Chapter 14
H olt was carrying out the food with my phone buzzed.
Ash
Ready when you guys are.
Taryn
Holt grabbed the food and I see Mathias headed back this way. Just give us a few to get there.
Ash
I'll be counting the moments until I see your sweet face again.
Taryn
Putting it on a little thick, huh?
Ash
I'm a romantic.
He also sent a smiley face with heart eyes.
I sighed and smiled at the same time. They all were trying so hard to win me over and it was working. I loved that Ash was a hopeless romantic and that Mathias was sweet, and even the way Holt and I went back and forth.
"Who's got you smirking like that?" Holt asked as he set the pizza and bags in the back seat, pushing it to the middle.
"Ash," I replied, chewing on my lip as I waited for his reaction. Holt just gave me a nod of approval.
Mathias slipped in the back behind Holt and held up a bag like a prize. "They had a great selection. I hope you guys are up for a marathon."
"I don't know if I'll stay awake, but I'm in. We’re headed to get Ash before we go back to the cabin.”
"Well, you can use my lap as a pillow," Holt said as he started the car and headed back to the antique shop.
"Maybe. If you’re lucky,” I shot back. “Are we coming back to help clean up tomorrow?" They stared at me for a second. We’d mentioned going back to our lives but the last thing I wanted to do was leave. Not after today.
It seemed they agreed, every one of us pretending it was the plan all along.
"Depends on Mathais's marathon. I'd say after lunch time for sure," Holt said. “I’d like to make sure Deb is squared away, then we can see who else needs us.”
"Oh, and we have a video to shoot, too," Mathias added, giving me a smirk.
"What?" Holt asked as he parked for Ash to jump in, he turned and raised his brows at us, silently demanding an explanation.
"I had Taryn make me a mystery-date book. She wrapped it and everything," he replied. The fact he was taunting the others was hilarious. Who would have thought I’d have a pack member teasing that he got to make a video with me, first?
"So, you have a video to make, is what I hear?" Holt snorted, looking downright relieved. The big baby.
"Do I need to make you and Ash one, too?" I asked.
"If you want a video, you do," Ash answered, practically pouting.
"Okay, well, when we go to town tomorrow, I can get you two books as well. Actually, I have a questionnaire for you to fill out so I can get one you’d actually like,” I mused.
"Tomorrow. We have movies and pizza tonight. Just a relaxing night. It's been a crazy day," Ash said around a yawn of his own.
I couldn’t blame him after dealing with my parents. My chest was still tight after that interaction and I let out a sigh.
"How did the chat with my parents go?"
"Great, they’re going to sell us the cabin," he said easily.
I had a feeling there was more to the story, but I wasn't going to push it. He said he wanted a relaxing night, so I was happy to comply.
As we pulled up outside the lake house, I realized how different it felt now. It wasn’t just a place that gave me nostalgia as a kid, or the place I dreaded catching up with my family.
It was the place I met my pack and was getting to know them. And soon, it wouldn’t be my family’s place anymore.
The petty side of me hoped that it drove my sisters crazy.
“We should get a comfier couch. Something more plush,” I mused as we stepped inside. I breathed in deep, the mixed scents of our pack filling the air now, chasing away the mustiness from being closed up before we arrived.
Warm arms wrapped around me from behind, blackberry cobbler filling my nose.
“I like that you’re making plans that include us,” he rumbled in a quiet voice, burying his nose in my neck, breathing me in like he couldn’t get enough. I shivered at the feel of his presence bearing down on me.
“I’m considering keeping you,” I admitted, chest aching at even the thought of them leaving me behind.
“Good, because I’m not going anywhere, darlin’,” he promised, a little bit of an accent coming out.
“Promise, cowboy?” I let every bit of vulnerability color my words, showing him just how much this would hurt if they changed their mind.
“Promise,” he said, no hesitation. He turned me around, his hand resting under my chin so I couldn’t look away. “We fucked up before, but we are different men now. You are what matters. Everything else will fall into place. And frankly, from here on out, we’re a pack… if you’ll have us.”
I couldn’t look away. Holt’s brown eyes held me captive, saying far more than he could manage. There was sincerity there, and hope. A dash of heat caused my own to burn hotter.
Before the moment could break, I found myself leaning up on my tiptoes to press my lips to his. At first he was so surprised he didn’t move, then he was moving his hands around me, pressing my body to his, as he deepened the kiss.
My scent sweetened around us, mixing with his that was spiced with his lust. Together we were mouthwatering.
The rest of the world fell away as our lips and tongue teased, every bit of our usual fire meeting in the most delicious way.
As he flicked his tongue against mine, I melted, his arm holding me up as a moan escaped.
“Fuck,” Ash cursed before I heard him being herded away, giving Holt and I our moment.
Now that we knew we had an audience, he slowed the kiss down, turning it from pure fire, to sweet and light.
I loved both sides of it enough that I knew there’d be no turning back now. They were mine as much as I was theirs.
When he pulled away, his smile was gentle, making my chest ache in a new, unfamiliar, way.
“Time for that movie, darlin’, and now you’re stuck with me,” he said, sweeping me up. I let out a squeak, clinging to him as he carried me to the couch, sitting down with me sideways on his lap. I shifted to get comfortable, biting back a laugh at his pained groan. The large bulge in his jeans told me he’d liked that kiss just as much as I did.
“Here’s a plate,” Mathias said, his smile brighter than usual like he knew we’d just crossed our first hurdle, and with the most unexpected member of the group.
I didn’t say anything, simply leaned back against Holt and nibbled on my pizza. Holt plucked a breadstick from Ash’s plate before Mathias could grab me one, holding it out to my lips. I met his eyes before opening my mouth, letting him slide it between my lips.
But, I was only human, and I bit down, moaning at the salty butter, cheese, and warm bread. It was downright magical.
“Turn on the movie for the love of all that’s holy,” Ash begged. “Or I’m not making it through this dinner without a very cold shower.”
I smirked at him, soaking in their reactions. It was nice to know that I could affect someone this way.
Honestly, I don’t think I’d ever felt so desired and wanted. It was a feeling that settled in my soul, bringing out more of my inner omega.
It was hard to be soft and give into those instincts when I had to be strong and independent. With them, I found myself feeling small and soft, craving their protection and wanting to give into the omega inside of me.
Mathias put on a scary movie, which ended up being way more fun than I anticipated. Apparently, Ash was a big baby, jumping easily.
Holt fed me bites until my plate was clear and so was his, then I snuggled in, wrapping a plush blanket around me.
I focused on the screen until the monster popped out, making Ash throw his popcorn and screech. Mathias and I both lost it. Even Holt rumbled with laughter under me.
Once that was over, we moved onto something lighter. Ash moved to my feet, massaging them while I was snuggled up on Holt. When Mathias sat in front of me, my hand resting in his hair, I felt complete.
This pack was my worst nightmare, but somehow I was realizing they were so much more than their past, and so was I.
I woke up feeling more relaxed than I have in years. The only thing that was missing were my mates in the bed with me.
Was I even ready for that step?
Even if the answer was no, it wouldn’t be long until I was ready. The lightness in my chest was foreign to me. I don't remember a time that I ever felt so happy and free, like the world made sense and I wasn’t so alone.
The urge to call and catch up to Bea had me opening my phone, but instead of messaging her, I was bombarded with notifications on my website and socials. I opened my PackPages account, but that was a huge mistake.
There were far too many bubbles that I had messages and my comments were blowing up. I was supposed to be on vacation, I even posted a video stating that and here I was in notification hell.
There was a knock on my door and Mathias peeked in with a smile on his face, until he noticed the distress in mine.
"Who's ass do I need to kick?" he asked as he crossed the room and took a seat on the bed.
"Mine?" I asked, weakly.
"What?" he countered.
"I opened my PackVlog app and I'm regretting it. Look," I said, holding up my phone so he could see what I was talking about.
"Holy hell," he breathed out in shock. "What is all that?"
"I told you I went viral, remember? To say I was busy after was an understatement. Well, to prepare for coming out here, I put my shop on vacation. I even posted a video across my accounts to explain it. Apparently, that didn’t matter. Orders are still piling in. There’s no way that I'm going to be able to keep up with this demand.”
I was ecstatic when my video blew up, now I was ready to vomit. This was so much pressure and tons of work for just one person.
"Well, you have three new employees at your service. What’s the website?" he asked.
"Mysterydatewithabook.com," I answered.
He took my phone and went to the browser and typed it in. I watched as he looked it over before saying anything.
Mathias returned my cell and said, "It's a cute site, but if you're up for some tweaks and updating it, I'd be more than happy to help. You'll need a new photo or two to add to it, your face should be at the front. Personalize it a little bit."
"Why do I feel like you just want to see me do a photoshoot?" I laughed, but also cringed a little. “I hate taking photos.”
"If it makes you feel better, the guys and I will, too," he offered with a shrug. “We can all dress up and everything. Don’t the book girls love that?”
"Oh, do I get to pick what you wear?" I asked, letting the prospect pull me out of my pity party.
"Wear?" Ash asked and he and Holt came in. Mathias wasn’t even a little sorry when he smirked at them.
"I volunteered us to do a photoshoot with Taryn. She wants to pick our outfits," Mathias explained.
"Fine, but we get to pick out hers and I'll get it all set up," Ash told us, shocking the hell out of me. Alphas were strange, sometimes. The last thing I expected was for him to be excited.
"Leave it to Ash to take over," Holt protested, but even he didn’t look opposed. Part of me hated that they were doing so much to win me over, but the omega side was soaking it all in. She secretly was preening under the attention, ready to roll over and present after some spoiling.
Good thing she wasn’t in charge.
Yet.
"Well, I'm okay with that. I need to record a video and talk to my viewers. Give them an update that the site is going to be overhauled and I'll be back to work soon. I think I’ll go sit in front of the lake. Which means, I need the three of you to get out so I can find a cute outfit and get all dolled up." I told them.
"If you are going to get dolled up, it's going to be for us," Holt growled, jealousy sparking in his eyes.
"I just meant less bed head and a little bit of makeup. There is no way that I can record looking like a zombie," I argued, rolling my eyes, but barely able to hold back a smile. Clearly, I also liked when they were possessive and jealous over me.
"As if you ever looked like that. You're adorable, always," Ash stated as he crawled on the bed towards me to kiss me on the nose.
"You guys just have to say that since we are mates.” I wasn’t sure why my default was to argue, but here we were.
"We wouldn’t lie to you," Holt promised.
"Good to know, but it doesn’t change my need for you to get out of here," I said with a shooing motion.
Holt stared me down, as if he couldn’t quite walk away yet. Finally, he let out a breath and relaxed, though it looked like it didn’t come easy. This alpha’s default setting was grumpy.
"I'm going to get breakfast started," Holt said before ushering the other two out.
Ash stopped in the doorway, looking back at me with a serious look.
“Don’t talk down about my omega. She’s perfect.”