ChapterEleven
Briar
My focus was fully on adjusting the shading on the logo I was making. The coffee shop job had brought in more and more clients, so I had to work a bigger chunk of hours each day to get them covered, but I loved it. Plus, it was a nice reprieve between the morning sickness, weird cravings for jalapeños and chocolate, and getting used to this whole motherhood idea. Now that I’d seen the baby on the ultrasound, it was real. The doubts loved to start creeping in, reminding me that my life wasn’t stable enough for motherhood, but I was getting better at shutting that voice out. I can do this.
The two weeks since my doctor’s appointment had been strange, to say the least. Wells was spending more time checking in on me and being around. Tallon and I had nightly game time as we worked through the complicated storyline, which was quickly becoming my favorite way to wind down for the night. Graham was still hellbent on teaching me to cook, so I helped out with dinner every night, forcing Miles and Beck to join in whenever they were brave enough to wander by. The only one who really hadn’t changed was Ellis. He was kind and protective, but a certain measure of distance remained between us. When the guys got too close, I could see the worried glances he threw around, but I tried not to let it get to me.I just hadn’t expected Ellis to be the cold one since he’d been the one to bring me into their home in the first place. But whatever… I wasn’t going to force anyone to accept me, and even if I wanted to, I didn’t know how.
“Hey, you need a snack?” Beckham’s voice cut through my focus, and I glanced up, blinking to clear my vision. I almost said no, but then I changed my mind—or my stomach did. It protested the long break since my last meal. Reminder to self: pay attention to meal times and snacks. Not to mention, it kept the nausea at bay when I ate regularly.
“Actually, yes. I hadn’t realized I’d been going for a few hours,” I admitted. Pushing back my chair, I stood and stretched out my stiff muscles. I had a desk in my room, but sometimes I liked the open space better. Since I could easily work on my laptop, I split my time between my quiet space and this one—the view out here couldn’t be beat.
He gave me a teasing grin. “I noticed when Tallon tried to talk to you, and you didn’t respond.”
“Shit,” I cursed. “I’ll have to apologize to him later. I’m awful about tuning everyone out when I’m really concentrating. It’s a gift and a curse. The office was so loud I had to do it to get any real work done.”
“Oh, I bet.”
A shrill buzzing sound startled me. “What the hell is that?”
“Intercom,” he said as he walked over to the elevator. There was a speaker next to it, but I’d never considered what it was for. Tallon stepped out right as Beckham answered. “Hello?”
“This is Franklin in security. I’ve got a nurse down here saying she’s supposed to check in with Briar.”
“What?” I questioned. “No one makes home visits. This can’t be normal.”
Tallon stepped forward and gave my shoulder a squeeze. “It’s okay. We’re here.”
“Do you want me to let her up?” Beckham gently questioned. I didn’t really want to interact with this stranger, but my curiosity as to why she was here overrode my hesitation. At my nod, he pressed the intercom button again. “Send her up.”
When the elevator doors opened, a woman was standing there. She wasn’t wearing scrubs like I’d expected, just a cute pantsuit. Her long red hair hung to her shoulders, and she had a friendly but clinical smile on her face.
“Briar, I assume?” she asked as she stepped out, offering me a hand. Her skin was like ice, which I desperately hoped wasn’t some kind of omen as to the woman herself.
“Yes. Can I ask what this is about? I didn’t realize Dr. Bower did home visits.”
“She doesn’t,” she explained. “I’m from the Omega Services office here in Grove City. When an omega is packless, their information is automatically sent to us by the doctor’s office. Standard procedure after an omega turns eighteen, so I’m sure you understand. It’s a measure to protect omegas in… strange situations.” She directed a pointed look at the guys, who narrowed their eyes in return. “It’s just a standard welfare check and information meeting. In fact, I’ve brought along some information about packs who are seeking an omega. Despite your… condition, they are open to meeting with you. Can we speak somewhere private?”
My blood boiled. I’d done everything to keep them away from me, and now she was standing in front of me, trying to force me into a box I didn’t fucking want to be in.
“I’m not interested,” I said firmly. “Sorry you’ve wasted your time here.”
“Actually, it’s not an option to simply decline. If you don’t see me, I’ll be forced to say that I cannot vouch that you’re in a safe environment.”
“How are we not a safe environment?” Beckham questioned, his tone remarkably even. Tallon was only quiet because Beckham had a bruising grip on his hand, something she seemed to notice. I was thankful the omega had enough sense to not kick her ass out like I really wanted.
“Fine. I don’t see how speaking to me privately will change my answer, but I’ll play your game for now,” I countered. “Can you two give us a moment?”
“Of course,” Beckham said before turning to me. “If you need us, don’t hesitate to yell.”
“Have a seat,” I offered, shutting my laptop as I took my own.
“We’re not the enemy,” she said gently. I glanced up upon hearing the sincerity in her voice, and the concern in her eyes told me she believed what she was saying. Maybe she wouldn’t just throw me under the bus after all?
I relaxed when I realized she meant it. Now that the pack was out of the picture her demeanor changed. I just hoped it was real this time. Either way, I had little choice but to cooperate.
“Alright. What do I need to hear?” I asked, keeping us on track.
She flipped open a portfolio, plucked out a folder, and set it aside. “First, resources. If you’re unhappy with your doctor or need any accommodations, call us at the office. We have advocates who will help you take care of that. She slid the paper over, and I took it, quickly glancing over it. The premise of their office was nice; I couldn’t fault them for wanting to make sure that omegas were looked after. I just hated that our world made omegas feel like they had to be part of a pack even if that pack wasn’t a good fit. They needed to realize that protecting an omega didn’t mean the omega should lose all autonomy.
“Thanks,” I said as I set it aside and met her gaze again. She didn’t miss a beat, diving into a long speech about how important my baby and I were and how we weren’t alone. It was well practiced.
“Finally, this is for you. We’ve taken your information, upbringing, all of that, into account and selected packs that fit your needs. This packet contains their profiles and pictures. We break them down as thoroughly as possible, so it makes the decision easier.”
“And if I don’t want to join a pack?”
She looked up at me, confused and a bit taken aback. “How would you raise a baby without a pack, Briar?” There was a condescending note to her voice that had my hackles rising. This woman was giving me whiplash with her switch from sweet to judgmental.
“With my own money,” I pointed out. “I’m not poor and isolated here.”