Chapter 5
H ow long could a person avoid going home? Apparently, the answer was for hours. By the time I made my way through the forest, rain was starting to fall again and the sun had dipped below the horizon so all that was left were the last dregs of daylight.
It was about as somber as my mood.
Nerves were bubbling in my stomach as I realized that more rain meant we weren’t just stuck for tonight, but even longer. I heard someone talking in town about more potential storms hitting if the wind didn’t shift.
Dread had bile rising. I didn’t want any part of this. How could fate have decided that my mates were the three men who’d not just humiliated me through university, but got their petty omega girlfriends to make it so much worse.
Our cabin was one of the few without much damage… outside of our cars. That was something I couldn’t think about. The insurance agent said to send them pictures of the damage but to not hold my breath on a quick turnaround. Our little town here wasn’t the only one affected.
As I pushed the door open I was hit by the savory, herby scent of pasta and garlic. Despite my panic, my stomach rumbled loudly at the thought of food. The only place that wasn’t packed today was a small bistro and they mainly had vegan food. I had nothing against it, that just wasn’t my style.
“You’re back!” Mathias cheered before Ash quickly elbowed him, his smile deflating instantly, turning apologetic. “We got some groceries and made dinner. We were hoping we could share a meal and talk a little?”
Part of me was glad they got the groceries because I hadn’t made it there. The other was too angry.
“Why?” I asked, my arms crossing defensively in front of me. It might be petty of me, but I’d earned every ounce of sarcasm and spite that dripped from my tone.
“We’re mates,” Holt said, just as blunt as he was this morning. “And you hate us. I think there’s plenty to talk about.”
His tone was gravelly with frustration but he didn’t bark at me. I half expected the surly brute to put up more of a fight.
“I’m not hungry,” I muttered before turning toward the stairs, but suddenly Ash was in front of me, blocking my way. He slid into place and held up his hands.
“Look, I know we aren’t your favorite people, but I heard your stomach rumble. We’re adults now, let’s just have a quick chat, food, then you can go hide,” he said in a light tone that was half-joking, half-pleading. His scent was sharp with his anxiety, the cherry, lime, and sparkling water souring slightly.
Yet, it was still mouthwatering.
My eyes drifted over his face, marking the sharp angles of his deep cheekbones and strong, stubbled jawline. His blue eyes held flecks of midnight blue that seemed to be just as stormy as the weather we’d been having.
The alpha was studying me just as curiously, taking in every inch of my face with a soft smile on his face. In a different life, I’d have melted for these men.
Unfortunately, the past wasn’t that easily forgotten.
“You’re beautiful, Taryn,” he said, his voice low enough I knew it was just for me. “Let us apologize and clear the air. Please.”
I had a feeling this tattooed, leather-jacket-wearing alpha wasn’t used to saying that word often enough.
“Why would I want to let three assholes mansplain about how they weren’t as terrible as I thought and it was all some misunderstanding?” I asked, words as piercing as daggers. He winced, then stumbled back as if I’d actually stabbed him. “What, things have changed now that fate intervened? I saw your character last time and it was severely lacking. So, thanks, but no fucking thanks.”
With that, I shoved past him and hurried up the stairs, pushing my door closed. It was pitiful and cowardly. I needed to eat and I should have sucked it up and faced them, let them say what they wanted and then told them to fuck off.
My pride was one of the things I clung to. Being true to myself wasn’t something I would toss aside, no matter how good the food smelled.
Arguing voices drifted up the stairs after me. They continued on for a while, which was why I was surprised to hear a soft knock at the door.
The voices never stopped, likely the alphas if the timid knock was anything to go by. As I approached the door, I knew I was right, the medley of citrus and berries drifting under the door, mixed with the scent of dinner.
He brought me a plate.
That was honestly the only reason I bothered opening the door.
The beta looked downright miserable. How had someone as seemingly sweet as him ended up with a group like that in university?
He held out the plate piled high with a lasagna and garlic bread. “We weren’t sure what you liked but we figured pasta was a safe bet.”
I studied him for a beat too long, his shoulders sagging and he started to step back but my resolve snapped and I reached for the plate.
The voices rose again but he just huffed, as frustrated with them as I was.
“I’m sorry about them… and everything else. What you said to Ash was partially true, we do think it’s a misunderstanding on some levels. Not that we’re innocent, just oblivious assholes with some lies mixed in. We didn’t realize half of it and we should have. Just… don’t reject me until you’ve heard the full story? Please?”
Something in those pleading, green eyes of his and wild, blond hair had me nearly saying yes. The crack in his voice had my omega wanting to comfort him, but I couldn’t just give in and say it was fine. Roll over and forgive them just because they looked genuine and smelled nice? Hell no.
Downstairs fell quiet and he cast a wary look between the first floor, then me, before taking a step back.
“Think it over. We’ll be up for a while,” he finally said before closing my door for me in some sort of strange peace offering.
The truth was, I missed his presence when he walked away. I’d been alone for so fucking long.
I’d dreamt about meeting my pack. Having mates that would see right through my family and accept me as I was. Chaotic, a little eccentric, but one hundred percent unapologetically genuine.
Now, I had a pack I knew damn well saw me and turned away, said in more than one way that I was lacking.
I knew my worth.
So, why were they fighting for me now? Was I a conquest to them? Something they feel they missed out on and are trying to humiliate me?
I set the food on the side table and grabbed my pillow, burying my face in the plush comfort before letting out a loud scream that was blessedly muffled by all the fluff.
It came from my soul, echoing out of me with a feral quality that was as cathartic as it was crazy.
When my voice faded to a whisper, I dropped the pillow, grabbed my plate, and plopped myself on the window seat to look at the stars coming out at full force now.
I took my first bite. Someone was an excellent cook. It was the perfect blend of spices, creamy, acidic, and cheesy. My eyes rolled back and I stopped holding back. After a disappointing lunch I didn’t stop until my stomach was practically bursting; I was so full and my plate was empty.
The only thing that could make it better would be something sweet.
As if they were my own personal demons, another knock sounded before a note was passed under the door.
Curiosity always won out. I sat the plate aside and walked over to pick it up. The script was blocky and messy, but the words had me rolling my eyes.
Look, we know we fucked up. But we’re stuck together for now and Holt makes amazing cookies. Come down for a game I think we all know well.
Truth or Dare.
Are you brave enough, omega?
I dare you to join us.
My jaw dropped at the direct challenge. When pleading didn’t work, I guess they turned petty. Or at least Ash did.
This wasn’t the beta’s doing.
One of the traditions for every start of term at the university was this huge Truth or Dare game. Those brave enough broadcasted their answers on Craven Chronicles, the school’s social media site.
Everyone participated, no exceptions. If you didn’t, even the faculty would goad you until you did.
That was how my first semester I ended up doing shot roulette. Thank fuck I was the one who got water, not vodka.
Others ended up doing far crazier things. There were videos that stretched far and wide among the campus. Confessions, dangerous dares, no one was really safe. There were also more than a few ambulance trips.
It was a crazy suggestion, but for some reason I felt myself rocking toward the door as if my body was trying to convince me to go.
Maybe it was nostalgia, or the prospect of a redo, that had me changing into a new outfit and moving toward the door.
I wasn’t dressed to impress tonight in an off the shoulder sweatshirt and comfortable leggings, but it was just cozy and cute enough to feel like I wasn’t trying too hard.
Let the games begin.