Chapter 31 Faye
THIRTY-ONE
Faye
The Stellas gather in my room, sprawling out over my bed while I prepare for my date with Cole. Clothes cover the floor as I change outfits for what feels like the hundredth time.
“Faye courting the Silverwood Pack is breaking campus news,” Kady announces. “Leah, my editor at the VV, even wanted to run a feature on it, but I told her you’re not interested.”
Apparently, news travels fast at SVU. I’m not even on social media, but everyone seems interested in which packs are courting.
“One of my volleyball teammates wondered whether you used herbs to put a spell on them.” Sabs laughs while scrolling through profiles on a dating app. “She wanted to know if she could have the recipe.”
My jaw drops. “People seriously think that?”
“Oh, ignore the rumor mill,” Kady dismisses. That’s easy for her to say when she’s not the subject of crazy speculations. “They’re all just jealous. The Silverwoods are one of the most eligible packs on campus.”
“And even better than that, you’ll officially be my sister,” Sabs squeals. “Which means you’ll be stuck with me for every holiday too!”
“Slow down, Sabs.” I roll my eyes. Although I can’t help thinking how amazing holidays with the Maverick’s would be. “We’ve not even bonded yet.”
“It won’t be long.” Delilah smiles knowingly, playing with her dangling dreamcatcher earring. “I can tell.”
“Del’s never wrong about these things.” Sabs throws a jelly bean into the air, catching it in her mouth. “She’s basically psychic.”
It’s only been a few days since I met with the Silverwoods and learned the truth about Damon’s past. Since then, I’ve regained all my energy and have been positively giddy. Nothing can get me down—even having to endure Professor Grub’s constant criticism during my classes or doing extra homework.
“You’re scent matches, remember?” Delilah says. She’s a hopeless romantic. “It must be hard not to bite when you’re all in knots.”
Kady snorts as Sabs launches a cushion at Delilah’s face. “I don’t want to think about my brother's knot!”
“I already told you, we’re taking things slow.”
Nothing physical has happened between us since my heat. It’s one thing acting on our urges while I’m craving relief from pain, getting intimate outside of a heat is another matter.
I’ve seen the guys a few times for coffee and study dates—without Damon, who is still doing his best to pretend I don’t exist—but we haven’t spent any quality alone time together yet. Until now.
ME
Any hints on where we’re going? I don’t know what to wear.
COLE
You look amazing in anything, although you look even better in nothing.
ME
Cole!
COLE
I have a shirt with your name on it.
Well, he’s not helpful.
“Still no hints about where Cole’s taking you?” Kady asks.
“Nope.” I sigh in frustration. “He’s giving nothing away.”
“Cole’s loaded, right?” Delilah quips. “Maybe he’ll hire a limo and take you to a restaurant in Forestville. Some have reservation lists that are weeks long.”
“I don’t think I have anything to wear to a place like that.” My small wardrobe consists of thrift store finds and floral dresses that I’ve upcycled from scraps of fabric.
“You can borrow something, if you want to dress up?” Kady offers. “I have to go to my father’s business functions all the time. Let me see what I’ve got.” She jumps off the bed and hurries away.
“Are you excited?” Delilah’s eyes light up. “A first date is a big deal.”
“I am.” I bite my lip. “But honestly, I’m a little nervous.”
Even though we’re scent matches and we’ve seen each other naked, I still can’t shake the anxious butterflies fluttering around in my stomach.
“Cole’s a real gentleman,” Sabs says before huffing in exasperation at her phone.
“There’s no one good on here! I must have looked at over fifty alphas tonight.
” Nose scrunched, she turns her phone around to show us a guy’s bio.
“See what I’m dealing with? This app is supposed to be for casual hook ups, not alphas looking for an omega to bond.
What happened to knots without strings?”
Delilah rolls her eyes. “I don’t know why you put yourself on those apps in the first place.”
“Because, my apple crumble baking fairy, a girl has needs that a vibrator just ain’t scratching!” Sabs giggles. “I’m gonna need an alpha to help me through a heat soon. I can tell I’m getting antsy on suppressants and need a break, but I want to hook up with them casually first.”
“What about Drax?” Delilah suggests. Searching my brain, I recall the hot security guard from Club Knotty. “He’s obsessed with you.”
“Drax?” Sabs taps her chin. “Oh, we hooked up once years ago, but we both agreed never again. He’s just a friend. Besides, Drax is a beta, and he’s always working. I want someone available.”
“But not too available, right?” Delilah shakes her head despairingly, making her short curly bob seem like it has a life of its own. “You’re too hard to please. Do you even want a pack one day?”
“I don’t know. Not everyone is lucky enough to find a scent match.” Sabs says then quickly adds, “Not that I’m not happy for you, Faye. I’m just being realistic.”
Kady returns to the room, arms laden with gorgeous dresses. “I brought options!”
The girls buzz around, ordering me to try on one after the other.
They all blur into one until they mutually agree that a slinky, baby-blue silk dress with spaghetti straps is the one.
It’s not like anything I’d usually wear.
It’s far too elegant, and although it’s undeniably stunning, I don’t feel very me in it.
“Are you sure it’s not too much?” I express my concern out loud, smoothing down the sides. “I’ve never worn anything like this before.”
“You look amazing.” Kady rubs her hands together. “Cole will treat you like a princess, and you look like one too. Do you have any jewelry to match?”
I select my blue lace agate pendant—a calming crystal—before Delilah braids a section of my hair then pins it back while leaving the rest down. I never went to a high school prom, but I imagine this is what it’d be like. All I’m missing is a corsage.
My heart skips a beat when the doorbell rings. Delilah scampers over to the window to poke her head out.
“Frank’s here,” she confirms. “Time to go!”
I grab my purse then look around the room. There’s nothing else I need, right? “I guess this is it.”
“Just have fun, and be yourself.” Delilah pulls me in for a tight hug. “I can’t wait to hear all about it.”
Sabs winks. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“I’d struggle to do that,” I scoff.
Kady adjusts the strap of my dress. “Cole’s a lucky guy. Enjoy yourself. After the last few weeks, you’ve earned it.”
Beaming as I depart Stella House, I look back at the girls madly waving from the window like proud parents sending their child off on the first day of school.
“Your carriage awaits, little lady.” Frank holds the car door open for me. The last time I saw him he was wearing pajamas, but he’s dressed extra smart today in a full suit, which must be sweltering in this heat.
I climb inside, expecting Cole to be waiting, but he’s not there.
“Where are we heading?” I ask Frank, shifting nervously in my seat.
“Mr. Silverwood will meet you at the pack house. But otherwise, my lips are sealed.”
I gaze out the window, fighting to ignore the nerves trying to invade my system as we head through the alpha quad. When we arrive at the Silverwoods, Frank ushers me up the stairs. I’m about to use the knocker when the door flies open.
“Woah.” Cole’s jaw drops. “You look…” His Adam’s apple bobs. “Beautiful.” He stands aside. “Come in.”
I expected him to be dressed up, but he’s wearing comfy sweatpants and a plain white tee with a black apron over it.
“We have the pack house to ourselves tonight.” Cole smiles sheepishly. “I thought I’d make you dinner, and we can have a quiet night in, if that’s okay?”
“That sounds perfect.” I suck in a breath, instantly relaxing a bit now that I don’t have to worry about making any social faux pas or using the wrong cutlery.
“I can go home and change?” I look down at my attire self-consciously, knowing I’m completely overdressed.
“The girls thought you were taking me to a fancy restaurant in Forestville. I don’t have any really nice dresses, and I didn’t want to embarrass you, so Kady lent me this.
” I’m babbling but I can’t seem to stop as my nerves bubble over.
“It’s pretty, but I can’t walk well in it without looking like a waddling duck—”
“Faye.” Cole cups my face in his giant palms, stopping my train of thoughts in their tracks.
“You never have to dress to impress me. I’d love anything you wear, simply because it’s on you.
But mostly, I just want to enjoy an evening having you all to myself and getting to know you better.
If you feel more comfortable, I can get you one of my T-shirts to wear? ”
“Yes.” His offer removes that last weight from my shoulders. “Please.”
He dashes to find me one, returning with a black tee that smells freshly laundered and is still warm from the drier. I almost pout, disappointed that it doesn’t smell like him.
“Meet me in the kitchen once you’ve changed?”
As soon as I shed the slinky dress, I feel so much more at ease. Kady’s dress was absolutely stunning, but being comfy in Cole’s T-shirt is so much better and instantly makes me feel at home.
I follow the delicious smell wafting from the kitchen to find Cole stirring a pot.
“My clothes look better on you than Kady’s.” Cole grins, checking me out. “If I had my way, you’d never be out of them.”
My cheeks feel like they’re on fire. “Something smells good.”
“I made spaghetti Bolognese,” he motions to the pot. “I’m not much of a cook, but it’s one of the best dishes I can do, or so the guys tell me. It’s almost ready, if you’d like to eat soon?”