Chapter 20 Winnie
Winnie
It's Saturday but Riley's running the store for me. All the omegas are at Clara’s house for Book Club.
Since the guys and I went on our first date at the roadside pub last week, things have been progressing steadily.
Every day, I go to work. One of the alphas stops by my store and hangs out or even helps a bit.
A couple of nights we've had dinner at the Evergreen Café or Bee Haven.
Just talking about our days. Then I go home, and we restart.
It's a nice routine, and I feel like I’m getting to know them better.
Rafe’s easy charm that usually masks real care, Corbin’s protective concern, Zeke’s open and honest interest, Eli’s steady eyes.
Gage is still a bit of a mystery. He’s present physically, but he always feels like he has one foot out the door.
Cali glares at her belly like she can’t believe it’s still there, and is personally offended by it.
“Why won’t this baby come out? Why?” she asks the room at large and no one in particular.
“Maybe you’ve made it too comfortable in there,” Rose offers.
Cali shakes her head and sighs. She’s has 4 days until her due date and is deeply unhappy about it. She’s been hoping to go into labor any minute now.
Clara comes out of the kitchen with a freshly restocked charcuterie board, replacing the one we already demolished. She drops onto the couch and sets it on the coffee table.
Clara’s house is a big Victorian perched on a bluff, and while it’s beautiful, it’s always given me the creeps.
Especially since it’s actually haunted by one of Clara’s alphas.
She’s assured us he’s occupied elsewhere while we have this very impromptu meeting.
The alphas usually come, but they’re all busy, so it’s just the omegas today.
We wanted to squeeze in one last book club before Cali pops.
“Is everyone going to the beach opening festival tomorrow?” Clara asks.
“I guess,” Cali mutters. “If this baby still insists on living inside me.” Her scowl doesn’t budge.
We mostly ignore her mood. It’s completely understandable, and it’s been like this for days now. It’ll probably stay that way until she’s holding an actual baby.
The beach opening festival is the social event of the season in Lakeside Point.
“Yep,” Clara says. “Jack’s bringing a bunch of side dishes, and I think Hunt, Wyatt, and Connor started a group chat just to talk about it.”
Sunny nods. “Apparently they’re coordinating who brings what.”
Clara nudges my arm. “What about your pack?”
I can’t help the broad, almost glowing smile. “They aren't really my pack yet." I protest. Clara rolls her eyes. "They are coming though. We’re all coming in the afternoon. The guys have clients in the morning.”
“Yeah,” Sunny adds. “Cole actually said they’ve been an asset to the hotel. Something about attracting bookings specifically for the tattoos.”
I raise an eyebrow. “I mean, he looked like he was about to have an aneurysm while saying it, but still.”
I sigh. “Do you ever think they’ll actually get along?” It’s something that’s been weighing on me.
Clara chuckles. “Of course they will. They have to. It’s basically a requirement of being mates to someone in the Omega Book Club. All alphas must coexist.”
“Yeah,” Rose says. “Just look at Bram and Harlan. They hated each other at first. Now they’re besties.”
It’s true. The two of them are always deep in book or movie discussions at barbecues.
“And Logan and Seth,” Sunny adds. “Total oil and water. Now they play video games together every Thursday.”
I take a deep breath. Every pack struggled at the beginning. The Blackline pack just needs time. And the beach festival might be the perfect place.
“So have you talked to them about fully bonding yet?” Sunny asks.
The entire circle visibly cringes.
“What?” she adds. “It’s just a question. You don’t have to answer.”
“It’s kind of early,” I say. “We’re still getting to know each other.”
The bond at my center sparks, warm and restless. It’s been doing that more often lately. I’d texted Zeke earlier asking what he was up to, and he replied that he’d gotten some interesting tattoo requests and sent me photos.
I realize the feeling blooming in the bond is passion. I’m getting better at telling the difference now. Guilt feels heavy and knee-weakening. Annoyance is sharp and buzzing. And every night, when he texts me goodnight, calm washes over me so completely it feels like being tucked in.
I’ve slept better these last two weeks than I ever have in my life.
“Earth to Winnie,” Clara says, waving a hand in front of my face.
“Sorry. My mind was somewhere else.” The room fills with giggles and knowing sounds.
“Shut up,” I say, laughing with them. “And no, I haven’t talked to them about bonding.”
Sunny leans forward. “Okay, serious question. Isn’t your heat coming up?”
Before packs, we always checked in on each other so Sunny knows my cycle as well as I know hers.
I do the math and realize I’ve completely lost track of time.
"Three to five weeks." My breathing goes thick. Panic curls low in my gut. “That’s too soon. We barely even know each other.”
“Whoa,” Cali says, reaching out and grabbing my hand. “Breathe.”
I take a few deep breaths. “Isn’t breathing what I’m supposed to be telling you?”
Everyone laughs.
“Listen,” Cali says. “A lot can change in a few weeks. Especially with fated mates. But let’s talk worst case for a second. If you still don’t feel ready, you have options. The same ones you used before.”
She’s right. Before the alphas, I managed my biannual heats with suppressants. It wasn’t fun, but I avoided clinics. Suppressants won’t work as well now, but waiting is still an option. Painful. Miserable. But possible.
My omega hates the idea. She squirms and whines inside me.
My phone buzzes.
Zeke: you okay?
The bond. What would it be like for him if I went through heat and he felt everything without being allowed to help? I know he’d respect it. But hurting him like that feels unbearable.
Me: yeah, just talking things out with my friends. I’m good. We’re having fun.
The conversation shifts to Clara’s book tour, Sunny’s bee farm expansion, Rose’s new passion project, and Cali’s continued insistence that her baby belongs in her arms, not her stomach.
By the time we wrap up, we’ve discussed the book Clara picked. Cali and Clara loved it. Sunny thought it was weird. Rose thought it was boring. I thought it was good, but not one I’d reread.
Sunny picks a nonfiction book roughly the size of my thigh, and we all head out, reminding Cali to call if she needs anything. Her freezer is already full, and none of us can resist buying baby clothes whenever we see them.
I sit in my car for a minute before driving, thinking about Sunny’s question.
Bonding with an entire pack is serious. Permanent. With normal scent matches, omegas sometimes take months or years. With scent sensitivity, weeks isn’t unusual. Sometimes even days.
And what about the bond I already have?
The questions follow me all the way home as I start getting ready for the beach party.