24. Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Four
I just finished putting the books back, wanting to go back to my room to relax in my nest for a bit when Dakota walked into the library. His expression was less severe than usual, though still far from what anyone would call friendly. He moved with the fluid grace of someone completely comfortable in their own body, stopping a respectful distance away.
"Lucas mentioned you were up here," he said, his deep voice resonating in the quiet space. "Thought I'd check if you needed anything."
"I was just about to head back to my room," I replied, carefully returning the last book to its proper place on the shelf. "Thank you for the sandwich earlier. It was delicious."
Dakota nodded, a flicker of something that might have been pleasure crossing his features. "Good. Not much of a cook, but I can manage the basics."
"The spice level was perfect," I offered, genuinely appreciative. "Most people either go too mild or way too hot."
"Noted," he said, watching as I straightened the books on the shelf, “Enjoying the books?”
"They're incredible," I admitted, carefully placing the last volume back on its shelf. "Eleanor had amazing taste."
Dakota nodded, moving further into the room with a grace that belied his size. "Gabriel's mother was something special, from what I've heard. Never got to meet her myself."
I turned to face him fully, curious about this more relaxed version of Dakota. "Lucas mentioned you all met Gabriel when he was in his twenties?"
"Twenty-one," Dakota confirmed, leaning against one of the bookshelves. "We were all at the academy together. Different backgrounds, different reasons for joining, but we clicked. Formed a pack within the first month."
I nodded, fascinated by this glimpse into their shared history. "And you've been together ever since?"
"More or less," Dakota replied, his eyes drifting to the tall windows. "Went our separate ways for about a year after graduation—different assignments, different cities. But when Gabriel decided to form the special unit, he called us first."
"He must trust you all a great deal," I observed, settling into one of the leather chairs. To my surprise, Dakota took the seat opposite me, his large frame somehow not overwhelming the space.
"Trust is earned," he said simply. "We've been through enough together to know we've got each other's backs."
“That is true.” Trust was earned, I believed that as well. Blindly trusting someone could end up with you hurt in the long run.
"Gabriel was the serious one, even back then. Focused. Driven. Had this natural leadership quality that made people follow him without question. I admired him when I first met him, and even now. He didn’t have to wait long when he earned my trust. He saved my life when I was trying to prove myself.” He told me, eyes softening as he talked about his Pack Leader.
"What happened?" I asked, genuinely curious about these men who had taken me in. I wanted to understand the bonds that tied them together, made them function as a cohesive unit despite their Alpha designations.
Dakota's expression grew distant, his eyes focused on something I couldn't see. "We were on a training exercise. Rural terrain, simulated hostage situation. I was trying to prove myself—fastest, strongest, most aggressive." His mouth twisted in a wry smile. "Classic young Alpha bullshit."
"Let me guess," I said, "it backfired?"
"Spectacularly." Dakota nodded, running a hand through his dark hair. "Went ahead of the team, triggered a booby trap that collapsed part of the building we were in. Would've been crushed if Gabriel hadn't pulled me out." He paused, his voice dropping slightly. "Had to carry me two miles to the extraction point. My leg was shattered in three places."
I winced, imagining the scene. "That couldn't have been easy."
"He never complained. Not once." Dakota's expression softened further, a rare vulnerability showing through his usual stoic exterior. "And when I thanked him later, he just said, 'Pack takes care of pack.' Like it was the simplest thing in the world."
I nodded, understanding dawning. This wasn't just professional loyalty or friendship—these men were bonded in a way that transcended ordinary relationships. True pack bonds were rare in modern society, especially among unrelated Alphas.
"And the others?" I asked. "Theo and Lucas?"
Dakota's lips quirked in what might have been a smile. "Lucas was the troublemaker—always pushing boundaries, questioning authority. Smart as hell but couldn't sit still to save his life." His expression grew affectionate. "He nearly got kicked out twice in the first year for insubordination. Gabriel was the one who convinced him to channel that energy instead of fighting the system."
"And Theo?" I prompted, finding myself genuinely interested in these men who had become my unexpected protectors.
"Theo was the quiet one," Dakota said, his voice softening further. "Brilliant mind, terrible social skills. Had a photographic memory that made the rest of us look like idiots." He shifted in his seat, crossing his arms. "People underestimated him because he wasn't physically imposing, didn't assert himself like most Alphas. But Gabriel saw what he could do with information, how his mind worked."
"Sounds like Gabriel was the one who brought you all together," I observed.
Dakota nodded, his expression thoughtful. "He saw something in each of us that others missed. Potential.”
“He really does see things no one does doesn’t he.” He seemed to do that to me when we have talked.
Dakota nodded, a rare smile softening his features. "He's the best Alpha I've ever known. We all would follow him anywhere." He paused, seeming to realize how much he'd revealed. "Don't tell him I said that. He's got enough on his plate without me inflating his ego."
I laughed, finding Dakota's unexpected warmth oddly endearing. "Your secret's safe with me," I promised, drawing an imaginary 'X' over my heart.
Dakota's posture relaxed slightly, as if relieved I wasn't going to make a big deal of his moment of openness. "Good. Can't have them thinking I've gone soft."
"Heaven forbid," I teased gently, surprising myself with how comfortable I felt in his presence. The intimidating Alpha I'd first met was still there, but layered with something more complex—loyalty, protectiveness, even a hint of vulnerability beneath the gruff exterior.
"You know," Dakota said after a moment of comfortable silence, "you're not what I expected."
"What did you expect?" I asked, genuinely curious about his perception.
He seemed to consider his words carefully. "When Gabriel said we were bringing an Omega witness home, I thought you'd be scared. Fragile. Needing constant reassurance."
I raised an eyebrow. "And instead?"
"Instead, you're..." he gestured vaguely, searching for the right words, "resilient. Self-contained. You've had your world turned upside down, but you're still standing." A hint of respect colored his tone. "It's impressive."
I looked down at my hands, unexpectedly touched by his assessment. "I've had practice at standing on my own," I said quietly. "Being an independent Omega isn't always easy, but it teaches you to be resourceful."
Dakota nodded, understanding in his dark eyes. "Strength comes in different forms. Most people only recognize the obvious kind." He gave a hum, as he looked at me again. "Speaking of which, I should get back to patrol. Just wanted to make sure you were settled."
"I am," I assured him, a smile on my face. Dakota was definitely different than I thought he was after our first meeting.
Dakota shifted in his seat, clearly having revealed more than he'd intended. "Anyway, Lucas mentioned you're joining us for dinner and movie night."
"If that's okay," I said, suddenly uncertain. "I don't want to intrude on pack time."
Dakota's eyes met mine, surprisingly direct. "You're not intruding. We invited you."
The simplicity of his statement eased some of my anxiety. "Thank you. I'd like that. "We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, before Dakota stood up and stretched.
I studied Dakota for a minute. Behind his gruff exterior, there was a loyalty and steadfastness that was becoming increasingly apparent. Like the others, he defied my expectations of what an Alpha should be.
“I’ll be heading out then.” Dakota told me, rolling his shoulder. I could tell he was a bit awkward being around me.
I nodded, standing as well. "I think I'll go rest in my nest for a bit before dinner."
Dakota paused at the door, his expression softening slightly. "Good idea. Nesting helps regulate stress hormones. At least that's what Theo's always saying." He shrugged, seemingly embarrassed by this display of knowledge. "Anyway, someone will knock when food arrives."
"Thank you, Dakota," I said, meaning it for more than just the information about dinner.
He gave a short nod before disappearing down the hallway, his footsteps fading as I made my way back to my room. The nest welcomed me like an old friend, its soft confines immediately soothing something restless inside me. I curled into its center, pulling one of the quilts closer around me.
My mind wandered over the conversations I'd had today—Gabriel, Lucas and Dakota all sharing with me more than I thought. Today was definitely a day of firsts.