45. Grace
Chapter 45
Grace
I wake up feeling groggy and incredibly sore.
For a second, I’m disoriented. I have no idea where I am. There’s a lingering headache and I feel tired . Like back when I was first on the ranch and was working muscles I didn’t even know existed. But I also feel like I’m on the tail end of a bad cold, when you’re mostly feeling better but your body’s still resting after going ten rounds with a virus.
I open my eyes, blinking and squinting, trying to figure out what’s going on.
For some reason waking up in my bed doesn’t feel right. I wasn’t here, last. I was—I was out in—
“The barn,” I croak, trying to push myself upright.
Instantly I’m pushed back down by several pairs of hands. I look up, and I see all four Alphas hovering over me. None of them look like they’ve slept well. Actually, that’s an understatement. They all look like wrecks.
Even so, they’re still unbearably handsome.
“Don’t exert yourself!” Jesse says, his voice soft but also stern.
“I’ll get her some water,” Easton says, quickly leaving the room.
“And soup!” Hendrix calls after him.
I stare at them all. “The barn! It was on fire!” My voice is scratchy, my throat a bit sore, but I push through the sting of pain as my heart races. “How long has it been? What happened with the auction?”
“Fuck the auction,” Cade growls. “You matter more.”
“The barn matters too! The ranch! Oh god—I tried to fix it, I tried to save everything—the horses are okay I think, but it was so hard to see through the smoke—”
“The horses are okay,” Jesse assures me. “You got all the animals out.”
“And the barn?” I ask.
Jesse winces. “It could be worse.”
“What do you mean, it could be worse?”
“I mean, uh, the whole ranch could have been destroyed. Animals could be dead.”
“So…”
He sighs. “The barn was destroyed, yes. We’ll have to completely rebuild it from the ground up.”
My eyes well up with tears, and Cade practically lunges forward to hold me close. “It’s not your fault,” he growls softly.
“You did everything you could,” Hendrix points out. “More than anyone could expect of you. You could’ve died, trying to save the barn. And you got all the animals out.”
“But you need everything you can get…” I wipe at my eyes. “And building a whole new barn is going to take so much… you just got new bulls at the auction…”
The three men give each other quick little looks, and I frown at them. “What? What is it?”
“We… we left the auction,” Hendrix admits slowly.
Easton comes back in with a tray. There’s soup and water on it, and some nice hot tea. “Here we go. Doctor’s orders—chicken noodle soup, lots of liquids.”
Cade helps me settle back against the pillows, propping me up, and Easton sets the tray down. It smells delicious, and I find that I’m suddenly starving.
The men watch me quietly as I eat. They all still look terrified, like they think I might disappear right in front of them. I can’t imagine what kind of scare they’ve had. I just don’t understand what happened, exactly. I know I passed out, the smoke getting to me no matter how hard I tried, but I don’t remember anything else until waking up just now.
“You really shouldn’t have tried to do that,” Jesse says quietly. “You could’ve died.”
I frown at him. “What are you talking about? What was I supposed to do, just stand there and let it burn down?”
“Yes,” Easton says firmly. “It’s not worth your life.”
“Of course this place is worth my life. I had to try to save it and do what I could. I don’t know where I’d be without it.”
The words burst out of me and I instantly bite my lip, feeling embarrassed. I didn’t mean to admit to anything like that, and I think I just did.
The ranch has become very dear to me. I love it. It feels like… like… like home.
My face flushes as I think that. I scramble for something to distract everyone. “And you all still haven’t answered my question. What happened with the auction? How are you here? How long was I out?”
“You were out for a day,” Jesse says.
“But that can’t be possible. It has to be at least forty-eight hours.” The whole day at the auction, then driving home.
“We didn’t go to the auction,” Hendrix admits. “We drove over to the ranch the night before it happened. The first day of the auction wrapped yesterday, and the second day’s happening right now.”
I stare at them all. “How are you here? Did you have to leave? Were the McAllisters that horrible?”
“We—we heard you,” Easton says at last, when the other three stay silent. “You called to us. You begged us to help you.”
I frown, thinking back.
I remember thinking help, but I was thinking more like the universe, or some entity, the way you pray when you’re desperate. I didn’t think I was actually calling out to anyone. “How is that possible? I wasn’t on the phone with any of you. I was just sort of… begging in my head as I passed out.”
I look at each of them in turn. “How did you hear me? How did you know I was in trouble? Is it like the whole… feeling emotions thing?”
Easton clears his throat. “Not exactly. This is something even more rare. Hearing the person’s voice in your head only happens if they’re your true mate.”
My heart skips a beat as his words settle over me, and I stare at them all, stunned.
“True mate?” I whisper.
“Yes.” Jesse clears his throat, watching me carefully like he’s afraid I’ll run. “We all heard you in our minds, wildcard.”
“So all four of you are… are my true mates?”
My voice is faint, barely a whisper as emotions roll through my chest, making my heart race. Although almost every Omega ends up being courted by and then bonding with an Alpha or group of Alphas, a true mate match is something beyond even that. It’s like finding a missing piece of your soul.
“We are.” Cade nods, his voice a low rumble. “And you’re ours.”
“But it still doesn’t mean you have to accept our bites,” Hendrix says, and I can hear the protectiveness in his voice. “We want you, Grace. So fucking much. But we would never tie you down against your will. We would never keep you here if you want to leave.”
Something squeezes in my chest, a tight feeling that aches and feels good at the same time, as if my ribs are too small to contain all the feelings rushing through me.
Even now, even knowing how deep the connection between us is, these men—these beautiful, wonderful Alphas—are putting me first. They’re taking care of me, the way they always have. The way they always will.
I don’t want to leave , I think, letting the words echo clearly in my mind. I never want to leave any of you. And I think… I think some part of me always knew that we were true mates. That you were the only ones in the whole world for me.
All the men fall silent, their eyes wide with expressions of shock, and I realize that they must have heard what I said, just like I hoped they would. I spoke in their minds again.
I can feel myself flushing, my pulse thrumming in my throat as I open my mouth to say the words that I’ve kept inside for far too long. “I—I love you. All of you. I’m in love with you.”
Easton’s eyes are gleaming, and I reach out and take his hand, squeezing it. I can feel the connection crackling between us, unspoken thoughts and emotions swirling through the air. Tears prick at my eyes as I gaze up at all of them as each of his pack mates step closer, surrounding me. It’s overwhelming to finally acknowledge the emotions that I’ve felt growing inside of me for weeks.
“Thank god. Because I think I’ve been in love with you since the second you came to live with us, darlin’,” Hendrix says. He’s got that teasing lilt in his voice, but his eyes are soft and completely serious. He’s not just saying that to tease or be flirtatious. He’s being sincere, wearing his heart on his sleeve. “Hell, maybe even a lot longer than that, since way back when we were younger.”
“I didn’t know you thought of me that way at all back then,” I admit softly.
I think I started to suspect, given that he saved the short story I wrote and rescued it from the trash, but I never would’ve dared seriously consider it.
Hendrix smiles at me, his expression warm. “It’s always been you, for me. I didn’t want to think about it too much, since you were gone and it seemed like you’d always be gone. But when you showed up again, how could I resist? How could any of us resist the chance to be around you again? You’re a better person than you let yourself believe, and your drive and bravery inspired me to be a braver and more driven person too. I love you, and I admire the hell out of you.”
I take his hand and kiss his knuckles. I feel like I’m going to cry. That’s so sweet of him to say, and so heartfelt in a way that I know Hendrix isn’t known for being. He’s a guy who likes to tease and make jokes, but he’s capable of so much depth and feeling.
“I guess that makes two of us, then,” Jesse says quietly, “because Hendrix isn’t the only one who’s always been in love with you. You’re a bright light to me, Grace. I only ever want to be worthy of you. I felt for so long that I couldn’t be the man that you deserved, but even then, I couldn’t convince myself to give you up. I needed to be around you, like a plant needs sunshine or a horse needs grass.”
He reaches forward and tucks my hair behind my ear, his fingertips lingering on my jaw. “I love how playful you make me feel, how you lighten my heart and brighten my day. You make me feel like I’m good enough, and I’ll spend every day of my life trying to prove you right. Trying to be the Alpha you deserve.”
I lean heavily into Cade’s chest as I brace myself to kiss Jesse softly.
“Anyone else want to admit they were in love with me the whole time?” I tease, smiling despite the emotions clogging my chest. I poke Cade. “Not you. I won’t have you lying and saying you did.”
“I didn’t let myself fall in love with anyone,” Cade grunts. “I wasn’t going to let myself be hurt that way. I saw what it did to my dad and I knew from a young age that it just wasn’t worth it. I wouldn’t let myself or my pack be hurt like that.”
“Didn’t you all worry you’d be missing out?” I ask, finally able to ask the question I never had the guts to voice before.
“Maybe. But it felt like a worthwhile tradeoff.”
“We didn’t want to push him,” Hendrix adds. “We had feelings for you, after all, and we were sure that we couldn’t have you. So we just let it be.”
“We didn’t know what to do or say to heal that hurt for him,” Easton adds. I can hear the ghost of frustration in his voice, and I know it must’ve driven him crazy, unable to take care of Cade in this way.
“But you did,” Cade says quietly. “You made me fall in love with you without even trying. The more I tried to deny it, the more obvious it got that I was already in love with you and I just didn’t want to admit it.”
“I get that,” I agree softly, resting my head on his shoulder. “I was the same way. I’ve known for a while how I’ve felt about you all. I just didn’t want to examine my feelings too closely or admit to them. I was scared. But I’m not scared anymore.”
“ You scare me,” Cade admits, and I can feel him chuckle as I rest against his chest. “I like it, though. You keep me on my toes. And even though you scare me, you scare me in a good way. I never want to stop being scared by you, or by how much I want you.” He shakes his head. “Am I making any sense?”
“Yes,” I assure him, nodding as I cup his cheek with my hand. “I get it, Cade. I really do. I see you, and I understand you.”
Cade flushes, adoration burning in his eyes as he rests a hand over mine. He’s not a man of many words, but I love how he’s let me into the deepest parts of himself, despite the fear and discomfort of opening his heart. I know saying all of that must have been hard for him, and it means a lot to me that he got it out anyway.
Easton still has a hold of my other hand. He squeezes it, and I look over at him. He smiles gently.
“We love everything about you, princess. So many Omegas could ask for help in a situation like yours, and I wouldn’t blame them. But they would have just left as soon as they could.”
I open my mouth to protest, and Easton holds his other hand up to stop me. “I know what you’re going to say, and yes, that was your original plan. But even when you planned to leave, you jumped right into helping us around the ranch. You were so kind and thoughtful. You fit into our lives like you had always been here, and the longer you stayed, the more I realized you would take a piece of my heart with you if you ever left. You brought us all back to life, in our own ways, and you filled this house with so much love and joy. You’ve got such an amazing heart, Grace. We’re incredibly lucky that you chose to give it to us.”
I take a shuddering breath as I blink away tears, completely overwhelmed by the love that he and the other three men are showing me. I had hope that they would reciprocate my feelings, of course. But hope is no substitute for the confirmation. For the real thing.
I kiss Easton softly, then Jesse, then Hendrix, then Cade. They curl around me, protective and indulgent, and I bask in their love.
They really are so good to me. I’m just glad I can be good to them too. I revel in the glow of their affection, enjoying the comfort and bliss after that horrible night and the fear and pain I went through.
As if they can read my thoughts—which they probably can, I realize, due to the bond we share—the men exchange serious looks.
“I’m okay,” I say softly, reassuring them. “I’m okay.”
“Yeah,” Hendrix agrees, his voice strained. “But you almost weren’t.”
“We love you.” Easton’s eyes darken a bit. “And we almost lost you.”
Cade tightens his grip on me, and I let myself sink into his hold and enjoy his warmth and safety as I whisper, “You didn’t.”
“But we almost did.” Jesse shakes his head, his expression turning serious. “And we need to figure out exactly what happened.”
“It couldn’t have just been a random event,” I say. “I mean—I’m sure things start up accidentally. I remember you teaching me all about hay fires and how to prevent them.”
When you stack hay bales, the internal temperature of the hay can reach really high temperatures, far higher than people expect. If anything then creates enough friction or causes a spark, the whole entire collection of hay can combust and be on fire in seconds.
It’s important to check the temperature of the hay and stack it so it’s not all in one big pile, and make sure none of it’s gotten damp and is rotting and molding where you can’t see it, which’ll cause a whole other set of problems.
“But…” I hesitate, chewing on my lower lip. “I know we checked it just the other day. It might’ve been a problem and I’m almost sure the fire started there, but I don’t think it was spontaneous.”
Hendrix nods slowly. “I think that if I were going to set a fire in a barn, I’d start it in the hay, because I know that’ll burn quickly and well.”
“You think it was arson?” I whisper, my stomach curling at his words despite the fact that my thoughts were heading in the same direction.
“I think it’s pretty damn obvious it was arson,” Jesse growls. “We’re all responsible about the ranch, every part of it, and I know that you are too, Grace. The damn thing wasn’t struck by lightning.”
“It has to be the McAllisters,” Cade agrees, his voice tense. “Nobody else would do something like that.”
“I didn’t see anyone,” I admit. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea—I mean, I heard something, that’s what made me go down and investigate, and that’s how I saw the fire. But before that, I was in bed, writing. I didn’t even hear a car roll up.”
“They probably expected you to be with us at the auction,” Jesse says.
“Wait. Weren’t they at the auction?” I frown, confusion rising inside me. “They were spreading all those rumors about you four.”
“Oh, we saw Travis all right,” Easton grumbles. “Smarmy asshat. He didn’t approach us, but it was clear that he had his eye on us.”
Hendrix has a thoughtful look on his face. “Come to think of it, I remember seeing Travis too. But isn’t it a little weird how we kept seeing him?”
“I didn’t think so at the time, it felt like he was doing his whole Alpha posturing bullshit routine. The usual.”
“Yeah, but think about it. They had to know that we’d hear about the rumors they were spreading. It was a pretty stupid thing for them to do, it could make them look bad just as easily. And we saw Travis—but I don’t remember seeing Leon, do you?”
“I saw Kyle,” Easton says. “But no, not Leon.”
I shiver. All three of the McAllisters rub me the wrong way, but Leon gives me the chills more than the other two, which is saying something. There’s something so cold about him, something so devoid of any human decency or compassion. I feel like he’d crush a bunny rabbit in his hand if Travis told him to.
“Leon could definitely get down here and destroy the barn,” Jesse says. “It’s something he’d love, and Travis likes to send him to do the dirty work.”
“But I didn’t see anything or anyone,” I remind them. “How can we get proof?”
Cade gives a grim smile. “I’ve got something that will help.”