Chapter 25
A hand thumped on my chest and a grunt accompanied it. At first, I was a little confused about where I was. I had a vague recall of the past week but it took a few minutes for it all to truly sink in.
Mathias’s sleepy groan next to me had me glancing over. His hand was stroking gently over my belly.
I chewed my lip, the question on the tip of my tongue. Finally, I managed to get it out without sounding like an idiot.
Honestly, we should have had this talk before my heat.
"Do you want kids?" I asked and his fingers stilled.
"Yes?" he said but as more of a question.
A half laugh came from me as I turned to look at him. "Well if it helps, I do."
I noted that his tension released as he relaxed next to me. That was a good sign.
"I didn't want you to think that we would pressure you into anything, especially babies," he told me. “So, we held back from bringing it up at first. We all are on that same page.”
"Never, I'm all in, if this last week didn't confirm that. You don't know how long I've waited for a loving and caring family. Something real. You're not going to scare me off," I promised. "I'll be honest that I didn't think that babies would be a topic we'd discuss so soon, but I'm more than willing to bear them for you three."
A smile tipped his lips and he leaned in to kiss me. It was light to start but there was a hunger that ignited in my core, but then a thought popped into my head… when did I brush my teeth last?
I placed a palm on his chest telling him to stop.
"Don't think of this as a rejection," I started.
This time he laughed. "Never, I can feel you want me in the bond."
"Oh that," I said. "I just realized that I don't remember my last shower or if my teeth are clean."
This tore a howl of laughter from him, "Do you really think that we wouldn't take care of you?”
"I don't doubt that for a second. I just don't feel clean," I told him honestly. Maybe it was a control thing. I was out of my mind when they’d given me showers. I wanted to be in charge of this one.
"There’s a bathroom just to the right of this room," he offered.
"No, I want my bathroom," I told him. "Where are Holt and Ash?"
I felt for them through the bond and they sent me a warm feeling back. It was comforting to know that they were there when I needed them.
"They had to go back to the pack house, they thought you'd sleep longer," he admitted.
"No worries, but I'm ready to get back there," I told him.
He got up and slipped on some shorts before he rummaged through a sack and held up a tank top and matching shorts.
I nodded at him and he came back, held out a hand for me and pulled me up to stand. He slipped the top over my head, gently caressing my skin as he pulled it down. A shiver ran down my spine at his touch. Once that was in place he did the same with the shorts.
It wasn’t exactly sexy, more safe and comforting, a way to gently take care of me and I’d never felt more precious.
Though, my body didn’t agree.
"You act all sweet and innocent but you're a tease, you know that?" I told him as he stood back up to face me.
"I blame you for being so damn sexy. So, really, it's your fault."
These three were great for my confidence. I’d never felt more confident, capable, and sexy than I had with their attention on me. Even when I was unsure, they never wavered. That was the main reason I knew I’d made the right choice with them.
"Ready?" he asked as he held out an elbow for me.
I linked my arm through his and we headed out of the room that held so much raw emotions for me. My footsteps faltered and I glanced back at it with a small smile before letting him guide me down the stairs.
Mathias must have noticed, giving my arm a reassuring squeeze.
"The guys and I will get that cleaned up and you can make it your office when you're ready," he promised.
"What? No, I want it to stay just the way it is," I started.
He must have felt my panic at the thought of losing my nest. “Hey, it’s okay. We’ll do whatever you want, Taryn."
"Really? Just like that?" I asked as he pulled me into him. His arms wrapped around me to reassure me. I soaked in the hug, needing it to ground me. The reaction was a bit over the top but I couldn’t help it.
"What our Omega wants, she gets," he said with a shrug. Like it was that simple. For them, it seemed to be.
My stomach decided in that sweet moment to grumble and I got that amazing laugh from him once more.
"Let's go find some breakfast," he said, removing one arm but keeping the other on my waist as we headed down towards the shop. It was like he could sense I needed it right then.
I wasn't used to all this love and care from family, but my guys had me realizing just what a piece of shit my parents really were.
There was a cute, little enclosed ATV parked out front waiting for us.
"What’s this? Do I get to drive?" I asked Mathias, bouncing on my toes as I took it in.
"It's called a Ranger, and sure, it’s not much different from a car. Just a little touchier," he warned.
"It's adorable and I'm ready to get back to having all three of you near me. My omega is going feral," I told him. "Oh, what about our painting and my phone? I want to get those videos edited and ready to post."
"It's all back at the house, waiting for you in your room. Before you ask, no I didn't hang the painting, I was waiting for you to decide where to put it," he informed me.
That had me even more excited to get home. I hopped in the driver's seat and turned the key. The engine roared to life before settling in a dull roar.
I shifted it into gear once Mathias took his seat and we were off, back to my other two loves.
"Can you slow down?" Mathias begged from beside me.
I glanced at the speedometer and shot him a look. I wasn't even going over ten miles an hour.
Oh, my sweet beta.
For him, I took my foot off the gas until he relaxed beside me.
"Better?" I asked as we puttered along at five miles an hour.
"Much, thanks," he breathed as we turned onto the Ranch property, winding through the gravel roads.
My heart skipped a beat as the pack house finally came into view and my two alphas were waiting on the porch. I increased the speed just a little now.
I was more than ready for a shower and to be in all three sets of their arms once again. That was until I noticed the grim looks on their faces and I knew that something had happened.
How is it possible our omega got even prettier since the last time we saw her? I didn’t expect her back so soon but the way her face lit up had me rushing forward to sweep her up in my arms.
It had me forgetting the drama for a moment.
But she didn’t.
When we pulled back she narrowed her eyes, then glanced at Holt.
“What is it?”
“Nothing gets by you, does it, Darlin’?” Holt drawled as he reached for her, taking her from my arms and crushing her in his. His eyes drifted closed in a rare show of peace.
She had really changed us. We were friends, brothers in our own way, but this was far different. There was no jealousy between us, just a contentment knowing this was right.
“Someone better start talking,” she demanded. Her anxiety spiked in the bond and I couldn’t hold it back anymore.
“My parents called. They’re saying that someone set up a bachelor auction at the country club. The three of us are the main selling point,” I admitted.
Her eyes flashed with anger.
“Didn’t I overhear you saying you got my parents memberships out there?” she asked. Our girl was smart as a whip, seeing right between the lines of what I was saying.
“I did,” I agreed. “Apparently, the gossip is that they were almost kicked out last week for getting too drunk during an event and being combative. There’s always this joke about new money and how they flaunt it around and always show out and they’re being pegged as that type.”
“Only without the money,” she snorted. “They just wish they were rich and had status. It’s been a battle my entire life.”
“There’s a planning meeting today and we were asked to show up,” Holt explained. “We’re going to go and make sure everyone knows we have an omega and would never disrespect her this way.”
She let out a small, happy noise. “If we can stop in town so I can find a proper dress, then I’m going with you.”
“Of course,” I agreed, but my brows furrowed as I tried to reason with her. “This means you’ll have to see them, princess.”
“Yup,” she agreed, already pushing her way through the screen door, making us follow her to finish this conversation.
“It also means meeting my parents,” Ash pointed out.
“Alright,” she shrugged. “You’ve met mine and they’re still causing problems. Do you really think they’ll make me run?”
God, I love this omega.
“Fair point. I know just the right shop on the way,” I told her. “My treat.”
Her smile lit up. “Turning me into a real princess?”
“You’re already a real princess. I’m turning you into a queen. One that is going to show her parents that she is the one who won in the end and they have no place in our world.”
I worried for a moment that I took it too far. Until her face split into an evil grin and she turned, running up the stairs this time.
Her scent lingered for a moment, the last remnants of her heat clinging in the air. Soon it would be washed away but I soaked in every last breath of it.
Our omega was perfect. She’d taken us all so well, was demanding and soft at the same time. It was everything I could have imagined.
Mathias broke the silence, “She asked if I wanted kids today.”
“Did you tell her we did?” Holt asked. “Was she against it?”
He smiled and shook his head. “She’s for it. It could be a possibility after last week.”
“If not, it’ll be fun to try again next time,” I said as I turned and headed for my own room. “Get ready, boys. We have an omega to show off.”