
Yes Now Yes Forever (Sunshine & Rainbows Omegaverse)
1. Lyra
A s I lay in bed, I watched the sun’s rays cast rainbows on my bedroom wall. While I was being treated in the hospital the past three days after having my trauma-induced breakdown, my pack made the finishing touches to my room, including hanging this beautiful crystal chandelier I’d picked out.
Slowly, I sat, trying not to wake Pascal and Tanner, who had me snuggled between them last night.
Since learning the truth about my mother, it’s been hard for me to sleep alone. The moment I closed my eyes, all the memories I’d kept locked away flooded my dreams. However, wrapped in the arms of my pack, the nightmares eased in ferocity, allowing me to sleep. The hospital would only permit two of them to stay with me at a time, so they rotated, ensuring I was never alone.
I smiled to myself as I managed to crawl out of bed without waking my Alphas. Quietly, I grabbed the silk robe off the bench at the foot of the bed and wrapped myself in it. With a glance over my shoulder, I watched the two sleeping men who couldn’t be more different from each other. Pascal was an introvert who didn’t feel the need to be around people who weren’t his family. He had a brilliant mind and could solve technical problems I didn’t even begin to understand. Yet, despite his need for order in all things and reserved nature when it came to feelings, he could still surprise me. Who would have guessed he’d love to garden and make the best pickles I’ve ever eaten in my life?
Tanner was bold and passionate and wanted to see all there was, grabbing life by the balls , or so he’d tell me. The once pro skateboarder, now turned coffee shop owner, always found the silver lining in most situations. When it came to the people he cared about, there was nothing he wouldn’t do for them. He’d taken the time and patience to figure out what I needed to feel safe and comfortable with all the changes happening in my life. Who would have guessed the Omega, who never wanted to meet her scent matches, would find five men I couldn’t live without?
My feet padded silently across the plush carpet as I headed for the balcony. I desperately wanted some fresh air after my hospital stay. I’d gotten home last night and managed to stay awake for dinner, but I was too exhausted to keep my eyes open any longer. No one would ever consider the hospital to be a restful place, so sleep had been hard, not to mention the change in my medication.
Stepping out onto the balcony, I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and enjoyed the warm breeze. When I opened them again, I found two different chairs and a small table had been added to the balcony. One chair had a plush cushion cradled by a frame resembling half an eggshell. I could tell by the bottom of the frame this was made to rock as you sat in it. The other was similar in shape but was stationary, with four legs placed firmly on the wooden floor. Unable to resist, I curled up in the rocking chair and let out a sigh as I melted into the cushion. There were some things an Omega couldn’t resist being drawn to and this chair was one of them.
I don’t know how long I sat out there enjoying the morning sun like a cat, but it seemed to rejuvenate me like a flower seeking nutrients. My eyes fluttered open when the sound of a tray being set down caught my attention. Squinting, I found Zachary had come to join me and smiled when he shifted to block the sun so I could see him better.
“Good morning,” he said softly with a bright smile not even his beard could hide. “I thought for sure you’d sleep longer, or I would have brought up some tea sooner.”
“I wasn’t ready to really get up, so I came out here to enjoy the fresh air,” I shared, wiggling to sit a little straighter as he handed me the teacup he’d gotten for me. “Thank you. It smells wonderful.”
Zachary simply grinned and gave me a wink before taking his cup as he settled into the other seat. “It’s a new herbal mix I picked up. Let’s hope it tastes as good as it smells. The lady at the shop told me it was wonderful for helping people regain energy after they’ve been sick.”
I took a tentative sip to ensure it wasn’t too hot before diving in for a real taste. The mint tingled on my tongue but was soon soothed by the chamomile and another flavor I didn’t recognize but enjoyed. Zachary had taken the time to sweeten the drink with some honey, which coated my throat, soothing the irritation caused by all the crying I’d done.
“Zac, it’s delicious and just what I need,” I praised, lifting my gaze to meet his chocolate-colored eyes but dropping them back to my cup a moment later.
For some reason, I was feeling a little shy in front of this Alpha of mine. Zachary was tall, strong, and stocky, with the ability to make me feel small and safe in his arms. His expression was full of affection and relief as he seemed to drink in the sight of me. Being in the hospital had been just as hard on them as it was for me. The doctors forced me to stay there until they were sure I wouldn’t be a danger to myself. Not that I had given the doctors any indication to support their worries.
Out of my Alphas, it was a tie between Zachary and Eli for who became overly protective when it came to people they loved. Fawn was right to call Zach papa bear because I had no doubt that if it came down to it, he would turn into a terrifying grizzly to keep us safe. Yet the same man could be the cuddliest teddy bear you’d ever met and have you begging to be smothered in his bear hugs.
“God, it’s so good to have you back home, honey bear,” he murmured, leaning forward to trace a finger along my jaw. “I know it’s been hardly any time at all, but not having you here at home makes this place feel incomplete.”
Not second-guessing my actions, I grabbed his hand and kissed his palm before he could draw it back. “There isn’t anywhere else in the world I’d rather be than here with my pack.”
“Damn you, woman,” Zachary growled under his breath, surging to his feet. “You can’t say shit like that and expect me to behave.”
Next thing I knew, I’d been scooped up and was now cradled in Zachary’s lap, with him purring up a storm as he nuzzled my neck. How I managed not to spill my tea in the process showed how skilled my Alpha was at keeping me safe. He tucked a finger under my chin and urged me to meet his gaze before his lips captured mine. The kiss was sweet, hesitant, and full of emotions I’m not sure words could have expressed. Zachary pulled back sooner than I would have liked, and a little huff of disappointment came out of me. Startled at the sound I’d made, I pulled back and took a sip of my tea, trying to cover up my embarrassment.
“Do you have any idea how adorable you are right now, hiding your blush behind a cup of tea?” Zachary whispered, letting his lips brush the shell of my ear. “I am more than happy to kiss you for however long you want me to, my darling Omega. The only reason I kept it short was not to pressure you into something you weren’t up for.”
Shifting slightly, I set my cup on the tray before facing my Alpha. “It’s strange how I’ve been an Omega all my life, but I never truly understood what it meant to be one until I met all of you. My reactions sometimes feel so silly and childlike, but I can’t seem to stop them from happening.”
Zachary smiled sweetly at me as he threaded his large hands in my hair, cupping my face. “Lyra, you do not need to hide those reactions from us. Knowing that you were irritated at the fact I pulled away too soon is like crack to an Alpha. None of us want to push you into deepening things between us until you’re ready. However, knowing you want my kisses and desire my touch means everything to me.”
His words had me melting against him so I could nuzzle my face against his neck and breathe in the sharp scent of pine mixed with the richness of leather. It made me want to be in a cabin, deep in the woods, with the fire that kept us warm as our only light as we snuggled together. How could I not crave this man’s touch?
“It scares me how badly I want all of you,” I murmured, then pressed a kiss to the pulse I could feel under his skin.
“Why?” I heard Pascal ask, his voice rough from sleep.
Lifting my head, I found Tanner had taken my seat while Pascal leaned against the door frame, his amber eyes studying me through his glasses.
Tanner started to say something to Pascal, but I cut him off. “Because I know it’s too late, there’s no way I could live without all of you. Even though I’ve only officially bonded with Fawn, you’ve all left your mark on my heart. Three days ago, I learned that I wasn’t supposed to be alive, and the woman I thought would do anything to protect me tried to kill me. If it hadn’t been for all of you there to hold me together, I know I would have shattered beyond repair.”
My eyes burned as I fought back the tears fighting to come to the surface. I closed my eyes, knowing it was no use—I was far too tired and weak to win that battle. I could feel them as they rolled down my cheeks, but I didn’t bother to wipe them away. Gentle fingers caressed my skin, which felt so warm and comforting.
“Angel, talk to me,” Fawn whispered. “I can feel your pain as if it were my own. Let me help carry some of it for you.”
His words, along with the overwhelming flood of worry and love I could feel through our bond caused the dam to crumble. Blindly, I reached for Fawn, drawing him closer until he hugged me so tightly it hurt. Somehow, Fawn knew I needed him to hold what was left of me together right now when I couldn’t. One by one, I felt my other Alphas offering their comfort and support with a simple touch. For reasons I might never understand, these five men had decided I’m worth loving. Despite all the baggage and trauma I brought with me, they accepted it all without question.
“Now I know why my mother didn’t feel like life was worth living anymore,” I managed to rasp out. “The mere thought of losing any of you makes it hard to breathe. Being an Omega who’s loved by her pack is all I’ve wanted, even if I wasn’t willing to admit it to myself. For years, I ran from it all, telling myself I could find contentment if I worked hard enough to forge my own path. I’ve been a damn fool.”
I took a deep breath and sat up to see the men I’d been running from. None of them were perfect, or what I would have imagined for myself, yet they were exactly who I needed.
“All of you have been so wonderful to give me what I need, but I don’t know how to do that for all of you,” I admitted.
“Lyra, you are not an idiot,” Eli stated as he tucked some of my hair behind my ear. “Nor are you the only one who resisted being part of a pack. Until recently, I didn’t feel it was right for me to have a pack and the joy that came with it when I knew my sister had been rejected by the Matchers. To me it felt like I would be rubbing it in her face when she could never have a pack. So I chose to keep my world small and focused on taking care of my family. Then you appeared, and that carefully constructed bubble popped. If I hadn’t met you and experienced the magic of finding my scent matched Omega, I wouldn’t have had the courage to meet with the rest of our pack.”
Fawn balled up the sleeve of his sweatshirt and wiped my tear-stained face, then booped my nose with his finger. “My sweet angel, whether you realize it or not, you’ve already given us what we’ve been missing.”
I frowned in confusion, not following what he was trying to tell me.
A smile so bright it could blind the sun appeared on Fawn’s face, and the next second, he cupped my face and kissed me. Unashamed, Fawn deepened the kiss, asking me to open up to him, and I did, desperate to keep the flow of emotions through our bond going. Fawn was drawing on his bonds with our Alphas, minus Eli, and allowing me to see exactly how each of them felt about me. Adoration. Devotion. Joy. Protective. Attraction and one emotion that came from each of them was unwavering commitment and trust.
“You, my darling angel, have brought the most important piece we were missing in this pack,” Fawn whispered against my lips. “Harmony. Without you being the anchor to our pack connecting us all, we would never truly be whole.”
Stunned by this declaration, I didn’t know how to respond. Instead, I met the gaze of each of my Alphas, who nodded in agreement to what Fawn said. While I wanted to believe with all my heart this was true, I couldn’t keep the small voice of doubt from creeping in. How could someone as broken as me bring any kind of harmony?