Chapter 28 – Riley Thomas
Riley Thomas
“N eed you to come with me," Killian says, grinning. It's a wide smile that takes over his entire face. He's leaning in the doorway looking handsome as hell.
"Okay," I say, nodding. Glancing over at Lily, she's still knocked out in her bassinet. I grab the monitor and follow Kills out. He guides me down the hallway and out to the kitchen.
"Well we've obviously done something wrong," Finn says, holding Cove on his hip and frowning down at a baking pan.
Jasper stands also frowning down at what I think are supposed to be chocolate chip cookies. They look more like rock-hard chocolate chip pancakes. He's also covered in flour and chocolate… he looks like he's been to war with the baking ingredients.
Kills pulls me into his side, grinning and shaking his head. He puts a finger up to his mouth to shush me.
"Yeah man, I know. This is the third batch. I think something is wrong with that recipe," Jasper says, wiping flour off his cheek.
"They always turn out delicious when Felicity makes them," Finn says, frowning.
"Let's check!" Cove says, a little too loudly. "Might be, we can still eat 'em Mr. Finn!"
Jasper takes a spatula and attempts to pry one off the pan. It takes considerable effort and the cookie flies across the room, slamming into the wall.
"Oh sh-" Jasper blanches. "Ships."
"Not that one," Cove says. "Try again, Assper."
Finn giggles, tickling Cove's belly. "Everything is more fun when you're around, Button."
"Told ya, it'd be worth seeing," Killian says, kissing the top of my head.
"Mummy caught us," Finn says, grinning at Cove. "Maybe you should go with her while Assper and I clean up this failed experiment."
"We can't eat 'em?" Cove says, crossing tiny arms over her chest.
"Not unless you want to lose a tooth before your time," Jasper says, pouting. "I followed that recipe exactly."
"I wanna eat my cookies," Cove pouts.
"Uh oh," Jasper says, snatching her out of Finn's arms. "The cookie monster meltdown is upon us.
Oh no…" He tosses her up and catches her, tickling her sides, and pulling her to his chest. "We've got to squeeze out all the meanness.
Go on, hold on tight. Get all your anger out.
" By the time Cove is done hugging him for dear life, she's giggling like a lunatic.
"Alright," Jasper says, handing her off to me. "You go with Mom and we'll fix this kitchen up."
"I'll ask Fefe to make cookies for next time you visit," Kills assures her. He's still at my side.
Cove launches herself out of my arms and toward his massive chest. Killian catches her one handed.
"Told you before, you're reckless child."
"Nah, you had me!" Cove declares, squeezing his neck for dear life. "Love you Kiki!"
My jaw falls open. Killian stares down at her in bewilderment for a few solid seconds before growling at her. It's a playful, sweet growl.
"That's how Mr. Mason says he loves you too!" Cove says. She nods and beams.
Mason is Killian's dad. My heart simultaneously melts and tries to pound right out of my damn chest.
"I tried to bake the dang cookies," Jasper grumbles.
Finn pops up at Cove's side. "I'll call Fefe too. You want to say anything to me, Button?" He gives her a goofy grin.
"Thanks Mr. Finn," Cove says, smacking a kiss on his cheek.
"Better luck next time," Killian says, smirking. He pats Finn on the back.
Kills puts his hand on my lower back and guides us out of the kitchen.
* * *
"What the heck is all this?" I ask, blinking at the huge stack of boxes. They practically take up half the giant living room.
"Courting gifts, darling," Finn says, kissing my cheek. "You didn't think we'd let the wee ones get all the goodies did you?"
"That was very sweet," I say, hugging him tight. I've already expressed my extreme gratitude over their thoughtfulness. Seeing them include the girls? God, it got me right in the gut.
"These two are from me," Jasper says, pushing two medium size boxes at me. My eyes find his and he just shrugs. "You don't have to accept them. I might be heartbroken, but I won't force the issue." He flashes me a dazzling smile that's all perfect straight white teeth.
"The rest is from me," Cannon says, nodding to the three giant bins. "That's where I was this morning. I went shopping with my mom and Savannah."
"Mine first," Jasper says. "His gifts will take five years to make it through."
Jasper cuts the top of the delivery box and hands me the first one. "There's technically one more, but I think I'm going to hold off and give you that one… later."
Finn snorts. "Did you buy her sex toys or lingerie?" he asks, rolling his eyes.
"I'm not ruining the surprise," Jasper says, nodding to the box. "Get on with it."
Opening the box, there's a light blue box with a thick sparkly gold ribbon wrapped around it. Jasper helps me take it out of the shipping box.
Yanking the ribbon, I toss it to the side and carefully pop the hinge lid. There's a cream crinkle tissue paper covering everything. Unfolding it, my jaw falls open. On top there's a card.
Riley is written in gold script. I briefly read through the message.
Riley,
This gift was personally perfected for you by your alpha. All products have been specifically selected to match your scent profile. Our process targets which products should work best based on the questionnaire and scent tests your alpha completed.
You'll receive five boxes, one every two months for the next year. Return any product, at any time, for any reason. We have a one hundred percent satisfaction guarantee.
The Divine Omega
"You went to Divine Omega?" I hiss. "When?"
Jasper chuckles. "When you first met with Ainsley," he says, brushing my hair out of my face.
"No wonder it took you so long to park," I say, dumbfounded.
"Check out your goodies," Jasper says, grinning. "I hope you like it."
Setting the box on the ground, I toss myself at Jasper.
"I fucking love it," I whisper against his ear. "Thank you."
He squeezes me tight. "You haven't even opened it."
"It's the thought that counts," I say, nuzzling my cheek against his.
Jasper looks shocked.
"That's the way it's supposed to go when you give someone a gift," Cannon says, patting Jasper on the back.
Finn hands me the box and I open it, sitting in Jasper's lap.
There are two large three wick candles, wrapped up in the softest pillow cases I've ever felt.
Personal care items like lotion, body wash, shampoo and conditioner.
There's a black out face mask, with cooling gel beads inside, a pair of super fancy ear plugs, for when I'm overly sensitive to sounds.
At the very bottom there's a silky soft pajama dress and a pair of matching slippers.
"Holy shit, did you get the ultimate subscription or something?" I ask. "I love it all, thank you so much." I actually whimper as I rub the smooth fabric against my face.
Jasper clears his throat, wrapping an arm around my middle and pulling me in close to his chest. "Let's get you the next one."
Killian and Finn help me pack up the box as Cannon cuts open the other shipping box and hands me… a giant picnic basket.
"It's one of the omega treat boxes?" I shriek, clapping like a lunatic.
"It is," Jasper whispers into my ear.
Cannon hands me the basket and I freak out a little as I pull out all the goodies.
There's candied and glazed pecans and walnuts, dried specialty fruits that are supposed to help with the cramps that come during heats and in the days after, chocolates and fudge, the list goes on.
At the bottom is a table cloth meant to be laid out when you eat in the nest. There's also a heavy envelope.
Inside is a booklet of everything from meat and cheese platters to comfort food like casseroles.
"The store is located on the mainland," Jasper says. "If we were closer they'd deliver daily, but since we're out here…" He sighs. "They'll deliver five items of your choice on the first day of your heat. Sorry Riles."
"What the hell are you sorry about?" I ask tipping my head up to his. "This is awesome. Thank you." I kiss his cheek. He tenderly pulls me back into him and brushes his lips over mine.
"You should see what you like," Killian says, nodding to the booklet. "Maybe try to pick beforehand and we can order it when it's time."
"That sounds great," I say, leaning over and kissing his cheek.
Finn has already packed up the basket and Cannon is dragging a five foot long rubber tote over. "Now this might seem excessive, but my mom assured me it's not…" Cannon actually blushes.
Getting up, I kneel on the floor next to it and Finn helps me with the lid.
I squeal in delight when I get a look inside. Sheets to cover the nest mattress, pillow cases, a soft fuzzy robe, and curtains for the inner barrier of the nest.
Cannon pulls over the next bin and my jaw drops. It's got a variety of things from bath bombs to scent blocking soaps. Hair ties, fuzzy socks, lip balm, and about a million other things.
"All highly recommended by my mom," Cannon says, blushing.
"I love it," I tell him, tossing myself at him. He lifts me up, wrapping me around his strong frame.
"Good, two more to go," he says between kisses.
I look at the lone bin. Cannon puts me back on my feet and helps me open it. There are vacuum sealed pillows… all very expensive looking and my jaw falls. Every imaginable filling from hypoallergenic to goose down. At the bottom are a variety of blankets in different fabrics and weaves.
"Whatever you don't like," Cannon says with a shrug. "One of us will use them. My mom swears you'll start stealing our bed pillows soon anyway so I got a few extras."
"You guys," I say, glancing between the four of them. "Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I never expected or needed anything this lavish."
"That's exactly why it's so easy to give," Jasper says. He yanks me back into his lap. "Last gift?"
Cannon walks over to the buffet table and opens one of the panels. He comes back with a box that's about six inches by nine inches. "This is from all of us," he says, brushing his lips over mine.
My hands shake as I take the small black box. Popping the hinge lid, I gasp.
"The necklace has an icy blue cushion-cut aquamarine in the center. It's a vintage style floral drop pendant. The outer stones are diamonds, but we kept it simple to match your dress," Finn says. He brushes his lips over my cheek.
"The bracelet is alternating white sapphire and the icy blue aquamarine," Jasper says. "Since we knew you'd likely freak if we got the diamond version."
"The drop earrings are the same as the necklace," Cannon says, biting his bottom lip.
I glance at Kills. "Don't look at me sweet girl," he rumbles. "I wanted to get the diamonds."
I snort, I'm pretty sure my jaw is still hanging open. Jeremy bought me practical things. An apartment, furniture, a car… but never anything like this.
"I love it," I whisper, swallowing thickly. "I feel like a broken record, but thank you."
"I hope you'll wear it tomorrow night," Jasper murmurs in my ear. "It will match your dress perfectly."
"O-Of course," I agree.
"Good," Finn says, pulling me off Jasper's lap. "Let's get these goodies all set up before bed, shall we?"
That's exactly what we do. The guys all help by setting up the pillows on the bed in the pack bedroom. Everyone isn't sleeping in there just yet, but they all take a pillow and blanket to cuddle. We spend the night stocking the bedroom and setting up the nest.
My insides do a happy dance as I take in the luxurious space.
I never thought I'd have anything like this.
But as I look around at the guys who are busy chatting amongst themselves, laughing, and smiling…
I realize I'd give it all up in a heartbeat to keep them.
I'd live in a shoebox sized apartment to keep these men rather than live in some crazy mansion and have to give them up.
It's quick, but my impulses are in agreement… I've found my pack.