Chapter 8
Chapter
Eight
brIAR
“I have nothing to wear,” I whine with a huff, turning my back to my closet. I’ve been trying on clothes for the past hour and I can’t find anything that I like.
“Babe.” Atlas’ chuckle is soft and light, his smile both frustrating me and making my heart flutter. “You look fucking stunning in every single thing you’ve tried on. Whatever you pick, it’s going to be perfect.”
“You’re just saying that because you stick your dick inside me,” I mutter, crossing my arms with a little pout.
His smile stretches, making the fluttering feeling shift south. He stands from where he’s been sitting on my bed watching me freak out the whole time and takes a few steps towards me, bridging the space between us.
He wraps his arms around me, resting his hands on my ass as he pulls me into his body. I go willingly, loving his touch.
I’ve never realized just how much affection I craved until I started dating Atlas. Who knew all I needed was someone I trusted to feel comfortable enough to open up.
Turns out, I’m a needy, cuddle whore. I love the little touches, and cuddles are the best.
It’s good to be independent, to be able to hold your own, but it’s also okay to let someone in, to allow them to take care of you.
Things with Atlas didn’t happen fast, but since that night we agreed to start dating, we just clicked.
It felt like we were meant to be, were made for one another. I’m not going to lie, when I found out about Jude, I was afraid to lose that. I’ve never felt this way with anyone before and I feared I’d never have that again.
But after the conversation with Willow and Jude, I have a good feeling about how everything is turning out.
Still, with my issue of trusting alphas, I think getting to know them better would help any lingering concerns I have.
Atlas reaches up and brushes some of my hair out of my face, the brush of his fingers sending a shiver down my spine. I try not to let my arousal take hold, but there's not much use in trying when it comes to this man. A simple grin is enough to get me going.
Now that we’ve taken a more intimate step, it’s gotten even worse.
His nostrils flare, smelling my perfume, but he's a gentleman and doesn’t point it out. This time. He does love to tease me about how easily he can get me going. It’s something he’s very proud of.
If I didn’t like the man as much as I do, I’d be pissed about it. But it’s hard to get mad at him. He’s just a ray of sunshine and makes me feel safe, wanted, and needed.
Knowing there’s a possibility I could get that with Willow and Jude too, has me both excited to see where this could go, and nervous that I might end up falling for those two, just as hard as I have with Atlas only for them to not feel as strongly about me.
Willow has a past with Jude, her omega. Now Jude has Atlas too. I’m nothing to them, nothing more than the girl Atlas is seeing.
But I want to be seen as something more.
I liked Willow from the moment I met her. She’s a little blunt, but she tells it like it is. No beating around the bush. That's what I want. No games with her. Just the truth.
That's why I feel bad about this big secret Atlas and I are keeping from her. We both know that if this is going to become something serious, it’s a conversation we’re going to have to have.
“What's wrong, Little Rose?” Atlas’ voice shifts into one of my caring alpha. “You disappeared on me.”
“Sorry,” I blink, forcing a smile. “Just nerves.”
“Briar.” He gives me a no shit tone.
I sigh heavily, “What if this works out perfectly?”
He raises a brow. “Isn’t that the goal?”
“But what if things go so well, and we fall so hard for the both of them, only to find they both want to run for the hills when they find out that we kill people and like it? I don’t know if you realize this, Atlas, but not many people are so chill about murderers, and I’m sure even less want to pack up with one. ”
“It’s serial killers, babe. We’re not simple murderers.” He gives me a cheeky smile and I huff out a laugh.
“I’m being serious. I don’t want this to be a deal breaker, but it would be for any sane person.”
“Don’t go judging a book by its cover, babe,” he chuckles. “We have no clue if they’re sane or not. They could be batshit crazy.” He wiggles his brows.
“Would it be fucked up of me to say I wouldn’t care if they were? Maybe a little turned on.”
He tosses his head back, his whole body shaking with laughter. “Fuck, you’re perfect.” He leans down and presses a kiss against my lips, his smile still on his. I kiss him back and relax a little bit.
“No,” he murmurs against my lips. “Because I’d react the same way.
But, crazy or not, let’s not overthink things.
We don’t know how any of this is going to play out right now.
One thing at a time. Let’s go on this date, get to know these two new amazing people who have come into our lives and give them a chance.
Plus, you know about what happened with Willow.
What she did for Jude. Willow doesn’t have clean hands. ”
“But that was in defense. Anyone in their right mind would do the same if it was their omega or alpha they needed to defend.”
“Yeah?” he grins. “You're telling me you’d kill for me, Little Rose?”
“Fuck yeah I would,” I grumble back. “And you better do the same for me.” I poke him in the chest.
“I’d kill a million men for you, Little Omega,” he growls softly, nipping at my lip.
“Would you kill for them?” I ask.
“Yeah,” he nods his head. “I would. I’d kill for anyone who needed to be protected. I’d just make it hurt a little bit extra for the ones I care about.”
“How romantic,” I giggle, loving how he brings out the omega in me.
“Damn right,” he winks. “Now, put this on and get that sexy ass dressed. We have a beautiful alpha and an adorable omega to see.”
He grabs the green body con dress from the closet and holds it out to me.
“Why this one?” I ask.
“Because it shows off all your curves.” He bites his bottom lip, eyes raking over my body. “Every single one. And I wanna see the look in their eyes when they get to see just how fucking edible you are.”
“Stop,” I laugh, trying to hide the blush from my cheeks as I turn around.
“Never.” He steps up behind me, wrapping his arms around me. “Everything is going to be okay, Briar. I have a feeling.”
“What if your feeling is wrong?” I ask quietly.
“They never are.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I had a feeling you were meant to be mine, and I was right.”
“And what is your feeling saying now?” I ask, turning to face him.
“That you three are going to be my pack, my forever, my end game.”
“Yeah?” I smile softly.
“Oh yeah.”
“I’d like that.”
And I would. I might not know Willow and Jude very well, but I’m a good judge of character and I know that I’m going to fall hard and fast for them too because like Atlas, I have a feeling we’re meant for bigger things.
I just hope they end up feeling the same way.
Okay, so maybe Atlas was right about this dress. Seeing the way Willow’s eyes grow heavy lidded and the look of awe on Jude’s face is the confidence boost I didn’t know I needed.
We agreed to meet at my place and spend the day in Widows Peak. I told Atlas I’d feel more comfortable not spending too much time out of town.
It’s one thing for me to go into Ridley’s Hawk to grab the occasional thing I can’t get in Widows Peak, or when I go to The Rusty Pipe, but spending hours wandering around in a place I don’t know would cause me too much anxiety, putting a damper on the whole night.
“Might wanna pick your jaw up there, sweet boy,” I laugh lightly as I stop in front of him, tapping the bottom of his jaw with my finger.
He snaps his mouth shut, an adorable blush creeping onto his cheeks.
“Sorry, but, woah.” He licks his lips and I flush from the attention.
“You look incredible,” Willow says, her voice growing a bit of a husk to it. My nipples harden against my bra at the sound.
We said we’re going to take this slow, but fuck me, I’m not sure if I’m going to make it through this date without soaking my panties. It’s a good thing I have my scent blocking ones on. Maybe she won't notice.
“Thank you,” I smile. “Atlas picked it out,” I tell them, doing a little spin.
“He did good,” Willow says, shooting Atlas a playful smile.
“Really good,” Jude breathes out.
These two are going to make it easy to fall for them, I know it.
“You have a really cute place here,” Willow says, looking around.
“Thanks,” I smile. “This is kind of my second home. I have another place in town. My friends and I kind of all lived on the same block when we first started working on the town, but I wanted something away from everyone when I needed to escape. I’m a bit of a private person.
Plus, it was an excuse to have Atlas come help work on building this place so I could drool over his body as he worked. ” I turn to Atlas and grin.
“I knew it,” he smiles wide. “I knew you wanted me for my body.” He runs his hand down over his chest and stops at his junk. “And as soon as you saw this knot, you were hooked.”
“I mean, you’re not wrong,” I shrug with a playful grin.
Willow laughs, “You two are so cute together.”
“Thanks, it’s all her.” Atlas wraps his arms around my shoulder.
My attention flicks to Jude, finding him watching with a fond look.
He’s not jealous that his alpha is all over me. That has a flicker of hope sparking.
“I know we said we’d all go on a date, but I’d like to propose something.”
“Propose?” Atlas snickers. “Hummingbird, I’m honored, but we just met.”
“Oh, he has jokes,” she laughs, shaking her head.
Seeing how easily we all seem to just vibe together is another brick off my shoulder.
“As I was saying,” Willow shoots a pointed, but teasing look Atlas’ way, making him chuckle then turn her blue eyes on me. “I was thinking maybe we can do some one on one time. Jude can spend the day with Atlas while me and you have a day on the town?”
“Oh,” I blink in surprise.
“If that’s okay. If you’d like it to be the four of us, that’s fine too.”
“No, it’s fine by me.” Excitement fills me.