Chapter 31
Chapter
Thirty-One
Conrad
Ihired a company to come out to the pack house while Dhara was at work to set up my date idea for tonight. They will even come back tomorrow to clean everything up. So far, they’ve done a far better job than I could have.
The team of betas had set up a beautiful, draped tent complete with gauzy fabrics inside, a little table lined with crystal wine glasses and marble ceramic plates, fresh flowers in a vase in the middle, and Moroccan pillows surrounding it.
A large mattress lay in the center, covered in soft blankets and more pillows. Small lanterns rested in just about every corner, waiting to be lit, something I wasn’t going to do until the sun sank beyond the horizon.
Everything was perfect.
Not wanting to linger and psych myself out, I went back inside to focus on the food.
I hoped she’d be hungry after her evening shift. Lydia was willing to move her back to mornings next week, but for now they had help lined up. She wanted Dhara to start out slow now that she was recovering.
I just wanted to give our girl an evening where it was just the two of us, to show her that her alpha would always give her what she needed.
Dhara had loved when we’d ordered pizza, and we’d practiced it in class last week. I knew I couldn’t go wrong with fresh dough and melty cheese.
I cut up fresh vegetables and made a light salad for us to enjoy together once I had the dough rising. I’d even gone out and bought a wood-fired pizza oven.
That only left dessert.
I started assembling a tiramisu, the smell of freshly-brewed coffee filling the air.
It was funny. I started these alpha cooking classes as a way to cope with the stress of not being able to save Dhara from the situation she was in, but they’d turned into something that I found purpose in.
After a hectic practice today, it was nice to be able to focus on something like this. Not only was I able to provide for my pack the way my alpha needed me to, but I felt a little more in control.
“What do you need from us tonight?”
Lachlan’s voice startled me. He barked out a laugh when I jumped, shaking his head.
“I called your name,” he defended himself and held up two fingers. “Twice.”
I laughed it off. “Sorry. I was locked in, just trying to make the date tonight perfect.”
August and Lachlan had been understanding when I told them my plans. We were all trying to make time to be with our girl separately as well as together. August had claimed her last night and Lachlan wanted to have alone time with her after our next game.
“I just took a peek at the finished product out there,” he said, gesturing toward the backyard. “It looks incredible. I’m going to assume you guys are staying out there tonight.”
“That’s up to her. There’s no pressure either way.” The important part was that she was going at her pace, not ours.
“I get it,” he said, nodding before nabbing a hunk of cucumber and popping it into his mouth.
“August and I were thinking about taking Gavin out to that restaurant and arcade he loved. That way you guys could have some extra privacy. We won’t keep him out too late. It’s a school night, but I’m hoping to keep him out for most of the evening.”
“Thanks, that would be perfect,” I admitted. Not that we didn’t want Gavin around, but tonight I selfishly wanted her all to myself.
It was nice to have a pack that I could rely on.
Everyone wanted to talk shit about deltas, saying they were spontaneous and reactive, but I’d been around them enough to know they were no more reactive than alphas.
I’d fought alongside my sister and her pack to keep them in the league. I believed in the deltas. Their ruts were about the only thing that set them apart, and most of the league, like Lachlan and August, took rut blockers. The only thing that could override those was an omega in heat.
They likely would both struggle during Dhara’s heat, but I’d be there to make sure everything stayed as controlled as it needed to be.
She was safe with me.
I’d just slid the salad bowl into the fridge when the front door opened.
Gavin and Dhara’s voices drifted in, and I felt my alpha relax even further. Having the whole pack in the house always settled something inside of me.
Before Dhara could run into the kitchen and ruin her surprise, I rushed out to greet them.
“Hey, you two,” I said as I walked into the living room where Gavin was shrugging out of his backpack. “We’ve got some things planned tonight. Gavin, Lachlan and August wanted to take you out to the arcade for dinner, and Dhara, I’d like to have dinner here if you wouldn’t mind.”
Both of their faces lit up.
“That sounds amazing,” Dhara said.
“Well then, why don’t you two get upstairs, get cleaned up and comfortable? Gavin, wrap up any homework you have before you go. Omega, I’ll be ready when you are,” I said, giving her a wink.
Gavin didn’t hesitate to race upstairs. That was the most eager I’d ever seen him to do his homework yet.
She gave me a bright smile before rushing upstairs herself.
Just seeing her excited about spending time with me had my alpha practically bursting with pride.
I rushed up to my own room, taking a quick shower to wash the stress of the day off. I settled on some loose-fitting black pants and a comfortable soft white linen shirt, something I could fold my big alpha body down onto those cushions in.
I just made it back downstairs when I heard footsteps heading my way. I turned just in time to have Dhara steal my breath away.
She’d put on a flowing pink sundress, the kind that hugged her waist and hips, and swished around her slender legs. The top was fitted to show off the swell of her breasts in a way that had my alpha practically falling to his knees for her.
“You’re gorgeous, baby. You look incredible,” I breathed out, not afraid to show her what she did to me.
Her bottom lip caught between her teeth as she gave me a shy smile. “You don’t look bad yourself, Alpha.”
We’d spent enough time together that it felt like we were finally comfortable enough to flirt and tease. That was all I ever wanted. A chance.
Mostly, I wanted her safe and comfortable and happy, and I’d do what I had to, to make sure that happened.
Fuck, I’d wait forever for a chance with my omega.
From the way her thighs were clenching together right now, I had a feeling I wouldn’t be waiting too long.
“Something smells amazing,” she said, changing the subject.
“I’ve learned a bit about cooking. I also happen to know that my omega quite likes a good pizza. We’re going to be cooking it outside, though. Everything else is ready.”
I held out my hand for her, and she slid her palm into mine. My omega leaned into me as I led her through the kitchen and out the patio doors.
Her gasp at the sight before us had me grinning wide. Every new experience we gave her settled something in my soul. I loved being part of the reason she was happy and thriving.
“You did all this for me?” she whispered, looking at me with those gorgeous, wide, blue eyes.
“Of course, I did,” I said, tucking a wayward strand of her honey-colored hair behind her ear. I adored the way she looked up at me like she felt safe with me, like I was offering her the world.
Because I absolutely was.
“I thought a fun date night at home would be a good way to relax after the stress of your appointment and the adjustment of moving here.”
“This is honestly perfect,” she said, letting out a little giggle as she pushed away and practically skipped into the tent.
She did a little circle as she took everything in, her dress swirling around her, and I don’t think I’d ever seen anything more beautiful than this omega.
She was gorgeous in everything she wore, often preferring athletic gear and hoodies and things that swallowed her, but this dress that she’d put on just for me, was breathtaking.
She looked so free and happy, and I wanted to remember this moment forever.
I pulled the champagne out of the ice bucket, popping the cork. Her eyes danced with excitement as I filled the glasses, handing her one before pouring one for myself.
“Cheers to us, alpha. And new beginnings.”
She held her glass out, and I clinked mine against it before we both took a sip.
Our eyes locked onto each other, soaking in the moment.
Then her stomach rumbled, and I couldn’t help but let out a little chuckle.
“First things first, let me get the pizza started. I brought out a speaker if you want to connect one of our phones and play some music.”
“Sure,” she said easily, heading for the speaker where I’d left my phone. I went back inside to grab everything I needed, setting the patio up in a makeshift kitchen.
I’d kept the pizza oven on the patio, far away from the tent. It was supposed to take only a few minutes to heat, and I’d read the instructions thoroughly earlier, so it was a fairly painless process.
Ten minutes later, I used the pizza paddle to slide our pizza into the little oven.
Soon the scent of fresh crust and savory spices filled the air as music filtered through the speakers. I wasn’t sure what kind of music she liked, but she’d gone with a gentle folk mix. It was one I recognized listening to when I was trying to wind down after games.
Then she was walking toward me.
My eyes stayed glued to her every movement. The way her hips swayed, the way her hair stirred in the breeze, the way her scent was bright and warm and perfect.
As she stepped into my arms, I wrapped them around her, holding her close and hugging her tight for a moment before releasing her just enough so she could breathe.
She let out a happy, contented sigh. Something she did every time we touched her now, which only made us want to hold her more.
“Wow, this looks incredible,” she said, peeking into the oven at the bubbling pizza.
“That reminds me, I need to turn it so it stays evenly cooked,” I said, sliding the pizza paddle in and rotating it.
After only a few minutes I was pulling it out and setting it on the table I’d set up for it to cool.
Then I slid in the tray of homemade breadsticks.