25. Worthy
Worthy
Calista
“Behave while we’re gone, Lis. I love you,” Lucas says, standing by the doorway. He stares at me, a smile playing on his lips.
“I make no promises. You’re leaving me alone for who knows how long. You know I get into trouble when I get bored.” I grin and pat his cheek.
“That’s why…I love you.” Lucas remains in place, searching my eyes.
My mouth dries, the words sticking in my throat. I don’t understand why I freeze up every time I try to say it back.
“I…”
“You sound needy, brother. I know Cali loves us. Why she’s suddenly being coy now?
I bet it’s her omega side. She doesn’t know it, but she wants us to work for it.
It makes it that much more special.” Jensen laughs and pulls me to him, brushing his lips to my forehead until I look up and he can meet his mouth to mine. “You never have to say it.”
“Now it’s going to be my mission. My sexy, teasing omega.
You better be good. I mean it. Don’t be a brat just because.
” Nolan slides his hand around my shoulders, pulling me to him.
His fingers caress the scent gland on my throat, and I shiver as he plants his lips to mine next.
“This is the only place I know you’ll be safe.
Please, listen. My brothers are right. We love you. ”
I swallow again, trying to force my mouth to work. My body betrays me, and I simply nod my head. Maybe love makes me stupid. I don’t know why it’s suddenly so difficult.
“We’ll see you later, Lis,” Lucas says. “You’ll say it when you’re ready. I don’t need to hear the words. I can feel your emotions anyway.”
I nod my head, biting my lip. The three of them each take a turn to kiss me once more before they exit the estate through the garage. I stare after them, wondering how hard it would be to drive. They want me to stay here, but a part of me wants to follow them.
What am I thinking?
Clearly, I’m not.
I turn away from the door and try to name all the reasons why I should follow the Kismet brothers. There’s no way I’m going to attempt to drive. That would be crazy.
My phone beeps, drawing my attention. I quickly pull it out of my pocket, hoping to see that maybe Nolan changed his mind about me going and is waiting for me outside. Unfortunately, it’s not him.
Ivy: You still have a chance to change your mind.
I gaze at my phone, wishing I had blocked her number. I was hoping to never think about Ivy again, but of course she couldn’t let that happen. She would probably find me even if I changed my number.
Me: Who’s this?
Ivy: They removed my contact?!
I don’t know why I said what I did, but I’m not backing down now. She needs to know that she’s no longer part of my life after what she did.
Me: I cleaned out the toxic people from my contacts. Please don’t reach out to me again. Lose my number.
Ivy: Toxic?! Just because I tried to help you? How dare you, Cali! You’re going to regret your decision. They won’t treat you well. You’ll be forced into popping out baby after baby. They aren’t controlled like my pack. They can’t even earn their own power.
It takes everything in me to stop my finger from slamming against my phone screen in an attempt to defend the Kismet brothers.
Heat burns across my chest with my anger.
Ivy knows exactly how to get under my skin.
She tries to use anything she sees as weakness against me, but she doesn’t realize just how strong I am.
I know that now. It’s why I stay true to my convictions.
It’s why I don’t give in to what everybody in society wants from me.
Me: It’s not about power. I love them. Now leave me alone, Ivy. Don’t contact me again or I’ll report you to the authorities for stalking and harassment. You know damn well that you can’t contact me once I have a pack.
Ivy: Fuck you. You’re worthless. They’ll get tired. You’ll see that what you think your life will be like is all a lie. They’re using you.
This time I don’t respond and instead block her contact. It’ll be worse for her to only receive silence from me. To not be able to try to persuade me.
She’s wrong about the Kismet brothers. They won’t get tired of me. They won’t use me. We’ve already had those discussions.
They love me.
They love me so much. I can feel it lingering even when they’re not here.
My heart flutters at the thought. I can finally say that I love them too. That I’m worthy of their love.
I’ll show them just how much.
I can’t wait for the world to see.