Chapter 19
“ G uys! Help!” Holt’s panicked voice echoed outside to the porch where Ash and I were trying to ignore our raging hard ons and the sounds of our pack fucking.
Ash’s eyes widened and he bolted inside, me right on his heels. When we burst into the room, he was hovering over our mate, his eyes wild and terrified as he tried to rouse her, but our girl was out cold.
“You fucked her until she passed out?” I asked, snorting as I hurried over. Her face was twisted in a mix of pain and peace.
“Is she alright?” he asked, voice strained and full of gravel.
“Shit, did you rut?” Ash asked as I checked on our girl. She was breathing evenly, face flushed and hair sweaty and sticking to her skin.
“She’s okay,” I promised. “Nothing sleep won’t fix.”
He let out a breath of relief, rolling her and himself over and pulling a blanket over them.
“I did rut,” he admitted. “The running triggered it I think. That and I was already worked up.”
“That scene was hot,” I agreed, letting out a laugh. “Just wait until our girl’s heat.”
“Get out,” Holt snorted, eyes drifting closed as he curled himself around her further. There was a fresh bite mark on her shoulder and I felt a pang of jealousy that I couldn’t claim her quite the same way.
“We’ll bite you and bring you into the bond,” Ash said, voice gentle as he led me away. “As soon as she does first.”
“Thanks,” I said, letting that jealousy slip away and focusing on what I could do to keep myself busy, instead. “I’m going to gather her things.”
Ash didn’t follow me out, giving me a minute to myself as I walked out to the fire, gathering up her things and putting out the fire.
Once everything was safely inside and the house was blessedly quiet, I let myself take a long shower.
Someone crawling into bed woke me up. It felt like I’d barely passed out but Taryn was burrowing into my chest as the sun blinded me.
“Why do you have no curtains?” she whined as she threw my blanket over her head.
I chuckled. “I’d sleep all day if I did. How are you feeling?”
She yawned and poked her head out to look at me. “Tired. Holt is insane and left to do chores before the sun was even fully up. I couldn’t bring myself to do the same but then I couldn’t sleep alone, so I came to find you.”
My chest warmed that she sought me out and I grinned. “I’m glad you’re here, baby. What do you think about having our date today? I’m dying to find out which book you picked. Especially before Ash steals you away to see his shop since we’re home today.”
“I’ve been carrying it with me,” she admitted. “Let’s do it. I can take more videos and then some at Ash’s shop, and then do all the editing at once.”
“As long as we can stay here for a few more minutes.”
"More than a few minutes," she moved even closer to me, throwing a leg over mine and pulling me to her.
I could get used to this, and as much as I wanted to claim her, she needed rest. I would wait for her till the end of time if that's what she wanted.
"Got room for one more?" Ash asked just after my eyes had closed to bask in her warmth.
"Sure, but you're not snuggling with me, too," I told him, getting a laugh from Taryn.
"Shit, but you look so cuddly," he remarked as he slid in on the other side of our girl.
"Shh, we are sleeping in," Taryn muttered before she yawned.
"So, it's not a farm life for her, huh?" Ash asked with a chuckle.
"Books, I pick books," she grumbled from under the cover. She sounded so sleepy and put out that we couldn’t help but laugh.
"Safe to say, we aren't going to get more sleep. I need a shower and some coffee," Taryn said, sitting up between us and casting us a half-hearted glare.
Ash groaned but we sat up at the same time.
"Fine, I'll throw on some pants and get you coffee," Ash told her, "but I want a kiss first."
Taryn obliged before turning her attention to me, "Sorry for waking you, too. I didn't want you to feel left out."
The next thing I knew she was straddling me and nuzzled in. She trailed her cheek from mine, then down my neck as she scent marked me.
A groan bubbled out of my lips before I could stop it. All that did was encourage her to go lower. I didn't want her to stop but I knew she had to be sore and I didn't want her to think we had to do this since she'd been with the other two.
I cupped her face and guided it back to mine before I kissed her on the lips. She deepened it and wiggled a little on my lap.
"Let's get you in the shower, Ash will be back in a few with that coffee," I reminded her after I ended the kiss.
"Killjoy," she muttered, studying me first. Likely to make sure I wasn’t upset or rejecting her. Finally, she sighed. “I guess, you're right."
"Don't worry, my omega. I have an idea or two for our first time and I promise it will be magical," I told her, ignoring my cock that had ideas of its own.
"I know it will be," she said as she gave me one more kiss and hopped off, not just me, but the bed.
"I'll go grab your bag and leave it in the bathroom for you," I called as she left to shower.
Dragging my own ass out of bed, I pulled out fresh clothes, changing into jeans and a Nirvana tee before going to get Taryn's bag. It was sitting in the omega suite, resting against the front of the bed. I left it just inside the bathroom and hurried down to help figure out breakfast.
Of course, Ash was two steps ahead of me again.
He was at the stove, whipping up some eggs and bacon. Apparently, he got distracted on his way to make coffee.
"That doesn't look like coffee," I joked as I took a seat at the breakfast bar.
"I figured she'd need some protein to keep up her strength," he said, glancing back at me and giving me a wink.
"Smart thinking. Taryn wants to record our first videos today. Is that what you’re going to wear?" I asked, eyeing his black tee and jeans. It hugged his body, showing off his muscles. I wasn’t sure if she’d enjoy that or not. Omegas could be just as territorial as alphas.
"Unless she wants to dress me,” he shrugged. “I'll add my leather jacket before we go. We all know that makes me irresistible."
He paused long enough to plate the eggs and click off the stove. He looked my outfit over as he turned.
"What about you? Are you wearing that?"
"What's wrong with it? She didn’t specify what to wear. Plus, it's not like she's going to paint my body and make me read naked, right?" I countered.
"If I was the sharing kind, that is exactly what I'd do, but that part of you is for my eyes only ," Taryn said as she entered the kitchen.
I could feel the flush creeping into my cheeks, "Well, I appreciate that. I didn't want to be recorded for the public like that. For you, though? Absolutely."
She pulled up the chair next to me and Ash placed a loaded plate in front of her.
"What do you have in mind for mine?" Ash asked, wiggling his eyebrows as he leaned over the table.
"You'll have to wait your turn. Mathias first," she answered before taking a bite of her eggs.
He sighed dramatically but didn't argue. Me? I was excited. It was nice to be chosen.
"So, where do I get to open up my package?" I asked as I stole a piece of bacon from the plate Ash just set in front of us. Ash smacked my hand and tsked me.
"What package are you talking about?" Ash wiggled an eyebrow at me.
I rolled my eyes at him, "The mystery date with a book."
“Truth or Dare, Mathias,” Taryn grinned at me, arms crossing in challenge as she waited.
“Dare, of course,” I shot back, waiting to see where this was going.
"Dare you to do the video shirtless in the bookstore in town. I think that it would be perfect and I want to give her a plug on my socials to try and give her a boost in customers. We need more small businesses supported," Taryn explained, lighting up with excitement. “I’ll call and make sure she’s okay with it first, of course.”
"I'm all for that," I told her. "We should wait for Holt. I'm sure that he will want to get some groceries and cook tonight."
"You lot are up?" Holt laughed as he entered the kitchen.
"Yep. We were just talking about you," Taryn teased as he walked over and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her good morning.
"What are you guys actually talking about?" Holt asked as he stepped away from our girl to grab his own breakfast.
"Making a plan to go to town and record Mathias's video," she said before shoveling in a bite.
"Good, I was making a grocery list already," he admitted, pulling out a paper from his pocket and dropping it on the table.
"I called it. I knew that you'd want to get food," I said, with a laugh. "Are we ready?"
Taryn jumped up, "Let me go grab my bag and I'm ready.”
She turned and smiled at us before disappearing out of the kitchen.
"Can one of you pinch me?" Ash asked with a dreamy sigh.
"Why?" I asked, biting back a laugh.
"I just want to make sure that I'm not dreaming. How is this real life? We have our omega," he gushed. “And she’s even better than any fantasy.”
"Well, if so we are all dreaming and I never want to wake up," I admitted. Just the thought of our girl sends a wave of warmth through me. Who knew we’d turn into complete lovesick puppies in a manner of days.
"That makes three of us," Holt agreed.
I picked up plates while Holt and Ash cleaned up the rest of the food and pans, leaving the dishes for later so we could spend time with Taryn instead.
"Oh, I can do the dishes before we go," Taryn offered as she came back in, eyeing the rest of the kitchen with guilt on her face.
"Nah, we can do them when we get back. I'll make a bigger mess when I'm in here anyway," Holt told her.
"Fine, but I don't mind helping. You three can't do everything for me," she said as she narrowed her eyes. “You’re spoiling me.”
"As we should," I told her. “Now, let’s go.”
“I called the shop and she’s cool with it,” Taryn tacked on as she practically skipped out to the car.
“Truth or dare, Taryn,” I called after her. She turned around as she paused at the front seat, giving Holt time to dash ahead and open it for her.
“Truth,” she called back as she let him help her in, even going as far as buckling her in before snatching the keys from Ash’s hand.
I waited to hit her with it until I was buckled in and Holt was driving. “Are we the kind of pack you pictured when thinking about mates?”
She didn’t answer right away, mulling it over before answering. I loved that she put thought into everything she did. It was refreshing.
“Yes, and no. I wanted a pack that made me feel normal and desired. One I didn’t have to work hard to feel like I belonged in, that we’d just work. With my family being… my family, I wanted something completely different. I think I got that, even if the start was a bit rocky.”
“Truth or dare, but you have to say ‘truth?’” she asked Holt, nudging him with her arm. He gave her a deadpan look, but complied.
“Truth.”
“Am I what you pictured?” There was insecurity in her answer and for a moment I worried about him being the one to answer, but I shouldn’t have doubted him.
“All I wanted was an omega that made our lives better. That let me take care of her but also took care of all of us in her own way. Someone funny and smart and strong as hell. You are all of those things and so much more, darlin’.”
“Damn,” she said, biting back a huge grin and turning away.
“Not that anyone asked me, but I’m happy as fuck and couldn’t have dreamt up a more perfect omega,” Ash tacked on. She turned around and blew him a kiss… that he caught.
Completely lovesick fools, the lot of us.
And it shouldn’t be anything else between mates.
“I think I’ll take Mathias in with me while you guys run to the store. Then Ash, if we could run to the shop later I think motorcycle reading videos will be great.”
“I’m here for it,” Ash promised, looking smug as fuck. Any reason to show off his shop and work.
It didn’t take long to pull up outside the bookstore. Holt let Taryn and I out before he and Ash were heading off to the store.
Dani was practically bouncing up and down with excitement. She even put a closed sign up for a moment.
“Shop is yours. I have some inventory to unpack in back, so let me know when you’re done. And no fucking on the books,” she said, giving us each a teasing look before disappearing in back, cackling at the blush on our cheeks.
Taryn walked around for a few minutes, eyes scrutinizing each aisle before she finally settled on one in the corner, a low hanging light casting a slight glow in the dim alcove. She hurried to the front and came back with a black-velvet-and-wood ottoman, putting it in the corner, slightly turned.
“Alright, shirt on for this part,” she said, settling me on the stool. I let her move me around like I was her doll before she was satisfied.
Only then did she pull out the package that had been haunting me for days. I was dying to know what she picked out for me.
Soon her tripod was in place and she was fidgeting with settings and making sure the shot was perfect. She really put a lot of work into each video. She also had this adorable way of scrunching up her face as she concentrated.
“Perfect,” she finally declared, clapping her hands and digging out the wrapped book. “I’ll voice over this one later, then cut in the audio as you react.”
“Got it,” I confirmed as I grinned up at her. “Let’s do this, I can’t wait any longer. I need this book.”
“Just wait,” she beamed, counting down before hitting record. She passed over the package and mimed me holding it up and showing it off for the camera, a smile on my face that didn’t even feel forced.
Then I was running my fingers over the intricate folds of the brown paper, cute little tags and flowers tucked in. I took my time taking out each one. If I took too long she’d cut some of it out.
Her breath hitched as I slowly unfolded the paper to reveal the book. The cover was lined in metallic green ivy and red roses, small white butterflies tucked into the curves and swirling around the title.
When I glanced over, she gestured for me to flip it over, so I did, skimming a finger down the back as I read each line.
Once I did, I held it up for the viewers to see the cover, showing off the details in the low lighting.
“Fae, magic, and mystery? Honestly, this sounds perfect,” I said, waving off the camera. “Now let me read.”
I cracked open the book, got comfortable, and started to read the first few lines.
She let out a squeal as she shut off the camera. “Oh my god, they’re going to freak out when they see this one. That ending? Fucking perfect.”
I closed the book and gave her my full attention, happy I didn’t screw it up. She didn’t set up a ton of direction, wanting it to feel more natural than forced and I think it worked.
“Really?”
“Yes,” she promised. “Now, shirt off, mate.”
I made a show of standing up and letting her drag the shirt over my head. She skimmed her fingers over my naked flesh as I tossed it aside, making goosebumps erupt on my skin.
“You love to tease me, don’t you?” I groaned. She just giggled and positioned me back on the ottoman.
“I do,” she admitted. “Now, open it and try to relax, stretch out your legs a bit and lean against the shelf, maybe.”
I did as she asked, cracking the book open like I was reading, though I was saving that for when she was actually recording.
“Nope, lean up a little, kick that leg more to the left,” she directed. Taryn was meticulous, not stopping until she was satisfied and double checked the frame.
“Alright, this one you’re just reading. The beginning is pretty intense so I think your natural reactions will work. Though, I will pick one spot that won’t spoil it for you to read next.”
She counted me down again and I kept position as I started to read. The main girl was on the run, something chasing her through the night. My eyebrows rose as magic shot out of her, then as the chase came to a stop, she woke up, making my jaw drop.
The way the author painted the picture had me invested and I wasn’t prepared for the sudden shift.
"And done.” She said with a grin. “Such a good intro, right?”
“It was,” I agreed as she took the book and let me stretch out for a moment. “Are the videos turning out alright?”
“Oh yeah,” she said with a snort. “It’s going to be perfect. I’ll have a mix of thirst traps and ones where they’ll blow up with comments. I have a feeling this one right here will go most viral outside of the sexy ones.”
“Okay, just a few more,” she promised.
Little did she know I’d do these forever if it made her this happy.