Chapter 26
Chapter
Twenty-Six
Conrad
Gavin chatted happily beside me about finally getting back on the team. Truthfully, I was just as excited. As much as I wanted to spend every second wrapped up with our omega, we had to start building a real life together.
That meant returning to our responsibilities.
We had to give Dhara the space to discover who she was outside of survival. Let Gavin be a kid for once.
The three of us had neglected the juniors these past few weeks. Now that Gavin was safe and Dhara was finally home, it was time to be a real team again.
Hockey had always been a part of me. I’d missed it and as much as I’d always fight for her, I was relieved to be on the other side of this.
Coach had carried this team while we were barely hanging on. I hated disappointing him.
“Tell me about your family.” Gavin’s question pulled me from my thoughts. His full attention was on me and I was happy to talk about Lana.
“My sister’s incredible. That's something we have in common,” I teased with a wink.
He rolled his eyes. “Of course, you think that. She’s your omega.”
“Fair point. But I stand by that.”
“She really is amazing,” he said quietly, looking away for a moment. I decided to keep going. It was clear he didn’t want to dwell on emotions.
“Lana went through some pretty awful things with her old pack. But she’s strong. She picked herself back up and now she’s thriving with the Westgrave Wardens.”
“You should call her.” He looked oddly worried. “I don’t want her being mad at you and staying away from us.”
He wasn’t wrong. Plus, I had a feeling he needed to know his circle was getting bigger.
I pressed Lana’s contact as we stopped at a red light. She answered after the second ring.
“Well, well. If it isn’t my long-lost brother. How’s life in South Lake?”
I chuckled. “Actually, things have gone quite a bit different than I expected.”
“Uh-oh.” Her tone immediately turned serious. “Who’s ass do I need to kick?”
I snorted. The mental image of my tiny sister trying to intimidate someone twice her size was priceless.
“Actually… I found a pack. And an omega.”
The shriek that came through the speakers made both Gavin and me jump. Good thing I wasn’t easily startled while driving.
“What? Who is she? Wait! Who are they? I need details!”
“My omega is perfect.” I couldn’t stop smiling. “She’s kind and thoughtful. Quite possibly the strongest person I’ve ever met aside from you. She’s been raising her little brother by herself.”
“Oh my gosh. Really?” I nodded even though she couldn’t see me.
“Let’s just say that our parents look like model parents compared to their mom.”
Silence. Then she let out a sad whisper. “Those poor kids.”
I glanced toward Gavin. He was pretending not to listen but it was impossible seeing as how she was echoing through the SUV.
“Actually, Gavin’s here with me. We’re heading to the store to grab dinner ingredients. They moved into the pack house today, so we’re celebrating by having our first family dinner.”
“Oh god and here I’ve been rambling.” She laughed. “Hi, Gavin.”
Gavin leaned toward the phone. “Hi.”
His smile was impossible to miss. This kid didn’t know it yet but his family was growing.
“He insisted I call you,” I explained. “So I wouldn’t get into more trouble.”
“Oh, I’ll absolutely kick your ass later for just now telling me when they’re moving in. But right now I’m way too excited.”
“So, Gavin. When do I get to meet you and your sister? I could always use more family,” she said.
“So could we,” Gavin admitted quietly.
My heart squeezed and I knew my sister was already planning to spoil them both right along with me.
“We’re actually in town next week for a game,” Lana said. “What if we all have dinner?”
“I’ll check everyone’s schedules. Maybe Roxie and her crew could come, too. It’d be like a little reunion.”
“I’ll talk to the pack,” I promised. I hoped Dhara would like the idea. I didn’t want to overwhelm her.
She deserved omega friends. Women who understood parts of herself she’d never been allowed to explore.
“We’re pulling into the store now,” I said as I parked. “But, I’ll call back later.”
“I’m so unbelievably happy for you, Conrad. You deserve this.” Then she spoke to Gavin. “Take good care of my brother. He’s a big softie. Just know you’re also in good hands. And, I can’t wait to meet you and your sister.”
“I’m excited, too,” Gavin admitted.
His sincerity made me smile. He’d talked before about wishing for a bigger family. Now he finally had one.
I hung up and turned off the car. We grabbed a cart and headed inside.
“So.” I rested my hands on the handle. “What protein are we thinking for the nachos: steak, chicken, or ground beef?”
“I’ve only ever had ground beef.” He shrugged. “As long as there’s queso, we can’t go wrong.”
“Then I think we should try all three. We’ll figure out which one you like best.”
“No.” The answer came too fast. His shoulders tensed. “You don’t have to do all that. I don’t want you going out of your way.”
I stopped pushing the cart and waited for him to look up at me.
“Gavin. I would never offer something I didn’t want to do. And if it’ll make you feel better, you can help me cook.”
A tiny smile appeared. “I’d like that.”
“Good.” I nudged the cart forward again. “Let’s start with produce.”
He immediately became more animated as we picked through the produce. I held up a tomato. “What about these?”
“Dhara loves them. I don’t.”
“Tomatoes it is.” I tossed a couple into the cart and moved to the next. “Onions?”
He made a face. “Both of us hate them.”
“I’ll grab one. The other guys might want it.”
He nodded approvingly.
Together we wandered through the produce section, slowly filling the cart. Every few feet, I’d ask another question. Each one felt like I was learning a little more about the family we were building.
The best part was that halfway through the store, Gavin stopped looking like he had to earn his place with me and just relaxed.
When we reached the dessert aisle, Gavin insisted on brownie mix. I grabbed hot fudge, caramel, whipped cream, and sprinkles. Brownie sundaes sounded a little more celebratory.
Was I trying to impress my omega? Absolutely. I wasn’t even a little ashamed of it.
By the time we pulled into the driveway, parked, and headed inside, both of our arms were loaded with grocery bags and I felt a bit more in control of my role as alpha.
Gavin had the front door open before I even reached it. Music drifted through the house and laughter followed it.
“Honey, we’re home!” Gavin yelled as he raced toward the kitchen, calling out excitedly.
I couldn’t help smiling. This was what a pack house was supposed to sound like. Happy and loud and alive.
Not the heavy silence we’d all been drowning in these past few weeks.
I carried the rest of the groceries inside and headed for the kitchen. Dhara was perched on the countertop, phone in hand as she controlled the playlist, quietly singing along with the music.
She looked beautiful. Her face was still bruised and a little swollen, but it made her look stronger.
She’d finally fought back and she survived.
“How was the store?” she asked after laughing at Gavin’s excitement.
“Good. Gavin was a huge help.”
She beamed at her brother before watching me unpack the groceries. I noticed her eyes following where I put everything as she learned our kitchen. I couldn’t wait for her to make it hers, too.
“We talked to his sister,” Gavin announced. “They want to have a family dinner in a couple weeks.”
Dhara’s entire face lit up. “We could host it here. We have so much space. And if the weather’s nice, we could even eat outside.”
“That sounds perfect.” I couldn’t stay away from her any longer. Not when she was excited to meet my family.
I stepped between her knees, resting a hand on either side of her. She leaned toward me before I even moved. Our lips met in a soft kiss that had warmth spreading through my entire being. Just like that my alpha was content again.
When we pulled apart, she laughed. “You guys are way too easy to please.”
“We’re already completely gone for you, omega.”
Her cheeks flushed bright pink. Mission accomplished.
I reluctantly stepped away before dinner became significantly delayed.
Everyone pitched in to help as the music continued to play. It meant our voices were louder to be heard over it but it only added to that homey feel I was quickly growing addicted to.
Gavin spread tortilla chips across the baking trays before covering them with cheese. Lachlan and I cooked the meat. And since no one was afraid of spice, we seasoned everything generously.
August claimed vegetable duty, but it wasn’t long before he let out a garbled protest.
“Who put me on onion duty?” His eyes watered furiously as he glared down at the offending vegetable. “I can’t even see anymore.”
“Don’t cry, August,” Dhara teased. Then she immediately burst into laughter. The sound echoed through the kitchen and soon Gavin was joining in.
God I’d missed hearing her laugh.
“So...” August sniffed dramatically. “Who actually likes onions?”
“Dhara and I don’t,” Gavin answered.
“I thought one of you did,” I muttered, waiting for his frustration to hit me and trying not to laugh.
August slowly turned toward Lachlan. “You?”
Lachlan wrinkled his nose. “Absolutely not.”
Without another word, August picked up the entire cutting board and dumped the onions straight into the trash.
“You guys are assholes. You made me cry over vegetables nobody wanted.”
“It never hurts to practice your knife skills,” I teased.
He flipped me off on his way to the sink.
I laughed as I layered the seasoned steak across one tray of nachos. Lachlan followed with the chicken. The ground beef covered the last. Maybe three trays was a bit much but with two deltas, an alpha, a preteen boy, and an omega who never got enough to eat, I knew we’d clear them in no time.
Gavin added another blanket of shredded cheese before sliding everything into the oven.
While the nachos baked, I mixed the brownie batter. The brownies went into the oven just as the nachos came out, the savory scent quickly being chased away by rich chocolate.
Before Dhara could climb down from the counter, Lachlan scooped her into a bridal carry, heading for the table. August and I snagged the trays and Gavin carried drinks. It was impressive how easy it all was.
Dhara squealed, wrapping her arms around his neck as laughter bubbled out of her. I wondered, briefly, if we were all going to smother her. Then I watched her melt into the affection.
She needed it as much as we did. Our omega spent far too long touch-starved. It went deeper than that. She’d never truly been touched with love before.
Now she had an alpha and two deltas eager to soothe her. To love her exactly the way she’d always deserved.
When she settled into her chair beside August, he rested a hand gently on her thigh beneath the table.
Without hesitation, she covered it with hers. Her shoulders relaxed and her scent softened. She melted into the contact without even realizing she was doing it. It was instinct now.
Her omega finally felt safe enough to accept what she’d been denied for so many years.
There would still be therapy. Likely a brutal custody hearing. Lots of healing. We had to learn what normal pack life looked like for us, but we’d face every single one of those things as a pack.
Now that we’d finally found this life together, I’d be damned if anyone ever threatened their happiness again.