48. Willow
Chapter forty-eight
Willow
“Shit. Starter motor, you think?” Joel’s gaze flicks my way, and he reaches for my hand. “He’s okay, Willow,” he whispers. “Just had car trouble.”
I sigh and slump back into the bean bag. Looks like I’m already highly invested in these alphas’ wellbeing.
Joel strokes my fingers as he returns to the conversation. “Nah, don’t worry about that. Call a tow truck and catch an Uber. We need you at Willow’s house.”
Warmth spreads through me at the idea of all of us gathering in one space to share meals and chat, to play with the dogs and do all the stupid little stuff together that I always dreamed a family might.
Thinking about a combined future sure is moving fast, but somehow it feels right, like destiny brought us together.
Except they don’t know my full story yet. Or about the web of lies I’m trapped in. Will Joel still talk about being a pack when the whole truth comes out?
Well, that’s not something I can face today. Cuddled in my new alpha’s arms, the stiffness drains out of my body and a lethargy swims behind it, dragging on my thoughts. It’s been a hell of a day, I suppose.
Joel lowers his voice, and the deep hum as he finishes on the phone lulls me into complete darkness.
I wake to the scent of fried food and my stomach grumbles. Jeremy’s home. Someone cracked the panic room’s door open enough to allow a sliver of daylight to enter, along with the faint sounds of movement beyond. No thunder.
I stir slowly, feeling sluggish but at peace in a way I haven’t for years. Maybe ever, that I can recall.
A heavy arm wraps around my waist and a warm body presses against my thighs, which can only be a fur friend. Reaching down, I discover a short, prickly coat instead of long hair. A big tongue licks my hand, making me giggle.
The presence at my back shifts, flooding me with a deep sun-baked terracotta scent.
“Hi there, Princess,” Joel purrs, looking down at me.
I roll onto my back and stare, taking in the alpha’s wide set cheeks, hazel eyes, and stubble beard. Most of all, an unmistakable devotion burns in his gaze. None of it was a dream.
I reach for him, pulling his head down until our mouths meet.
He tastes of peanuts and chocolate, and his chest shivers as we prolong the kiss.
I run my fingers through his short hair, enjoying the smooth feel along with the velvet touch of his lips on mine.
Unhurried, we sip at each other’s tongues and pepper tiny kisses over lips.
Joel deepens the kiss to cover my mouth and gently sucks, pulling the air from my lungs. When my oxygen runs out, I draw back with a gasp, a flutter working through my chest. He smiles and dots a light kiss on my lips.
“Hungry?” he whispers.
I nod. “Very.”
Still, we take our time, him stroking my cheek and gazing at me like he’s trying to memorize my face, and me learning the contours of his shoulders and watching how the lines around his mouth deepen when he smiles.
The door widens, sweeping natural light across us, and Jeremy’s scent fills the room. Together, the brothers smell like an herb garden: green, sunny, and earthy.
“And that’s our cue,” Joel murmurs. He digs his hands under me, scrunching in the beanbag to draw my body up. Jock spills off the side, all stiff legs and surprised eyes.
I chuckle as I get my feet under me.
“Hi, darlin’,” Jeremy drawls, silhouetted in the open doorway. “Hope I didn’t disturb you?”
“We were awake.” I open my arms and he lifts me right off my feet in a bear hug.
“Hey you,” he whispers into my hair. “Alessandro told me a bit about what happened. I’m sorry you had to deal with that alone.”
I smile, wheezing a little for breath. “It worked out in the end.”
“Yeah.” He draws back with a grin. “Can’t say I’m unhappy about the ending.”
I slap his wide shoulders playfully and he sets me down on my feet. “I was just coming to see if you were ready to eat or if I should pack it up for later.”
I sniff the air. “I could eat a horse right now. What did you make?”
“No horses, sorry, but we do have honey-baked carrots, chat potatoes, and fried chicken.”
My mouth waters as he leads me out into the kitchen.
On the far side of the room, the dining table blazes with candles, green wreaths, and sparkling silverware. Heat pads laid down the center hold dishes of casserole, potatoes, gravy, blanched broccolini sprinkled with almonds, baked tomatoes, and some mushrooms
“Wow. Is it Christmas or something?"
Jeremy throws me a grin that makes my heart flip-flop.
“I know you said you’re not fussy, but I didn’t know exactly what you liked.
” He leans both hands on the bench, shifting his weight off his bad leg.
“Plus, it’s our first meal together. As a pack?
” He says the word softly, his eyes begging for confirmation.
Bless his tender heart.
I nod, the words threatening to choke me.
“Nice work,” Joel says, voice still thick from sleep. “Smells so good.”
He’s right, but I’m conscious I’m covered in a crust of fear sweat and busting for the toilet.
“Um, is it okay if . . . can dinner wait for twenty minutes? I kinda need a shower.” I ask, holding my breath. What if they get mad about the delay?
“No problem.” Jeremy grabs a dish cloth and lays it over some bowls. “We can throw things back in the oven if they need warming.”
“Whatever the madam wishes,” Jeremy confirms, winking at me.
Heat flares in my cheeks. Each alpha treats me a little differently, but all with a special care that makes me feel like the only omega on earth. Well, to them, maybe I am.
“Thanks,” I whisper, dropping my head.
No one got mad or told me to hurry, or said I’m selfish for holding the pack up.
I smile all through my shower and slip into a dress, not caring if it rides up and shows my scars. When I hurry back to the kitchen, my three alphas wait at the bench. I pull up short.
Mine.
The strength of the possessive desire makes my breath hitch.
Alessandro spots me first and he turns, face lighting up. In three long strides he’s at my side, offering his hand.
“Where do you like to sit?” he asks, waving at the table.
Not where I’m told to sit. Giving me first choice. Pressure stings behind my eyes.
“I’ll take the head of the table,” I declare, a thrill running through me when no one objects.
Joel pulls out the chair for me and takes the seat to one side, while Alessandro slips into the other.
Jeremy sits down beside his brother. When I look over to check he’s okay with that, he grins and purses his lips in a kiss.
I smile. He understands. He was the first to be mine and we both know it, but he’s not the sort of man that needs to flail about with the knowledge.
They’re all content just to be around me, without demanding more. It’s a new experience for me.
The potatoes waft an herby scent that makes my mouth water. I point, even though the bowl’s within reach. “Is it okay if I have some of those?”
“Absolutely.” Jeremy says, waving at the bowl. “Everything here is for you to eat, so you don’t even need to ask. Plus, it's all food from your pantry.”
“Here,” Joel says, digging a spoon in. “Can I serve you some?”
I nod, my chest squeezing tight.
He adds broccolini and mushrooms, but when he offers me the tomatoes, I cautiously shake my head. “No thanks.”
I manage to bite back the words if that’s okay.
Joel doesn’t insist, simply hands the dish over to Alessandro and carries on. I stare at the tomatoes for a long second, warmth flushing through me.
When I glance around looking for the sour cream, I notice it’s not on the table. Well, adding dressings can be offensive to the chef so I dig my fork into a potato and cut it in half with the knife.
Alessandro touches his hand over mine.
I flinch, dropping my fork. Did I do something wrong?
“Cara mia?” he murmurs. “Did you want something else?”
Shit, did he notice me looking around. “Oh, no, it’s fine.” I smile brightly, hoping the others don’t notice. “Everything here is wonderful.”
“Cara mia. Tell us.” His gaze bores into mine as his hand squeezes ever so lightly, like he can read my hidden thoughts.
I drop my gaze.
“If you want something else, just say so,” Joel says beside me.
“Yeah, I won’t be offended or anything,” Jeremy adds. “We’re still learning what you like. Should I make a sandwich instead? Or order pizza?”
I shake my head. “No, this is amazing . . . um. I was only looking for the sour cream because it goes well with potato, but this smells so delicious as it is.”
“Oh, why didn’t I think of that?” Jeremy says, smacking his forehead.
All three alphas get to their feet at the same time.
“Sit down,” Joel tells his brother, tugging his arm
“I’ll get it,” Alessandro volunteers, already leaving the table. Joel watches him go, an odd disappointment on his face.
“Is this it?” Alessandro holds up a tub from the refrigerator.
“Yes.”
He dives back down. “What about tomato sauce? Oh, there’s mayonnaise here?”
“Bring it all,” Joel orders. “And is there any steak seasoning there? She might like that.”
“Salt too,” Jeremy adds. “I forgot to put it out before.”
I stare at the three of them, my thoughts tumbling as much as their instructions. A bubble rises in my throat, popping with a strange gurgle somewhere between a laugh and a cry.
Three alphas swivel my way with surprise.
“You’re all crazy,” I mutter, letting my arms flop down. “Have you lost your minds?”
Jeremy leans his elbow on the table and pops his chin on his hand. “Well, what do you think?”
Alessandro carts back an armload of toppings and lines them up in front of me like trophies.
They clearly have lost their minds, but in the best of ways.
An unfamiliar tingle runs through my torso. Their care is so genuine, and serving me comes so natural for them, that it makes me realize just how skewed my ingrained perspective of how an omega should act is. The future really will be different, because these men will make it so.
My cheeks heat and I mumble, “Thank you.”