Chapter 9
Wren
“ W hat are you doing right now?” Avery asked the moment I answered her call. I’d missed two of them while at work but she caught me right as I started my car.
“Driving home from work. I’m doing a trial period out at Harding Farms,” I explained as I put my phone in its holder so I could drive.
“Great. I need you to go home, shower, and put on something comfy. Then grab those roommates of yours and drive out to Whitaker Ranch. My mom is dying for an omega night, so I’m throwing a last minute get together. You’ll love her!”
“Your mom?” I squeaked out, panic rising instantly.
“Girl. We talked about this. I’m not holding onto grudges, it was never your fault. No one is going to hold it against you,” she said, before letting out a sigh. “Except that random bitch but she doesn’t speak for me or know anything.”
Oh good, I guess news spread as fast as ever in a small town.
“Okay,” I relented, despite wanting nothing more than to refuse and go curl up in my nest.
“Good,” she replied excitedly. “I’m having my brothers bring in the snacks, so you guys just bring yourself!”
Then she hung up before bothering with goodbyes. My fingers gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter but I tried my best not to let myself sink into worries.
“Remember, you are your own worst enemy now. You are worthy of others’ time and friendship,” I muttered, another quote from one of the mantras my therapist assigned.
When I reached the stop sign at the end of the road I took a quick second to pull up the group message and hit a call. Devon popped in first, his adorable smile at full blast. A second later Grace was there.
“How was it?!”
My smile came easy this time. “It was amazing,” I admitted. “The fresh air and animals really helped. The guy who runs it is also not bad to look at even if he is a bit grumpy.”
“Oh, do tell,” Grace said, but I glanced over to catch a flash of something that looked a lot like jealousy on Devon’s face.
“I’ll tell you more later. Avery called and wants an omega night, are you guys in? I’m supposed to bring us over to Whitaker Ranch as soon as I shower and change,” I explained as I parked in my usual spot outside our building.
“Oh, yes! I love Mama Whitaker,” Grace said. “You have to come, Dev.”
I’d walked in at this point and we all tucked our phones away, my gaze bouncing from Grace to Devon, waiting for his answer.
“If you’re both going, you know I’m coming. I’m not sitting here alone,” he huffed, still sounding a bit strange. I couldn’t stand the idea of any awkwardness between us but he was already disappearing into his room so I had no choice but to go to mine.
Grace stopped me with a hand on my arm, her blue eyes full of concern.
“You guys know that if you have a connection it won’t change anything with the living situation, right?” She asked gently. “Like, don’t fuck on the sofa or something and there shouldn’t be an issue.”
A startled laugh escaped me and I started to deny it but snapped my mouth shut. That look of concern quickly morphed into a grin.
“Girl, don’t lie to me or yourself, I know you want that sexy little omega. So take what you want. You deserve it.”
“I do, don’t I?” I said, but then froze. “You don’t think it’s bad that I think that way, do you?”
Her face was the picture of pure confusion. “What? Getting with another omega?”
“No,” I said, looking anywhere but at her. “Those alphas took a lot from me and I just refuse to close myself off from letting a real pack find me. Even if my omega is dormant and I’m a panicked mess half the time, I still deserve to find love and happiness… right?”
“Look at me,” Grace said, voice a low growl. It shocked me enough my eyes snapped up to hers. She waited to speak until she had my full attention. “You went through hell but you never deserved it. They took enough, don’t let them have this. And anyone who thinks you should be celibate to ‘recover’ can fuck right off. Recovery and trauma responses are unique to the person.”
I gave her a wry smile. “That’s what my therapist said, too.”
“They sounds like a smart person,” she said before gently pushing me toward my room. “Now go. Look cute as hell so he can’t resist you.”
Cute and comfy were two of my favorite things when buying clothes. After my shower, I snagged my favorite worn band tee. The Alpha Effect was one of my favorite bands. The lead had this sexy raspy voice and their music was this fun mix of folk and rock.
I paired it with white comfy shorts and thigh high red socks. I teased my blonde hair into cute space buns, leaving a few strands down.
Makeup wasn’t really necessary so I brushed on some mascara, blush, and lip gloss and called it a day.
Grabbing my black boots and red oversized cardigan, I was done, hurrying out to meet the others.
Grace was waiting in a pink matching lounge set. Her eyes lit up when I walked in.
“Shut up, I wish I was that good at pairing outfits. I’d never have considered it but you look hot as fuck and cozy too. He’s going to be eating out of your hand like a little lost puppy in no time,” she hissed.
Thank god Devon was always the last to finish getting ready, so he didn’t hear her. My cheeks flamed all the same but I didn’t bother to hide my smile.
Devon wasn’t playing fair either. He stepped out in a pair of gray sweatpants that hugged his perfectly rounded ass and showcased exactly what I’d get if I gave him a shot.
Damn. I didn’t expect that from an omega.
He was running his gaze over me just as slowly, his eyes full of fire and a slow smile curling over his plump lips.
Fuck, this was going to be a long night and I was going to be more than a little disappointed if we didn’t fall into the same bed afterward.
“Come on, you two,” Grace snorted, snagging her purse and heading for the door. Devon didn’t move, eyes still locked on me.
“You look like sin in the best fucking way,” he husked. “Tell me you’re going to give in to me soon?”
Thank fuck he was feeling the same way I did. Even if we didn’t last forever, why not give it a shot. There were no guarantees in life and if we wanted each other, why not?
“Just hearing you say someone else was hot had me all jealous earlier, Wren. I promise you even if I find a pack, I’d tell them we’re a package deal. Non negotiable. Just think about it.”
“I’d tell mine the same,” I said. Even without overwhelming scents, I wanted him more than I had ever craved anyone else.
“Guys!” Grace called from the hallway. “We’re going to miss out on all the fun.”
“Coming,” Devon said, holding out his hand for me. It was an invitation that felt like so much more than simply leading me after our roommate.
Even before I’d mentally made my decision, my hand was in his. Warm fingers curled around mine and he pulled me closer so I was breathing in that green apple and cedarwood scent that wrapped around me and had any lingering tension sliding away. I swear it was like my own version of an anxiety med.
He sighed with the same contentment as he locked the door behind us. Grace was smiling like a mad woman as we stepped out, hand in hand, doing a little dance but not bothering to say anything. She simply climbed in the front seat and turned on the car.
“Go sit up front so she doesn’t complain,” Devon said, giving me one last squeeze before his hand fell away and he climbed in behind her. I walked around and settled into the passenger seat.
“I’m turning on music so I don’t ask inappropriate questions,” she said bluntly, cranking up the radio so music was blasting through the speakers. No omega could resist the car karaoke that was happening within seconds.
I belted out every word, holding an invisible mic and car dancing. We didn’t care what anyone said or thought, we just lived in the moment.
And it felt so fucking good.
It felt freeing and amazing, hopeful even. That this life I was forging here was not just the right move, but my saving grace.
I didn’t have to pretend to be okay and that I wasn’t drowning under the weight of my trauma. Here, I could exist and let go of it instead. Find this new verison of myself who flirted with sexy omegas and belted out lyrics with her whole soul.
Healing. That’s what this was.
When we pulled up to Whitaker Ranch, my cheeks were flushed from all the singing and dancing and we all were in an amazing mood.
I couldn't even find it in me to worry about meeting Avery’s mom. Not when I felt like this.
Avery met us outside, laughing as Grace rolled down the window and finished the next song, joining in from her spot.
Grace shut the car off right as the final notes finished and we finally climbed out.
“Your shared apartment has to be so much fun,” Avery said as we joined her on the porch. “Now, bring that energy inside.”
“Is everything okay with Mama Whitaker?” Grace asked. Avery laughed and nodded.
“Oh yeah, her boyfriend just had his brothers visit so it was alpha central and she’s dying for some omega time. Plus, I think we keep her feeling young,” she explained, dragging me inside with her. “Mama, they’re here!”
A woman who looked a lot like Avery popped out of a door down the hall. She was smiling bright, laugh lines around her eyes and her hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun. She barely looked old enough to have kids as old as Avery and the triplets.
“You can just call me Mama Whitaker. I’ve accepted that’s just my name around this town,” she joked. “Hope you’re hungry. Avery left the alphas in charge of feeding us, and I swear they are insane.”
She turned and we followed down the hall to the kitchen. I expected to find the food but she was busy clearing off counters and the huge kitchen island.
“They’ll be here soon,” she said, laughing at our confusion. “Now, I know Grace. Who is this?”
“This is my bestie from the city, Wren,” Avery said, not afraid to claim me. Maybe Mama Whitaker had a really good poker face or Avery was right about no one holding the betrayal against me.
Instead, she shocked the hell out of me by pulling me into a hug. “Thank you for watching out for my baby all those years.”
“She looked out for me just as well,” I said, relief hitting me. “Avery is amazing.”
“That she is,” Mama Whitaker agreed before leaning in and pitching her voice low. “And so are you. We’re all here for you. Anything you need. You’re family now, Wren. We watch out for our own out here, too.”
“Thank you,” I managed to get out. The hug and her words were more genuine than my family could ever dream of.
I think I needed a hug like that more than I could have realized. Avery simply looked pleased as Mama Whitaker released me. She leaned in, bumping her hip gently to mine.
“See, Mama is just happy you’re here and safe,” she promised. Loud voices and the thudding of car doors slamming closed echoed in the house and she laughed. “And that would be my brothers. They aren’t the subtle type.”
Oh god. Nash. The one who made a video defending me. I wasn’t sure what to think of him last time.
They came in like a wrecking ball. Loud voices and arms piled high with food and takeout boxes.
Maverick, Cameron, and Nash deposited the food on the counter while Devon moved closer to my side. His hand found mine again and I bit back a smile as he gave them each a once over.
“Why didn’t anyone tell me that her brothers were hot as hell?” he teased, fanning himself and making me laugh loud enough I had to put a hand over my mouth to stop myself.
Now we had their attention. Maverick and Cameron both gave me a nod in greeting, but Nash sat his stuff down and started moving our way.
“Wren, I wanted to talk to you,” he said as he approached. Whatever he was going to say fell away as Devon gripped my hand hard enough I yelped in protest. They both froze, eyes wide and nostrils flaring.
“We’re mates.”