Chapter 22
Oriana
T he docks at sunset was one of my favorite places. When we were teens, a huge group would rent out the docks on friday nights to have a bonfire and hang out. The adults always approved because it kept us out of trouble.
I think they were simply crazy for trusting us. There were way too many things at those parties we never spoke of outside of our circles.
The beach pavilion was decked out in twinkle lights, the bonfire already burning as the sun set over the lake. The docks were generally used for fishing or jumping off to swim.
The mountains in the sunset were breathtaking and a soft smile formed on my face as I took it all in.
Cameron didn’t play around. He had a mini bar set up on one of the tables, and a buffet of food warmers on the other.
The seating around the bonfire was plain except for one chair, where there was a cushion on the seat and no less than three fuzzy blankets waiting for me.
Cameron stood in the middle of it all, a nervous smile on his face. He’d lost the signature leather jacket for this, wearing a pair of dark jeans and a flannel shirt that bulged around his biceps.
My mouth went dry and the omega inside of me perked up, ready to run into her alpha’s arms.
But I couldn’t do that.
Not yet.
“I’m glad you came,” Cameron husked as I walked closer. His eyes didn’t trail over my body, they stayed on my face.
I hated the distance. In my heart I had pictured our future so many ways… except this.
“I did,” I said, my voice shaking slightly.
This close I could scent his cypress and bayberry scent, the nostalgia of it hitting me square in the chest.
“I figured casual would be best for this,” he offered, giving my guys a strained smile. Roman was already at my back, his hand on my hip. Cameron’s look wasn’t agitated, but one of longing.
The petty part of me was glad to see it.
The hopeless romantic hated it. Knew that we were an inevitability. But even my omega didn’t trust him yet.
Maybe that was why I hadn’t bothered to set up a nest. It wouldn’t be with my complete pack.
My eyes flickered to Hudson and Lane, who were both a little distant after I walked out of my future shop. It was probably for the best… this was only temporary.
Even if I hated putting space between us with everything in me.
I craved their touch, their words, their approval.
Fuck, I was a mess.
“So, how about that drink?” I muttered. That broke the tension enough that Cam chuckled and walked over.
“What’s everyone else having?”
He was already mixing me a whiskey sour. I could take a shot of it, but sipping the fiery liquid wasn’t my favorite… except when I was drowning.
Cameron shook my drink and poured it, topping it with two cherries and a lemon slice.
“Thanks,” I managed to say as he handed it over. He gave me a wink that sent a shot of warmth through me and it took everything in me to force my scent not to respond.
He hurt us, remember that! I screamed internally at my omega.
“Just a beer is good,” Lane said, snagging one for him and Hudson before they sat down on either side of my chair.
I almost said something, asking them to leave a spot for Roman next to me, but I didn’t want to make it obvious. There was a reason I hired them and they were doing their job.
Just a job. The words that made my chest ache a little more each time I said them to myself.
Roman gave my hand a squeeze before taking a water and walking over to the fire, sitting down next to Hudson.
“They seem nice,” Cameron commented. He was trying to keep his voice light but it fell flat. “I’m glad you have someone.”
“We’re still new,” I admitted. “Roman and I met first, and that was only a few weeks ago.”
“Really?” he asked. Apparently, that news shocked him, his eyes were wide as he looked between me and my pack.
“Yup,” I shrugged. “I guess it’s different when you’re adults.” It wasn’t meant to be an attack, but he flinched all the same.
“Ori—” he started, his dark brows furrowed as he worked through what to say.
“You’ve already apologized. Saying it again won’t change anything, Cameron. I spent too long angry with you.”
I held up my wrist, showing my fading bond mark.
“You shut me out.”
Tears glistened in his eyes and he nodded, looking absolutely miserable.
“I did,” he said. “I’m trying to fix this. I’ll do anything.”
We stared at the fire for a moment. The subtle crackle in the night along with the soft waves of the lake made for a calming backdrop.
“Why did you keep putting money in my account?”
“You were still my omega. I couldn’t find you, yet I wanted to do something… anything, to ensure you were taken care of if you hit hard times. Financially, at least.”
“I had my normal account. My dads put money in there to get me through until I was settled. The first month I don’t think I got out of bed. Hell, I barely ate or drank.”
He let out a shaky breath and as much as I hated to say this out loud, I knew I could never forgive him until I did.
“I can take it, Ori,” he promised. His voice was firm and his eyes were pained, so I locked mine on those hazel depths and gave him everything. The depressive spells, the hard nights, the ones where I nearly gave up.
A tear tracked down his cheek but he never tore his gaze from mine. He stood strong, absorbing every fact until my voice was hoarse and I was ready to collapse.
“I’m so fucking sorry I made you leave. It was never what I truly wanted. I was just so broken,” he said.
“I know,” I said softly.
We fell silent then, our eyes still locked, just absorbing the impact of the last thirteen years and how they changed us.
Movement from the fire broke the spell. I turned to see Lane approaching, a question in his eyes as he tossed his empty beer bottle in the trash.
“You alright, Princess?”
I opened my mouth to answer but a breeze hit, ruffling my hair and dousing me in a scent that stole my breath.
Lemon, apples, and sweet vanilla. My jaw dropped and I stared at Lane, accusation in my expression.
I watched this man deflate, guilt in his eyes.
“You’re my scent match?” I demanded.
“Wait, what?” Cameron asked.
“You know what, I’m fucking done with secrets. I hired them to make you jealous. Well, not Roman, he’s my mate. These two though and their mysterious third pack member were just to make you jealous. It seems stupid now. But you,” I turned to Lane, my finger poking his chest. I knew I was being unfair, maybe unreasonable, but I was hurt. “You didn’t tell me. Why?”
“Tate wasn’t here yet,” he said, desperation filling his words. “We wanted you to scent us so you knew we weren’t lying.”
“Why would I think you’d lie about something like that?” I growled.
“What the fuck?” Cameron growled. Hudson was by Lane’s side this time and both turned his way.
“Who the fuck are you to say anything?” Hudson bit back. “You broke her heart and hid like a little bitch for thirteen damn years!”
“You know nothing about us. What are you, escorts?!” Cameron thundered. “If you took advantage of her I’ll kill you right here and now.”
Roman pulled me away gently before trying to get in the middle. Insults and accusations were flying and I didn’t have the energy for it. My voice was going unheard, so I did the only thing I could.
I snagged the bottle of whiskey and walked toward the water, plopping down on the weathered wood. My body was angled so I could see out at the water, or glance over at them having their little fit.
The fight went on as I took long pulls of the whiskey. Warmth washed over me as I drank, the fight turning to background noise.
Honestly, despite the drama around the campfire, I felt light and free. I’d held on to so much pain, longing, and need for so many years. Having it off my shoulders was refreshing.
They were being idiots. I didn’t need them to fight each other but Roman had it well in hand. He shot me exasperated looks every so often and I smiled back, shaking my head.
I couldn’t find it in me to be mad about them holding back. They had their reasons and if I had found out any other moment, I’d have been ecstatic.
Right now, at that moment, I simply had no more emotions to give.
A figure walked in, the shadows covering him. He stood off to the side, glancing around at the arguing group before landing on me. The world seemed to slow down as he froze.
Finally, after what felt like minutes had passed, he was moving. The others didn’t notice him as he skirted around the pavilion and moved toward me on the docks.
He sat down with a groan, his scent washing over me. Fresh linen, fallen snow, and warm spice. It was so fresh and cozy that I found myself closing my eyes so I could savor the scent.
“I’m Tate. Did they even tell you about me?” he questioned. His voice was deep and smooth, the kind of voice you wanted to read you bedtime stories.
“Just that you were coming,” I admitted. “I didn’t know we were scent matches. Or they were for that matter.”
“Which one is the guy we were hired for?” he asked.
“The one in flannel,” I admitted. “We’ve talked a lot of it through. I don’t have the trust yet, but we’re working on it.”
“And them?”
“I’ve been distraught thinking they’d leave me at the end of this job. I want them to stay,” I said in a quiet voice. The whiskey had me talking a bit too much, so I took another drink before offering him the bottle.
He didn’t hesitate to take it, wrapping his lips around it. I watched every movement, clocking the strong jaw covered in a beard, his warm, brown eyes looking guarded.
When he pulled it away, he raised an eyebrow at me.
“So, matches, huh?”
“Guess so,” I said with a shrug, taking another drink.
“If you’re a pack, why are you drinking alone and why are they bickering?” he asked as I passed the bottle back.
“Cameron is mad because I got upset they hid it from me. I was upset because I’d just bared my soul to Cam and got thirteen years worth of resentment off my chest. Roman is mediating. He’s the cutie with curly black hair,” I summed it up before flopping back on the dock.
Tate sat the bottle on his other side, away from me, and joined me. Our heads touched, warmth spreading from the contact and through my body.
“I get the feeling,” he said. “I let my family talk me into an arranged marriage. I didn’t love her or really want it, but I was raised in that world. At the altar… she left, telling everyone I was controlling and abusive. They disowned me on the spot to save face, not caring if it was true or not… which it wasn’t, by the way, she was simply using me as a scapegoat. She’d found her pack and they weren’t the same status as we were.”
“What a bitch,” I sputtered, turning to look at him. “I’m sorry she did that to you. And I’m sorry your family is shit.”
He chuckled. “They really are. I’m realizing that maybe I should have let go of that a long time ago.”
His sigh was bone-deep and weary. My hand reached for his on instinct, our fingers locking together. He didn’t shy away as we looked at each other, absorbing the moment.
“I thought I’d never give an omega a chance, summed all omegas up to be vindictive liars.”
“Some are,” I agreed.
“But not all,” he asked more than said.
“Not all,” I agreed. “I’ve been hurt enough. I don’t have any more energy for lies and deceit. Either my matches are in, or they’re out. No games. I’m finally home for the first time in thirteen years, and I have every intention of being happy.”
“I think I’d like to stay and get to know you,” he admitted. That seemed to surprise him but he didn’t take the words back.
“Are you going to break my heart, Tate? I don’t think it can take any more,” I whispered, voice hoarse from the words and whiskey tonight.
“No, Sweetheart. I’m going to try my damndest not to. I just may need a little patience,” he admitted. “But I also have never felt drawn to someone like this. I just want to pull you in my arms and shield you from the world.”
“Sometimes I need that, sometimes I want to fight my own battles,” I said, again being brutally honest. “I’m sarcastic when I’m tired, would much rather drink my coffee by the creek. Sometimes, I dress up, other times I’d rather wear sweatpants and be cozy. I love my family with my whole soul, and I think I’m going to open an antique shop and spend my life here in Rockwood Valley.”
His smile widened as he listened to me ramble, my cheeks warming at the attention. Tate was a bit intimidating, but all consuming at the same time. I had his sole attention at the moment and I preened at that.
“I like to camp, my favorite nights are reading by the fireplace or a bonfire if that’s not an option. I like tea over coffee, and I probably should drink more water than I do. I’m cynical at best, and a bit overbearing. That was one of my exes’ complaints, I was too involved… too much. But I’m an ‘all in for those I care about’ kind of alpha.”
“Want to go on a date with me, alpha?”
He nodded. “I would love that, Sweetheart.”
Tate sat up, glancing over at the still arguing pack. He stood all the way up before offering a hand. I put my palm in his and he pulled me to my feet, brushing a kiss over my forehead.
“Let’s go get our pack, omega.”