22. Arden
Arden
M y head was spinning and my skin flushed with fresh heat. It wasn’t just the body heat of the crowd, but being consumed by Avery.
I tried to take it slow, but the longer she was in my arms, the harder it was to resist her.
Her spiced cider scent was strong as I nuzzled into her neck, marking her as much as she was marking me.
The closer we stood, the deeper the notes of her scent grew, until it surrounded me like a warm, cozy blanket.
“I should probably share you, Avery,” I admitted reluctantly, my voice lined with gravel that showed that I was feeling this just as much as she was. I didn’t want to give her any reason to doubt me or my intentions.
“Maybe,” she said, though I didn’t let her go. “You know… this feels a lot different.”
She didn’t have to clarify for me. I hummed in agreement and pulled her tighter against me.
“I’m glad. I want this to be different for you.” That was an understatement. After her exes, the bar was on the floor. I wanted us to be so much better.
“Some days I’m so mad at myself for not seeing it,” she admitted, her voice small.
“Fight against that voice, baby. It’s lying to you. There was no fault from you in that relationship. They were covert, using your hormones and biology against you, and all you did was try to love them. Don’t let them ruin your future because of the history between you. We’ll make new memories and you’ll realize how good pack life can be.”
“Thanks,” she whispered, so much emotion in her tone that we didn’t pull away from the embrace for several beats. I waited for her to let go first and when she did her smile was just as bright as before.
My mate was resilient and strong, I was already so proud of her.
“Let’s not shut out the others,” she joked, taking my hand in hers and heading for the table where the others were waiting, watching us.
“There they are,” Ford grinned, tugging her into his lap the moment she was within reach. Mason frowned, looking like he wanted to protest his exuberant friend, but Avery just let out a surprised laugh and settled in, wiggling in his lap for a second to get comfy.
The poor guy bit his lip and groaned, head dropping back in pure painful bliss.
I chuckled and took a sip of my drink, glad Nash hadn’t added too much alcohol in. Drinking wasn’t something I did often and the last thing I needed was to show how much of a lightweight I was.
“Thanks for coming, guys, it means a lot to me,” Avery said, giving each of us a look in turn. The way she made sure we all felt seen was perfect. No one could truly let jealousy take hold when she worked so hard to ensure we were all present in her mind.
“We wouldn’t have missed it. Packs celebrate together,” Cohen said, giving us a look that said he’d make sure we kept that promise.
“How is the live going?” Mason asked. Nash was chatting to the phone so I knew it was in full swing now.
“They’re going to kill me,” she said with a groan. “I completely ghosted them. Let me check in.”
She gave Ford a quick peck before rushing off to the bar. The brothers clearly teased her but didn’t look upset. That was enough for me to turn my attention back to our newly formed group.
“So, what’s the plan with Avery?” I asked bluntly.
“I plan to court her, take her on dates, and get to know her at her pace,” Cohen said easily.
“That’s our plan as well,” Ford said. “I know she has a pending date with Mason and I’m also working on finding a new contractor since the last failed. She made it clear she doesn’t want to mix business with anyone she knows so I’m looking for someone who is local, but not a dick.”
“Actually, I might be able to help there,” I admitted. “An old neighbor I had growing up had his own business and prided himself on being an honest man. He’s only about a thirty minute drive out so it’s close enough. Here, let me find his website.”
Mason took a drink of his beer while I pulled it up and sent the link to the group chat.
Ford and Cohen also looked the link up, Cohen chiming in with his own approval.
“This guy did some renovation work for the shop and my workshop at home,” Cohen said. “Definitely an honest man.”
“Aw, look at us being a real pack,” Ford said, a teasing grin on his face before his expression turned more serious. “She seems to want to take things slow and I’m fine with her pace. I’m not going anywhere and I want to make that clear to her. We won’t be using and leaving her or anything like that. I actually think we should plan a group date as well. She needs to see us united as much as we need to get to know her on individual levels. Eventually she’ll go into heat and even if she wants to suppress it, I want her to trust us enough to support her.”
Ford was more insightful than I gave him credit for. He was right, the sooner we had a united front, the better.
“Okay, this may be presumptuous, but there’s no going back anyway,” Cohen said. “But where is everyone living?”
“Ford and I have a month to month lease in town,” Mason explained. “We live above the sandwich shop.”
“I’ve got a place near the clinic,” I said, “but I’m listening. What are you thinking?”
Cohen ran a hand over his stubble, thinking it over before explaining.
“I’ve got this big place on the outskirts of town. Big old brick farmhouse and a workshop. Big yard for my dogs, I’ve got two, and plenty of empty space. The rooms are yours at any time if you want them. Maybe us making the effort but not pressuring her would present us as a cohesive pack. I think she is going to want to feel secure before she is all in. This could help reassure her that we are taking her seriously.”
It was an interesting idea… albeit risky. We knew next to nothing about each other. Cohen was right that there was no going back, so maybe this was exactly the kind of wild idea that I needed.
“My house needs a few renovations, and I bet I could allocate funds from the clinic to make it a sort of safe house for omegas. Maybe even convince them to buy it,” I admitted. “I’d considered it before because it’s a three minute walk from work and we need more rooms for wayward omegas, but didn’t have an alternative yet.”
“If they need anyone to help with those renovations, Ford and I are licensed and hard workers,” Mason said. “I’ve been considering getting our name out there for a mixed bag of renovations and handyman work.”
“You should do that,” Cohen said. “There’s a small office on the corner of Fox Street and Main for rent. I don’t know what your finances are at, but it could be a good thing to consider.”
“Well, no point in secrets, but we’ve got a savings we’ve been pouring into since we graduated and got our first jobs,” Ford said. “I had a bit of an inheritance when my parents died so that’s in there, too.”
Cohen looked embarrassed, shifting in his seat and not meeting our eyes. “My business does well and I had a trust I got access to a few years ago.”
“I’m not from money and even though the Omega Network tries to pay well, it’s not incredible. My savings are decent but not something impressive by some standards. I invest and save where I can and it’s just me, so I’ve played it smart.”
“Good, glad we’re all responsible. Another sign we can take care of her,” Mason said, nodding in approval.
“So, I guess we have our work cut out for us,” Ford said, his excitement causing him to fidget now. “Moving, making plans for a business, courting our omega, and becoming a pack.”
“I feel like we need a disclaimer, all cards on the table… I can’t stand clutter, I require coffee before conversation in the morning, and I hate heights,” I said.
Cohen laughed softly. “We’ll have an adjustment. I like cozy spaces and I’m certainly not a minimalist.”
Mason shrugged. “It is what it is. I’m not a minimalist, I don’t mind lived in… but my parents, as much as I love them, hold onto everything.”
“He’s not wrong. Even his old room looks the same as it did when he left, but with extra boxes now.”
“I have two beagles. They’re loud and can be a lot, but Avery loves them and so do I,” Cohen added.
“I’ve never had dogs, I’m excited. Maybe I’ll go shopping for some bribery to win them over,” Ford chuckled.
“They live for treats,” Cohen laughed, relaxing a bit.
“Anyone’s family the ‘pop over without notice’ type?” I asked, curious if there would be other dynamics to meld as well.
“Nah, mine mostly ask us to visit,” Mason said.
“My grandma raised me but she’s a homebody. I visit often but she doesn’t get out much,” Ford agreed.
“I’m the family black sheep because I chose small town and a business of passion so we won’t see much of mine,” Cohen said. “My uncle was the one who got me into small town life, in fact, I got the pups from him.”
He sounded so sad that Ford and I reached out at the same time, my hand squeezing his shoulder while Ford’s touch was more intimate, his fingers wrapping around Cohen’s.
“The fucked-up part is he isn’t even gone. He’s just in a rehab facility and my aunt oversees it. She says he’s fragile and worse every time I call for a visit and she tells me not to come.”
“Give me a name and any information you have, let me use my resources to get a clinical update, not a familial one,” I offered gently.
Cohen’s head snapped my way. “You can do that?”
“I can try,” I said, not wanting to give false hope. It might be an overstep but I was willing to take the risk.
“Maybe call that friend of yours and schedule her an appointment. If she wants us to sit in we can,” Mason suggested. “Otherwise, Cohen, you let us know when you’re ready for us to swing by and see the place. Get our bearings and meet the dogs before we fully send this idea.”
“You can swing by after, I’ll need to let them out anyway,” Cohen said. “Otherwise I’m closed on Sundays and half days Saturdays.”
“Look at her up there,” Ford said, his voice full of amusement.
Avery was talking to the phone with Nash by her side, the two joking and swatting at each other every so often.
We should watch, offer up some likes and comment engagement,” I suggested as I pulled open my PackVlog app. The live was easy to find and I was shocked to see how many comments were rolling through.
“Damn, these comments are thirsty,” Ford snorted, his voice pitching high as he read a few off. “That alpha can boss me around any time. Is he looking for an omega, because I volunteer?”
A comment rolled through that was clearly some asshole who hadn’t had an omega in his life.
“Watch your mouth, that’s my sister,” Nash snapped, deleting the comment. “Blocking his ass and anyone else who says a word about her.”
Mason grunted in approval. “Now watch all the protective alpha comments come in. Avery was genius for putting them as the face of this account.”
“Hey, here’s Cameron,” Avery said, perking up as her other brother stepped in. “That’s my cue to leave you to the chat. Bye, everyone, thanks for hanging with us and don’t hesitate to come in for a drink.”
Fuck, she was adorable. Our omega was really the entire package. Confident, cute, humble, a hard worker, caring, and sexy.
We tapped a few more likes and put down our phones as Avery hurried over, smile still wide like she couldn’t keep it off of her face.
“There’s our girl,” Ford called out as she approached. “I see it went well. That was a lot of viewers.”
“Right?” she gasped, her eyes shining. “It’s making a huge difference. We’ve already turned more profit today than we have in months according to Maverick.”
“That’s amazing,” Cohen said as she leaned into him. The beta nuzzled into her neck, scenting her as she took a sip of the water bottle in her hand.
“How late are you guys staying?” she asked, glancing around at our group. “Is everyone getting along well?”
“We are,” Cohen reassured her. “This is how it happens with scent-matches, the pack becomes bonded in their own way. We were actually going to head over to my place after this if you want to tag along.”
“You know I’m always here to love on those puppies,” she grinned. “I’m ready whenever, I did my part and Maverick told me they had it from here.”
“I’m shocked that didn’t come with a threat,” I half-joked as I glanced at the end of the bar where he was still glaring our way.
“Oh, he said if even one of you stepped out of line that they have a lot of acres and know how to properly dispose of your bodies,” she said.
I couldn’t tell if that was a joke and from the look on Maverick’s face, he just might.
God help her exes if they ever tried to show their faces in this town.