Page 161 of Pretty When She Breaks

“You’re an expert on being sane, now?”

“Certified,” he said, grinning at me.

I changed out of my dirty clothes and strapped on the holster, inspecting and loading the gun just how Hugo had drilled into me. I pulled on a mid-length dress over it, wanting easy access for whatever lay ahead.

Finch was scribbling away in his notebook as I plugged in my laptop, connecting to the suite’s Wi-Fi. When I opened my email, the message I’d been waiting for had come through. Shatter had reached out.

The first half was all about helping feral alphas.

As we discussed, a scent-compatible omega is the best option. I’ve included some resources for other therapies for your reference, but they have been proven mostly ineffective.

I skimmed the links she’d sent, then I read the second half of the message.

The second question was your strange symptoms. Everything is just a theory at this point, but I will say it’s likely that omegas could potentially get bond sickness as well.

The good news (hopefully?) is that the cure would be allowingfor the natural pack dynamics to take place. Contact, soothing, nesting with alpha scents, etc. But if the alphas are rejecting you, for instance, showing hostility or aggression, it could get worse.

If you’re in trouble, please let me know.

Shatter Kingsman

That was good; my strange symptoms wouldn’t get worse, then. I typed back a reply, telling her that I was not in trouble but thanked her for asking.

“Shatter Kingsman emailed,” I told Finch and Kaos, scrolling up and flipping the screen so they could see it. “Ocean should get better as long as I stick around.”

I looked between them, cautiously hopeful.

“So, I can stay with you guys to help him get better?” I asked.

There was a pause, and my anxiety spiked, my face going a bit hot.

“How else will we care for you?” Finch asked.

“You want to care for me?” I squeaked.

“You’re our omega,” he said, causing more heat to flush my cheeks.

I mean, he’d said as much, but I was still as happy as when he’d said it earlier.

We settled, and I lay back, staring up at the fairy lights on the ceiling. We’d get Ocean out, and then I’d start a new life with them. Where they would care for me, as Finch put it. I wasn’t sure what that would look like, but my inner omega was sure excited about it.

“Laurel?” Finch said, drawing my attention to him.

“Yes?”

“I’ve been helping go over all the stuff we’ve found on Dax’s phone,” he said. “Do you remember the ‘Gem’ we suspected was extortion material?”

I nodded. I hadn’t thought about it much since Kaos had mentioned it the other day.

“I think I’ve figured out what it’s code for. I’m sorry,” he said, turning his screen toward me. It was a log of messages between Dax and Prince.

Prince:I just don’t see why we can’t tell my parents. I think they’d help us.

Dax:No. If you’re wrong, we’re dead.

Prince:But Ash knows what about Jewel. Wasn’t he the one who brought him to you?

Dax:Idiot. I told you to use Gem. And your dad brought him to us for Madison to execute.