29. Luca #2
After walking in silence for a while, I point at a gap in the trees up ahead. “We’re close now.”
Sabs seems unable to hide her eager curiosity. She jogs up to the opening, her copper ponytail swinging and gleaming in the sunlight. She stands at the top like a mountaineer reaching the summit as I scramble up the rocky path after her.
“This is...” Her mouth forms an O as she gazes around in wonder. “Wow.”
Ahead of us is a crystal-blue lake surrounded by trees. It’s not huge, but it’s spectacular. A real hidden gem, the peaks of the mountains in the distance making it look even more like a storybook image. With no one else around, it feels like we are the only people on earth.
“Are you hungry?” I ask as we settle in a shady patch of grass under a tree. I definitely am, after hiking for a few hours and only stopping once.
“I could always eat.” Her sweet grin is the perfect balm to my aching muscles.
I get out a picnic blanket. I made sure to bring one that was extra soft and lightly cushioned.
“Is this…?” She inhales deeply as she takes two corners to help me. “Scented?”
“I asked the guys to mark it before we left,” I reply. “I hope you don’t mind.”
Knowing that this is the farthest she’s been from Adler without being around his scent, I intentionally packed a few items with his and the other guys’ scents on them, just in case she needed it.
“Mind?” She shakes her head, breathing the blanket in before we lay it flat on the grass. “This is perfect.”
“I didn’t have enough space to bring a lot of food,” I say by way of apology as I take out a small cooler bag. I bought focaccia sandwiches from Toasted this morning, a fruit salad, and a few random healthy energy bars.
While I begin to unpack everything, Sabs dives straight in.
“This looks amazing!” She grabs one of the overstuffed sandwiches, groaning as she sinks her teeth into it. “And it tastes even better than it looks.”
I frown as my phone beeps, surprised to see that we have cell service, and go to switch it to silent.
I don’t want anything to interrupt our precious time together, but I can’t help snickering when I spot a message in our pack group chat.
“Looks like the guys aren’t having as much luck with their food. ”
She giggles when I show her a photo from Adler with a sad-looking raw burger sitting on the grill.
ADLER
Nash is trying to fix the BBQ. Starving.
“Del says that Nash can fix anything, so I’m sure he’ll have it working soon,” she says. “But at least you’re not missing out.”
“I’m pretty sure they all wish they were here right now,” I reply, stashing my phone in my backpack before pulling out a sandwich.
As I unwrap it, I take in the gorgeous omega with me.
Although the lake surface ripples from the light breeze, pretty patterns dancing across its surface, I’m far more interested in looking at Sabs.
“I’m glad you invited me to come,” she says around a bite of pineapple. “The pack house can be a little loud sometimes—not that I’m complaining, and most of that noise does come from me—but being with you makes me feel calm.”
“Someone needs to balance out Orin and Adler’s egos.
” I swallow down a juicy strawberry. “I’ve always been the voice of reason between them.
Orin can be too serious, and Adler is a total wildcard.
I probably could negotiate a peace treaty after mediating some of their fights when they were younger.
Young alphas can be more volatile. Adler would clash with Orin over decisions, even though he’s always respected that he has the final say. ”
“It was similar in my house growing up. I was breaking up fights between my brothers all the time. Beckett, my oldest brother, is a lot like Orin—very focused on his goals and gets tunnel vision. He can also be a total drama queen. Forest is much more laid back, but he’s also super passionate about things he cares about.
Last break, he didn’t speak to Beckett for two whole days because he found out the company Beckett works for is responsible for putting vast amounts of waste into the ocean.
He’s a diver, so he’s seen the damage first-hand. ”
I listen intently, relishing the opportunity to get to know her more. “And how did Laz fit in with them?”
“We’re the two youngest.” She grabs another chunk of pineapple. “We’re thick as thieves but also way too alike. We feed off each other’s energy. Mom used to say that we bounced off the walls as kids, driving her and everyone else mad. What about your family?”
“I’m an only child.” I crumple my empty sandwich wrapper, reclining back on my palms. “Just me, my mom, and two dads. They’ll love you.
They moved back to the coast when I started college, so I don’t see them often, but I always like making the trip.
They gave me a great childhood. I always wanted siblings, but my packmates are now my brothers, and Izzie is basically my little sister. ”
“I love her already.” Sabs nods.
“She seems to love you too, and she has very high standards.” I hope she takes this as the compliment I intended it to be. I sit up straight again. “Have you thought any more about when you’re going to tell your parents that you bonded?”
Her laid-back expression vanishes as her lips purse.
“I know I need to tell them soon, and now that I’ve gotten to know you guys, I feel ready to do it, but I don’t even know how to broach the conversation.
” She forms a ‘phone’ with her thumb and pinky, pretending to talk into her palm.
“Hey guys! Just letting you know that I accidentally bonded with a hockey player while having amazing sex. I’ve been living with his pack ever since and haven’t told you about it?
” She blows out a long sigh. “I don’t know how they’ll react.
I know it’s not what they’d have chosen for me. ”
“We’ll be here for you whatever happens.
All of us.” I squeeze her hand. “I know what it’s like to feel like you’ve let your parents down.
My dads are amazing, but after my hopes of a pro hockey career ended, it was awkward.
Before that, our whole relationship revolved around the game, so suddenly, we didn’t have anything to talk about because they were afraid of bringing it up. ”
She strokes the back of my hand, not saying anything, but her golden eyes are wide with understanding.
“Things are much better with them now.” I try to sound more cheerful, not wanting her to pity me. “Now that they’ve gotten over the shock of their son not becoming the pro player they wanted him to be.” I grab a birthday-cake-flavored bar, holding it out toward her. “Want one?”
She accepts it, unwrapping it while tilting her head to the side.
“You were always going to be more than a hockey player. I may not know a lot about hockey, but from what I’ve seen and know of you, you’re pretty fucking great at helping people, which…
” She drops her voice in a mock whisper.
“Is a lot more important than knocking a puck around, contrary to what many students on campus think.”
A warm sensation spreads through my torso. She always seems to know the right thing to say to make me feel better.
“Why did you pick engineering?” I change the subject.
“I’ve always loved understanding how things work.
” She wipes crumbs from her lap. “I may not look like the typical engineer or talk like one, but I think that’s a good thing.
I want to bring something new to the industry.
If I can make one other omega think that they can step outside of their designation’s comfort zone, then I’m in. ”
“I love that about you.” I smile at her. “How you’re so unapologetically yourself.”
“I’m never going to be anyone else.” She shrugs like there’s no other way to be.
“Mom once told me that most people are too busy worrying about themselves to even pay attention to anyone else, so I figured, why not be myself? We only get one life.” She leans back on her elbows, taking in the scenery.
“We’ve got to fill it with things that make us happy, right? ”
“Yes.” I don’t take my eyes off her. “We do.”
I thought the wilderness was my new happy place, but now I realize that I’ve found my true slice of happiness right here.
With her. A happiness that I once believed I could only find on the ice.
Only now I realize it was never hockey I was missing; it was someone who sees me.
Someone who accepts me so completely. Someone who will push me to be the very best version of myself.
I can’t believe an accidental bite brought her into our life.
When her head turns and our eyes meet, her mesmerizing pools of amber glow in the sun, the little gold flecks in them sparkling like glitter. We hold each other’s gaze as she leans in closer.
Her lips tenderly brush against mine, unsaid words passing between us. Without making a sound, she’s telling me that I’m enough.
A bird cawing overhead has us jolting apart, slightly breathless. With the heat and my jackhammering heart, I’m glad we’re seated because I don’t know if my legs could support me right now.
“How about a swim?” Sabs gestures down to the water. “I’m melting.”
“But we didn’t bring swimsuits.”
I practically swallow my tongue when she stands and pulls off her top. “We don’t need swimsuits.”
Her shorts follow next, landing in a heap at my feet. I watch, speechless, and in total awe, as she bolts down the hill, giggling and wearing nothing but a tiny thong.
“Hey! Wait!” I wrestle with my hiking boots and clothes, my fingers not working as fast as I want them to. “I’m coming!”