11. Wild Carrot – Meaning Fantasy Haven Sanctuary Do not refuse me
11
WILD CARROT
(QUEEN ANNE’S LACE, LACEFLOWER)
MEANING: FANTASY; HAVEN; SANCTUARY; DO NOT REFUSE ME
OCEAN
________
W here my voice had disappeared to, I wasn’t sure, but I would love it to come back right about now.
The three Alphas from the gala were the last people I expected to walk through the door. Cameron, the one who’d danced with me, Micah, and Everett.
The flowers they’d given me— there was no way they could know what they meant , right? Because…
I shook my head as the door closed behind Ruby and I was left alone with three Alphas who were far more appealing than they had any right to be. Their scents filled the space, drawing me in, and my same thoughts from that night came back. They were so handsome they were almost beautiful . And I was going to marry them.
As soon as the door closed Cameron smiled, shoulders easing. “Much better. Felt like we were all suffocating a bit.”
A strangled laugh came out of me.
Everett, closest to me, kept those piercing blue eyes on my face. “Before anything else, I need to ask you, Ocean. Are they forcing you to do this?”
I opened my mouth and closed it again. There wasn’t a clear answer to that, was there? Because yes, they’d made it clear that they thought this was going to happen. And yet no, they weren’t, because I was making an agreement that benefitted me. I wanted this, and I was glad I didn’t have to find out what Frank would do if I’d continued to say no. “No,” I finally squeaked out.
“But he didn’t tell you who we were?”
Shaking my head, I finally relaxed, but I winced. “I didn’t ask.”
The three of them looked at me with such a blend of emotions on their faces that I couldn’t decipher them. Nor did I want to, because it meant I could keep looking at them. No one had a right to look that good simply standing there in a suit . Not when I had to stuff myself into a dress like this and feel the ache with every breath.
“Then why?” Micah asked before smiling. “Not that I’m trying to talk you out of it. We were happy to hear you said yes. But why did you say yes?”
That was a conversation that would take longer than Laura would be willing to leave us alone. “I’d rather not talk about that tonight,” I admitted. “Not never, but it will take time. But I can promise you I’m not being forced. I agreed, and I have my reasons. We can help each other.”
Micah’s gaze dropped down to the flowers in my hands and then back at me. “ That ’ s what it is,” he said, taking a step back. “Orchids.”
“What?”
“Your scent. I couldn’t figure out what flower it was, but with that one,” he gestured to the beautiful orchid mixed in with the flowers, “I understand.”
My lips popped open. “It’s rare that people notice or figure it out,” I admitted.
“It’s stunning,” Everett said, so quietly I almost didn’t hear it. He was still staring down at me, and for a brief moment, it didn’t feel like he was talking about my scent.
“Thank you for the flowers.” I lifted them to my nose and inhaled. They were incredible. Not nearly as good as the blend of the three Alphas in front of me, but lovely all the same.
Cameron stepped a little closer. “I’m glad you like them.”
Finally more at ease, I looked between the three of them. “Why did you want to speak alone?”
“Because this is a little strange for everyone, and it’s not made easier by having an audience. Feels a little like being in a fishbowl.”
I laughed. “You’re not wrong. But this will be good. I can help you, you can help me, and a year will go by fast. You don’t have to worry about me or even see me. I’ll stay out of your way. Promise.”
Something touched my hand, and I looked over to see Everett pulling the flowers out of them and placing them on my uncle’s desk before taking both of my hands in his. My breath went short, and it wasn’t from the corset this time. No, this was entirely from the feeling of being close to him. Which didn’t make any sense. He was gorgeous, and he smelled incredible, but this was a business transaction. I had no illusions about them being attracted to me , despite their flowers speaking of beauty.
“We need this marriage,” he said. “I won’t pretend we don’t. But just because we need it doesn’t mean we don’t want to enjoy it. Or for you to enjoy it.”
My breath shook, but I inhaled fully before I met his gaze. The look in his eyes was filled with… I didn’t know. Something deep and fiery and intense. “I’ll enjoy it. Don’t worry about me. I can be quite content.”
Beside us, Cameron held out a hand to me. I took it, and allowed him to pull me closer, though I was trying not to move too much in the dress. “I would like to touch more than just your hand. Is that all right?”
I nodded, my heart in my throat.
“I need to hear the words, Ocean.”
“Yes,” I whispered. “That’s fine.”
Cameron slid his hands up my arms and behind my shoulders, bringing us together like we were dancing once more. It was dangerous for me to be this close to him, or any of them, because I liked it far too much. And the last thing I needed was to fall in love with three Alphas who were only going to leave me in a year. I was getting out of this marriage with my freedom. Not a broken heart.
I bathed in the sharp scent of lemon and the delicious, swirling sweetness of sugar. Probably a good thing I could barely breathe. If I could, I might grab his suit, shove my face into his chest and do nothing but scent him and the others in a constant loop.
“What Everett is trying to say, and failed,” Cameron said with a grin, “is that while we need this marriage, we also intend for this to be a real marriage. In every sense of the word.”
My mind went blank, and I wasn’t sure I’d heard him correctly. “You want that?”
“We want that.”
I glanced over my shoulder and found Micah and Everett staring at me, both of them with that same smoldering intensity. “You want that with me ?”
Something passed over Everett’s face, but Micah was the one stepping forward and turning me toward him. Brushing his knuckles down my cheek and lifting my chin to see me more clearly. “Yes.” His eyes closed, and for a moment he looked pained. “But I understand if that makes you want to change your answer.”
I thought about it. The truth was, I assumed it was purely convenience. That was why it hadn’t mattered. That I was part of the deal because I was there, and that they needed a wife in name and name only. I should tell them no, because allowing these men to treat me like a real wife would only hurt me later.
And yet, not even a month ago I’d scolded Isolde for not allowing her now pack to take her to bed because of her fear of pain later. Now, standing here in the same situation, I was terrified. They were gorgeous, rich, and so far out of my league, it was frankly laughable that they wanted this at all.
I’d told Isolde that she had a choice, and the day I told her, I truly felt like I had none. Laura had done the same thing she always did, making me feel small and worthless, and I let it get to me. But right now, in this moment, I did, finally , have a choice.
And regardless of the pain, I was going to make the selfish choice. The one that would bring me freedom, and however temporarily, three Alphas I could only dream of.
“Ocean?” Micah’s finger still rested beneath my chin, and he looked worried.
I’d been silent too long. “I don’t want to change my mind,” I whispered.
His smile lit up the whole damn room. “I’m glad.” His eyes dropped to my lips, and I swayed toward him. “May I kiss you?”
My stomach dropped through my feet, and now me being lightheaded had nothing to do with my corset. Before I could answer, the door to the office swung open, allowing my aunt and uncle back in, along with a man who I assumed was the DuPont pack’s lawyer.
I tried to step back, but Micah didn’t let me with a hand on my elbow. Even as he straightened, he kept me close. The look on Frank and Laura’s faces—I wished I had a camera. So incredulous it was nearly comical.
“My apologies,” my uncle said, though he couldn’t do it without a sneer. “I do have some questions about the paperwork.”
“I will answer them,” Everett said, stepping around Micah and into me. He took my hand and lifted it to his lips, kissing the back. “I will see you very soon, Ocean.”
“Okay.”
He smiled tightly as he strode for the door, gesturing for Frank and the lawyer to follow him. Micah and Cameron still stood firmly in my space, and I didn’t mind it. In fact, I felt safer than I had in a long time because I knew Laura wouldn’t dare say what she truly thought in front of them.
Cameron cleared his throat. “Are you all free next Friday?”
“What for?” Laura asked.
I had to stifle my laugh at his expression. “Our wedding to your niece.”
“ This Friday?” She took a step back like his words had struck her. “That’s a little fast.”
Micah placed a hand low on my back, and even through the corset I felt the warmth. I liked it there, comfort without any words. “Time is of the essence.” Then he turned to me once more, dismissing my aunt. “A week isn’t long, we know. But we’ve already contacted an event planner. We’ve worked with her before, and she can get it done. Expense isn’t an object. Whatever you want. And though your flowers are incredible, you are under no obligation to design your own flowers if you don’t want to.”
“I… I’m not sure,” I said.
“That’s all right. We know it’s fast. Take the night to think about that, and Geneva will be in touch tomorrow. I think she already has appointments booked for a dress.” Reaching into the interior pocket of his suit, he took out his phone before handing it to me with the contact page open.
When I glanced up at him, he smiled. I could get used to that smile. “At some point, I will need my wife’s phone number.”
Heat bloomed on my cheeks, but I put my number into his phone, and then Cameron’s when he offered it. This was really happening. I was getting married. Not just getting married, but marrying them . It didn’t feel real. And I imagined it wouldn’t until we were all standing at the altar.
“We do mean it, Ocean,” Cameron said. “Money is no object. Especially when it comes to the dress.”
Laura cleared her throat. “Make sure wherever your planner takes us can accommodate someone of her… size.”
This was where I shriveled up and died. Right here, and right now. Apparently I was wrong, and she would say everything right to their face. My eyes fell to the overly elaborate rug on the floor, tracing the ugly pattern in order to keep myself from looking at them and their reaction to her words.
“All of our bridal salons are size-inclusive,” Micah said, and I could have been imagining the hard edge to his voice. I must have been. “Now, Ocean, the last thing I need from you,” he paused, “for tonight , are your ring preferences.”
My head snapped up. Holy shit. I hadn’t even thought about rings.
“With her coloring, gold would be best. Nothing too heavy. She insists on working with her hands, so you don’t want her to lose a diamond in the dirt,” Laura said.
I closed my eyes and bit my lip, wishing we could go back to five minutes ago when we were alone in the room and nothing felt as awkward as it did right now.
“I don’t recall your presence being required or requested,” Cameron snapped. “And we didn’t ask for your opinion, Mrs. McCabe.”
She huffed a breath and stomped out of the room, taking the heavy air with her. But I still didn’t trust it.
“Is that normal?”
I glanced at Cameron and flicked my eyes to the door, hoping he’d understand that I didn’t believe Laura was truly gone. “She’s just concerned. I can be clumsy.” Not a lie in the slightest. “And it’s all right. It’s only for a year. You can get me whatever ring you want.”
His eyes hardened. “We’ll get you a ring that you love, and there is no argument about it. If you want to think about it, please do. You have our numbers now. And we’ll make sure to give yours to Everett.”
“Thank you. And thank you again for the flowers. They really are beautiful.”
“I hope they tell you a little something about us.” Micah smiled. “And we knew you could make an arrangement far better than we could.”
Wait. Did they?—
I looked at the flowers again and took them in. Most flowers I knew the meanings of by now, but even my knowledge wasn’t encyclopedic. There were a couple I didn’t know, or wasn’t sure what the color variation implied. But the theme was clear: love and beauty.
Cameron’s hand touched my shoulder, and he turned me into his body, holding me close. My instincts rose, and I just kept myself from snuggling into his arms and leaning my head on his chest. My Omega liked them, and it was fucking dangerous. “Call us, please, if you need anything for the wedding. Or even if you don’t.”
“Remember.” Micah stole me away, and it was the first time he’d touched so much of me. Just as overwhelming, the heady sweetness of his scent wrapping me up. “What are you allowed for the wedding?”
I swallowed. “Whatever I want.”
“Whatever you want.” The air felt colder when he pulled away. “I don’t want to leave, but I also don’t want to leave Everett with the wolves.”
“Yeah,” I smiled. “Probably a good idea.”
The atmosphere felt incomplete, like there was nothing more to say yet everything to say and no one quite knew how to move forward. So I picked up the flowers and held them to my nose, trying to clear my head. Not that it would work when the flowers were from them and would therefore bring my thoughts back to them over and over again.
“Like Everett said,” Cameron moved to the door. “We’ll see you very soon.”
I bit my lip, unsure how to say goodbye to Alphas you were attracted to, engaged to, and desperately didn’t want to leave. “Okay.”
Cameron smiled and ran his gaze over me one more time before slipping out. Micah turned back. “Oh, and Ocean?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you. For saying yes.”
He was gone before I could respond, but I couldn’t explain the way those words made my heart flutter and the way they felt like so much more than convenience.
I smiled into the flowers, ignoring where Laura stood outside the study, exactly where I thought she’d be. These flowers needed a vase, and I needed to figure out what the hell just happened, and why I couldn’t stop smiling.