17. Perfect Mate
Perfect Mate
Jensen
I’ve never felt like this in my life.
Cali is my perfect mate, yet she refuses to believe or accept it. I’ve done my best not to pressure her, but I need to understand why she resists so much.
She hates her order. She despises being an omega.
Yet here she is, clinging to my side and burying her face to my scent gland.
She’s so beautiful and perfect in my bed, her soft breathing melodious.
She could’ve demanded I take her to her suite when we got home last night, but she remained quiet and clingy, letting me carry her to my wing of the Kismet Estate.
I play with her hair and watch her sleep.
This could be our lives if she lets it. It’s more than a bonding for convenience.
I know that deep down and maybe she does too.
If I could just understand what’s going on in her head, maybe I could figure things out.
I don’t and will not ever know what it’s like to be an omega, but at least I can try to empathize.
I truly believe we can get through this.
We have to. We’re running out of time if a pack has already had the audacity of trying to ruin our lives.
A knock sounds on the door to my suite, and I frown.
I know it’s Nolan and Lucas without having to even ask.
They’ve been waiting to discuss everything with me.
I only gave them a brief explanation last night.
I’m sure word has gotten out in some of the small circles, and this might be a lot harder to deal with now.
The door creaks open an inch, and I spot Nolan’s eyes narrowing at me.
“Come in but be quiet. I don’t want you guys waking up Cali.
She’s had a long night and barely fell asleep a few hours ago.
” I keep my voice low, praying that Cali doesn’t wake up.
She hasn’t moved even an inch, and for that I’m grateful.
It means that she completely trusts and knows that I’ll protect her and let nothing bad happen ever again.
I just need to figure this shit out with my brothers.
Nolan and Lucas train their eyes on Cali clinging to me with her naked body covered with my blankets. I brought a stack of extras, and even then, she still feels a bit cool. I would burn as long as she’s comfortable.
“I got word from the police station. Pack Loomis doesn’t have the funding to make bail.
Their leader doesn’t want to waste money on pack members who clearly don’t understand the order of power.
Apparently, they were sent to scope out an omega that ended up rejecting them.
I guess an agreement fell through or some shit.
Alexander was trying to make up for it or something.
I don’t know and I don’t care. He’s not ever to step foot in Poppy Cove.
If he does, we’ll handle it how we see fit with our law enforcement regardless of the state laws.
” Nolan sits on the edge of my bed, unbothered by the fact that I hold Cali.
I’ve always known the possibility of sharing an omega, and even though Cali isn’t technically ours, he won’t start any shit even if he looks a bit jealous.
“There has to be something we can do to ensure this doesn’t happen again with someone else.
Have you talked to Mr. Bennington again?
He should have some sort of plan for us now to take over the estate.
” Lucas remains standing, keeping space between me and Cali and him.
I’ve never thought to ask about his feelings on the situation, considering he’s shown that he wanted nothing to do with our pack until Dad’s death.
He’s been living a life across the country, acting like a damn beta.
I guess that’s what happens when you’re the youngest of three alpha brothers.
You kind of pick your place since he’s third in line.
“He says we need to really consider either sending Cali back to Pack Costa or demanding she bonds with us. He can’t find a loophole.
” Nolan sighs and scrubs his palms to his face.
“And we’re not doing either. I think this is a load of shit.
The trust is against us. They want to see someone else take over and turn this place into a hellscape.
Poppy Cove will be ruined. Used and abused for power. ”
“We can’t just sit around and let them fuck with us. Who gives a damn about the law? There are plenty of alphas who ignore it completely.” I tense, my anger growing.
“Those alphas have very tight-knit and huge packs. Blended bloodlines. They use omegas solely for power. I’m not going to let Pack Kismet be like them. Dad would haunt my ass.” Nolan leans back, his head bouncing against my mattress.
Cali shifts, her pouty lips grazing against my skin. Her scent mingles with mine in a perfect blend of sweet and fresh. Her closeness doesn’t help my anger, because her very nature prods at my need to be her alpha. My need to take care of her and protect her.
“We don’t have to be, but we can’t sit around and wait.
This won’t go away. You should have seen her, Nolan.
” My gruff voice tickles my throat. “I can’t let her go through this anymore.
We can figure out the finances. Jess would absolutely hate this for her.
I don’t feel right pushing Cali into making a decision only to appease the estate. ”
I hang my head in defeat. I want to be mad at Cali for being difficult, but how could I? She’s innocent in all of this. A pawn people want to use. Everything is so chaotic and confusing. I still don’t know what to think of things. How impossible our choices may be.
“Brother, I wish it were that simple. You don’t understand—”
“I don’t fucking care,” I snap, cutting him off.
“We need to consult with someone who doesn’t have ties to power out here.
The executors of the estate are corrupt.
They want us to fail. You know they’ve done it before with Dad.
We can’t let them fuck us over now.” I turn my attention to Cali, flaring my nostrils.
I should’ve been quieter. I don’t know how much she heard.
I bet my scent also stirred her awake. An angry alpha tends to permeate the air with a stronger fragrance.
Cali blinks a few times but doesn’t say anything. Her hair cascades across her face like a sheer, dark curtain. I have no idea how much she heard, but with her bottom lip pouting out, I’m sure it was more than enough.
Scooping her closer, I pull up the blankets around us, cutting my brothers from sight.
They both vacate my suite in seconds, choosing not to see this through.
And of course, it’s always me cleaning up after them.
I’ve always been the one to ensure Nolan gets the job done.
I’m his second but also his equal, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I’m sorry. We didn’t mean to wake you up.
Let’s go back to sleep for a bit longer.
” I rub my hand along the length of her spine, coaxing her to stay flush against me.
It’s taking everything in me to even think about giving her space.
I know in this moment, she might demand it, though.
I don’t know if what we were discussing might have ruined everything I tried to build with her.
“I heard everything,” Cali whispers, keeping her forehead on my shoulder. “I know it was wrong to pretend to sleep, but you guys don’t really keep me involved.”
“Because you shouldn’t have to worry about something that’s not your problem.
We are respecting your wishes to the best of our ability.
We want to ensure you have the life you want.
And as much as I want it to be with me and Pack Kismet, I’m not going to force you.
You made it clear that you want to return to Nevada.
It’s just…it’s complicated. We only have our own finances, and it is nothing compared to what our father had.
” I breathe in Cali’s delectable scent, wanting to drown myself in her incredible aroma.
The sweet orange blossom and vanilla linger on my palate, and I press a kiss to her forehead.
I’ll give her as much affection as possible until she denies me.
I’m surprised she hasn’t already. I expect her to flutter away at any second just like the butterfly I’ve deemed her to be.
“Oh.” It’s all Cali says, her eyes staring off as she thinks over my words. I wish she would say more. I wish we could work through this together, but she remains so closed off despite how we’ve taken things to a level we can’t return from.
“We’ll get it figured out. We always do.
My dad didn’t raise entitled, stupid assholes like many of the other alphas.
He taught us well. We have the entire town on our side.
Our pack will resist any sort of power shift.
” I continue running my fingers over her back, her warm skin against mine like heaven.
Like paradise and ecstasy rolled into one.
I wish we could stay in this moment forever.
“I’m being so selfish,” Cali murmurs, her voice barely a whisper. It’s almost like she didn’t intend to speak the words out loud. “I just don’t want to be an omega.”
My brows furrow together. She said she didn’t want to be an omega, not that she didn’t want to be our omega.
“Why?” I ask, wanting to keep the conversation going because she has never let me in like this before. I’ve been dying to understand what’s going on in her head. I’ve been begging the universe to have her give me some answers and understanding.
“Look how the world treats me. Why would I want to be an omega? It was nothing like this back at the Omega Resort. I didn’t even know how awful alphas could be apart from my own father.
I thought my mom had terrible luck with my dad.
But then she met Henry, and I don’t know.
I can’t see myself ever being like her. She was an amazing mother, and in doing so, she gave up so much.
She didn’t even think twice about the arrangement with Henry as long as it meant I was away from Pack Costa.
And now look at things. The world wants to send me back or have me take her place here with you.
I just want the choice. I had already made a decision.
We were planning it all. Why couldn’t the universe just wait a damn year?
Things would have been different. I wish I wouldn’t have called her.
I wish I wouldn’t have asked her to come to me.
I wish she would’ve been a worse mother, because then she would still be here.
She’d be alive. Henry would be alive, and none of us would be in this position.
” Cali hides her face. Her tears burn my skin, trailing over my shoulder as she bares her soul to me.
I have so many questions, except the last thing I want to do is to rip open more wounds.
I don’t know exactly what she means by needing a year. All I know is that she blames herself.
“Cali, it’s not your fault. No one blames you, and you shouldn’t blame yourself.
The car wreck was an accident. A very unfortunate accident.
Please, believe me.” I try to turn her head so she can look in my eyes.
She stays firm in her position, silently crying, her emotions cutting me open in the worst way.
This isn’t how it should be. The night should have been fun and a way for us to really get time together.
It was supposed to be my way of showing her how perfect we are for each other.
But now I see just how damaged everything is. Cali is broken, and I don’t know how to fix her or even if it’s possible. Pack Kismet is falling apart as well. Grief sneaks up on me, and I squeeze my eyes shut. I’ll not succumb to it. I’ll be strong. For Cali. For Pack Kismet.
“I’m sorry, Jensen. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I think I need more sleep. You’re right. Hold me?” Cali presses harder against me, hugging me as if I’m the only thing keeping her from floating away.
“You never need to apologize, butterfly. I’m here for you. I’ll always be here for you.”
I’ll never leave her. I can’t leave her, even if she asks. Even if she chooses another path.
Cali is it for me. I just wish she could see it. This isn’t about power or wealth. It’s not about the legal trust or the pack. It’s about me and her. It’s about us. And that’s how it always should be.