7. Bailey-Rose
Did these guys seriously think I would be offended by a little swearing?
Had they forgotten I grew up with two brothers who fought daily?
I get that I’m perceived as some Hello Kitty character, but I’ve also lived in the real world just like them.
It was rather adorable when Warrick got so flustered, though.
It made me realize I wasn’t the only nervous one here.
Warrick shifted in his seat and cleared his throat as he ran a hand through his stylish dark-brown hair. “If you say so, little dumpling.”
Gareth snorted this time at the pet name while Lysse rolled his eyes.
I didn’t mind that one, but the others were right.
Little cherub wasn’t something I wanted to be called.
For now, I was more intrigued to see how many different nicknames he’d come up with.
They all seemed rather uncommon or hilariously cliché.
“As I mentioned earlier, I’m Warrick, Warrick Shaw, and it’s a delight to discover I’m one of your scent-mates,” he said, placing his hand over his heart and bowing to me.
“I’m the proud owner of the bar called The Fat Mule.
It’s only been open for roughly half a year, but my family has been in the hospitality and restaurant industry forever.
If you’ve ever heard of the Shaw Group, that’s my parents. ”
I could feel my eyes widen at that bit of information. The Shaw Group was a name everyone in the upper crust of society has heard of. They own some of the most exclusive hotels, resorts, and restaurants in all of Preidon.
“Holy shit,” I blurted as I gawked at him.
Warrick snickered, shaking his head. “Ah hell, even when you swear, it’s the cutest thing ever.”
My cheeks burned as I blushed, ducking my head so he didn’t see how much his words affected me.
Other than my family, I wasn’t used to other people showering me with so many compliments and sweet words, and it was a little overwhelming.
Most of the time, I was too shy for people to notice me unless they knew who my family was.
Then they wanted to be my friend just to use it as clout, not actually having any actual interest in me.
A hand cupped my chin, and I was swept up in the scent of cinnamon-candied pecans that made me think of the fall festival we have in town.
Gently, the hand urged me to look up so I met Warrick’s citrine gaze.
It was the first time I’d seen them so serious as he studied my face, but once he deemed nothing was wrong, he gave me a playful grin.
“Seems our Care Bear doesn’t know what to do with compliments, hmm? ”
I just shrugged and bit my lower lip, having no idea what to even say to that because it was one hundred percent true.
“Allow me to warn you that you’ll have to adjust because I can guarantee all of us will be showering those on you,” Warrick informed me. “Seriously, though, is it that uncommon for people not to notice how perfect you are?”
I know he meant it as a compliment, but the sting of my reality and experiences were quite the opposite.
Pulling out of his grip, I turned away as I clenched my hands.
“I’m far from perfect,” I whispered. “There are many things I can’t do or experience because of my condition.
No one wants to invite the girl who can’t even drink or dance to go party with them. ”
“Well, that’s short-sighted of them,” Warrick scoffed.
“Not really,” I countered. “All I’d do is hold them back from having fun or make them feel guilty for leaving me behind at the table so they can go dance.”
A low growl emanated from Warrick as he grabbed my hips and pulled me onto his lap so I straddled his legs.
My hand shot out to keep from falling forward into his chest with the abrupt movement, but as his scent hit my nose, all I wanted was to be wrapped up in his arms like Yun-Sun had done when I climbed into his lap.
Instead, Warrick cupped my face in a firm grip, forcing me to stare directly into his face.
“Bailey-Rose, I know we just met, but this is the one warning you get from me. If I hear you ever speaking down about yourself again, I’ll spank you hard enough that the sting of it is imprinted on your brain forever,” Warrick warned.
“Fuck everyone who made you believe that bullshit so completely that you just argue with me to prove them right.”
Stunned, I just sat there. Was he right? Did I defend them? I started to argue but stopped, replayed what I said to him, and realized he was right.
“So what that you can’t drink? There is more to life than getting shitfaced and forgetting how you made an ass out of yourself while you were drunk.
Trust me when I say those people aren’t having as much fun as you think they are,” Warrick continued.
“As for the dancing, there are hundreds of different styles we can try until we find one your heart can handle. Plus, now that you’re a matched Omega, the only people whose opinions should matter are ours and your family’s.
And, because I can’t hold back after looking at your perfect face, I’m going to kiss you if you’ll let me. ”
I gave an approving squeak, unable to actually form words at how he’d gone from a fun-loving goofball to possessive Alpha at the flip of a switch.
Warrick slowly closed the gap between us, giving me time to change my mind.
Clearly, he couldn’t see the cheering and waving pom poms going on at the prospect of this sexy Alpha kissing me.
The moment his lips touched mine, it felt like fireworks were going off in my brain.
How many movies and books have I read where they describe this very moment?
Too many, but fuck, if this wasn’t everything I ever imagined and craved in my life.
My hands fisted his shirt as I sank against him, wanting to feel as much of him as I could pressed against me.
A need I’d never felt before unfurled in the pit of my stomach, making me whine at the strange and wonderful sensation.
Warrick kept the kiss rather tame, too tame for my liking if I’m being honest. He held me tight as he pressed his lips to mine again and again before moving to cover every inch of my face in a flurry of kisses.
It took a moment for my brain to register that he was speaking as he peppered my skin with affection.
“You are perfect. You are mine. Your skin smells like summer and sunshine. I’m the luckiest Alpha in the world to have you,” Warrick murmured into my ear before kissing just below it and pulling back to meet my gaze.
“I don’t even have to question it. The thing I know I’ll love more than anything in the world has to be you.
Equally, the thing that I hate is anyone who dares to make you ever doubt how exceptional you are.
So to combat that, I’m going to make it my life’s mission to remind you each and every day how I see you. ”
Tears pooled in my eyes. There was nothing I could do to stop it, not when it felt like he was stitching back together my broken heart one word and kiss at a time.
Could it be that I’ve been blind to how I’ve allowed others to put me in a box and make me believe I wasn’t worthy of this kind of love?
Warrick didn’t try to stop me from crying.
He merely cuddled me close and began to purr, rocking slightly from side to side, allowing me to feel the emotions I was going through.
I don’t know how long I stayed there or when the tears stopped falling, but I had no interest in moving from where I was.
Like when the others held me, I felt safe, warm, and cherished.
In an odd way, I felt like a battery had been left empty and was now starting to recharge, showing me how drained I’d been this whole time.
Another hand ran down my back. “Hey, Rosie, can you drink this for me?”
With Warrick’s help, I sat up and found Lysse with a glass.
I knew by the pink hue that it had my electrolyte powder in it.
Being locked away in my room eating junk food and drinking primarily tea and hot chocolate, this was probably a smart call.
I struggled to keep my electrolytes in balance on a good day, but with all the crying, bad food, and excitement going on, I was probably horribly dehydrated.
Taking the glass, I spotted Eli leaning casually in the doorway, watching.
I was proud of him for leaving me alone with the guys after my spell when normally he wouldn’t have let me out of his sight.
There was no doubt in my mind he was the one who made the drink and brought it over but was kind enough to let my newly-matched Alphas take care of me.
My oldest brother was one of the most amazing people I knew, and I wanted nothing more than for him to find his own happiness.
Maybe now that I’d soon be out of the house and with my pack, he could focus on himself.
I mouthed my thanks, and he nodded but didn’t budge.
Letting out a sigh, I rolled my eyes and lifted the glass to my lips, knowing he wouldn’t leave until I drank the whole damn thing.
Finished, Lysse took it from me and sat on the coffee table watching me carefully. “I think it might be best if we let you rest.”
“What? Why?” I asked even as I sank back against Warrick. “I’m good. Besides, Yun-Sun hasn’t had a chance to share.”
“Sweetheart, we don’t need to accomplish everything in one day when we have the rest of our lives together,” Yun-Sun pointed out. “It’s clear you’re tired, a lot has happened, and none of us want you to overdo it.”
I scowled at the man, feeling like a little kid who’s being told to go to bed when there’s a party going on. “I think I know what I can handle.”
He gave me a patient look, but a smirk was tugging at his lips. “Of that, I have no doubt, sweetheart. Would you humor me and take a moment, close your eyes, and really listen to your body? If you’re absolutely confident you don’t need to take a break, then I won’t say another word.”
It was hard to argue with someone when they made an infuriatingly reasonable request. Letting out a heavy sigh, I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths.
“Good, now I want you to start at the very top of your head and work your way down, taking stock of how your body is feeling,” Yun-Sun directed, his voice soothing.
With my eyes closed, I realized my ear was resting over Warrick’s heart, and I got lost in its steady, solid sound. Moments later, it felt like I was being carried somewhere, but that didn’t make sense. I hadn’t figured out how my body was feeling yet.
“Good thing I had the staff come in straight away to clean in here.” I heard Eli say, his deep voice distracting me from what I was doing. “The sheets have been changed as well, so you can settle her in there.”
“How did she not realize how tired she was?” Gareth asked. “Should we be worried?”
“No, I’m amazed she lasted as long as she did after her episode. Normally, that would have worn her out to the point she’d be in bed until the next day,” Eli commented. “I think she was so worried about you guys freaking out, it gave her the determination to ensure you were all right.”
“Our pretty lady has big heart,” Vili added. “This we need to keep eyes on.”
A sigh escaped me as I was placed in my bed, sinking into the puffy mattress topper that made it feel like a cloud.
Immediately, I reached out, randomly searching for Pearl.
I couldn’t ever relax if I didn’t have her close.
Knowing she was with me told me I was safe, where I should be, and everything would be all right.
Instead of finding Pearl, I grasped someone’s arm. When I dragged it close, I was once more transported to that summer morning baking muffins with my mother. Wrapping my arms around the limb, I nuzzled my cheek against it and started to purr—something I never knew I could do.
“Do you hear that?” Yun-Sun asked, his voice soft as if worried he would wake me. “Did you know Omegas could do that?”
“No.”
“So goddamn fucking cute.”
“Not puppy, our pretty lady kitten.”
“How is that possible?”
They all said, talking over one another in excited voices, making me grumpy enough to stop purring and exchange it for disgruntled grunts.
“Shh, sweetheart,” Yun-Sun soothed, stroking a hand over my head. “Just sleep. Ignore everything else and be at peace.”
His voice was like melting butter on chocolate chip pancakes easing my irritation until I resumed purring. While I was comfortable, I still felt like I was missing something, so I rolled over and curled myself in the crook of Yun-Sun’s body. This was better but not quite right.
“What do you need, Rosie?” Lysse asked as his finger stroked my cheek.
I cracked open an eye and found we were in my bedroom.
Somewhere in my brain, I already knew this but hadn’t accepted the fact I’d fallen asleep and lost to Yun-Sun’s challenge.
Ulysses sat on the edge of my bed with Pearl in his lap, ready to hand her over since he knew she was essential to my life.
Yet when I looked at my beloved octopus, all I could think of was how pissed I was she was on his lap and not mine.
That took me by surprise. Never had anyone or anything in my life replaced my need for Pearl.
Feeling confused, tired, and unable to answer his simple fucking question, I let out a loud, frustrated whine.
It was natural for Omegas to whine when they were overwhelmed, sad, or upset.
It was akin to babies crying as a means of communication.
Omegas were highly sensitive to emotions—theirs and others.
So when we became, for all intents and purposes, paralyzed by the emotional overstimulation, we whined, triggering any Alpha nearby to instantly tend to the distressed Omega.
From what I’ve heard, when the Omega is scent matched, their whines demand attention from their Alphas.
Betas still feel the urge to be of help, but for Alphas, it’s an undeniable instinct.
I got to witness this as all five of my Alphas were instantly on my bed, forming a circle around me.
Warrick was stretched out along the headboard, nuzzling his face into my hair, Lysse held my hand, Vili had my feet in his lap using his thumbs to massage one, and Gareth’s hand rested on my hip.
Yun-Sun wrapped his other arm around my waist and tucked me tight against him like a perfect big spoon.
Finally, the feeling that something wasn’t right vanished, and I let out a contented sigh, twining my fingers with Lysse’s so he couldn’t leave.
“This is what I need,” I mumbled, wriggling so my mattress formed around this current position.