Chapter 11
Chapter
Eleven
Conrad
Conrad changed the group chat name to Dhara’s Dream Pack
Lachlan
Really? That’s what we’re going with?
Conrad
It’s better than Dhara’s Box of Knots
August
I need you guys to stay out of the house for a little bit longer. Just trust me.
Ilet out a groan and glanced at Lachlan. We’d already stayed behind and done some scheduling with Coach for the junior league because August said he had something to take care of. I didn’t expect it to take all damn day.
“You wanted to go to the store today anyway, right?” Lachlan said with a shrug. “We can just go now and get it out of the way.”
I let out a breath. “You’re right. It just feels like things have sort of… shifted into him versus us with this pack. I don’t want to be left behind.”
“You literally wanted to shop for courting gifts. If that doesn’t show your intentions, I don’t know what does,” Lachlan said easily. “You’re overthinking this, alpha.” Lachlan was always steady. It helped me shake off some of the unease.
“I’m not used to feeling out of control,” I admitted. “They have so much history. He was there for her when they were younger. We can’t say the same thing.”
“But we’ve got a plan in place. Our real estate agent is handling the paperwork. We’ve signed and dated everything we could. We’ve got everything under control and most importantly, we’re making sure both her and Gavin are safe.”
Moving again wasn’t on my agenda, but even I could admit that the lake house was incredible. Even if Dhara wasn’t going to know about it right away, the fact that it was waiting for her, helped to settle my alpha.
“Alright, let’s go find courting gifts,” I said, pulling my keys out of my pocket and heading for my truck.
Lachlan didn’t bother to go to his car, instead climbing into mine.
“Not without me,” he argued.
I started the truck but then realized I had no clue where the hell to go. This town was still new to us. I had half a mind to call my sister for help. She might tease me, but at least she’d have some gift ideas.
Lachlan already had his phone out, tapping away before looking up at me. “There’s a mall that has a couple of different kinds of nesting stores and omega boutiques not far from here.”
He didn’t wait for a response before starting the GPS.
The problem was that I really didn’t have any clue what an omega like Dhara would want.
If she was being abused and we were building a case against her mother, she had way bigger problems to worry about than some fucking courting gifts.
Seeing as how hiring a hitman would be out of the question, this was all I could do.
I had to do something for her.
She wouldn’t let us tip more at the diner. Now that we knew how her mother was she’d likely take all the extra anyway.
That woman was the devil.
“I think I’m going to ask her out on a date.”
My fingers tightened against the steering wheel at his words, gripping hard enough to hurt.
“On a date?” I repeated.
“More like a family outing, because she has to have Gavin along. She’s not going to leave him at home.”
“You could leave Gavin with us.”
He shook his head. “No, I don’t think it would have as much of an impact. She needs to know that her pack sees Gavin as part of her, that we’re going to give them both what they need, not just her.”
The delta had a good point.
“I didn’t realize you were so good at this.” I was trying for a light tone, but it fell flat.
He rolled his eyes. “It’s not that I’m good at this. I’m just trying to do things that I think would make her life easier while also making it known that we want to be a part of it. I’m not going to get left behind.”
“Where are you thinking of taking her?” I asked, curious just how far he’d thought this through.
Lachlan was a hard one to read. He tended to think things through before doing them, so I knew he wasn’t flying blind here.
“I found this arcade restaurant. It’s meant for families, so I figured it was a safe bet. They’ll have stuff for Gavin to do while I can get to know her better. I figured it would be a good first outing if she’s willing.”
“It’s a good idea,” I agreed reluctantly. I couldn’t deny it was perfect, even if I was jealous as hell that I hadn’t thought of it myself.
My own brain was already starting to turn over ideas of what we could do while we drove to the mall. The lot was fairly empty this early in the day. I pulled into a spot in front of the main entrance.
“Divide and conquer,” Lachlan suggested as he climbed out.
“That’s fine,” I said.
As much as it would be nice to have someone to bounce ideas off, I also needed to learn to stand on my own two feet if I wanted any hope of proving that I was the alpha this pack needed.
I could sit here and be upset that August and Dhara had history, or I could start creating my own with her.
It was hard wanting to know more about her while navigating how complicated her life was. This was a delicate situation and not one that I could just sweep into and try to problem-solve for her, no matter how much I wanted to.
Every nesting store and omega boutique felt wrong. I couldn’t get her anything there but generic things. I didn’t know enough about my omega, and each store I went into just solidified that a little more.
I left yet another store feeling defeated, scrubbing a hand over my face, ready to give up. Just as I sat on the bench I spotted a home store. Even if I couldn’t find her a courting gift, maybe I could find something for our future pack house that would make it feel a little homier.
A perky worker greeted me, her eyes bright but amused.
“Are you here for the Alpha Cooking Class?”
“Maybe?” I questioned. She had my attention now.
She let out a soft laugh and waved me over to the front counter, handing me a pamphlet. “It’s run by two omegas. They have a series of classes, one a week, each one aimed at teaching you more about managing a pack.”
Cooking wasn’t ever a skill I craved to learn. I could make the basics, but if I was going to be a father figure and leader in this pack it would be an important one to learn. Dhara was worth the work, and I couldn’t simply let this go once she explained it.
After going over the information and having me swipe my credit card to pay for it, she led me to the back room where a group of alphas were standing.
“Oh, another sacrifice,” an alpha said, giving me a good-natured grin as if he found this whole thing amusing.
“What are you in for?” a deep-voiced alpha asked from next to him. He ran a hand over his buzzed hair. It looked like a nervous tic to me.
“Just trying to make sure that I’m a good alpha for my omega.”
“Same here,” a guy chimed in from the back.
Buzzed-Hair Guy rubbed the back of his neck and winced, looking every bit the guilty alpha. “My omega threatened to leave if I don’t step it up.”
There were a few nods around the room. He wasn’t alone.
“My omega situation is complicated,” I admitted. “It’s going to take some work to even get to know her. I want to start courting her, but I need to be able to do something. My alpha hates not being able to help.”
Maybe I was oversharing but I had a feeling this group would understand.
“We do tend to like to bulldoze our way right in, don’t we?” the first guy asked, shaking his head. “That’s gotten me in trouble more times than I care to admit.”
“Trying my best not to,” I admitted. “Have you guys taken these classes before?”
“I’ve been in three so far,” the first guy said. “I’m Henry, by the way.”
He flashed me a white-toothed smile. The alpha reminded me of Ken with his perfectly blond hair, tan skin, and linen button-up.
“I’m Tanner,” the buzz-cut guy said.
They went around introducing themselves before they finally got to me.
“I’m Conrad,” I said.
“Wait,” Tanner said, his eyes narrowing. “Holy shit... it is you.”
I braced myself, knowing exactly what was coming.
“Do you guys know who the fuck this is?” he demanded, gesturing at me.
The others shook their heads.
“No, but I’m on the edge of my seat,” Henry joked.
“This is Conrad Flynn. He just transferred in from Westgrave. He plays for the Renegades.”
“Oh, no shit?” Henry said, his eyes widening. He was clearly impressed. “My nephew is actually on the Junior Renegades team.”
“I’ve helped out a few times with coaching,” I said. “They are some great kids.”
“Clearly, it’s my influence,” Henry teased with another grin. He didn’t seem to take things too seriously, which I was glad for. It made this whole thing a whole lot easier to handle.
Before they could ask any more questions, two omegas walked in.
“Oh, look. Our fearless leaders are here,” Henry called out.
They both rolled their eyes but looked amused, apparently used to his antics.
They were clearly sisters. Both had the same honey-blond hair tied into high ponytails and matching aqua-blue eyes.
Our leaders seemed to be in their forties and likely had dealt with alphas like us before.
I knew right then I’d have to work my ass off to keep up or they’d call me on my shit.
“Oh, we have a new face,” the first one said. “My sister Sadie and I are here to make your lives a little bit easier. Don’t let these guys scare you off.”
I was honestly relieved to be here. This wasn’t what I’d expected, and I belatedly realized I needed to text Lachlan to let him know what was going on.
“Thanks for having me,” I said as I did just that.
“No problem. You can ask Serena or myself any questions along the way. We have patience, and we just want you to succeed,” Sadie said, gesturing between them.
“Alright, alpha, you have a little bit of catching up to do,” Serena said, wagging a finger at me.
“Last week we covered the basics of baking. I’ll give you all the handouts and cheat sheets that I gave the others, I just need to put a binder together.
You were an unexpected, but very welcome, addition. ”
They had the class’s full attention now. Every alpha was here because he wanted to be, even if their omegas suggested it.
“This week we’re working on the basics of cooking.”