Chapter 18
My consciousness returned in a groggy haze. I blinked open my eyes, panic rising when I didn’t recognize the bed I was in.
This wasn’t my room or even my house.
What the hell.
I took a deep breath, my pack’s scents so strong that it fought right through my morning fog and the panic.
A familiar voice was singing a soft song that only helped ground me to reality. I'd know that voice anywhere… it was Jackson. He'd have to sing to me sometime.
"Oh, you're up?" Cy asked as he poked his head out of the bathroom. His hair was dripping with water and he had a towel wrapped around his waist. “I felt you freak out for a second, are you alright?”
My hand moved instinctively to my neck, fingers moving gently over the tender, ridged skin their bites had left behind.
Bonded. We were bonded.
For a moment my brain tried to panic all over again, thinking this was far too soon, but I didn’t even bother to let it take hold. I stood by my choice. We were perfect together and when fate was right, it was an obvious, easy choice.
"Yes. Though, I probably could've slept for days. I just had a moment of panic when I woke up and didn’t know where I was,” I admitted as my eyes roamed over his chest. God, he was fucking perfect.
"We have to get back to Willow Lake for camp. Even if we'd rather stay here with you," he said with a frown.
"I know the feeling. This mattress is really comfy and inviting, but only when we are all here together," I smiled at him.
"Don't tempt me," he groaned dramatically.
“I have to work today, too,” I admitted as I forced myself up, chuckling at his dramatics. I found myself laughing more freely now. They made me feel safe and comfortable… how long had it been since I’d felt that?
"Jackson should be just about done with breakfast if you're hungry."
An incredible night last night then breakfast this morning? An omega could get used to this. Especially if that was bacon I smelled.
"Are you guys real?" I mused as I pulled back the covers, letting out a shriek as I realized that I was still naked. I yanked them back as fast as I could with flaming cheeks.
"Why'd you do that?" Cy asked as he stepped forward, removing the blanket from my body with narrowed eyes. "Don't ever shy away from me, peach. I will kiss every inch of your body to remind you just how sexy I think you are. I thought we showed you that last night."
He opened the bond between us, sending his feelings through to me, raw and unfiltered. The pure lust and pride at being my alpha was so intense it was hard to breathe.
Holy shit. I hadn’t realized just how much I needed to feel that from them. To know, irrefutably, that I was what they wanted. All of me.
"So, are you just going to stand there and stare?" I asked with an arched brow. It was taking everything in me not to snatch the blanket back but it was getting easier by the minute.
"Quit tempting me, omega," he said, placing the blanket near me. "If we had the time I wouldn’t hesitate, peach."
Jackson walked in right as Cy let out a groan in defeat. His eyes roamed slowly over me, the bond flooding with even more desire and desperate need.
"Oh, I see dessert is ready." It was funny how intense he felt in the bond, yet how playful he kept his reaction.
I didn't grab for the covers this time. "Cy said we don't have time for that, but I'm starving."
Jackson placed the tray next to me. "Eat up, there’s always tonight."
"I have bookclub at the store tonight," I reminded him as I slid on a discarded shirt and snagging a piece of bacon. "Unless you three want to join?"
"What was the book again?" Griff asked from behind Jackson.
"It was published by an indie author. Hopeless Magic," I answered before I took a bite.
"Yeah, I think I'll pass," Griff said with an adorable wrinkle of his nose. "I'm more of a murder mystery book guy."
"No problem. This has been scheduled for months or I'd cancel it to be with you guys, but there are moms that get sitters just to come, so I can't let them down," I explained with a sigh.
"We'd never ask you to do that. Maybe we can help pick the next book?" Jackson suggested.
"I'll talk with the ladies, but I'd be down for that.” His answering smile had butterflies dancing through me. I swear those dimples might truly kill me.
"Once you're finished with breakfast, get dressed and we'll take you to work," Cy said, stealing a blueberry from my plate. Brat.
"I don't have any clean clothes here. I need to go to my cabin first.”
"We arranged for Sarah to have some outfits dropped off last night," Jackson told her. “We figured this wouldn’t be a one time thing and it couldn’t hurt to have this place for mornings like this. Having stuff here just makes sense. Your shower and hair stuff should be the same, as well.”
"I don't remember seeing my things," I said. When the hell did they have the time to do all that?
"Well, you were a little preoccupied when we got back last night," Griff reminded me with a wink. I huffed out a laugh and rolled my eyes.
The alpha wasn’t wrong.
The memories of last night came rushing back and I really didn't want to leave this bed anymore.
"Eat before it gets cold and dress after. Before we all get in trouble for missing important things," Jackson ordered. It was an attempt at being firm but the hint of desperation there had me listening.
"Yes, sir," I said with a little salute before I grabbed the fork and dug in.
Soon enough we were all fed, properly showered, and clothed. I was almost sad to drive back after last night, but I loved Willow Lake.
“With us keeping this place, we get the best of both worlds,” Griff told me as he took my hand in his, bringing it to his lips and brushing a kiss there. “Don’t look so sad. We’ll come back again.”
“I’m just not ready to face the world. I hate we don’t just have free schedules for a month or so,” I half joked. My voice was too serious to be completely playful.
“We have the rest of our lives, gorgeous,” he reminded me before a song came on that had all three of them singing at the top of their lungs. Adorably offkey for the other two, though Jackson definitely stole the show.
It all felt so easy with them. My omega and I were content. The guys bickering over the music, conversations they always included me in, and flirting non-stop was my new happy place. The bond was wide open and easy like this. I knew they were being genuine with every smile and flirty word.
My heart stuttered as Cy pulled up in front of the bookstore. Fear started to creep in. The worry that fresh, hateful words would be waiting.
That my relationship would start to tank our business.
I let out a breath of relief when I finally dared to look. It was as pristine as ever, no remnants of hate left behind.
Griff squeezed my hand and I gave him a reassuring smile. I’d unintentionally closed the bond so they weren’t getting the full force of my reaction but he saw it anyway. They were always watching, sensing what I needed before I could even wrap my head around it.
"Are you guys coming in, or do you have to get to camp?" I asked, hopeful that they'd walk me in at least.
"We have time to come in and say hi," Jackson said from the passenger seat. I wasn’t sure if it was because I was being needy or if they truly did, but I couldn’t find it in me to question it.
My shoulders relaxed as Cy parked the car. Even in this little time with them, they were my rocks now and I didn't realize that their support was what was missing from my life.
Cy jumped out and opened my door, holding a hand out to me. "Ready?"
I didn't hesitate to slide my palm in his, the warmth from his touch igniting something in my core.
He leaned in and whispered in my ear. "You smell so damn good, peach."
I playfully hit his chest. "Oh no, not now, mister! There isn't time for that, remember?”
His look of defeat had me cracking up.
“Maybe later… if you’re lucky."
"Promise?" he asked as he led me to the store. This alpha was shameless.
"Depends on if you're a good boy," I teased, earning me a swat on the ass.
"Hey now," Taryn called out. "Save that for the bedroom."
I looked up to see her and Liam holding the door open for me.
"You better give me that cute little nephew of mine," I said, letting go of Cy's hands to take the baby from her and giving him my full attention.
"Take him, he was up all night again," she groaned, though the loving smile that she had while she looked at him told me she didn't mind too much.
"That's just because he missed me yesterday," I teased. "How's Gem?"
"Perfect," Bea said, coming into view with our niece on her hip. Her dark curls were perfect as always and Gem had a thick strand in her tiny fist.
I walked through the door with a greeting to the sweet little girl.
The scent of paperbacks had me breathing in deep, a sense of calm washing over me like it always did. This was truly one of my happy places.
The other was with them.
"How many emails did we get yesterday?" I asked as I walked towards my desk, bracing for their answer. I swear I was starting to develop an email phobia.
"I've handled all that and posted on all our media pages, regarding it. No one is going to talk shit about you on my watch," Bea told me. There was fire in her voice, the heat burning in her eyes just as fierce.
I swallowed hard, letting her support chase away the nerves.
"Thank you," I started to say but she held up a hand to stop me.
"There’s always going to be someone that is jealous of you. You snagged one of the hottest packs in this area. Hell, the state and league, too. But we aren't going to back down," she told me. “We’ll shut it down every time. No one deserves that.”
"I’m sure the pictures from last night didn’t help," I muttered, lowering my head.
Griff stepped towards me and pulled my chin up. He was never one to let me hide. "Bea's right. There are haters everywhere, but you have your besties, their packs, and us, all in your corner and we won't let anyone treat you badly again."
"I'm grateful to have you all backing me," I told him. “I’ll get used to it eventually.”
“You’ll get used to the limelight,” Taryn said. “No one expects you to get used to this hate, or to tolerate it.”
Liam squirmed a little in my arms and farted, breaking the tension. I laughed as my guys backed up.
"He's not going to explode," I said, tickling Liam until he was giggling. "Which one of you wants to hold him?"
My money was on Jackson, but to my amazement Cy was the one to hold his arms out for my little nephew.
"Be gentle," I told him as he moved to place Liam in his arms. The twins were nearing four months now and could hold their heads up themselves, but I still worried.
"Like this?" he asked, looking from the baby to me and holding his arms like he was already holding Liam.
"Perfect," I assured him, as I placed Liam in his awaiting arms. If the sight of him holding Liam didn't have my ovaries bursting I don't know what would.
Bea stepped towards Griff and Jackson elbowed him to make the same motion with his arms as Cy had. He huffed but did and then my rough and tough guy was holding my niece.
"Cy, go stand by Jackson, this is a photo op for their baby books," Taryn squeaked with excitement.
"Yeah, it's not everyday that your uncles are famous ball players," Bea added.
That brought a smile to all three of their faces and Bea snapped a few pictures.
"I'll send these to Dani and she can share them with you," she told them over her shoulder as my friends walked away to compare pictures.
Liam let out a squawk in protest, Cy’s eyes widening as he walked over to me, ready to hand him back.
"Did you pinch him?" I teased but Cy didn't get my joke and started to apologize.
I laid my free hand on him and bounced Liam in the other. "I was only joking. This little guy just likes to be the center of attention. You didn't do anything wrong."
“You scared me, little dude,” Cy said with relief, shaking his head. At least his smile had returned.
“Now go, before you’re late. You have kids depending on you,” I told them. “And I have work to do.”
“See you after book club? We can have dinner waiting,” Jackson offered. The hope I felt in the bond had me agreeing easily.
“Sure. I’d hate to have to go to bed alone anyway,” It was a joke, but it was the truth. The thought of being away from them, even for the day, had my chest aching.
I always thought packed up omegas seemed so needy and now I saw it for what it was. The bond simply thrived together, and struggled apart. It was a connection so deep that you couldn’t resist being close.
Especially in such early stages.
They all said a quick goodbye, giving me a kiss before they were out the door.
The moment it was silent, my friends popped up in front of me, eager grins on their faces.
“Alright, spill. Tell us everything,” Taryn demanded.
“Don’t think we didn’t see those bond marks,” Bea chimed in.
There was no getting out of this now.