Chapter 15
Braxton
E ven though I tried not to show it, I was shaken after that panic attack Wren had. She had been this confident, excited omega when I first got here. Then the next moment, we found her sobbing on the floor in her office.
As she stepped away to make her phone call, I turned to my best friend to gauge his reaction. I couldn’t be the only one freaking out here.
“I don’t know what happened to her, but I want to kill whoever caused that kind of reaction. What the hell changed?” he said, taking off his hat and running his hand over his short hair.
“Her phone was on the floor. I’m guessing something to do with that,” I admitted. Though, I barely knew her. I couldn’t begin to fill in any blanks.
Her voice carried in from the other room and we both fell silent, listening to ensure we didn’t have a repeat.
“You don’t have to do that,” she protested, but a moment later was letting out a sigh. “Okay, yeah. That might be for the best. See you guys in a minute.”
When she walked back in, she looked nervous and embarrassed. My instincts kicked into overdrive, and I rushed forward, helping her into her chair. Just touching her sent heat through me. That was an interesting reaction without being a scent match.
“You want to tell us what happened?” my not-so-gentle best friend demanded, more than asked.
“No,” she muttered, not meeting his eyes. “It won’t happen again, boss.”
Wrong choice of words. He looked like he was barely holding back his alpha now. I gave him a warning look, reminding him to be gentle.
“Look at me,” he demanded again. Apparently, that was the only thing he knew how to say. At least he had made his words less biting.
Those watery blue eyes looked up at him. She was even beautiful while upset. I swear, everything in me wanted to take her in my arms and promise her everything would be fine, to fight all her battles for her so she would just smile for me again.
I wasn’t usually the protective type, but right now, I was willing to go to war for this omega.
“I’m not asking because I’m judging you, Wren. I’m asking because you went from smiling, proving me wrong out there like you’ve been on this farm for years, to a crumpled mess on my floor. My alpha doesn’t quite like seeing you like that, and I want to know what we did to cause it.”
“Nothing,” she said quickly, looking shocked. “It wasn’t you. I got a call from my lawyer, and it was bad news. I knew it was coming… they leaked my picture, and…”
She was rambling on and on, and I had no idea what she was talking about. One glance at Shepherd said he was feeling the same way.
“I’m going to need you to slow down and explain what the hell you’re talking about,” he said. I was going to intervene but she let out a sigh like she knew it was coming.
“To give you the condensed version, I went through some trauma with a pack. Not my pack, but a pack that abused me. The trial was kept under lock and key. No pictures, no videos, NDAs, the works. We weren’t supposed to be seen for our protection, yet someone leaked my photo. Some lady at the bar recognized me one of my first nights here and said some really horrible things. I contacted my lawyer and was waiting to hear back. He called me and the news wasn’t great. Someone broke contract and they’re trying to figure out who. But that won’t take back the pictures and details from spreading.”
My heart broke for this sweet omega. I sat roughly in the seat next to her, not sure what to say or do.
“Where are they, Wren? I just want to have a little chat,” Shepherd asked, his voice far too calm for the look of pure fury in his eyes.
Apparently, that was what broke her. She started laughing until she was breathless and gasping for air.
“It’s okay, alpha. They’re in prison, and they’ll be there for a really fucking long time,” she promised. “I really didn’t want my story going out to everybody. I just hate that some random girl at a bar knew who I was just from looking at me and knew the details of what I’ve been through. It’s not exactly something I would advertise.”
“That explains the video that the Whitakers put out, doesn’t it?” I asked, putting two and two together. “But his response was exactly the kind of response you’re going to get around this town, Wren. Now that you’re here, you’re one of us. Nobody is going to let them sweep in and treat you like trash. If anybody tries, they’ll get corrected really fucking quick.”
“If one person dares to disrespect you on my property, I have a whole army of psychotic animals to send after them. You’re safe here. You know that, right?”
She laughed, though this one was a little watery, fresh tears coming to her eyes. The way she tried to smile through her tears meant these weren't the same kind of tears as before.
“It’s been a really long time since I’ve had people in my corner,” she admitted before gesturing to her tear stained face. “Just imagine, this is me with a dormant omega.”
Shepherd and I shared a look for the second time. I knew damn well the moment she left, we’d be talking more about this and researching exactly what she meant.
The conversation was cut short by tires crunching on the gravel. The harsh, spinning sound of it meant they were flying up the driveway.
Thank god the animals weren’t free range up here.
“Wren!”
Her name was practically bellowed from outside. She winced and hurried for the front door. Shepherd and I were both on her heels, not letting her face whatever this was alone.
After what she said, I was feeling protective. I couldn’t imagine if I had full alpha instincts riding me as well.
A gorgeous, male omega was barreling her way, his hair a wild blur of honey blond, eyes fierce and ready to fight for her. I relaxed immediately seeing his stance, knowing damn well this omega would raze the world for her.
Everyone thought alphas were scary, wait until you saw an omega on a rampage.
The alpha was much more calm as he got out. Though, he looked just as worried as he rushed forward and pulled her into a hug. The way she melted into him had jealousy building in me, but I didn’t say anything. What right did I have?
Finally, the other omega looked past her at us, his eyebrows raising as he took in a shirtless Shepherd next to me. Honestly, I hadn’t even noticed he still hadn’t put a shirt back on. We were too busy making sure she was alright.
“Does your boss usually work without a shirt on?” he questioned, wiggling his eyebrows at her.
That had another slightly unhinged laugh bursting out of her.
“Turn around, boss man!” she called back at us. We were still far enough away that she had to raise her voice to be heard.
Shepherd didn’t hesitate to turn around, showcasing the array of colors that now filled in the geometric patterns that lined his back.
“Baby, did you find yourself a living coloring book?” The omega sounded amused. He moved forward, studying her work and dragging her with him.
All that sexy fierceness was gone, replaced by amusement as he took it in. Now that he was this close, I could see the dusting of freckles that covered his face and the warm, molten brown of his eyes. They seemed even more vibrant under the low lighting.
I glanced over at Shepherd, who was frozen, his eyes wide. It took me a second longer to realize why.
Green apple and cedarwood hit me like a punch to the gut, stealing my breath away even as I tried to suck in a lungful of this intoxicating scent.
The edges of the scent were colored with Wren’s much more subtle one, the watermelon and raspberry adding a brightness to the tart and fresh scent of the other omega.
Together, they were irresistible… if only hers was stronger.
“More scent matches,” the omega said, his voice cracking as he glanced down at her, looking terrified now.
Not exactly a great response. Alarm bells were ringing in my head.
“What?” she questioned, glancing from him, to both of us, and back again.
“The alpha coloring book smells like bourbon and blueberry cheesecake. It’s a crazy combination, but honestly, looking at him right now, it totally fits. Then this beta smells like those chocolate chip pancakes you can’t seem to get enough of. Are you kidding me?”
He was laughing now. I was having trouble keeping up with their emotions at this point but my feet stayed rooted firmly to the ground.
Her voice was quiet when she answered. “I thought so, too, but they’re still not…”
“I’m telling you, baby, there’s something about your omega being dormant that masks them. If they’re mine, I’m fairly certain they’re yours, too. We’re a package deal, and I think fate knew what it was doing when it sent you our way.”
“Pack?” Shepherd asked, shaking his head as if he just couldn’t believe it.
It wasn’t a surprising reaction, knowing Shepherd. He was about as anti-people as they come and would do anything to avoid crowds. Picturing him in a pack was almost comical.
But at the same time, he was the perfect protector. The kind of strong and stoic alpha that made sure everybody was taken care of.
Hell, we were only friends, and he fed me almost every time I came out here like it was second nature.
“Why doesn’t everybody come inside? We were trying to get some food in her,” I said as I noticed her shiver. The evening air was cool still.
Her alpha moved closer and I recognized him now that I focused on his face. He was the same one who gave that passionate speech on PackVlog. Nash Whitaker.
It wasn’t just about the bar. He was protecting his omega.
“I’m going to be honest, I feel a little out of the loop here,” I admitted, eyes still focused on Nash.
The omega looked at Wren, as if asking for permission before he answered me. I respected him even more for that move alone.
“Her omega is dormant, which means she doesn’t have the same reactions to scent. As much as she says I smell good, it’s not that steal-your-breath, fall-to-your-knees type of reaction that’s typical in a scent match. At the very least, we’re scent-compatible. My theory is once her omega is woken back up, it’ll all fall into place. I’m Devon, by the way.”
“Braxton, or Brax,” I offered before glancing at Shepherd. I wasn’t going to introduce the alpha to the group, he was going to have to do that himself.
“Shepherd,” he said in that gruff way of his.
A sly smile curled Devon’s lips as he looked at her. “I see what you meant about him being the hot boss.”
“Oh my god, Dev, you can’t say that,” she said, her face flaming red.
“Why not?” Shepherd asked as he gave the male omega a slow, sexy look. “I’m only your boss during working hours.”
“Oh my god,” she groaned again, turning and burying her face into Nash’s chest since he was right there. He chuckled and gave her a squeeze, giving us an assessing look.
“I guess we all should take him up on that offer to go inside. Devon and I already ate, but if she needs to finish, she should finish. And I could use a drink.”
“I’ve got iced tea and beer. If you need something stronger, I also have bourbon.”
“Of course, you do,” Devon said, laughing again. The sound was so carefree and musical, it had us all turning to watch him, soaking it in.
Two omegas.
If what she said was true, at least.
It seemed presumptuous to assume that she wanted to include us in the mix, but he was definitely mine. I could feel it. It went beyond the scent that nearly dropped me to my knees. It was the way that he drew me in, like he was the sun and we were all just orbiting around him.
They were so different, and yet they were a perfect complement to each other’s personalities. Where she was soft and warm and sweet, he was playful and feisty and fiery. They would be so much fun.
And pure trouble. I couldn’t wait.
“Uh oh, I think we broke the beta,” Devon joked.
She turned around to look at me and gave me an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Braxton. I didn’t mean to come in like a wrecking ball today.”
“I’m not complaining,” I clarified. “I was just worried for you, and now I’m trying to make sense of all of this.”
“Come on,” Shepherd said, turning and heading inside, expecting us all to follow.
We all did without hesitation. Devon took the chair she was in before, sliding her onto his lap. Nash sat next to them, leaving the other side of the table for Shepherd and me.
Shepherd grabbed the bourbon and a set of shot glasses, but he looked right at Nash, who had driven.
“Just watch yourself if you’re driving my omegas.”
Her cheeks were burning when he said my , and Devon just looked like he had won the best prize, whispering something in her ear that had her softly gasping and hiding her face behind her hands.
“Aren’t they great together?” Nash said, grinning like a fool. It was hilarious how alphas could go from grumpy to downright sappy at just the sight of their omegas.
“They are,” Shepherd said, filling up the shots and passing them around. “Now, I’m going to need to be filled in a little bit on what’s going on here. Someone start talking.”
Wren reached for a shot glass, downing it, and then staring hard at the table while she started to speak, unable to face any of us.
“I gave you guys the easy version. The hard version is that I was drugged. Repeatedly. With experimental pheromone-affecting drugs. They forced my body to go into quick, temporary heats. It forced me to think and react like someone was a scent match, but so much worse than an actual pairing. I was feral for them. My omega went dormant in an attempt to protect us.”
Low growls filled the table as Nash and Shepherd both let their anger be heard. Devon had lost all sense of humor, and I was trying not to throw up at the picture she was painting. This was awful and I wanted to hunt them down with Shepherd.
Despite what she was spilling, these horrors and atrocities they acted against her, she was speaking so steadily.
“After my omega shut down, I have no heats, and scents are dulled. Even though you guys have amazing scents, I’m not getting the physical reaction I should get for a true scent match. It’s making me question whether this is real or just me hoping too hard or?—”
“Stop that. We’re not doubting anything right now. I already told you, you’re mine, and nothing’s going to change that. Even if it never turns into being scent matches, we’re still scent-compatible, and I choose you, whether you have some scent match pack out there or not.”
More growls from the alphas had him chuckling.
“Though, I’d say their instinctual responses are in favor of my theory.”
She soaked in his words before continuing her story. “After the sentencing and settlement, my therapist said that I should get a change of scenery. So, here I am. I’m supposed to relax and find myself again, and not be too hard on myself, and…”
“Is that where the coloring comes in?” Shepherd asked, his voice far more gentle now.
“That was to help with panic attacks. At first, it didn’t take much to trigger them. The stress of the trial just wrecked me. But after it ended, it was getting better. Then this whole picture and information leaking happened.”
“So, it actually leaked?” Devon clarified.
She nodded miserably. “Yeah. My lawyer called me. Apparently, someone released all of our pictures and names, along with key details. They’re trying to figure out who. They will be punished, but it doesn’t fix the damage that was already caused.”
“It’ll blow over,” Nash said gently. “Until then, we’ve got your back. Honestly, outside of that stupid omega that said those things to you, I don’t think anybody else around here would.”
“Maybe I should just change my looks,” she said as she lifted her long, blonde hair. “I could dye my hair.”
Even as she said it, the frown deepened on her face. She didn’t like that idea any more than I did.
“Don’t change yourself. Any battles you don’t want to fight, you have four pack members who will happily go to bat for you.”
“Pack members?” she asked, as if needing to hear it from us, too. “A few hours ago, you were just my boss. And you were the vet.”
“Now we’re pack,” Shepherd said, shifting his chair. “And I’ll admit, that’s not something I saw coming a mile away. I also thought that you smelled great but didn’t have that response, either. You’re sexy as hell, and I could barely keep my eyes off you, but I didn’t want to overstep those professional boundaries.”
“Now that we know we’re mates, forget those boundaries,” I said, finishing for him.
“What now? Are we just going to go back to our respective houses and pretend this isn’t happening?” Devon asked, already frustrated.
“We have Grace to think about,” she said, turning sideways so she could look at Devon now. “I feel terrible about backing out on her. We’ve lived with her for less than a week.”
He was chewing on his plump bottom lip now, too, looking just as conflicted. “There were tons of omegas on this list, and it doesn’t change the friendship that we have with Grace.”
“She already knows, too,” Wren said. “She’s observant.”
It was funny, the way they talked to each other, bouncing ideas back and forth, half-sentences that only they understood. Devon was right. They were absolutely mates.
If that meant the rest of us were, only time would tell.
Nash took another shot before adding in his own thoughts. “We’ve only been on one date together, and Devon and I hung out today, but I’ll be honest, going home without you is fucking miserable. I understand that it’s soon, and you can’t bring us home if you’re in an omega-only apartment. We need a pack house.”
“Good thing I’ve got plenty of land and extra space,” Shepherd said, as if that was that.
Could it really be that easy?