Chapter 33 #2
Orion slips his hand onto my knee, rubbing gently. I relax, enjoying the chaotic presence of my parents now that I don’t have the weight of concern for my bestie on my shoulders.
Later, I’ll call her to see how she feels. I know the trial has been stressful for her. Being dragged through the mud for protecting yourself is utter horseshit and would stress anyone out.
Ridley and Creed are wrapped in a thrilling conversation with one of my dads about the upcoming baseball season.
Their exuberance has me biting back a groan.
I have a feeling I’m going to be watching the games with them.
Not exactly my idea of a good time, but I could always just nap between them. That sounds lovely!
Orion has been cornered by my Omega father, who is asking him about the myriad of tattoos on his body. I should probably tell Mom, given the sparkle in Dad’s eye as he studies the different ink, but I don’t. He’s an adult. If he wants to sneak off to get a tattoo, who am I to stop him?
My father stands at the door to the balcony, quietly conversing with Lex. Their stoic personalities mesh well together, even if they are wildly different people. Lex is much grumpier than my Alpha father. Maybe because he doesn’t have a bond to temper him the way my parents do.
“We’re proud of you,” Mom tells me, sliding onto the couch beside me. Her shoulder bumps into mine, and she smiles. “The pack you’re creating, your career, everything you’ve accomplished. You’re an incredible person, and we are lucky to have you as a daughter.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I lean my head against her and watch our packs interact. This is the future I always imagined when I was growing up. A house full of laughter and love. The only things missing are Omen, her mates, and whatever children we have in the future.
“I’m proud of myself, too.”
The bed in my new room is like a cloud. It’s so soft I sink into the plush material. Which is perfect for lazing around during a video call.
My door opens, Ridley sauntering in wearing only a pair of dark gym shorts. Fates, I am one lucky Omega. Licking my lips, I watch as he crawls across the bed to lean over me, pressing a way too brief kiss to my lips.
“Come here,” he tells me, flopping onto the bed beside me and holding one arm out. I scoot closer, leaning my head on his shoulder.
Before I can react, he has his phone hovering over both of us, a video call connecting on the screen. Five feeds appear on the screen with a myriad of faces. Seeing his little sister, Sage, I realize this must be the rest of his family.
Subtly, I reach over and pinch his nipple hard. A punishment for springing a family meeting on me when I was unprepared. Wearing nothing but an oversized shirt was not how I imagined introducing myself for the first time.
“Oh, Ridley James, she’s beautiful!”
At the sudden influx of compliments, my face heats until I’m sure I look like a tomato. They’re all talking, asking questions I can’t follow. It’s a little overwhelming, but I can certainly see where my Alpha mate gets his energy from.
“Alright, chill! At least long enough for me to introduce you all.”
“You should have done this one by one instead of throwing her into the middle of this zoo,” Sage quips, giving me a little wave.
I return the gesture, then turn my attention to Ridley as he introduces his parents and sisters. I remember bits and pieces about them. Stories he’s shared with me. Each one soaked in pride, even when he was frustrated with them.
Like when Sage showed up on my doorstep a few weeks ago. Getting to know her, however briefly, was incredible. Her presence proved just how ingrained family dynamics are for my mate.
Something I hope to replicate in the future with our own family.
We chat for a while. Alternating between asking questions and sharing childhood stories.
Eventually, Orion and Creed make their way into the room, sprawling on the bed around us.
They are careful not to crowd into the camera’s view, not ready for another inquisition after spending time with my parents earlier.
“It’s getting late,” Ridley says suddenly, cutting off everyone who was talking. “We’ll call again soon. Maybe one at a time, though, so Bea isn’t as overwhelmed.”
They laugh it off, shouting their goodbyes and telling us to visit them in Ohio soon. I make a note to look at everyone’s schedules. A little vacation wouldn’t be a bad idea.
After my heat is over, of course.
“Thanks, sunshine, for talking with them.” Ridley peppers kisses all over my face, shifting until I’m below him.
His grin is contagious, pulling my lips into a bright smile.
“They’ve been begging me for months to introduce you, and after Sage’s visit, I was worried they might all show up if I didn’t cave. ”
“Your family seems lovely. I’m glad I got to meet them.”
“Stop hogging our Omega,” Creed grumbles, grabbing my calf and pulling me across the bed. I giggle, enjoying their playful banter as they argue over me.
“This is nice, isn’t it? A bed big enough for all of us to fit on. No one has to sleep with their knees bent in here.”
“It is a lovely bed,” Orion agrees, “but we should sleep in your nest for a few nights. Having our scents in there will help the closer you get to your heat.”
Creed doesn’t wait for my response; he just lifts me against his broad chest and carries me through the bathroom to the nest door. “May we enter your nest, Omega?”
“You may,” I respond primly, wiggling from his grasp to rearrange everything before they settle inside.
Earlier, after dinner, each of my mates brought me a pile of their clothes to add between the blankets and pillows. Tucking them into place soothes the raw edge of instincts. The part that demands we smother the room and my body in their scents.
Staying on my knees, I turn to face my mates. I meet each of their eyes as I pull Shiloh’s shirt over my head and toss it aside, leaving me bare before them.
“Fates, you look like heaven, sunshine,” Ridley whispers, quickly kicking his shorts off and diving for me. He tackles me onto the cushions, lips slamming to mine. Our teeth clack, but neither of us stops. Need consumes any thought that dares to enter our minds.
“Be careful,” Orion chastises, sliding beside us. One hand palms my tit, the other turns my face from Ridley’s so he, too, can devour me.
“Shit, dude, is your junk tattooed?”