38. Shiloh - Epilogue
The flight to Aruba was less theatrical than my last flight, even if it had the same captain and co-pilot. It seemed only fair to bring Brock and his pack, who are exceptionally nice, after everything he did for Cole. While Cole isn’t a commercial pilot anymore, he didn’t lose his license and just flies when he wants to now. I love it, cause it means I get a lot of his undivided attention.
The house is massive; the beach is pristine, and the company we keep is amazing. Jonah’s entire family came, and now that we’ve had more time to get to know one another, I’m far less intimidated.
Claire has even become my closest friend, even if we don’t see each other in person as often.
Most of my friends from crochet club are Gran’s age and they’re all currently getting wasted on cocktails that my father-in-law, River, is making.
The guys are trying to spear fish, which seems like a recipe for disaster, as Claire and I sunbathe.
“You’re bonded to that,” Claire says, pointing at Jonah, with his huge goggles as he walks in his fins, donning his Eagles swimsuit, like he promised.
“I sure did,” I say lovingly, and she shakes her head.
“You love it, though? Being bonded?” she asks dreamily. It’s not the first time Claire’s brought up questions of bonding.
“I do. I love them, I love being bonded. I’ve never been happier.”
Claire nods and looks around the beach to make sure no one is eavesdropping.
“If I tell you something I’m planning, do you promise not to tell my brother or parents?”
Part of me wants to say no, but the nosy part of me has me agreeing to her terms.
“There’s a new cruise this summer. Haven of the Seas, it’s run by Heat Haven. I bought myself a ticket.”
“Why wouldn’t you want to tell your brother or parents? That sounds like fun.”
“It’s three months long,” she says and I choke on my drink slightly, but keep the straw held up to my lips.
“Three months?” I question.
“It’s different from how they run their facilities. The whole point is for single Omegas, Alphas, and established packs to find the one. I just want to go somewhere where no one knows my last name, you know? It feels like every Alpha I meet is into me because of my family name and what that can do for them, or simply because I’m an Omega.”
She sighs, pushing her long dark hair out of her face. “Obviously, I know the Omega part is something that I can’t hide, but I just don’t like any of these high society guys. They’re boring and conniving. I want a pack who wants me and only me, you know?” she asks.
I glance over at the water, watching the three men I love so much swimming in the swim shorts I got them, big goggles on their faces, semi trying to drown each other as a joke and I understand what she’s saying.
I get what it feels like to want to be truly loved and not used.
“Your secret is safe with me, but aren’t you eventually going to have to tell them where you are for three months?”
“I’ll tell them as soon as the boat leaves New York.”
“When do you leave?”
“June, I just hope my first heat doesn’t come before then.”
“You deserve to be happy, Claire. I’m sure they’ll understand,” I tell her and she gives me a pointed look and I grimace.
The more time I’ve spent with the S?rensens, the more I realize that Claire has been somewhat wrapped in steel wool by her parents and brothers alike. I guess the trauma her mother went through as an Omega has them wanting to make sure to not repeat the cycle, but maybe her very pretty gilded cage door is locked too tight.
This cruise could be just the thing she needs to get some freedom and find the pack she’s been yearning for.
“I think it will be great. I won’t tell anyone.”
She sighs in relief. “Thanks. It’s been a lot keeping that in.”
“Just promise me you’ll check in.”
“Scouts honor.”
“Baby, look what I got!” Mack shouts from the ocean, holding up a lobster with his bare hands. He’s so precious, and has really come out of his shell more and more. He still streams, occasionally, but more of his focus has been on the pack. If anything his evasiveness and our packs spotlight has earned him more followers and they yearn for when he actually hops on and shows his handsome face.
“Show off,” Cole says, splashing his brother, while Mack has a massive grin on his face.
I smile and give him a thumbs up. God, I love them so fucking much.
“Yeah, you need to get on that cruise,” I tell Claire as I look at my three Alphas joking with each other.
Every Omega deserves a pack half as good as mine. I personally feel like I’ve won the lottery, but Claire deserves her happy ending, too.
The Caribbean sun is beating down on me as I lie on my stomach, a large hand on my back rubbing lotion. I immediately know it’s Jonah.
“Can’t have my girl burning up,” he says.
“Gag, that’s my cue to leave,” Claire says and I laugh as she makes her way back inside the beach mansion.
Cole takes the seat next to me and Mack sits on the edge.
“You haven’t gotten in the water yet,” Mack says.
“I’m not the best swimmer,” I admit, and he shakes his head.
“You have three massive Alpha buoys. You don’t have to swim,” he says.
I glance out at the clear water while Jonah keeps placing sunscreen anywhere he feels necessary, including the bridge of my nose.
“Okay, but you better not let go.”
The water is warmer than I thought it would be as the waves crash around my calves and I grip on to both Mack and Jonah.
I can swim in a pool no big deal, but besides some trips to the Jersey Shore with Gran, my experience with the ocean is pretty limited. I think I only saw the Pacific Ocean twice when I lived in LA, which feels like a lifetime ago.
Nicky and Ryan have completely flopped in their music career, and I haven’t heard a peep from them. Danny’s behind bars, and apparently also getting a lot of treatment. He did apologize in court to me and my pack, stating that he wasn’t of sound mind. I’m not sure how true that is, but he isn’t a threat to me or my pack anymore.
We’re a real pack. We love each other; we care for each other. Sure, there are arguments about who takes out the trash, and who left the toothpaste lid off, but that’s what a relationship is supposed to look like.
I’m seen, and I see them in return.
Cole protects me with a ferocity I didn’t know was possible, while still being one of the most gentle people I know. When he loves, he loves so deeply you never have to guess where you stand with him.
Jonah gave me a family, and in turn has taught me so much about affection, loving myself and others. Not to mention he spoils me like it’s a sport.
Mack, my sweet, shy Mack, is the person I tell everything to. He’s such a good listener and only wants to be seen and heard in return.
People say perfect is unattainable, but I feel like fate had me on that flight and led me to these Alphas.
Mack grabs my waist as we get into deeper water. I’m more buoyant than I thought I would be as Cole and Jonah float around us, the sun setting off in the distance.
“Happy birthday, baby,” he says, kissing me softly against the lips.
“Speaking of babies,” Jonah says, wiggling his eyebrows and I roll my eyes.
“One day, but not anytime soon,” I reply and he grins, grabbing me away from Mack, who seems bitter but accepting of it, and I wrap my arms around Jonah.
“I’m only kidding. I need way more time with you before I have to share you with even more people.”
“You’re barely any good at that now,” Cole says, trying to yank me out of Jonah’s arms.
I laugh as I look at the orange and pink horizon.
My Omega ego went from non-existent, thinking I was defective, to being the size of this house we’re staying at in Aruba. It’s all thanks to these three guys swimming around me.
“Now, I know you’ve already joined the mile high club. What about the nautical mile club?” Jonah jokes.
“We aren’t a mile from shore, dumbass,” Cole says back.
“We’ll just have to come up with another name for it,” Jonah says, sliding my bottoms to the side.
I glance over to the shore, seeing that everyone else has gone inside.
When I look back at Jonah, he seems smugger than hell, but I give him what he wants, like I usually do. Maybe I’m not the only one who’s spoiled after all.
All I know is that I’m living my best Omega life and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’m finally safe.