Chapter 67
I’ve counted the place settings eighteen times.
But once more can’t hurt.
God. I really need a new job.
The last month has been the very best in my entire life—however, being so happy has also shown me how bored I get sitting around.
I’ve gone out of my way to give Atlas and Violet special time alone each day, despite not having anything official to occupy my free hours. I’ve tried all the usual hobbies. Baking, hiking, crafts, reading.
I’m beginning to suspect I actually miss running a huge company. Not because I long for the stress or the endless hours—but because it gave me something useful to do.
I’ve been musing over how to tell Violet and Atlas I want to find a new career. I think they’ll take it well, actually.
The last month has been formative for all of us in our own ways. Atlas is gearing up to get back to teaching. Ryker has settled his Alpha into some semblance of normalcy. Finn started discussing the merits of finding a real job for the first time in his life. And Violet…
I couldn’t be more proud of her. After her heat, I approached her with a plan to contact the Blackwood Pack immediately—but she said no.
She wanted a few weeks to bask in our new bond and it be the center of her attention.
After decades of putting everyone else first, it was a huge deal for her to admit she needed extra time, and give herself permission to take it.
We’ve steadily reassured her that her needs aren’t merely as valid others’—that, to us, they’re more important. The center of our world.
The fateful day is finally here, though. And, apparently, I’m coping by becoming an absolute psycho about the state of our flatware.
As I begin to lift the top plate off the largest stack of china—again— Atlas’s scent winds into the dining room. Along with a dry hum.
Huh. Violet must have ended their nest session earlier than usual. I bet she’s too antsy to stay snuggled up. Her haircut seemed to help, but our omega has spent the week buzzing with nearly as much nervous energy as I have. Perhaps more.
Which is all my fault.
A thud of shame drops into my stomach. I hold the ivory-and-blue patterned piece closer to my face. Pretending to examine it instead of admitting to my feelings.
“Hmm. I see this morning’s attitude adjustment wasn’t as effective as I’d hoped.” I turn to find him leaning against the arched entrance, arms crossed and brows raised. “Do you need another punishment, little prince?”
My insides heat as anxiety twitches through me. For a moment, I can’t decide which thread to follow. Until I remember Violet’s advice about letting Atlas in when I’m struggling.
I blow out a deep breath and let my interior curtain fall, giving him permission to come across our bridge. My shoulders slump. I’m sorry. I’m nervous.
Atlas reads my emotions and softens instantly, striding directly toward me. I think it still takes him by surprise every time I let him in. He shudders slightly as he pulls me into an all-consuming embrace.
“My love,” he breathes, nuzzling my forehead. “It’s going to be alright. It’s just dinner.”
“I never should have done this,” I mutter, repeating the lament I’ve agonized over each and every day. “Asking Violet to wait to talk to her sister because I was so—”
Atlas purrs, listening to me struggle through my shame. Even though he’s heard it all before. A million times.
Our whole pack has, especially—
“Gid?”
Violet floats into the room, looking fresh and bright in her favorite white sundress, with her newly cut hair bouncing in a twisted, half-up style Finn probably learned on TikTok. I have to do a double-take when I see it swishing against her waist instead of swinging around her thighs.
Our sweet girl doesn’t notice, though. Her features are steeped in concern, her gaze searching mine for the source of my burnt perfume.
And even that—oh God—is a reminder of what we’re about to face.
How my cousin and his pack have no idea they’re about to meet me as an omega…
after years of believing I was an alpha.
How we’ll have to explain that, on top of telling them why we waited so long to tell them we had their mate’s sister this whole time.
My panic rears higher, but Atlas opens his arms for our omega. She sails right into our hug, pressing her gentle purr along my side while our alpha rattles my front.
I attempt a scoff that winds up being more like a sob. “Have I told you how fucking sorry I am today?”
Violet burrows closer, lighting up our bond with a thousand volts of electric adoration. On the surface, she tries for my favorite teasing smirk. “Only fifteen times.”
I manage a real laugh this time. “Good. Almost as many times as I’ve checked these goddamn plates.”
Ryker is upstairs, getting a last-minute workout and shower in before the Blackwoods arrive.
I know he’s anxious about being around a new omega scent and wants to take every precaution.
I should have known he would still be listening.
Eavesdropping on each other is kind of our thing, ever since Violet’s heat.
I’m so sorry, too, daisy, he interjects. If I hadn’t started that fire and created this rift with the Blackwood alphas, Gideon wouldn’t have been so nervous about pissing them off.
Finn throws in his two cents, flashing a view of our freshly manicured front yard as proof he’s finished mowing the lawn and is about to come in to get himself ready. We also wouldn’t have been in Cillian’s debt at all, Ry. And then we never would have found Violet.
I know they’re right. But that doesn’t change the fact that this situation has been fraught because of me. And now my omega is scared of being reunited with the only family member she has… because I asked Violet to keep Briar waiting.
“Cillian is your only family,” Violet defends, the same moment Atlas says it in our bond.
She adds, “I never blamed you, Gideon. You were trying to protect Atlas. I’m sure you were right, too; Briar would have freaked out if I’d called her out of the blue and told her what happened that day.
It’s better that we worked it all out before we brought them in on this. It’s just—”
Terrifying.
Against Atlas’s abdomen, Violet’s fingers lace through mine. Wordlessly expressing exactly what I’m thinking.
At least we’re facing this together.
And no matter what, we have each other, Atlas adds, murmuring to both of us. Thanks to my two brilliant omegas.
God, it’s ridiculous that Violet and I still grin like lunatics every time he says stuff like that. Pointing out that we’re both his—and how much he loves us.
We exchange secret smiles, pressing our cheeks to Atlas’s purring chest, brushing noses in the process.
He’s right, I think, gazing into her eyes. I trace our braided tethers—her soft floral vines, my shining metallic loops. Inextricably tangled. No one can ever take this away from us.
Because of her. Her Omega… And mine.
Violet grasps my hand as I quiver through an exhale, tentatively turning to the wounded voice in my middle.
He’s been much more receptive to me, day by day, but I still approach with caution.
Or, respect, really.
The kind he always deserved, but I wasn’t willing to give. I know I have a lot to make up for. I’m hoping today will be a good start. He stares back at me, wary but willing to listen.
Our family is coming today, I whisper to him. And I’m going to tell them the truth. I’m… sorry I didn’t do it before.
He pauses for a long second before answering. Using words that don’t have an acidic edge or the bitter undertone of fear. Instead, he’s… confused.
I think I get it, but… isn’t our family already here?
Fuck.
Here we go again.
I don’t bother trying to hide the emotion that wells in my eyes. There’s no use, now that my alpha and my omega can both feel it, inside. Violet and Atlas hold me closer. His lips graze my crown, while Violet’s find mine.
And…
Yeah. I think back, shooting him a bolt of gratitude. They are.