Chapter 3
Grace
I hadn't even made it to the front desk of the venue and I was already sweating, over-caffeinated, and on the verge of murdering a mason jar centerpiece.
The drive from Rockwood Valley to Sterling was long, and it was boring as hell and rained nearly the whole way.
My small car was jampacked with mason jars for my sister Hailey’s centerpieces, and they clinked together the entire way just to drive me crazy and make me freak out thinking that they were about to break.
I could have taken a quick plane ride, but I opted to drive so I could drop off these cursed jars.
Why I let Hailey’s future husband pack them up was beyond me.
Hell, maybe I was crazy. I did agree to meet his best man at the venue for the weekend to scout it out and put the last few things together.
Pre-wedding prep, Hailey had called it. For me, it was just an excuse to have a weekend away.
If all weddings were this stressful, I wanted no part of that. Then again, I didn’t have to worry about that considering I had no pack and no prospects.
My phone dinged as I stood outside my small, black Ford Focus. I took a breath, knowing it was my sister texting already. She’d gone from relaxed to overbearing in the span of a few months.
Not quite a bridezilla, but our family was about to drive her to that point.
I wouldn’t tell her that, though.
When I didn’t check the phone fast enough, a call started ringing. The theme song of The Office played.
“I just pulled in, Hailey,” I teased as I answered. My sister let out a little huff, but chuckled softly.
“I’m sorry. I don't know why I’m so freaking stressed,” she sighed. “Even one of the doctors at work asked if I was alright.”
“It doesn’t have to be like this. I’m taking a break from design work, so let me help,” I urged her. “You trust me. I know your vision and style. You’re not alone.”
She could take my offer, good or bad, and I held my breath as I waited for her response.
“You know what… yes. You’re already there checking it out, see if there’s anything you guys can do ahead of time. Beck will be there soon and I bet he’s willing to help. I’ll go ask Nolan.”
Then she hung up without a goodbye, rushing off to ask her fiance. Meaning she was leaving the wedding in my capable hands, but also the hands of her future brother-in-law.
Should I be concerned? That went a bit too easily.
When I walked into the lodge, I realized the answer was yes. I definitely should have been concerned.
A man was standing in the lobby looking frustrated and exasperated. His suit jacket was open, revealing a dark green button up underneath. His hair was as dark as his eyes, cut clean and cropped close to his head, gel holding it in place.
He screamed of domineering confidence and power. The kind of alpha who commanded a room with just a quirk of his eyebrow.
When those intensely dark eyes moved to me, the bell over the door chiming my arrival, I nearly tripped.
“Grace?” My name on his lips should have been illegal. His voice had a rasp to it that sent a shiver down my spine.
Somehow I found it in me to put on a strained smile and nod. “Yes, are you Beckett?”
“Beck,” he corrected. Then he smiled. The gesture crinkled the corners of his eyes and showcased his straight, white teeth. This alpha was too fucking handsome for my own good.
I wasn’t usually the type of omega to fall for looks, but here I was, ready to be a babbling fool when faced with his beauty.
Yes, he was beautiful. It was the only word to describe him. A mix of masculine and statuesque features, a true work of art.
“You’re late.”
His blunt words had a laugh bursting out of me. “Excuse me?”
Okay, maybe I judged those looks a bit too early if he’s this rude.
“I was told you’d be here at noon.” He lifted his wrist, pulling back his sleeve to reveal a watch. “It’s nearly one.”
“While, I’m sure your time is so much more valuable than mine, I never said a specific time. I told my sister I’d be arriving around noon, if all went well. Then your brother loaded about six boxes of mason jars in my tiny car, all haphazardly stacked and nearly breaking at every curve.”
He let out a small laugh. “Sounds like Nolan. Well, it’s nice to finally meet you, Grace.”
Beckett moved forward to shake my hand, both of us freezing when he was mere inches away.
Holy shit. No. Not now.
We both breathed in deep, confirming what was very fucking obvious. We were scent matches.
Here, now. At my sister’s fucking wedding.
Cedarwood, amber, peppercorn, and smoky vanilla. It was a warm, woodsy, and masculine mix that had a touch of spice. His scent wrapped around me like a strong embrace, the vanilla smoothing out his intensity, giving him depth and quiet comfort beneath his dominance.
“No,” I said, my voice sharp and firm as I took a shaky step back. His lips curled into a predatory smile as he followed the step, putting even less space between us this time.
“Why are you running from me, sweetheart?”
“Because this isn’t happening, Beck,” I growled. “My sister is already freaking out and doesn’t need more stress. This is her time to shine, not mine.”
That had him stumbling back like he’d been slapped. “You want me to keep my distance, for a fucking wedding?”
His tone was incredulous. Like the concept was so foreign he couldn't figure me out. It only made me feel worse because that was only partially the truth.
I was also terrified. Who knew after looking for a pack for years I’d find one and freak the hell out. Sidney would shake me for being crazy.
“Yes,” I said, standing strong. The thought of Hailey breaking down about this wedding and me overshadowing it had me ready to fight for this. I said I was going to be a new omega, but I didn’t expect this level of complications.
“Why?”
“You don’t know my family,” I said, letting out a humorless laugh. “You know those movies with overbearing families, far too involved moms and aunts, awful cousins much like evil step-sisters? That’s ours. The drama they bring is unmatched. I refuse to add to it, to be like them.”
His features softened and he sighed. “What happens when they’re on the plane to their honeymoon?”
I swallowed hard. “Then we don’t have to hide anymore.”
He considered my answer, those fathomless, dark eyes studying me as he thought it over. All I could do was breathe in that campfire and smoky vanilla scent while I waited, the pheromones wafting off my mate breaking down the layers of my armor and begging me to let him in.
“Fine.”
“Fine?” I parroted, eyes going wide. He stepped forward again, tucking a stray curl behind my ear as he leaned down, breathing deep.
“Yes. I’ve waited thirty-three years for you, Grace.
I can wait a week. But, I want this weekend.
Your family won’t be here, there won’t be any outshining involved.
Let me have you this weekend, then we can pretend to be friends until this is over.
I’ll have my pack come down. There’s two more members you need to meet. ”
My omega perked up, my body instinctively leaning forward. He was offering this weekend without watchful eyes to get to know them. To meet his pack and let go of my inhibitions.
“Let me make it very clear that I have no intentions of walking away after, Grace. I’ve waited for my mate a long damn time. You’re mine.”
Beck was making it obvious that this was it for him. Just like that he was all in? It felt a bit too far-fetched to wrap my wounded brain around.
I’d heard that before. At least in some capacity. My ex and I had kept our relationship quiet, then he was gone without a single glance back. I was left behind and forgotten.
Would they do the same?
Could I even be that omega? Give him a taste, then hold back. Would they stick around after it was all said and done and reality crept back in?
This week would give me time to come to terms with my pack, for them to show me they could honor my boundaries.
Yes, this was perfect. It was the perfect reason to sneak moments of quiet and to process this mindfuck.
The urge to touch him when he was this close was so strong I had to curl my fingers into my skirt, holding it tight.
“Okay,” I relented, feeling so out of my depth it was insane.
I just hoped it didn’t break me having a taste of him, then being forced to pretend he was just my friend.