17. Bax
Bax
I sincerely hope this doesn't count as stalking. After carefully explaining to the guys that our omega has clearly experienced an issue in her past relationship that made her skittish, we decided to give her space. However, I find myself waiting for her to leave the Library at closing time.
My alpha is an overprotective asshole, and I found myself walking here instead of going to Dandy Stuff to get some more pens for the servers, like I said I would.
Footsteps behind me have me turning. The footsteps stop dead. Seth.
"You hypocrite!" he yells and points, bouncing on his toes like an overexcited puppy.
"Jesus, Seth, can you not yell," I reply through gritted teeth.
"'Let her be,' you said, 'She needs space,' you said.
And now you're here?" His face would be incredulous if I couldn't see the teasing glint in his eyes.
Living with someone for five years really gives you a beat on their moods, and Seth doesn't care that I'm here except to give me shit for it.
Another set of footsteps to my right. Connor.
"Well, it's good to see that our pack is all on the same page. So much for personal space," he says, shoving his hands into his pockets. The library's side door opens, and Cali strolls out, causing my heart to sink.
I've crossed the space between us in seconds.
She yelps when she hears my footsteps, but when she looks up, her expression softens. A low purr rumbles in my chest, a primal response from my alpha, intended to soothe and draw her closer, while another part of my mind ignites, urging me to protect and defend what is mine.
The others gather around, their soothing purrs encircling our omega.
We form a protective circle around her, each of us instinctively ready to shield her from the world outside.
I gently tilt her face up, my heart sinking at the sight of the deep red mark on her cheek, and the small bruise beneath her eye.
She was clutching an ice pack when she stepped outside, and my breath hitches in my throat.
My voice catches in my chest. I don't want to bark at her, but that's exactly what I'm afraid I'll do if I try to ask her about it.
"What happened, Baby?" Connor asks, his body pressing closely to hers, a silent promise of support. This is what packs do for their omegas. Whenever one is hurt, the others rush in to care for them, ensuring they never feel alone in their pain. If one falls short, the others pick up the slack.
Cali waves it off and tries to smile, but winces since her cheek is swollen.
"It was just a patron who comes in here occasionally.
She doesn't have a home, so she comes in to get warm.
She was upset and confused, and I tried to calm her, but she swung one of her bags, which had something hard in it. It's okay. It'll heal soon enough."
"Did you call the police?" Seth asks. There's no humor in his face now.
"No, Seth, she won't even remember doing it tomorrow. The police can't help her. I had Amelia call the local shelter where she often stays, and they sent one of the volunteer social workers who works with her regularly."
Seth looks like he wants to tear something apart, but he nods. He respects her choice, even though it pains him to see her this way.
I gently cup the back of her neck, tilting her face up to meet mine.
"Our brave, kind omega," I whisper, feeling a rush of heat at the sight of her cheeks flushing a delicate pink.
My heart stutters. I want to pull her close, to taste her lips, but I hesitate.
She needs to know that our feelings run deeper.
We aren't just drawn to her beauty. We want to adore and cherish every part of her.
"We get a lot of people with housing insecurity. Most are completely harmless, but this sort of thing can happen. Honestly, I get yelled at far more by the people driving Mercedes and bringing their private school kids in for tutoring."
Seth chuckles, and I realize she's trying to make us feel better instead of the other way around. That won't do.
"Will you let us take you home?" I ask. She bites her lip. "Just to make sure you get there safe and get fed," I clarify.
"It's not that. It's just that my place is small," Cali confesses.
"We like small," Connor says, throwing our short omega a suggestive wink.
She snorts, but in the end, she agrees.
The guys and I had driven the Jeep to the Café, so we agreed to follow her to her cottage.
Thankfully, Bruce had ended up circling back and clearing the road.
No one gets stuck, although there are a few close calls with Cali's car.
Those tires are too small, and the frame is too low for the rough terrain.
I feel that urge again to give her one of our cars, but I know enough now to know she won't accept it.
Our omega has a tendency not to accept what she truly deserves.
Connor asks to be dropped off at the end of our drive and promises to come with his car in a little bit. Likely to whip up some food for our omega.
I'd seen the cottage before, simply from living in the area for so long.
It's an adorable, gingerbread-style house with white shiplap walls, delicate decorative trim, and a covered front porch.
It's very charming but clearly designed for one person.
There's no way three alphas could fit comfortably in it for long.
Cali opens the front door and a faint beeping echoes from inside. I tense up, thinking an alarm is going off, and I'm correct. The thermostat on the wall is the source of the beeping.
"Hang on, I need to go feed the furnace," she says.
"You have a wood boiler?" Seth asks.
"Yeah, it sucks, but it is cheap." She smiles.
"Where is it?" I ask.
"Oh, it's okay. I can do it." I level a warm but firm glare at her. She sighs and breaks eye contact first. "It's behind the house, and the wood is under a tarp on the side porch."
I approach her slowly, taking her hand in mine, feeling the warmth radiate between us.
As I lean in, I let my cheek graze against hers, savoring the softness of her skin.
"Good girl," I whisper low in her ear, nipping at the plain of her neck.
The air becomes thick with her intoxicating perfume, enveloping us in a sensual, rain-kissed aroma.
I hear Seth's low growl, a primal response that echoes my own.
I go out to fill the wood stove, and as I'm heading back to the front door, I see Connor's car come around the corner. He parks and unloads two bags of food from our fridge, and I take one from him to help carry it inside.
When we enter the cottage, Seth holds Cali in his arms, whispering to her.
We gently move around them, not wanting to interrupt their moment.
Any bonding between them benefits the pack and, more importantly, Cali's well-being.
Given our height, our heads nearly brush the ceiling, and we have to duck to avoid hitting the light fixtures.
We unpack all the food before my Raindrop comes over.
"What are you making?" She asks.
"Paella," Connor replies. "Do you want to help?" She looks nervous but nods.
Based on the microwave meals I've seen in her freezer and the nothing I've seen anywhere else, she doesn't cook much. Which is fine. Connor will happily cook for her, or anyone else, until he breathes his last breath. Seth and I sit on her kitchen chairs near the counter and watch.