Run.
jac
Tonight. The word rings in my head as we all head towards the stairs of the barn after spending the rest of the afternoon at the bowling alley.
We played that one last game with our previous bet in place still, nothing nearly as racy happened the rest of the time, but everything did have us on the edge of that same sexual release.
However, I was thrown off that fun time train rather quickly when Anderson told me about the call with Trent as we wrapped up our game.
He said we’d bond tonight, that they already made some calls and everything was set in place at the barn for the ceremony.
Bondings always mimicked weddings in a way, there’s papers to sign, and someone has to bear witness, then it’s done.
I know many Omegas who dreamed of having some of the most lavish ceremonies, and had I been with an Alpha who deserved those thoughts, I would’ve been that dreamer too.
When we pull up to the farm, I’m surprised to see several cars parked along the driveway.
The sun has fallen behind the large mountain at the end of the valley but it’s still a little light out, enough that I catch a glimpse of people in the pasture.
There's a simple seating area with lanterns lighting up the space.
A small gasp sneaks out of me when I catch sight of my father standing in the barn as we pull to a stop.
“Go on, Jac.” Luke says, climbing out and holding his hand out for me. “We’ll see you in a few minutes.”
I slip out of the car and turn towards the barn, where my father waits. I study him as I walk his way, he’s in his typical grey suit, the lines of age gathering around his eyes. However, instead of the stern look I’ve always known him to carry, he looks almost happy and relieved.
“Jaclyn. I must say I was surprised to hear from Trent’s brother saying he found you after we’d been searching for months for you.
” He says as I close the distance to him.
He stands upright from where he rested against the barn and moves to button his jacket.
His salt and pepper hair is trimmed neatly, his deep brown eyes lock onto me and my Omega instincts have me halting my steps.
He wasn’t always the parent I sought out as a child for help, but now having run away, I don’t know what to expect fully.
“Well color me surprised to hear you were searching for me. Or was it your PI?” I quip, placing my hands on my hips and squaring up with the Alpha. I know he always cared, but it was always from a distance, as if any emotion would cause him to melt.
“Come now honey, you know we only wanted what was best for you. We thought that was Trent. He could provide well for you. Your mother just didn’t want you to worry in your life.”
“What about what I wanted? Maybe there was a mate I had in mind, maybe I wanted my scent matches and wasn’t worried about money or status.” I scoff, “maybe I just didn’t want a marriage of duty like you two have.”
He sighs, seeming to get the point I’m trying to make. He and my mother never had the loving relationship I always pictured for myself. Their relationship was a transaction of their fathers, and I saw how empty that life really was.
No passion, no joy, no love.
No thank you.
“Jaclyn,” he starts.
“Jac dad. It’s Jac, please.” I cut him off. I hate my full name, Trent always used it, and now I just can’t hear it without wanting to vomit.
“Jac,” he begins again, “when Anderson called us today, your mother and I were relieved. Sure, you’re not marrying the James brother we intended, but from what I hear that’s not such a bad thing considering he’s your scent match.”
My mouth drops open. I’m shocked that Anderson told him that much. Let alone called to speak to him.
“So since you’re still getting what you want, why are you here dad?” I question, out of the two of them, I always did have a better relationship with him.
“I’m here to walk you down the aisle of course.
I know we didn’t always see eye to eye, but honey, a scent match is to be celebrated.
I wasn’t lucky enough to find mine, and I do regret not standing up for that when I was younger, but if I had, I wouldn’t have you.
” I start to tear up, but then the wording he used clicks.
“Scent matches.” I correct him, “I have four matches, not just one.” His solemn face lights up at my statement.
“Anderson seems to have left that out of the information he shared.” He chuckles, “I’ll have to chat with him about that. Congratulations darling, this is absolutely a celebration. Now go, let’s get you dressed. I believe a sweet Beta named Bev Is upstairs is upstairs with something for you.”
Thirty minutes later I’m in a flowy black lace dress that can’t possibly have just been picked out today.
It’s perfectly my style. Long sleeve bell at the wrist dropping a train of lace down from my hands.
The gown clings to my skin in the most perfect way, the high neckline sitting at my collar bones with a deep ‘v’ shape opening to the small of my back.
The skirt of the dress widens slightly at my hips, allowing me to move comfortably without making my waist disappear.
There were also the most beautiful pair of black crystal covered cowboy boots sitting with the dress that I know without a doubt did not come from Lake City Mercantile.
I descend the stairs to my father, who tears up as the sight of me, I’m sure because I’m not in white like he’d planned. I smile at him as he dabs his eye with a tissue that he quickly tucks into his pocket.
“A vision in black, as always. It’s perfect Jac. I’m glad Anderson called me.” He pulls me into a hug. A hug that is our first in a decade at least.
“I didn’t think you liked when I was always in black?” Distinctly remembering a time when I chose a black leotard for a dance much to my mother’s disgust. He had to bribe me to wear a blush one.
“That was all your mother. I just wanted you happy, and clearly wasn’t good at making that known.
There’s time to fix that in our future. Why don’t we start with tonight?
Let’s get you bonded to your scent matches, shall we?
” He holds his arm out to me. I’m caught in a dream as I link mine through and we walk through the barn aisle.
We exit the large doors at the end to be met with several lanterns casting a yellow glow across the grass.
Monty’s and Taylor’s families sit in chairs lining the aisle.
My men stand at the end. My men. All of them have changed into monochromatic black suits, not an ounce of color to be seen on any of them and I can’t help but chuckle at how well we all match.
Bev stands up next to them, she smiles at me as my dad and I end up next to her. Monty steps up, shaking my dad’s hand and whispering something in his ear that I can’t quite hear. My dad grins, nodding as he turns to face me again.
“I love you honey. I’m glad you found the ones.” My dad whispers as he hugs me before placing my hand in Monty’s.
“I love you too dad, thank you for this,” I say with a quick kiss to his cheek. He goes to sit down near Liam in the chairs behind us.
Monty tugs me closer to him, slipping his hand around me and tracing the line between my skin and the lace.
His campfire scent sinks deep into my nose as I stand tucked into his side.
My whole body releases tension I didn’t know I was carrying as I soak up the moment with him.
He leans down taking a deep breath in of my cinnamon scent before whispering.
“You look stunning in that dress sugar, but I really can’t wait to see how good it looks on the floor of your nest later tonight.
” I choke on the air as I try to not react to the words, but my scent betrays me, and I hear him chuckle.
The others all began growling softly, wanting to know what Monty whispered to turn me on.
Beverly clears her throat, looking pointedly at Monty before beginning the ceremony with the usual promises and kind words for the pack.
As she continues, my eyes wander to where Luke, Anderson and Taylor stand just beside Monty.
They’ve formed a small semi-circle around me.
They all stand with their eyes on me, wanting to reach for me, yet keeping their hands clasped in front.
Until Bev says they can all move. Monty and Luke hold my left hand as Anderson and Taylor hold my right. Bev continues with the bonding vows and each of us takes a turn to repeat and say our confirmations.
Each man in front of me takes their turn to kiss me, softly and sweetly in front of our families. Monty is last and he takes his moment to dip me down as he kisses me. Trailing several nips down my jaw as he brings me back upright.
“Please meet for the first time, The Wils....” Bev begins to announce, only to be interrupted briefly.
“The James Pack, actually.” Monty states, nodding to Anderson.
“Well, please everyone for the first time meet the James Pack.” Our families all stand clapping and cheering for us. With it being a Saturday evening, you’d think that there wouldn’t be any chance we’d have food or drinks and that everyone would just leave after the events.
You’d think wrong.
Somehow, in a matter of hours the families have wrangled food, drinks, and even cleared the barn aisle to make a small dance area for us all.
The night flies by in a blur. I forget everything that’s looming over us in the coming days and all the stress of anything to do with Trent as I soak in the excitement of the legal bonding of my pack.
As the night winds down, our families slowly leave. Wishing us well and sharing their love. I’m wrapped in Luke’s arms as we watch the last few drive off when I’m hit with my Alpha’s scents, lustful and eager.
“Run Omega. When we catch you, we bite you.” Monty growls, from somewhere behind me. I jump from Luke’s arms and dart up the stairs to the apartment. My giggles drifting through the air with my cinnamon scent.