Chapter 34
“Why do you seem so nervous, little doll?” Jude asks from his seat next to me.
My parents insisted on purchasing plane tickets for the whole pack, so we’re all packed in to two rows in first class.
The guys had a lot of questions when I showed them our seats, but I did what any respectable omega would do when faced with an uncomfortable conversation and pretended not to hear.
I haven’t figured out how to lock down my emotions in the bond yet, so I know my alpha has to be feeling the riot of emotions all tangled up in my mind.
“I don’t know,” I whine. “I love my family and I am so excited for them to meet you guys, but I’ve never even had a boyfriend before and now I’m showing up bonded to a pack I’ve only known a month?
I think I’m worried they’re going to be disappointed in me. ”
Jude scoffs as he reaches over me to unbuckle my seatbelt and then pulls me into his lap, the scarf I gave him proudly around his neck.
It smells like a mixture of both of our scents and acts as a balm to my frazzled nerves.
“Posey I’ve never met your parents and even I know they could never be disappointed in you.
But for something like following your instincts and saving me?
I can’t imagine them being upset with you.
And if they are, I’ll take the blame. After all, you only bit me to save me from going rabid. ”
“Jude, no,” I coo, cupping his face in my hands.
“Did your diagnosis speed up our timeline a little? Maybe. But can you honestly say Mack or Parker would have let us get to Christmas without demanding I bite them?” He shakes his head, and I laugh.
“Exactly. You’re my scent match, Jude. My soulmate.
I know I haven’t had a chance to say it yet, but I forgive you.
I had already done so before we bonded, and I’m sorry I didn’t get the chance to tell you before I pushed you to bite me back. ”
He deflates, shoulders dropping as a ragged purr kicks up in his chest. “Thank god,” he murmurs, pulling me close. “I really am so sorry, doll. Thank you for giving me a chance. For not writing me off.”
“You’re forgiven.” I kiss him quickly, sending as much reassurance as I can through the bond. “Now let’s move on.”
He sends a push of affection back, warming me from the inside out. Actually… “Is the air on?”
Jude looks confused, but nods slowly. “It is. Your cheeks are flushed, are you feeling warm?”
Paxton overhears the question and leans across the aisle, placing a hand on my forehead. “Sweetheart you feel warm. Are you getting sick?”
I shake my head. I don’t feel sick, I just feel overheated.
“I’m probably just anxious and dehydrated.
A little fresh air and some cold water and I’ll be right as rain,” I assure them.
Parker holds a bottle of water out over the seat in front of me, making me roll my eyes.
One thing I’ve learned about that alpha is that of all four men, he’s the one with the most questionable morals when it comes to me.
I truly don’t think there’s any line he wouldn’t cross if it meant getting to me or keeping me.
It’s thrilling.
But I can’t openly encourage his bad habits, so I paste a disapproving scowl on my face and take the bottle all while acting like I don’t find it sweet that he’s been listening in on our conversation while pretending to be asleep.
“Folks we have just engaged the seatbelt sign for our descent into Atlanta. Please fasten your seatbelts and return all tray tables to their upright positions to prepare for landing. Thank you for flying Signate Air.”
My stomach pitches at the same time as the plane, both from the sudden dip in altitude and nerves. We’ll rent a car to drive the last hour and a half to Honeybrook, but then it’s two days on the ranch with my parents who still don’t know I’m bonded.
A large hand encircles mine, and I look up to see Jude with an empathetic smile on his face, adoration pouring down the bond. “It’s going to be fine.”
I can only hope he’s right.
“Is that my beautiful Rosie Posie?” Mama shrieks the second I exit the car, barreling into me with the all the force of a toddler on a sugar rush.
“Hi Mama,” I laugh, hugging her back. The scent of comfort and home is all over her, instantly soothing me.
It’s funny now that I’ve met the guys, the smell of home doesn’t really feel like home anymore.
The four alphas shifting nervously behind me are starting to feel like my true home, and that thought both excites and terrifies me.
She leans back, gripping me by the shoulders and giving me an exaggerated once over. Thank god I remembered to throw on my scarf before getting out. “You’re glowing. I can only assume the four hulking men behind you are responsible for that?”
My face heats. “They are. Mama, this is Jude Carter, McKenzie Madden, and Paxton and Parker Avery.” I introduce them one by one before taking a deep breath and undoing my scarf. “My pack.”
She instantly tears up, clutching her hands together in front of her chest before reaching one out to hover over my bond mark from Jude. “My baby is mated. And was what you suspected true? Are these the neighbors you told me about after you met Paxton?”
I nod, giggling when Paxton’s jaw drops. Parker elbows him and he quickly recovers, but I make a note to spend some solo time with him this weekend. I miss my sweet alpha.
Mama claps, bouncing on her toes. “Well this is just the best news! We have to tell your dads.” She ushers us all inside.
“Come on, come on! Oh!” She stops just outside the door.
“Where are my manners? My name is Lily, and you can call me Lily, Mama Lily, or just Mama. None of that Mrs. Hale nonsense. That’s reserved for strangers, little ones, and Pastor George only. ”
I can tell the guys are either confused or fighting to hold back laughter, but I’m so used to Mama’s brand of crazy it doesn’t even phase me.
Jude, McKenzie and Parker all follow my mom in the house, but Pax wraps a hand around my wrist to hold me back.
His eyes are shining as he looks down at me with awe written all over his face. “You told your mom about me?”
“Of course I did.” My smile is wide. “You were the first guy I met on campus and your scent was, is, one of the best things I’ve ever smelled. I called my mom the very next morning to tell her about you. She’s the one who convinced me you might be my scent match.”
He shakes his head, leaning down to rain light kisses on my cheeks, nose, and forehead. “You have no idea how good it feels to hear that, sweetheart.”
I rise up on my toes to scent mark his cheek, loving how rich and sweet his taffy scent is right now. “The other guys may be louder, but you’re the first one I noticed, Pax.” Taking a deep breath, I let it out slow and swallow my fears. “I love you, Pax.”
He startles, staring down at me with wide eyes. “Are you sure?”
I can’t help the laugh that escapes. “I’m sure.”
A huge smile takes over his face. His arms wrap around me in a tight hug as he takes my lips in a hard kiss that leaves me breathless. “I love you too, Posey.”
“Are you two done neckin’ yet?” Tucker calls out the front door. He’s got a hand over his eyes and a smirk on his face. “Your mama is chompin’ at the bit to meet your final alpha now that she’s sufficiently scared the other three.”
I groan, burying my face in Paxton’s chest as heat suffuses my cheeks again.
“We’re coming, daddy!” Pax trails along behind me on our way into the house, never once letting go of my hand.
As soon as we step foot over the threshold, Mama steals my alpha away to sit in the family room with the others, Auggie, and Henry.
Tucker comes to my side and wraps an arm around my shoulders, kissing the top of my head. “Missed you, honey.”
“Missed you more, daddy.”
“Are they treating you well?” He asks quietly.
I can’t help my smile. “Things were a little rocky with Jude at first but yes, they treat me incredibly well. I know it’s fast but I’m so happy.”
Tucker chuckles, gesturing at my other parents.
“I know your mom told you our timeline. Who gives a hoot if it’s fast when fate is involved?
They’re your scent matches, and the way those boys look at you?
” He shakes his head. “It’s the same look your dads and I still give your mom every day.
Love like that doesn’t follow any one timeline.
Trust your instincts. What are they telling you? ”
The answer comes to me right away. “I love them.” The realization is like a light turning on after years in the dark. It doesn’t matter that I’ve only known them a month because it’s meant to be.
I love Pack Madden, and I think I’m finally ready to tell them.