Gently Wen asks her, "Little omega, can you grab our things?"
She doesn't hesitate, and quickly has the blanket folded and slung over her shoulder and the drink bag in her hands.
"I'll take the bag, Ly—"
"Don't be silly, Wen, you need to carry Olo. I've got it." Without another word, she marches off into the treeline, and we have no choice but to follow.
I don't remember the walk home.
Chapter 8
Lyra
15 Cycles Later
"Olooverworkedhimselfinthe water today. With some rest, he'll be back to full health in no time at all. Don't worry. Truthfully, I'm surprised he wasn't sick before now. His body is simply asking for a break, and he'll get it."
Wen's words on our way home have been repeating in my head for the last fifteen cycles. I still remember the adoring look Wen gave his mate as he carried him back to the nest. It was filled with overwhelming love and affection, and it made me a little jealous. I've always wanted someone to look at me that way, to care for me as they care for each other.
I'm starting to feel like Icanhave that here, though, and it frightens me. Good things never last long with me. I swear I'm cursed. But the peace and comfort I feel in this place, with Wen and Olo, is utterly perfect. Not only are they great housemates, but they are perfect lovers too.
They always make a point to include me, and it warms my heart. Some cycles I still feel like I'm intruding on them, but that thought is wiped away whenever one or both go out of their way to welcome me.
Olo has been weak still, but his bedrest only lasted two cycles. Wen was right, and he bounced back quickly, thank the gods. I still don't know what caused his sickness to begin with; Wen indicated it’s chronic and common, but I haven't asked them. I'd hate to pry, and I know they will tell me if or when they're ready for me to know.
I can be patient.
Hell, there are still things I haven't told them about myself. It would be awfully hypocritical of me to demand answers when I don't give my own. They haven't pushed me to talk, even though I know it's bothering Wen most of all. He's extremely protective of us both, and he's made a couple comments here and there about how he wants to find this captain of mine and have a few “words” with him.
I snorted the first time I heard it, because I thought he was joking. Olo assured me Wen wasnotjoking, and I changed the subject quickly.
Now that I know them both a little better, I have an easier time telling these things apart. I've gotten better at reading them, and it's only helped us all coexist in harmony. For the first few cycles, I thought they were too perfect because I had yet to see them argue or fight, and that's unrealistic. It had unnerved me, and it had me second-guessing whether this was really a safe place for me.
No one, and I mean no one, is that perfect. If they are… they're psychopaths.
But three cycles after Olo got sick, he and Wen argued for the very first time. I nearly wept with joy at the sight, even if it was a rather dramatic reaction. Olo had insisted on getting out of bed, and Wen had commanded him to stay. Olo ended up winning that round, but not without sustaining some losses. I stepped up to help with the cooking and cleaning not only to pull my weight, but to help ease tensions.
Turns out Olo is pretty particular about his home's cleanliness, and his food. My offer to help Olo relieved Wen, and Olo was all too happy for the company, so it was a win-win all around. I learned a lot more about the two of them that cycle than I have since.
An angry alpha is scary, but an angry omega is even worse. I shudder just thinking about it.
"You're thinking pretty hard over there. Don't hurt yourself," Olo teases with a grin.
"Ha, speaking from experience?" I taunt back with my own smirk.
We're currently in the bath, though it’s more appropriate to call it an indoor hot spring. It's amazing, and I spend all my spare time soaking, it feels like. Wen is across from me, eyes closed, leaning his head back while Olo sits beside me, arms crossed on the stone.
These baths and bedtime have been testing my patience in the worst way. They don't sleep clothed, first of all. And secondly, when the water slides down their bodies as they step out of the hot spring... fuck. We haven't have sex since my heat, and it's killing me. Granted, I haven't asked, nor have I initiated anything, but it's not because I don't want to.
I'm chicken-shit.
I've seen both of them watch me, and it's impossible to miss the naked heat in their gazes, but they don't do anything. I'm afraid that if they're waiting for me to make the first move, then we're all screwed. No, that's not right. If they're waiting for me to make the first move, then we're allnotscrewed.
"The full moons will be in three cycles, mates."
I hum, grateful for the distraction. If I ponder my lack of sex life any further, these men no doubt smell my budding desire.
"I'll be out hunting that night," Wen continues, still not opening his eyes. "You two will be staying in the den where it's safe. I'm usually only go—"