Chapter 5 Of Peace and Guilt #2
Oli bumps his shoulder against Ross. “They’re good cocktails though.”
Caleb nods. “They are. One of them used smoked paprika with another spice. I can’t remember what he said it was. The flavor stayed with me for days.”
Oli turns to me. “See? Genius.”
I smile, soaking in the rhythm of their banter. “So you just stumbled into Willowside?”
Ross shrugs. “Pretty much. We drove through town and spotted a ‘For Sale’ sign on the wreck that became the Lucky Road.” He pauses, his gaze drifting to the others. “It just felt right, like it was waiting for us.”
Caleb shakes his head. “It was a disaster. Came with old wiring and ancient plumbing. The roof leaked like crazy.” There’s something fond in his voice that makes me look twice.
Oli sighs and leans forward. “The place had character. We saw something in it worth saving.”
Ross exhales and lifts his mug, taking a sip before setting it on his lap tray. “So we bought it.” He gives a small shake of his head. “Poured everything into it. Our savings, a massive loan; a year and a half of renovations.”
Oli adds another strip of bacon to my plate. “We did most of the work ourselves. Picked up plumbing, electrical, and carpentry skills. Saved a ton and still passed the inspections with flying colors.”
Caleb chews his last bite and sets his fork down. His gaze lingers on the tray before lifting to meet mine. “It nearly broke us. But it was worth it.”
Ross glances around the nest and at the three of us, his expression settling into a look of quiet satisfaction. “Definitely worth it. We built this, too. Renovated the entire house. It’s ours. All of ours.”
My gaze drifts between Ross, Oli, and Caleb, each of them settled into the life they’ve built here.
A pressure settles in my chest, part awe, part gratitude, and a quiet ache.
I want what they have. I want to belong somewhere like this.
They built a home, a business, a pack. From nothing.
It’s impressive, and the hope inside me reaches toward it.
Oli tilts his head. “What about you? What brought you to Pueblo?”
I hesitate, picking at a piece of pancake as the ease of conversation fades. A knot forms low in my stomach.
“I ran away there when I turned eighteen. After my mom left the year before when she couldn’t take my father’s bullshit anymore.
You can’t get into the Omega Safe Haven easily as a minor.
They bring in CPS and other things, so I waited as long as I could to avoid all of that.
” I trail off. I don’t want to elaborate further on all the shit I went through before I became a counselor and could turn my life around.
Silence stretches between us. I stare down at my lap, unwilling to meet their eyes and see the pity I know is there.
Caleb shifts, his fingers brushing over the rim of his cup before he speaks. “You don’t have to talk about it. Not if you’re not ready.”
I glance at him, surprised he’s the first to speak, and give him a small, appreciative smile. “Thank you. Maybe someday. I’m still trying to recover from everything he’s dragged me into lately. I thought I was free of him.” I lower my fork and sigh.
Oli slides his hand over mine. “We’re here. Whenever you want to talk. No pressure. And what he did was horrible. It’s understandable that you don’t want to talk about him or your past.”
His touch, the warmth behind his words, eases the tightness in my chest.
Ross leans forward. “So, the Safe Haven. What do you do there?”
Grateful for the shift in conversation, I straighten my back and set my plate aside, giving them my full attention. “I’m a counselor. I help Omegas who are in trouble. Escaping abuse, finding housing, legal aid, talk things out. Stuff like that.”
Ross squints slightly, his head tilting as he studies me. “That sounds like important work.”
“It is.” I nod. “It can be tough, but it matters. When I help someone get out, help them start over... it makes me feel like I’m making up for the things my father had me do when I was younger.”
Oli runs his thumb across the back of my hand; it sends zings along my skin, but I do my best to ignore them. “You have an energy that tells me you’re good at that kind of work, and that there’s many people out there better for having met you.” He offers me a kind smile.
The quiet confidence in his voice wraps around me. I smile back.
Caleb glances toward me, his fingers tapping against his cup. “Do you think you’ll keep working for them if you stay?”
I take a sip of orange juice, letting the pause give me time. “I haven’t thought that far ahead.” My gaze moves between them. “Do you want me to stay? You already have an Omega.”
Oli and Ross exchange a glance. Ross drags a hand through his dark brunette hair, swept back in a loose pompadour. “You’re scent-matched with us. Of course we want you here.”
I shift my eyes to Caleb; he’s the one I’m unsure about. “Caleb, what about you?”
He pushes his glasses up and looks toward the floor. “I...”
A sudden knock on the door cuts through the moment. We freeze. Every muscle locks tight, I hold my breath. The air turns heavy, like the moment before a storm hits.
My heart jumps into my throat. They found me.