Chapter 452

I ran through the front door of the pack house, startling the omega cleaning the entryway. She screamed as I burst through, but I kept running until I reached the office. Alannah was pale, shivering behind her desk. Her wide eyes and panicked expression told me something was wrong. Rick’s door was closed, but Ternen was gently rubbing Alannah’s back in small circles.

I shifted, opened my office door, glanced back at them, and nodded for them to come in. Alannah was out of her chair before I could blink. I waited for Ternen to join us before closing the door. I hugged Alannah and took a deep breath, but all I could smell was Ternen’s pungent odor. I ushered them into the chairs opposite my desk, pulled out my laptop, and said, “Good morning.”

“Morning, Amy,” Ternen replied, attempting a smile.

“You two look stressed. What can I do to help?” I typed a message on the screen:

Amy–What is going on? You look like you are going to puke.

I turned the computer towards Ternen and Alannah. Alannah sighed. “Nothing,” she said. “Rick’s just having a rough morning. Abby is really sick, and Vince came in much earlier than usual. Something about needing to speak to him.” Leaning in, she asked, “Are you still trying to organize his files?” Her eyes flicked to mine, and I nodded.

“Yeah, I wanted you to look at the filing system. Take a look and leave any notes on the notepad.” She nodded and hunched over the keyboard. Ternen glanced at the computer, then back at me.

“I don’t know what all that is. Rick’s filing system haunts most of us omegas,” he said, clearly trying to appear normal.

“I don’t doubt it. It’s insane,” I laughed with him until Alannah sat back and pushed the laptop towards me.

“It looks good, but I did tweak a few things.” She intertwined her fingers with Ternen’s and smiled.

I nodded, pulled the laptop back, and asked, “How was yesterday? Were there any more breaches?”

Alannah nodded. “There were a few alarms while you were off.” She turned to Ternen and began explaining the security system while I read her message:

Alannah—Vince walked in first thing this morning. He stopped at my desk before Ternen arrived, took a deep breath, smiled at me, and then knocked on my desk. He was about to say something when Rick walked out.

But something is going on with Rick. Abby is really sick, and he was looking for you this morning. He was panicking. I think he’s worried she’s going to die.

I’m terrified Vince scented the baby. Ternen received a text a few minutes ago about a new posting at the border. And Rick and Vince were screaming at each other less than ten minutes before you ran in.

Shit is happening, and I don’t know what to do or think. Help us.

I looked up from my screen and met her eyes. I smiled, doing my best to reassure her. “These suggestions are great,” I said, pulling the laptop onto my lap. “I’m about halfway through digitizing his box of insanity.” Alannah forced a laugh, and I smirked. “But I will add these to the system tonight.” I looked up as I closed the laptop. “You guys should come over for a barbecue tonight.”

Alannah looked at Ternen. “Do we have anything we need to do tonight?”

Ternen thought for a moment. “Just laundry,” he replied, grimacing. “Our place doesn’t have a laundry, so we have to go to the one on Main.” Alannah pouted at me.

“Sorry, Amy.”

I smiled. “It’s okay. Why don’t you just bring your laundry over to my place, and we can wash it while we have dinner?”

Ternen’s eyes widened slightly. “Are you sure? It’s a lot.”

I nodded and swiped a hand through the air. “It’s totally fine. To be honest, it’s been too quiet in the house lately, so you two coming over to do your laundry will be great.” I turned my desktop on. “When Rick is free, I’ll see if he wants to bring Shelly and Abby and make it a good night.”

Alannah nodded. “That sounds great. I know they’ve been worried about Abby. But maybe getting out for the night will help.”

I blew out a breath. “Maybe.” I looked at the clock. “I also don’t want to spring this on Shelly last minute.” I looked at Alannah. “I know Rick is with Vince, but do you think you can call her and ask if she wants to come tonight? I won’t ask for an answer until she talks to Rick, but this way she has a heads-up and can get Abby settled for when he heads home.”

Alannah hopped up. “Of course.”