would bring up later when I wasn’t pumping shitty pheromones into the room, so I changed course.

How’d you learn first aid?

She chuckled. “Odie and Cy, of course. They taught me all sorts of things our father didn’t want them to, but despite him knowing my path, they wanted to make sure I had options and abilities. I’ve been able to do simple things like this for a long time. A few years ago, they showed me how to stitch up small wounds too. I’m a lot more useful than they like to believe, at least where this stuff is concerned. I wish they would think less of me when it came to Omega stuff though.”

Ellie moved on to bandaging and taping me back up before cleaning up and shoving the bag to the floor.

“Now, girl time. I’m going to do your nails. You may only have one hand, but it will be a fabulous one.”

Apparently, this was what I needed, a little girl time nonsense and no Alphas in sight. Although, I really did want that hot chocolate she mentioned.

Right on cue, there was a knock at the door, and when Ellie opened it, a tray sat in front of it with my wish granted.

Okay, maybe Alphas weren’t all that bad.

Chapter 26

Mine

I chose to sleep in my own room, but it was a terrible idea. I had water and snacks and extra pillows to make sure I could sleep comfortably, but nothing helped. I figured with the recovery, I would still be exhausted and want a long night’s sleep, but apparently, I was wrong. I was wide awake even though I was tired and begged my body to accept the sleep I was willing to give it.

I lay there for hours, hoping I would doze off, but I never did.

Eventually, I gave up and read a little, but I couldn’t stay focused. My body buzzed with irritation, and I couldn’t pinpoint it. I was safe and had everything I could ever possibly need.

Finally, it dawned on me that I was forcing logic where there wasn’t any. Or there was, but it was stupid Primarchy logic. I was now an Omega, and they needed more than just a glass of juice and good sleep to be happy.

I knew the answer, but I refused to accept it.

After Ellie did my nails, we watched some movies while drinking hot chocolate. Cy and Odie showered, but besides telling us they’d be up and around, I hadn’t heard from them.

I didn’t know if they were locked upstairs or in their rooms or hiking outside just to need another shower.

Turning over, I saw the clock read four a.m. Odie would be up soon either way, but I really needed some sleep.

Flailing my arm and legs against the mattress and ruining the blankets, I gave in. I needed them beside me to sleep. I hated it. I didn’t want it—I was lying, I totally wanted it, but I didn’t want it to be a requirement to sleep.

Shoving the covers off of me, I sat on the edge of the bed. I took a few more sips of water, then ventured out of my bedroom. First, I checked Odie’s room, but she wasn’t in there. Then I moved to Cy’s room, and once again, it was empty. That’s when I heard laughing coming from the living area and stomped that way in the same shorts and T-shirt Odie had given me earlier.

“Looking for someone?” Cy asked from a barstool.

Again, I settled for something simple. I motioned between them, then asked, What?

Odie was behind the island, putting away dishes, but she stood up straight and said, “We couldn’t sleep, so we’ve been out here all night. Did you like the hot chocolate?”