62. Olive
62
OLIVE
“What do you think?” I asked Felix.
My guys and I were sitting in a circle next to the pumpkin carving booth. We each had a pumpkin and were keeping our final designs secret from each other, but I held mine up to Felix for his approval. I’d carved a cat face in my jack-o’-lantern. He cocked his head, meowed, and then sauntered away.
“I think he likes it,” Finn said.
I grinned. “I think so. Now that I have Felix’s approval, should we show each other?”
My guys nodded.
“Great, turn them around in one, two, three .”
I blinked, brow furrowed, at the three designs in front of me.
Lars had gone with a traditional jack-o’-lantern, except its eyes were lopsided, and so was its creepy smile. But compared to the other two, it was a masterpiece. Because Easton had carved what I thought might be a… face? But it could also be some sort of monstrous demon. And Finn’s design was so phallic it was bordering on pornographic.
“Umm, Finn?” I asked.
“It’s the lighthouse!” he half-shouted. “See?” He gestured wildly at the lighthouse behind him .
I studied his pumpkin a bit closer. “Oh, is that… the cottage?” I pointed at the misshapen blob at the base of the “lighthouse.”
“Yes,” Finn said, defensively crossing his arms.
“Holy fuck,” Lars said, turning Finn’s pumpkin to face him. “I didn’t realize we were making these kinds of carvings.”
My shoulders shook from held-in laughter. “I can see the vision.”
“Yeah, well, what is that?” Finn asked, pointing at Easton’s pumpkin.
“It’s Olive!” he said proudly.
The three of us stared at his carving. Pumpkin Olive had a triangle nose taking up most of her face, a gaping mouth that made her look like she was forever screaming, and a weird half-circle that might be… hair?
The bond filled with happiness, and we all burst out laughing.
“At least mine won’t scar children,” Easton said.
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” Lars laughed. He pulled me onto his lap, his strong arms surrounding me as he planted a kiss on my cheek. “Yours is definitely the winner, kitten, not that I’m surprised.”
I snuggled into his chest, breathing in bright, fresh pine and feeling perfectly content. The storm had gone, leaving behind the perfect fall day. The sun was shining, the trees were showing off their bright red and orange leaves, and I was surrounded by people who loved me.
“We should probably move out of the way,” Lars said reluctantly, his lips brushing against his bond mark on my neck.
I gave him one more squeeze and then pushed myself to standing. “We can put the pumpkins by the front door, as long as we turn Finn’s around so the children don’t see it.”
He grumbled as he picked up his X-rated pumpkin but gave me a wink and kiss as we headed towards the cottage. Easton insisted on carrying my pumpkin because it was apparently too heavy for me. As we neared the door, I had a thought that stopped me in my tracks.
“Wait, we haven’t really talked about what comes next for us. Do you guys want to live here?”
“Oh, I’ve already moved most of my stuff,” Easton said, setting both our pumpkins down on the front steps.
“You what?” I spluttered.
He stood back to look at the pumpkin placement, completely unbothered. “We need to get a better closet system for everyone’s clothes.”
I looked at my other two alphas. “Have you also moved in without telling me?”
Finn leaned over to Lars. “What answer will be least upsetting, do you think?”
“Oh my god!” I did my best to sound put out by their high-handedness, but it was futile since they could sense my excitement through the bond.
Before my alphas could respond, Lucy headed up the path towards us. “Oh my god, what?”
“Oh, just the tiny detail that they’ve apparently moved in without telling me.”
Lucy grinned. “Sounds about right. High-handed alphas. You can punish them later, but right now, I need to steal you for a second. Let’s go inside—I have something to show you.”
“You have something to show me inside my house?”
“Yes!” She opened the door and ushered me in, shutting the door on my alphas.
Before I could ask what was going on, she whirled around to face me, eyes bright. She pulled a large wrapped package from her oversized tote bag and thrust it at me.
“Open it!”
I carefully ripped open the tissue paper, revealing a pile of gorgeous fabric. I lifted it, trying to figure out what it was. Lucy took it from me and held it up correctly so I could see that it was a cream dress with a deep v in the front. But attached to the shoulders was the most incredible cape I’d ever seen. It was also cream, but starting at the top of the cape were beautifully stitched autumnal flowers in golds, pinks, and reds. They continued down the cape, growing thicker until the bottom looked like a field of wildflowers. I’d never seen anything like it.
I looked back at Lucy, my lips parted .
“It’s for you,” she said, almost shyly. “I wanted you to have something fancy to wear.”
My eyes filled with tears and I threw my arms around her, careful to avoid crushing the dress. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Are you sure you want me to have it?”
She squeezed me back. “Of course. I’ve waited my whole life to have a sister, so this is a dream come true.”
I held her a little tighter. “For me, too.” I’d believed I would never have a family again. I’d never been so happy to be wrong.
We broke apart and I wiped my eyes.
“Put it on now!” Lucy said.
“Now?” This was definitely not appropriate festival attire.
“Yes. You have to show it off for me and your bonded .” She waggled her eyebrows.
I laughed. “Fine.”
Lucy had to help me put it on. It fit perfectly, and as I looked at myself in the mirror, I’d never felt so pretty. I twirled a little side to side. The cape made me look like a magical woodland fairy.
“I can’t believe you made this,” I breathed. “Lucy, it’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever worn.”
Her cheeks were pink as she beamed. “You look stunning. Your guys are going to flip. Let’s go show them!”
“Oh, okay.” I felt a little shy about going outside in this, but most people were in the field, not by the cottage. I could show my guys and then come back in and change.
Lucy held the front door for me and I followed her out.
“Happy birthday!”
I let out a small scream as what looked like the entire town gathered around the cottage, singing Happy Birthday to me. The crowd was filled with familiar faces—Ivy, Summer, and Lucy; Lars’s moms—Frida, Harper, Isla, and Jo; Marisol and Carmen; Char, Rosie, and Gavin; Stanley and Harry; and so many more. And, of course, my guys were front and center.
My cheeks flushed bright red, but for once, the experience of being perceived didn’t make my skin crawl. They weren’t here to judge me; they were inexplicably here to celebrate me .
Easton bounded to my side and kissed the top of my head. “Happy birthday, baby.”
Finn gripped my chin and gave me a firm kiss. “Just so you know, I’m spanking that ass later tonight for you hiding this from us.”
“How did you even find out?” I asked.
Lars wrapped his arms around me. “Stanley asked Lucy if she was planning anything for your birthday. She was furious we hadn’t told her.” He gave me a pointed look, but I was trying to figure out how Stanley had known it was my birthday.
“He had your birthday from your job application,” Finn said, reading the question on my face.
My chest ached when I caught sight of the mayor next to his husband, both of them wearing party hats. He was meddlesome and way too tenacious about town spirit, but I was touched he’d thought about my birthday.
The crowd parted, revealing Summer carrying a slightly lopsided but still adorable birthday cake in the shape of a cat. At that exact moment, Felix butted his head against my leg. I laughed and picked him up, and the two of us blew out the birthday candles together.
“It’s vanilla cake with maple frosting,” Summer said. “I wasn’t sure what your favorite flavors were.”
I leaned my head on Finn’s shoulder. “I love maple.”
The next few minutes were filled with the townspeople coming up to me, wishing me a happy birthday, and adding to a pile of presents forming by the door. My guys grounded me through the bond, keeping me from becoming overstimulated by everything.
“Alright people, listen up!” Stanley said. A hush fell over the crowd. “Each year at the Harvest Festival, we crown the Historic Starlight Grove Autumnal Harvest Celebration’s Harvest Queen, and this year, the choice was clear. I am pleased to announce that our Harvest Queen is none other than our lighthouse keeper, Olive Autumn Harvest.”
Lucy and Ivy pushed me forward to allow Stanley to place a crown on my head to much cheers and applause.
There were more congratulations and hugs, and Stanley launched into a lecture on how being Harvest Queen came with many responsibilities and he hoped I’d be prepared to take them on. Harry finally pulled him away, giving me a little wave over his shoulder.
As people started to disperse, returning to the booths to enjoy the final hours of the festival, my eyes caught on a massive alpha moving towards me.
“Oh my god, Gunnar!” I jogged a few steps and threw my arms around the man who had been like an uncle to me.
He caught me in his arms. He smelled like the sea, and it brought a lump to my throat. “Little Olive, all grown up,” he said in a rough voice.
When we separated, I saw his bonded—Sarah and Anna—behind him. I let out an excited shout and hugged them, too.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” I said, wiping at the tears in my eyes.
“Well, we needed to come check on you after meeting those idiots.” He jutted his chin at my alphas who were standing back to give us some space. “I heard they wrecked your boat.” Gunnar crossed his arms and looked distinctly unimpressed.
I pursed my lip. “Yeah, well, maybe not their finest moment.”
The alpha shook his head. “Are you sure about them? Because I can get rid of them for you. Just say the word.”
Sarah elbowed her alpha. “Do you not see those bond marks?” She gestured at the marks on my neck. They were still red and blotchy but would heal into silvery scars.
“I’m trying not to,” Gunnar responded, making me laugh.
Sarah rolled her eyes before putting her arm around my shoulder. “He’s feeling very protective of our little Olive,” she said conspiratorially. “To him, I think you’ll always be that little seven-year-old girl giving orders on your dad’s boat.”
“Probably.” But I wasn’t upset by it. I welcomed Gunnar’s protectiveness, especially since I’d been the one to shut out Pack Christensen these past few years because I was so afraid to have any reminders of my parents. I’d ignored their invitations to come over for dinner, all their attempts to be there for me. But they were still here.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I’m sorry I disappeared. ”
Sarah wrapped me in her arms. “You never have to apologize, honey. You had just gone through the absolute worst thing, and we knew how much you were hurting.” She sniffed. “I wish we had done more.”
“You couldn’t have done more. I was determined to be alone.”
I sank into her embrace. She had been my mom’s best friend, and hugging her felt like having my mom back, even if just for a moment. We pulled apart, giving each other watery smiles.
“Well, you’re not alone anymore, Ms. Harvest Queen,” she said, regaining her no-nonsense fisherwoman voice. “Make those guys drive you up the coast to visit us. We’ll take you out on the boat so they can learn some basic life skills.”
My lips quirked into a smile. “Gunnar is never going to let them live that down.”
Sarah shook her head. “He and Jameson were best friends. Your dad isn’t here to scare the shit out of those alphas, so Gunnar takes his role as surrogate dad very seriously.”
This time, I couldn’t stop a few tears from falling. “I miss them.”
“I know, honey. I miss them, too.”
We looked across at the festival. Carmen was leading an impromptu dance class between booths while Stanley shouted something about blocking the walkways.
“Your parents would be so proud of the life you’ve created here. I know I’m damn proud of you. And those alphas of yours might know shit about boating, but whew, they’re hot. Good choice.”
I snorted out a laugh. “Oh my god, Sarah.”
“Psh, I might be old, but I have eyes .”
I gestured for my guys to introduce themselves to Sarah and Anna. Gunnar remained silent, just stared them down, eyes blazing.
“That guy is scary as shit,” Easton said once Sarah dragged her alphas into the festival.
“I still can’t believe you crashed my boat,” I said. My Sweet Olive had been rescued from the rocks and was now sitting in the marina, ready for repairs.
“You make one mistake,” Easton said. I elbowed his side, which probably hurt my elbow more than him. He just wrapped his arms around me. “I was thinking—since we’re a pack now, what’s going to be our pack name?”
“Oh.” My chest filled with excitement as it finally sank in that we were a pack . I hadn’t dared to dream they would want forever with me, so I hadn’t even thought about a pack name.
“We’ve got West, Ford, Andersson-Spring, and Harvest,” Finn said.
“I’m happy with any of them,” Lars said. “Maybe West because of the lighthouse? People in town already call it the West Lighthouse.”
Easton groaned. “I would be Easton West. Everyone would call me a compass.”
Lars snorted a laugh.
“It’s better than Olive Autumn Harvest,” I said. “My grandma on my mom’s side was named Autumn, and I don’t think my parents put together the whole autumn harvest thing.”
“I love your name, though,” Finn said. “Perfect for the Harvest Queen.”
I smiled and stood on my tiptoes to kiss his bond mark, earning me a growl and a slap on the ass.
“You don’t want to keep your name, Easton?” I asked.
His jaw hardened. “Definitely not.”
I ran my hand through his long curls, wishing I could take away the pain of his upbringing. His expression softened, and he leaned into my touch, kissing my palm.
“Lars?” I asked.
“We could always hyphenate to be Pack Autumn-Spring,” he mused.
I froze until a pulse of amusement reached me through the bond. I shoved him, laughing. “Please, no.”
He chuckled. “Well, then. I think the choice is obvious. We’ll be Pack Harvest to honor the omega at the center of our lives and the parents at the center of hers.”
I sniffled as my eyes filled with tears. “Fuck, you can’t just say things like that.”
“Pack Harvest. I love it.” Easton wrapped me in a tight hug, Finn and Lars joining in until I was completely wrapped up with them—drenched in their scents and surrounded by their love.