46. Olive
46
OLIVE
We piled into Lars’s light blue vintage Volvo truck, my face briefly heating at the memories of what had happened the last time I was in here.
Easton gave me a boost before crowding in the back with me, his massive frame taking up most of the space. He leaned over and did up my seatbelt before wrapping his arms around me, his fingers absentmindedly playing with my hair and brushing against my skin as we headed to the restaurant.
“I missed you today,” he murmured.
I rested my head on his chest. “I missed you, too.”
My social interactions over the past few years consisted of my monthly trips to the pharmacy, greeting the grocery clerk when the self-checkout was closed, and the occasional dating app hookup. I’d started to believe I wasn’t made to have friends or a pack or any kind of life.
And now I had people who missed me after just hours apart.
A loud crunching sound filled the air, and I jolted at the sound. Easton’s arms tightened around me.
“For fuck’s sake, Lars,” Finn said. “You said you’d fixed this.”
“I did,” he protested. “Gavin looked at her last week and said she was running great. ”
“What were his exact words?”
Lars cleared his throat. “Look, here we are.”
“Lars!” Finn shouted as the alpha put the truck in park and quickly got out.
“Such drama,” Easton said with a chuckle as we watched Finn chase after Lars. “You ready, baby?”
“Where are we?” I scooted out of the truck and gasped when I saw the sign at the entrance: Applecloud Farm. Underneath the name was a list of offerings, including apple picking, a corn maze, hay bale rides, and fresh apple cider donuts.
“Welcome to your autumn paradise, Ms. Harvest,” Easton said.
I snorted. “Maybe I should have let you change out of your suits.” The guys had ditched their ties and jackets but were still wearing their dress pants and button-downs. They’d dressed me in a long-sleeved plaid dress with tights—the corset and thong underneath. With every step, I was reminded of what I was wearing, and it sent little jolts of arousal through me.
“Nah,” Easton said with a stretch. “Now we look like your bodyguards.”
I laughed and grabbed his hand as we headed over to where Finn and Lars were having a heated argument about the drivability of the truck.
I wrapped my arms around Finn and gave him a tight squeeze. “Don’t stress. We got here just fine.” He grumbled something under his breath but returned my embrace.
I winked at Lars, who rolled his eyes and grabbed my hand.
My steps were bouncy as we headed to the entrance. This was going to be a good night. A great night. I thoroughly ignored the itch under my slightly too-warm skin and how my extra-sweet scent kept breaking through the double layer of No-NonScent Deodorant. Tonight, I would show my guys that I could be fun and easy-going, and tomorrow, I would tell them everything.
We approached a wooden stand to get baskets for apple picking. A pretty omega with long black hair, bright red lips, and a cute flannel tied in the front was there to greet us.
“Welcome to Applecloud Farm. You’re all dressed for a party!” Then her smile faltered as she did a double take. “Oh, hi.”
My nose wrinkled as my alphas’ scents turned slightly bitter.
After a silence that was a beat too long, Lars spoke. “Aurora.” He lifted his chin. “Didn’t know you worked here.”
She cleared her throat. “Just for the season. My aunt actually owns it and she needed some extra help. How’re you doing?” Her eyes flicked to my face before she quickly looked away.
Tension clawed at my chest. Had the guys been involved with this omega? They clearly knew each other. Easton’s hand closed around the back of my neck, squeezing lightly.
“We’re doing well,” Finn said as he inched closer to me. “We need baskets for apple picking.”
“Oh, of course,” she said. “It’s nice to see you again.”
I kept a blank expression even as my omega was having a meltdown. My body vibrated with the effort of resisting the urge to scent mark my guys in front of Aurora, to prove to her and everyone that they were mine .
But this was exactly the issue—my omega was too feral, too needy. If I wanted to keep my guys, I couldn’t give in to my instincts. I forced a deep breath, trying to let my alphas’ scents ground me.
I could do this. Be cool, calm, and collected.
Nonchalant.
The omega’s fingers brushed against Lars’s as she handed him the baskets. I swallowed down a snarl, feeling very fucking chalant .
I was so on edge I barely noticed anything around me as we headed into the orchard. We stopped at the beginning of a row of apple trees.
“Baby?” Easton’s voice was hesitant as he ran his hand down his arm. “Are you okay?”
I blinked and took a deep breath before forcing a bright smile. “Yeah, of course. Let’s pick some apples.”
The guys looked at each other.
“If you’re wondering about…” Finn trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck.
“We went on a couple of dates with Aurora last year,” Lars said, saving Finn from trying to complete his sentence. “But that’s it. It didn’t work out. We don’t want her. We only want you.”
I nodded, hoping the movement looked more natural than it felt. “Makes sense. I mean, it’s a small town, so this was bound to happen eventually, right? It’s not like I’ve never dated anyone.” Well, I didn’t know if I could call my hookups dating . Some of the guys I’d hooked up with several times, though, so… close enough.
A loud growl burst from all three of my alphas’ chests, and I frowned. “Really? You’re going to be possessive?”
Easton tugged me to his side. “Won’t apologize for feeling possessive of you when you’re my everything, baby.”
I swallowed hard, a bit of warmth seeping into my chest. “I guess it’s fine if we’re possessive of each other,” I said.
Finn’s fingers twisted in my hair as he pulled my head back and kissed me. “Good, because it’s impossible to not be possessive about our omega.”
I whimpered at his tight hold. Some slick trickled into my tiny thong that would do nothing to mask my scent. My guys’ scents deepened in response.
Lars’s hands landed on my hips from behind and squeezed. “Should we do some apple picking?”
“Fiiiiine,” I said with more than a little bit of sass. “But I better be fucked within an inch of my life by the end of tonight.”
Easton groaned, Finn’s hold on me tightened, and Lars purred against my back. I grinned, loving the power I had over them.
I turned around and grabbed the baskets, handing them out to Easton and Finn before I took Lars’s hand.
The hand that brushed against the other omega.
I may have clenched it a bit too tight, but Lars just squeezed me back and tugged me close to his side as we headed down the tree-lined aisle.
I laughed as Easton picked me up by the hips so I could reach a higher apple. Once it was in my hand, he dropped me back to the ground but didn’t let go.
“Thanks for the boost,” I said, turning my head to look at him. His fingers dug into my hips, and I pressed my ass back against him.
“What are the odds?—”
I didn’t get to hear the rest of his sentence because a woman’s voice cut through the air.
“Oh my god, Finn!”
I turned to see a small group of beta women—all gorgeous and perfectly styled like they were out of a fall catalog—walking towards us.
“I thought that was you,” a brunette at the front of the group said, her eyes fixed on Finn. “I didn’t take you for the apple-picking type.”
The woman went in for a hug and my vision turned red. Finn managed to shift it into an awkward side hug, but my skin flushed and I was teetering right over the abyss of turning feral.
“Sarah,” Finn said as he disentangled himself. “Let me introduce you to my omega, Olive.” His words were pointed, and Sarah’s expression fell.
She recovered quickly and smiled at me. “It’s nice to meet you. You’re very lucky to have this one.”
Finn put his arm around my shoulders. For the briefest flash of a second, I had the urge to shove it off. But I didn’t, like the very reasonable omega I was. Although, when I scented Finn’s stress, the petty part of me was filled with a tiny bit of satisfaction. Why shouldn’t he be stressed when I had to meet another one of their fucking exes?
“I am,” I said with a smile that was only a little forced. Sarah seemed perfectly nice. It wasn’t her fault my omega was a possessive little creature who wanted to hoard her alphas away like a dragon.
“Do you live in Starlight Grove?” she asked.
“I just moved here a couple of months ago to be the lighthouse keeper.”
Sarah’s eyes widened as she looked between Finn and me, clearly understanding the significance. “Oh, that’s so lovely.” There was a beat of awkward silence. “Well, it was nice running into you, Finn. I’m glad you’re doing well. And maybe I’ll see you around town, Olive.”
I gave her an awkward wave as Sarah and her friends headed away down another row in the orchard.
Finn tugged me to the side so we were out of the way of the other apple pickers. “I’m so sorry, sweetness.”
I let out a forced laugh. “I guess everyone decided tonight’s the night for apple picking.” I kept my tone light but couldn’t quite meet his gaze. It was taking all my effort to stop myself from rubbing my body against his to remove any trace of Sarah’s scent.
His arms enveloped me, pulling me into his broad chest so I was surrounded by warmth and maple sweetness. A purr rumbled through him, and his lips brushed my ear. “Yours are the only arms I want around me. The only scent I crave.”
He cradled my head as he pressed furious little kisses all over my face until I laughed. I pursed my lips, fighting a smile. I guess he was forgiven.
“I can’t wait to get you back home tonight. Strip you down.” He kissed my nose. “Eat that pretty little pussy of yours.” He kissed my cheek. “And then watch it stretch around my knot as you cry out your orgasm.” He kissed my forehead.
My knees weakened, my mind hazy with arousal. His tight hold around my waist was the only thing keeping me upright, the only thing keeping me tethered to the earth.
I let out a moan, and he swallowed it up when he finally kissed my lips.
I would be counting down the minutes until we got back to my nest.
Easton nudged me. “It looks like those three are on a super awkward first date.”
“Where?” I asked under my breath.
“Those chairs diagonal to us. ”
We’d finished our apple picking and eaten dinner—hot dogs and tons of apple cider donuts—and were now cozy around the bonfire. Finn and Lars had gone to the snack hut to get us supplies for s’mores.
I tried to be discreet as I peered at the three chairs close to us. Two large alphas—one blond and one with black hair—were sitting with a petite red-headed omega. I snuggled in closer to Easton so we could inconspicuously lean in to listen to their conversation.
The blond-haired alpha was loudly explaining cryptocurrency to the omega, who wore a blank expression.
“Wow, that’s interesting,” she said, looking away as she spoke. She glanced over at us, and Easton and I quickly pretended to be absorbed in our apple cider.
“You think that’s interesting? We haven’t even gotten to NFTs,” the alpha continued, oblivious to the wilting omega in front of him.
“Do we stage a rescue?” Easton asked out of the side of his mouth.
“We need something dramatic to distract the alphas.”
“Oh, I’ve got it. Once Lars and Finn get back, we put a ton of marshmallows on the skewers and set them on fire. Then Finn makes a move on you, and I have to take up my flaming sword to defend my omega.”
Easton’s excited voice faded into the background as the black-haired alpha looked up from his phone, and I caught a glimpse of his face. A shudder went down my spine, but I didn’t know why. There was something familiar about him, something that made uneasiness rise in me. Then his eyes met mine, and my body turned cold.
He was the alpha who had walked out on me during my last heat. Rick . Or Rick the Dick as I’d named him afterwards.
The one that said I was too needy, too feral, too much.
I quickly looked away, hoping he didn’t recognize me. It was several years ago. He’d probably serviced a ton of omegas through that agency.
“Olive?”
I jolted as I realized Easton had been trying to get my attention. His hand was rubbing up and down my back .
“Was juggling the flaming skewers too much?”
I scrunched my nose. “You know how to juggle?”
“Nope,” he said, grinning.
I snorted. “Yeah, maybe that’s too much. But actually, I’m feeling really full. Maybe we should skip s’mores and just get Finn and Lars and go home.”
Easton’s brow furrowed, and he scooted his chair closer to me. I was sure my scent was giving away everything I was feeling.
“Yeah, baby, we can go home. Are you feeling okay?”
I nodded, working hard to keep myself from looking back at Rick as I went to stand, but then Lars and Finn approached with a tray of s’mores supplies.
“We come bearing treats,” Lars said. “And they had pumpkin spice marshmallows. Did you know that existed?”
Finn rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched. “We had to get more after Lars ate the entire bowl before we’d even finished paying.”
My mouth watered. I couldn’t decide if pumpkin spice marshmallows sounded disgusting or amazing, but I wanted to try them. Maybe everything would be fine if we stayed for a bit. I braved another glance over at Rick, only to find his eyes fixed on me.
And then he opened his mouth.
“Oh my god, it’s you! ”
The sound of his voice made me want to vomit. It had taken me years to undo the insecurities he’d given me, and my lingering anxiety about asking my alphas to be with me during my heat told me I wasn’t fully over it.
I squeezed my eyes shut. Someone rescue me from this nightmare, please.
“Yes, it is you. What’s your name again—Carrot? Peach?”
My alphas turned to look at him while I prayed for the orchard to be hit by a meteorite. Or better yet, a black hole could open up underneath just me and take me out. No need for others to be harmed in the process.
“What’s going on?” Lars set the tray on the empty chair before crossing his arms as he looked at Rick.
Rick’s face broke out in a condescending smirk. “Oh, don’t tell me you’re courting her.” He let out a cruel laugh. “All I can say is good luck, man. You’re better off test-driving someone else.”
Easton stood, his chair falling back to the ground as a growl ripped through his chest. “What the fuck did you just say?”
“Do you know him?” Finn asked, resting his hands on my shoulder. “Fuck, you’re shaking.”
I looked down. My hands were trembling and that pissed me off. I hated that this horrible alpha could still make me feel small and useless.
“Sort of.” My voice was barely louder than a whisper. Easton was growling, the sound startling coming from my sweet, playful alpha. I reached up to grab his wrist, giving it a tug. “Let’s just go.”
“I’m not letting some fucker say shit about you,” he snarled.
I stood, tightening my hold on him as if I could hold him back. “It’s okay. It doesn’t matter.” When that didn’t work, I added, “He’s a lawyer. Don’t start anything.”
“He’s the one starting things by insulting my omega.” Oh fuck, Easton’s scent was thick in the air and his chest was puffed up.
Rick stood, matching Easton’s stance. “Oh, how cute.” He sneered, and now I was itching to punch that expression right off his face.
I moved to stand in front of Easton. He immediately tried to push me behind his back, but I stayed put, squaring off fully with Rick.
“It’s amazing that it’s been, what, four years, and you’re still this obsessed with me.” I flicked my hair behind my shoulder and crossed my arms. “Ultimately, she’s the one I feel sorry for.” I gestured at the red-headed omega, who looked confused and uncomfortable. At least finance bro alpha had finally shut up. “She’s out with one alpha who’s more boring than dirt and another who couldn’t find the clit even with GPS assistance.”
“How fucking dare you,” Rick seethed. He took a step forward, and my guys were immediately in front of me, Easton holding a metal marshmallow skewer.
I shifted to the side so I could see the omega. “If you want to leave, we’re happy to walk you out to the parking lot. ”
She quickly nodded and grabbed her purse.
The two alphas she was with looked like they were about to argue or stop her from leaving, but quickly shut up when Lars took a few steps forward.
My omega preened. That’s right. They should be scared of my big, Viking alpha. I was briefly distracted as I ran my eyes down his body—the way his white button-down stretched across his broad back. His hair was half up in a knot at the top of his head and I almost reached up to run my fingers through it, but it wasn’t the right time. Probably.
I moved around Lars and waved at the omega to come with me.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Yeah. I know I shouldn’t say this, but I’m kind of glad that happened because I had no idea how to extract myself.”
“I totally get it. Did you come with them? Do you need a ride?”
“No, I drove separately. My only smart decision tonight.” She glanced over her shoulder at my three alphas who were following close behind, forming a protective wall around us. The omega sighed. “How did you land those three? Dating is such a nightmare.”
“Umm, well, there was some light stalking, and then this cat matchmaker…” I cleared my throat. “I just got really lucky.” I thought of everything I’d done to push my guys away and how they inexplicably kept coming back.
The omega gave me a sweet smile as we came to a stop in front of her car. “Seems like you did. Well, thanks for coming to my rescue tonight.”
“Anytime,” I said. “And remember to invest in cryptocurrency.”
She snorted a laugh before getting in her car, giving us a little wave as she drove away.
I turned to face my alphas, who were still radiating rage.
“Who was that asshole?” Lars asked.
I wilted, feeling completely drained of energy. “I don’t want to talk about it right now. It was so many years ago, it doesn’t matter.”
“I don’t like it,” Finn said, crossing his arms.
“Yeah, well, I didn’t like meeting two of your exes today either, so tough stuff,” I snapped. I was being rude. Unreasonable. But I couldn’t stop myself. I was a horrible mix of jealous and insecure, and it was pushing my omega instincts hard.
“Let’s wait to have this conversation when we get home,” Easton said, pulling my stiff body into his arms. I relaxed a bit at his touch and nodded.
My guys kept their hands on me until we got to Lars’s truck and all piled in. He turned the key in the ignition, and there was a dull click . He swore and tried again.
“Oh, what were you saying about your truck? Its unbreakable Swedish craftsmanship? It will never die?” Finn asked.
Lars rested his head on his steering wheel like he was trying to gain his composure.
The whole scene would have been funny, except I think I’d reached my limit on fun tonight.
Easton sighed. “I’ll call Gavin’s shop.”
Finn helped me hop out of the truck. Easton quickly followed, keeping his hand on the back of my neck while he made the call, as if worried I would run away.
Lars pulled the tailgate down and lifted me up so I could have a place to sit.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he said.
I rested my head on his chest. “It’s okay.”
“Gavin’s sending a tow truck for us,” Easton said. “Should only be about ten minutes.”
“You warm enough?” Lars asked.
Before I could answer, Finn draped a blanket over my lap, although I didn’t really need it. The night air was cold now that we were away from the fire, but my skin was flushed. My guys hadn’t noticed yet, so that was good. Obviously, we had a lot to talk about, and my body certainly wasn’t going to let me forget my upcoming heat, which was not so much inching as stampeding towards me. But the parking lot of Applecloud Farm really didn’t feel like the right place for this conversation, and my omega was fixated on all the promises Finn had made earlier. I just wanted to forget all the tension of today and lose myself in my alphas.
My omega had her priorities, and who was I to question them?