25. Marcus
MARCUS
T he drive back to our house feels different than the journey to Belle's apartment.
Where the earlier trip was heavy with Belle's hurt and disappointment, the car now hums with a different kind of tension—anticipation mixed with nervous energy.
In my rearview mirror, I can see Felix and Theo following behind us, and I know they're feeling the same mixture of hope and terror that's currently making my hands shake slightly on the steering wheel.
She said yes. Belle actually said yes to letting us court her.
"Did that really just happen?" Felix asks the moment we're all inside our front door, his voice carrying the same disbelief I'm feeling.
"It happened," Theo confirms, but he sounds as stunned as the rest of us. "She agreed to individual dates. To getting to know us better."
"She agreed to let us try," I correct, because the distinction feels important. "This isn't a guarantee of anything beyond the opportunity to prove ourselves."
Felix runs both hands through his hair, messing up the careful styling that survived the entire evening until this moment. "I can't believe Adam just left her there. What kind of friend does that?"
"The kind who gets distracted by a pretty face and forgets about the people who matter," Theo says, and there's an edge of anger in his voice that I recognize. Theo doesn't get angry often, but when he does, it's usually on behalf of someone he cares about.
"His loss is our gain," I say, though the words feel inadequate. "But Belle is hurt, and she's going to need time to process what happened with us and Adam too."
"How long do you think we should wait before calling her?" Felix asks, settling into one of the leather armchairs in our living room. The formal jacket is gone now, his shirt sleeves rolled up, and he looks more like the man I know than the polished alpha from the ball.
"She said a few days," I remind them. "We should respect that."
"A few days," Theo repeats, like he's testing the words. "That feels like forever."
I understand the sentiment completely. Now Belle has opened up to us, the thought of waiting even a few days feels almost unbearable. But pushing too hard too fast is exactly how we could lose her before we've even really had her.
"It gives us time to plan," I point out. "To figure out how we want to approach the future of our pack. What we want our individual dates to look like."
"Individual dates," Felix muses. "I keep thinking about that. She specifically asked for time with each of us separately."
"She wants to know us as individuals, not just as a pack," Theo says. "Which makes sense. If she's going to commit to all three of us, she needs to understand what each relationship would look like."
"Are you nervous about that?" I ask, genuinely curious. "About spending time with her one-on-one?"
"Terrified," Felix admits immediately. "What if she realizes she doesn't actually like you guys individually? I mean, I'm the one she really gets on with, but you guys are a different story."
"Very funny!" I say. Felix then winks at me, as if to let me know that he's teasing and trying to make us not take everything so seriously.
"What about you?" I ask Theo. "Any concerns about solo time with our potential omega?"
Theo is quiet for a moment, his expression thoughtful.
"I'm worried about intimidating her," he says finally.
"You and Felix are easier to be around,because you both have natural social skills, know how to make conversation flow.
I'm better at being part of a group where I can listen more than I talk. "
"Belle specifically mentioned wanting to know our past,” I remind him. "She's going to want to hear about your military service, your transition to civilian life. Those aren't stories that need social finesse, Theo. They just need honesty."
"And she's not easily intimidated," Felix adds. "Did you see the way she handled herself tonight? The way she stood up to us when we were being presumptuous? Belle can hold her own."
I think about this, about the woman who faced down three alphas when she thought we were being manipulative, who helped a stranger through a panic attack despite her own fear, who agreed to consider something that terrifies her because she's brave enough to want more than safety.
"She's amazing,” I say quietly. "I still can't quite believe she's willing to give us a chance."
"We have to make sure we don't waste it," Theo says.
"Agreed. So what's our strategy? How do we approach dating?”
Felix leans forward in his chair, his expression growing more focused. "I think we should each plan something that reflects who we are, what we're passionate about. Give her a real sense of what life with each of us would look like."
"What do you have in mind?" I ask.
"For me? I'm thinking something creative. Maybe a visit to an art gallery or a cooking class. Something where we can create together, where she can see how I approach problem-solving and aesthetics,” Felix says.
"That sounds perfect for you," Theo agrees. "What about you, Marcus?"
I've been thinking about this since Belle first agreed to the dating, and the answer comes easily. "Something that shows her my work, my passions. Maybe a visit to one of our current construction sites, followed by dinner somewhere we can talk about our goals and dreams."
"She'll love that," Felix says immediately. "Belle is all about understanding people's motivations, what drives them. Showing her your work will give her insights into who you are that she can't get any other way."
"And you, Theo?" I ask.
Theo is quiet for a longer moment, his brow furrowed in concentration. "I'm not sure yet," he admits. "I want to show her that there's more to me than just security and protection, but I don't want to pretend to be someone I'm not either."
"What makes you feel most like yourself?" Felix asks gently. "Outside of work, what brings you joy?"
"Reading," Theo says after a moment. "Hiking. Quiet spaces where I can think."
"Belle loves reading," I point out. "Maybe something book-related? A used bookstore, or that little café that has the poetry readings?"
"Or a hike," Felix suggests. "Somewhere beautiful and peaceful where you can talk without distractions."
"Both of those feel right," Theo says, and I can see him beginning to relax as he considers the possibilities. "Maybe I'll give her options, let her choose what sounds most appealing."
"That's a good approach," I agree. "It shows you're thinking about her preferences, not just trying to impress her."
We spend the next hour talking through logistics, timing, how to coordinate our individual dates without overwhelming Belle or making her feel like she's being passed around between us.
It's important that each interaction feels genuine and organic, not like some kind of scheduled evaluation process.
"We should probably space them out," Felix suggests. "Give her time to process each date before moving on to the next one."
"Agreed. And we should check in with each other afterward, make sure we're all getting a sense of how she's feeling, whether she's comfortable with the pace."
"What about pack time?" Theo asks. "Should we plan any group activities, or focus entirely on individual connections for now?"
"I think we follow her lead on that," I say. "If she suggests group activities, we're open to them. But the priority right now is helping her understand what a relationship with each of us would look like."
"This feels surreal," Felix says suddenly. "Six months ago, we were convinced we'd never find our omega. Now we're planning dating strategies with the most perfect woman we've ever met."
"Don't get ahead of yourself," I warn, though I'm fighting the same sense of disbelieving hope. "Belle is still figuring out what she wants. There's no guarantee this leads where we hope it will."
"But there's a chance," Theo says quietly. "For the first time in years, there's actually a real chance."
After years of countless failed attempts at finding someone who could complete our pack, we finally have a real opportunity with someone who matters.
"We have to do this right," I say firmly. "No pressure, no attempts to rush her toward a decision. We court her properly, we show her what we can offer, and we let her choose at her own pace."
"Agreed," Felix and Theo say simultaneously, and I can smell the determination in both their scents.
The next three days pass with agonizing slowness.
I throw myself into work, spending extra hours at construction sites and in meetings, trying to distract myself from the urge to call Belle every few hours just to hear her voice.
Felix buries himself in design projects, and Theo takes on additional security consultations.
We're all keeping busy, but the undercurrent of anticipation runs through everything we do.
On Wednesday evening, exactly three days after the ball, I finally allow myself to call her.
"Hello?" Belle's voice comes through the phone, and just the sound of it makes my chest tighten with want.
"Hi, Belle. It's Marcus."
"I was wondering when you'd call," she says, and I can hear the smile in her voice. "I was starting to think you'd changed your mind."
"Never," I say immediately. "I wanted to give you the time you asked for, but I've been counting the hours."
"That's sweet," she says softly. "I've been thinking too. About our conversation, about what dating might look like."
"And what conclusions have you reached?"
"That I'm still terrified, but also more curious than I expected to be. I keep wondering what it would be like to really get to know each of you without the buffer of group dynamics."
"Would you like to find out?" I ask, my heart hammering against my ribs.
"Yes," she says without hesitation. "I would."
"What's your schedule like this weekend? I'd love to take you somewhere, show you a bit more about my world."
"This weekend works. What did you have in mind?"