Page 21

Chapter 21

Parker

For five long days Harlow remained in hospital. Only when her bloods showed signs of being a full omega did the hospital release her. And much to Carver’s annoyance the DRA insisted she live with her pack. And we are waiting for her body to finally catch up with the news that she is indeed an omega.

Carver keeps visiting, and each time gets easier than the last. It’s like we’ve come to an understanding. He knows we’re not going to give her up without a fight.

Harlow groans loudly, my chest tightens at her distress.

“Are you okay? Should I get uncle Kai for you,” Jagger asks as I listen through the crack in the door.

“I’m– ”

I push my fingertip on the door and open it so I can see her.

She’s on her knees on the floor, surrounded by a chaos of blankets and pillows, her dark hair falling in waves across her face as she mutters to herself and stares at her nest.

“I’m fine,” she mumbles.

Vanilla and pineapple turn sharp with anxiety—the scent of distress rolling off her in waves.

Jagger sits cross-legged on the floor beside her, his math homework spread out before him. He’s barely paying attention to the numbers, too focused on Harlow’s increasingly frantic movements.

“It’s wrong, Jagger.” She stands and yanks another blanket off the bed, adding it to the pile on the floor.

“What’s wrong?” His little face scrunches with concern.

“I don’t know.” Her voice breaks. She grabs the edge of a sheet, twisting it in her hands. A soft whine escapes her throat. It’s the unmistakable sound of an omega in pre-heat.

Another whimper drifts from the room. My alpha instincts surge, wanting to comfort, to protect. But I hold back as I think about Carver. I know she needs him.

Which is fine. As long as she needs all of us in the end.

I pull out my phone and step away from the door, dialing Carver’s number.

“Yeah?” His voice is tight with tension.

“You need to get here. Bring clothes. Both for yourself for a few days and, more importantly, anything with your scent on it for Harlow.” I keep my voice low. “After the hospital warned us what will happen as a newly awakened omega, I’ve read up on it and what Harlow is going through is the start of a mini heat, and she’s struggling.”

“Fuck.” A sharp intake of breath. “How bad?”

“She’s destroying her nest. Can’t settle. Purring and whining. ”

“I’ll be there in twenty.” He disconnects.

I send a text to Oliver and Asher via our group chat:

Carver’s coming over.

Harlow’s awakening heat is starting.

Their responses are immediate.

Oliver: Just finished my shower. I’ll jump in Asher’s car.

Asher: Finishing paperwork. Will be home in ten minutes.

We all know what needs to happen.

I peek in one last time.

Harlow’s cheeks are flushed, her skin glistening with a light sheen of sweat as she stares at her nest and the mess on the floor.

She’s stripped down to a tank top and shorts, her body already preparing for what’s coming next.

“Jagger,” I call softly. “Time for a snack break.”

He gathers his books, casting a worried look at Harlow before joining me in the hallway. He hands me his books and dashes back into the room and wraps his arms around Harlow.

Her fretting stops instantly as she embraces Jagger with all she’s got, holding him close and kissing the top of his head.

My heart pounds in my chest like never before. Like white water as it hits the lower level from a waterfall.

When Jagger pulls back, Harlow glances my way.

Our eyes connect for a beat of my heart, but it’s more than that, it feels like my soul has just connected with Harlow’s for the very first time .

And for the very first time, I know I’m never letting her go.

I pace the kitchen, phone pressed to my ear, fighting to keep my voice steady. “No, Jake. You lost any right to Jagger when you left him alone in the hospital while you got drunk.”

“I was upset. And he’s my son, Parker. My new omega will be good for him.”

“The same way you were good for Sarah?” My knuckles go white around the phone. “The way you were ‘too busy’ to take her to the hospital when she needed you until it was too late?”

“That’s ancient history. And speaking of omegas, I heard you found one. Convenient timing.”

My jaw clenches. “Watch yourself.”

Small hands grab my top and pull. “Can I go back to Harlow now? Please.”

I nod, ruffling his hair before I mute my phone. “Ask her to read you a story.”

Something that will relax Harlow for a while longer.

“I’ll take my big space book with me and tell her all about the planets.”

Not quite what I was thinking. but… “Okay.”

As Jagger skips from the room, I unmute my phone and say to Jake, “Where were we? ”

“I was making a point of letting you know that you’ve shown no interest in finding an omega before, and how convenient that you’ve found one now.”

“Just like you, I suppose.”

Jake growls under his breath. “Yet, I guess those visits to Club Midnight filled that need to knot, didn’t they? Sure, the courts will love to hear about that.”

I bark out a laugh. “Actually, that’s where I met my omega and just so you know, she isn’t a convenience. She’s my scent match. Can you say the same about your omega?”

Jake grunts, but stays silent.

So I add, “And she’s going to be claimed by our pack.”

The line goes dead.

Smiling, I turn to find Carver in the doorway, eyes blazing.

“You’re not fucking claiming her,” he growls.

I meet his gaze and take a seat, beckoning to sit opposite me.

He stays standing by the door.

“We need to talk about Harlow. Yes, she’s yours. But she’s also mine, Asher’s, and Oliver’s. You feel it too. You can be part of this pack, Carver. You have to be. None of my pack has all four of her scents. We all have three, and I accept that you have all four, but you and this pack.” I tap my chest. “Together, as a pack. She lifted our wrists in the hospital, Carver. She knows we are hers too. With you, we all make the perfect scent match to her.”

Carver’s shoulders drop slightly. His expression softens. “After her heat. We’ll talk then.”

The front door opens, Oliver bursts in with Asher close behind.

“Is she okay? Is she—” Oliver runs a hand through his hair.

“Calm down,” Asher says, setting his bag on the counter. “This isn’t her true heat. This is a pre-heat. Or an awakening heat. ”

I arch an eyebrow. “I know.”

“You do?” His eyes widen with surprise, but he continues, “I’ve been researching. Her body’s preparing, yes, but this heat will be different. This is the key time when she’ll accept her alphas. If we handle it right.”

“No claiming her,” Carver adds.

I watch Carver’s face, seeing the struggle play across his features.

“Listen to how perfect she is with Jagger,” I say, gesturing toward the hallway where we can hear her soft voice reading him a story. “She’s everything he needs. Everything we all need.”

Carver’s jaw tightens. “Is that what this is about? You want her for Jagger?” He pushes off from the wall. “Because if that’s all you want her for, she’s coming home with me after this heat. I kept quiet in the hospital for your sake. For Jagger’s sake.”

“You know this is more than being about Jagger," Asher says.

I slam my hand on the doorway. “She’s more than that. You know it. I know it.”

Asher steps between us, his voice steady as he tries to calm the growing situation. “This isn’t about any one of us. Harlow is what matters right now. We all want her. We all need her.”

“I’m not arguing here. I'm going to her.” Oliver moves toward the hallway.

“Wait.” I grab his arm. “She’ll call when she needs us.”

Asher nods. “We’ll smell it. The moment her pre-heat truly begins.”

I reach for the bourbon in the cabinet, pulling out four glasses. The amber liquid splashes as I pour. “We need to make a deal. Right here. Right now. We help each other through this. And we all have to help her. ”

Carver takes his glass, staring into it. “Sharing her...” His knuckles go white around the glass. “I never thought...”

“None of us did before we became a pack.” Oliver picks up his drink. “But when I met Parker, I felt it was right, and it’ll be perfect when Harlow finally becomes what we’ve been waiting for.” Oliver stares at Carver. “You remember, we talked about it once? About how right this could be.”

Carver stares into the amber liquid. "I never agreed with you."

"I think you did," Oliver adds.

“For Harlow,” Asher raises his glass and stares at Carver..

Finally, we all clink glasses, and for the first time, I see a true pack.

It wasn’t only Harlow, our omega, who was missing–it was also Carver.

Four determined alphas is a lot in a pack, but somehow it feels right.

We could work together—be a real pack.

I can see how each of us will give something different to Harlow. Carver’s strength, Oliver’s charm, Asher’s steadiness, my leadership.

All of it together is the perfect recipe for our omega.

We are the perfect pack.

A soft laugh drifts from down the hall as Harlow and Jagger talk. All four of us turn toward the sound, drawn to her like moths to flame.

“Jagger was supposed to give her some time, but he insisted on going back to her.”

“He loves her,” Asher tells me.

I lean against the counter, watching my pack members process everything, when tiny feet thunder down the hallway.

“Uncle Kai!” Jagger bursts into the kitchen, his cheeks flushed. “Harlow said she needs some time alone. Her belly hurts real bad. She keeps holding it like this.” He wraps his arms around his middle, demonstrating and groaning.

“Is that so, buddy?” I ruffle his hair.

“Yep, and then she went to take a shower ‘cause she said she feels icky.”

The doorbell chimes and my mother sweeps in, her silver-streaked hair pulled back in an elegant knot. “There’s my favorite grandson!”

“Granny!” Jagger launches himself at her.

She scoops him up. “Ready for Disneyland tomorrow? Your grandpas are so excited to take you.”

His eyes go wide. “All of them?”

“Yes, sweetie. The whole pack wants to spoil you rotten. And you’re staying over tonight!”

“I know. I’m already packed!” He wiggles free and races toward his room.

Mom’s eyes soften as she looks at each of us. “Remember boys, treat her right and she’ll stay forever. I never got alphas for my pre-heat, but your fathers gave me the most perfect heat—I’ll remember it until the day I die.” She touches my cheek. “Hold her first. Let her feel she has some control.”

We exchange glances, knowing she’s right.

Jagger thunders back in with his Batman backpack. He throws himself at each of us for hugs. When he reaches Carver, the tough alpha hesitates before wrapping his arms around my boy.

And then I see it. Something in Carver’s expression shifts, softens, as Jagger squeezes him tight.