Chapter Five
I f it hadn’t been for the text that morning from Oaks, I would have been a nervous wreck. I was great at actually doing my job, it was everything before that point that gave me doubts.
Oaks had said to park at the visitors’ center—his text reaffirmed that, so I did.
My hands were sweaty around the steering wheel despite the fact that I had continuously wiped them on my slacks every few minutes.
Not even the cold air I had blasting in my direction was enough.
I was seriously starting to worry that my armpits were going to have stains if I didn’t get my body under control.
As soon as I’d arrived, I texted Oaks to let him know, since he said he was going to pick me up today.
I wasn’t sure how long I’d have so I was quick to get out of the car and give myself one last spray of the perfume I’d packed because I was pretty sure my natural scent was leaking through with how stressed I was.
I’d decided on a desert rain scent. I was hoping the outdoorsy scent would complement the packs’.
While I waited, I forced myself to take calm, relaxing breaths, reminding myself that I was hired for this job because of my skill. I knew how to maintain a home to keep an omega and alpha comfortable and that’s exactly what I’d be doing. I was capable.
I refused to pull out the stuffed toy because I was pretty sure I’d use him like a stress ball if I had him in my fist.
It was still dark out considering how early in the morning it was.
The visitors’ center lacked any sort of actual lighting and the ground itself was made of loose gravel, the sound of the rocks under my feet evident with each slight shift of my weight.
At least the cool temperature helped to fight the nerves still racing in my system.
I rubbed my hands up and down my arms, grateful that I’d decided on dress slacks today rather than my usual skirt.
The fabric was loose, with a black tie around the waist which was more decorative than useful as a belt.
I would be able to bend and squat and search for whatever I needed with ease.
My shirt was slightly baggy around my stomach, the length going down to my hips, so I wasn’t worried about it getting in the way.
The top portion of the shirt was tighter, the neckline square but high and professional.
Since I would be cooking all day, I made sure to do my hair up in a high bun, pinning back any loose strands and adding a decorative barrette to the back.
I still felt slightly out of place considering the rustic, ranch vibes, but this was me. I was a city girl, regardless of where I worked.
While Hannah had made a comment about wanting to come out to Pink Lady, this was definitely not a place my parents or siblings would have considered visiting. My family wasn’t the type to do outdoor play. Even the parties they threw now that we were older were indoors.
It didn’t take long for headlights to appear, the sound of the truck approaching strangely silent except for the wheels over the gravel.
I ran to the side door quickly, so he wasn’t waiting on me and gave him a moment to unlock it.
Instead, he parked the truck and opened his door.
Maybe he needed something in the visitors’ center?
Nope. He walked around the front, tapping on the hood.
He was dressed more casually than the last time I’d seen him.
No doubt, the sweats and long-sleeved shirt combo were more of a quick morning outfit rather than his actual attire for the day.
“Morning, darlin. Ready for your first day?” Not even the dark hid the way his nostrils flared as he got close, his alpha instinct to scent me, ensuring I wasn’t a threat.
“Absolutely. I’m all rested. I made a list of options for breakfast since I wasn’t sure what everyone prefers.
Oh, thank you.” Oaks had opened the door for me, gesturing for me to get in.
The seat was slightly warm, the heater apparently having been on for his drive over here.
As soon as he got in, I told him, “Thank you for picking me up.”
“I told you to park here, you don’t have to thank me.”
I would never not thank him, but I didn’t correct him. Reaching into my purse, I pulled out my little notebook. “The last few days you’ve had fairly large, salty breakfasts. Is that your preference?”
“Already working, huh?”
“Well, this is my job. I want to do good.”
“Yes, I prefer something hearty for breakfast. Eggs, meat, maybe some of those palm sized pancakes on occasion.”
I made little asterisks next to the options I’d planned for Oaks. “What about the others?”
“You’ll have to ask them.”
I frowned but didn’t argue.
“What did you eat for breakfast?”
“Me?”
“Yes, you, darlin. Unless there’s someone else in the cab.”
The seats behind us were empty. “I had some fruit this morning while I was getting ready and then a protein shake on the drive over.”
“That enough to hold you over ‘till lunch?”
“I have a morning snack if I get hungry,” I admitted. I was all about a bunch of little meals throughout the day rather than gorging myself at once. I swore I was always in the mood to eat.
The drive was fairly quick as we entered the back portion of the gate, Oaks driving around the house before he parked by the front door.
Atlas’s truck I recognized, and the third one was an old style of truck that didn’t look like it had automatic drive or power steering.
That must’ve been Everett’s. The last pack member I had to meet in person.
As Oaks got out of the truck, I quickly wiped my hands on my pants, hoping my nerves would calm down so I could shake hands without them wondering why my palms were wet. That would be mortifying no matter how natural sweat was.
“What are you doing?”
I froze. Oaks’s words had me panicking, trying to figure out what I’d done wrong. Did I slam the truck door too hard?
“Next time, wait for me to get your door.”
I relaxed slightly at his words. “You want me to wait until you get out and walk around the truck just so you can open my door?”
“Yep.”
I had said it like a joke, but he’d sounded serious in his agreement. He wasn’t actually being honest, though. Right? No one waited for the alpha to get out of the car and open a door for you. That was a waste of time. I told him as much.
“I’m pretty sure you can wait less than thirty seconds for me to open your door, darlin. It won’t make you late, promise.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me up the three steps to the porch.
I had no idea how to respond to that or to the fact that he was holding my hand.
Oaks walked right in, the bright orange lights already on and brightening the space.
There was something special about the way that the lights illuminated the house, not even leaking through the dark, heavy blinds that had made me think it was dark inside.
Rather than typical bright white lights making the home feel sterile and cold, the yellow-orange fixtures, almost like flames, made the space comforting.
This was obviously how the home was designed to be enjoyed.
Not to be seen with open windows and blinds while everyone was gone at work, but to be soft and welcoming in the early mornings when everyone was home, starting their days.
“Eve is here,” Oaks yelled to the house before dragging me into the living space.
This must’ve been a house of morning people if he wasn’t worried about waking or upsetting everyone.
“Should I start on breakfast?” I asked.
“Not yet. I have the official paperwork for you to sign and fill out before you do any sort of work.”
“Right, of course. I can do that now.” The sooner I filled it out, the sooner I could start cooking. I had no idea when everyone left for work.
“Once I’ve started my workday, I’ll take a look around for that paperwork. For now, I think it’s best if you just got yourself settled in.”
“Settled?”
“Yeah. Relax. Sneak around the house, take a seat on the couch, whichever. I need to go get dressed. I bet the others will be out soon.”
Just like that, he continued down the hall, leaving me to stand around in the living room.
The hallway between the bedrooms and the foyer was on one level while the couch and everything else that made up the living room was settled in a foot deep pit.
I simply stood in the spot I had been abandoned, unsure of what exactly I should do.
Sitting down on the couch didn’t feel like an option and working before I’d signed anything didn’t feel legal.
Objectively, it was a nice living room. The light brown couch was large, and made a dramatic “C” shape, taking up a good portion of the space.
It was obvious that the couch cushions were extra wide, and despite having ten pillows in various spots, the couch wasn’t overcrowded.
The small coffee table had a beautiful blue resin filling, as if the artist was recreating a river winding through the piece.
Opposite the couch, connected to the front wall of the house, was the fireplace.
A beautiful mantal decorated right above it with a large mirror above that.
The space was obviously well lived in. Even from where I stood, I saw the butt indents where the three pack members must constantly sit despite having this huge couch.
There was a basket of blankets off to the side, all of them just shoved in rather than folded.
A small bookcase against the wall offered dozens of options, and little knickknacks lined the shelves like the pack was using the entire bookcase as storage more than a decorative piece.
Even the little side table with a record player had a few receipts shoved under one side and a small notebook resting on the edge.
“You must be Eve.”