18. Bailey-Rose #2
Papa pressed a kiss to my forehead. “That’s right, Bean, and along the way, you’ll find others who don’t see your differences, loving you like I do.
People who want to change you or make you feel bad about yourself have never learned to love themselves.
So many people in this big world around us never learn how to do that, but I think people like you were created to teach them how.
When they see you confident and embracing what makes you stand out, they will see it’s possible too. ”
“You really think I can do something that special, Papa?” I challenged, a frown creasing my brow.
Papa chuckled and reached over to hand me a roasting fork with two giant marshmallows on it. “Yes, my baby Bean, you were born to do lots of special things. Never stop dreaming and always see magic in the clouds.”
Eventually, I calmed and snuggled deeper against Vili as my tears dried.
How could I have forgotten that conversation with Papa?
He was so adamant about never letting me see myself as anything other than Bailey-Rose, his beloved daughter.
Hearing that advice again now as an adult, having lived through so many people telling me what I could or couldn’t do, I realized I’d lost my way.
Now that I knew I was lost, it was time to turn to the people who valued me for who I was at the core.
Lifting my head, I met Vili’s gaze, full of compassion and affection.
While I’ve only known these men for a few days, there’s never been a moment I felt they pitied me or found me lacking.
They were overprotective and cautious when it came to some things, but that was out of fear of the unknown, which had nothing to do with pity.
Taking both hands, I adjusted Vili’s glasses back up his nose before leaning in to kiss him.
It was a sweet kiss full of promise, hopes, and new beginnings—all things I hoped to build with this pack and each of the Alphas in it.
The purr that emanated from this gentle soul was a balm to the exposed wounds of my heart, easing the pain and giving me hope that I might be able to repair the damage.
I might not be as strong and confident as I thought, but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t be.
Anything was possible with the right people in my corner and the willingness to make a change.
“Thank you,” I whispered, nuzzling my nose against his. “I needed to come to terms with a few things, and you helped me see that. Yet, I’m a little sad that your cocoa has probably gone cold now.”
“Kitten, that is the smallest of worries,” Vili assured me. “I will hand you to Lys before he explodes and make you new cocoa.”
Confused by what he said about Ulysses, I started to ask, but Vili stood in one fluid motion and deposited me on the man’s lap. With a wink and a smile, Vili was off to the kitchen, and I was left to face the rest of my incredibly worried Alphas.
Lysse wrapped his arms around my waist and buried his face in my neck, taking deep breaths of my scent.
Everything about his body was rigid like he was ready to jump up and run off to do something.
With each inhale, he relaxed until finally, he pressed a lingering kiss on my neck before lifting his head.
“Sooo…” I started, unsure what to even say to them. “I don’t know what to share or tell you about all this. Where would you like me to start?”
“Let’s start simple,” Yun-Sun suggested. “I think it would help to know if he dumped you or you broke up with him?”
Gareth scoffed, smacking Yun-Sun lightly with the back of his hand. “You call that starting simple?” He then turned to me. “Let’s go with how long you were together?”
“We were friends for a few months. I didn’t trust he was really into me.
Then officially dating for about six months, the longest I’d ever had a boyfriend,” I shared, plucking at a loose thread on my shorts.
“As for Yun’s question, well, I don’t really know.
I thought sleeping with another woman was a pretty clear indicator he was done with me.
Then again, I did scream and swear at him before storming out of his apartment, so I can see why he thinks I broke up with him there in the bar. ”
“I’m sorry, baby girl, back up one second,” Gareth cut in, motioning for me to rewind. “You caught him in the act of having sex with another woman?”
Not really wanting to talk about it, having finally gotten the image out of my head, I nodded.
“Fucking piece of trash. I hope his dick rots and falls off,” Lysse mumbled under his breath.
I covered my mouth to keep from laughing at the seriousness of his tone and how ridiculous the threat was.
“Okay, so dated for six months, then showed up one day and found him banging another chick. Is that the basics of it?” Warrick asked, rubbing his temples like he had a headache.
“Ah… well,” I started, then paused to take the mug Vili offered me.
This time there was a more reasonable amount of marshmallows, allowing me to take a sip.
While the cocoa was hot, it didn’t burn my tongue, which allowed me to get the full experience of this cocoa.
The flavors exploded in my mouth, making me moan and go back for a second sip so I could savor it longer this time.
No wonder his grandmother didn’t give this recipe to just anyone—it was lethal and in the wrong hands, would be deadly.
Never had I been so impressed with a mug full of liquid as this.
“Wow,” I finally said after my third gulp. “This is incredible. I don’t think I’ve ever had something this amazing before.”
Ulysses grabbed the mug with my hand still wrapped around it and stole a sip before I could even try to stop him. “What the hell? Not cool, man, so not cool.”
“Holy fuck,” he blurted. “That shit’s amazing.”
There was the sound of a smack, and Ulysses hissed, letting go of the mug.
“Don’t steal from her,” Vili scolded. “You want some, I give you some, but use words next time. They say I don’t speak so good, then you do stupid thing like that. No manners.”
Ulysses looked like a scolded child while Vili marched back to the kitchen, mumbling like an agitated grandmother. My sweet Alpha didn’t get ruffled by much, but it appears he would rally to my defense. Sneaking a look at Lysse, I stuck my tongue out at him, making a face.
“Rosie, I suggest if you don’t want me to put that tongue to good use, then keep it to yourself,” he warned.
Instantly, I sucked it back in and hid behind my cocoa.
Warrick might have given me a few O’s in his office, but damn, it didn’t do anything to curb the need these men stirred up in me.
A moment later, Vili returned carrying a tray with five mugs on it, ensuring everyone got their own.
There was even a little pitcher that he used to top off my mug, still glaring at Ulysses.