Page 54 of Rugged Hearts: Part One

“What did you say to her?”

I don’t have the energy to repeat the conversation. They all assume I think the worst of her anyway, no need to change it. “I told her our pack’s omega shouldn’t be cleaning toilets. Why do you still have her working here?”

He looks at me like I grew a second head. Ben doesn’t say anything, just shakes his head and walks away. Likely to find Thea. It doesn’t feel good, especially for Ben to leave without saying something. He’s always trying to understand everyone’s point of view and to leave without one word isn’t like him.

I return to the bathroom and splash some water on my face as I originally intended. Looking at myself in the mirror, my anger returns, this time at myself. If I could jump in with both feet like everyone else I would. The chance of risk overrides everything, even my own better judgement. Like that moment with Ben. Eli was partially wrong it’s not just what happened last year, at least not with that omega. Our pack, our family was nearly ripped apart. I can’t let that happen again. Omegas have the power to unite a pack or destroy them. I’ve seen it firsthand twice now. Someone has to be separate and ensure Thea is all in, that she won’t run away as soon as things get hard. If something happens to her, our pack won’t recover.

43

BEN

Pulling the pan of brownies out of the oven, even I can admit they smell good. Thea mentioned last week at dinner she’s been craving baked goods and brownies were her favorite. I may love cooking but baking really isn’t my forte but I think these came out good enough. Placing them on the counter to cool off, excitement runs through me at surprising her with them. The plan is for them to be the second surprise after Jake and I show her the first.

Parker is distracting her this morning until we’re ready. Out of everyone in the pack he is the most qualified for distracting someone. It’s the weekend and most of us have the day off for once. Well, it’s usually Jake who may have an odd schedule working for the state park. But he made sure to have it off. He hasn’t spent much time with her, and outside of our date neither, have I.

We all agreed two people for today’s adventure would be best and less overwhelming if it was the whole pack. I laugh to myself at the idea of Keelan coming along. He’d probably add anything she glanced at to the cart. Just then Jake enters the kitchen, looking as casual as ever in a long sleeved thermal and jeans. “Ready?” he asks.

“Yeah just finished. She’s in Parker’s office,” I say as we bothhead there and hear her laughing from inside. I love hearing that sound. Especially since I know how rare it is right now. Jake doesn’t bother knocking as he strides in. Thea and Parker are sitting closely together in his giant chair, playing some board game on the ottoman in front of them.

“A board game?” It wasn’t exactly what I thought he’d distract her with but it still makes sense I guess.

“What, do you want to play? Parker is cheating so beware.” She grins. Parker gasps in mock offense.

“You know now that you mention it I remember a few incidents as kids involving Parker.” I keep the teasing going.

“Liar! I am the most honest one among us. It’s a fact,” he says in a playful haughty tone. Jake is just shaking his head subtly at the antics, but he enjoys it like the rest of us given that slight smile he’s sporting.

“See what I have to put up with?” he says to Thea, reaching out his hand to her. “We have a surprise we want to show you.”

She looks between us curiously. “What is it?”

Parker boops her on the nose. “Wouldn’t be a surprise if they did that.” I still can’t get over how amazing it is to see Parker so happy. It’s not that he wasn’t before but it’s clear the effect she’s had on him.

“Yeah today’s going to be an adventure,” I say. Her breath hitches at that which doesn’t go unnoticed by any of us. She quickly acts like whatever affected her didn’t.

As she gets up to leave, she turns back and leans down to give Parker a quick kiss goodbye. We approach the door and Parker calls out, “Have fun!”

We lead her to the second floor and then continue going up to the third floor. “You haven’t been up here yet right?” I ask even though I’m pretty sure she hasn’t.

“Nope,” she says, popping the ‘p.’ When we get to the landing there’s only two doors in the small hallway.

“We figured it was time to show you this floor, it’s your space really,” Jake says nervously. I glance at him, a bit taken aback byhis nerves. I haven’t seen him nervous or rattled like that many times.

“Like a nest?” she asks.

“That too, but there’s more, let us show you,” I jump in and go to open the door to the left. As we enter, I hear her gasp next to me as she takes in the view from the floor-to-ceiling windows that take up most of the opposite wall. They overlook the lake and surrounding mountains.

She doesn’t even notice the rest of the room. “Wow, it’s breathtaking,” she nearly whispers.

Putting my hands on her shoulders, I gently turn her around to face the wall opposite the windows. “Holy shit.” Jake chokes on a laugh and I don’t even bother hiding mine.

“That is the biggest bed I’ve ever seen,” she says before she takes a running leap and flopping on it, laughing. It’s amazing to see her like this, carefree almost.

Thea sits up, her arms bracing her from behind as she leans on them. “This is insane,” she says but her smile is still there.

“It was always meant to be the pack bedroom when we found our omega. The bed was custom in order to fit all of us comfortably,” Jake explains as Thea suddenly looks more serious.

“It’s your room,” I add on. “We all have our own and you should too. Unless you’d rather have a regular room, we have two guest rooms we can convert into an omega suite if you don’t like this.” She’s shaking her head as I ramble on.