Chapter 30 #2
Thea nods in response before continuing to eat, She pauses to say, “So what about you? I know the basics of how the pack came together and how you ended up here in the mountains. Do you have a big family outside the pack?”
“No, similar to you I have beta parents. I’m not close with them.
There’s really no reason for it, we just have our own lives.
” I stop, thinking further on that. “Well, I guess that’s not completely true.
They didn’t really understand why I joined a pack.
They weren’t against it necessarily but they just didn’t get it.
That probably created more distance between us.
I don’t think of them often to be honest. That sounds kind of bad. ”
“It doesn’t. I didn’t mean to bring up anything painful.”
“It’s not like that, it just is,” I say with a shrug.
“My parents were kind of like that. Not about packs but, when I presented so late as an omega it was a surprise to everyone, including my parents. They stressed to me to not let my designation determine or hold me back from what I wanted to do with my life.”
I look at her, confused. “Why would they stress that?”
“Well I told you about my old job. It was a toxic environment for omegas. But also there’s the stereotype of omegas being homemakers.
As if we can’t do other things,” she says with a roll of her eyes.
“I always liked art and design; marketing seemed like a good fit, and the business elements intrigued me in college. Though, even if this whole stalker situation gets resolved, I don’t think I could ever go back to a corporate life. It’s quite literally soul crushing.”
“You know there’s this little small-town lodge right on the lake that could use someone to help market it.” I smile.
“Really?! Wait, I don’t want you to just say that because we’re courting. I’ll show you my work. I don’t have my portfolio with me, it’s back in Florida but I’ll look up some of the campaigns I worked on and show them to you,” she says excitedly, eyes lighting up with delight.
“I’m not just saying it because we’re courting.
So far we’ve used some freelancers for targeted ads or specific campaigns.
It’d be great to have someone who’s actually been to the lodge and seen it, create something,” I begin, before adding something I haven’t voiced yet to the rest of the pack yet.
“Actually, I’m hoping to add some new amenities in the coming year or two.
A new building with more recreational activities for the guests as well as maybe some type of sports field outside.
Nothing terribly big, just enough for whatever the guests and their families might want to do.
When we initially started the focus was on a getaway, retreat to the mountains to enjoy nature.
Which is still a big part of our mission but having more amenities will only help the guests enjoy their time here more. ”
“That sounds like a great plan. Oh I just got an idea for a possible ad!” she chatters with the biggest smile I’ve seen from her tonight.
I can’t help smiling in response. She starts going on a tangent about possible designs.
For once that haunted look that is usually present in her eyes is gone.
I’m not going to interrupt her when she’s like this.
Soon we finished eating and quickly clean up. Next thing I know we’re sitting on the couch looking for a movie to watch, settling on a sci-fi movie.
She’s so close, sitting right next to me.
Gods, I feel like a teenager on my first ever date.
As I’m thinking of how to subtly put my arm around her, she ends up resting her head on my shoulder.
Her vanilla and woodsmoke scent invades my senses even more.
I will never get sick of it. Before we told her everything, those couple weeks I even bought vanilla scented candles to light in my room.
Will she think that’s weird? Is it? Mhm, maybe I don’t need to share that little tidbit.
I know she isn’t ready for anything beyond what we’re doing.
I respect that, and I’m letting her set the pace.
Acknowledging that, I still barely pay attention to the movie as she cuddles into me, finally wrapping my arm around her and holding her.
I swear I feel something in me click into place and I feel…
complete. By the time the movie ends she’s fallen asleep.
I’m sitting there watching her sleep like a total creep and I don’t even care.
She looks so peaceful and light. The stress she carries all day melts away.
I’m not sure how much time passes but in order to leave, I’ll have to wake her up.
I gently shake her shoulder, and her eyes snap open.
For the briefest moment fear is in her eyes, before recognition comes in and it disappears. She looks around, taking in the TV’s dark screen “Oh I fell asleep, I’m so sorry.” She sits up quickly getting a little flustered.
“Hey, hey it’s okay. You’re pretty cute when you sleep.” I try to make light of it and immediately realize how creepy that sounded. Thankfully she just laughs at my horrible attempt.
“I didn’t drool on you, did I?” she asks playfully.
“Oh yeah can’t you see the giant swimming pool size puddle on my shirt. It’s actually impressive,” I say, messing with her. Her eyes dart to my shirt then back up to me with a mock scowl at my lie.
“Ha-ha very funny.”
Standing I pull her up to her feet, I may not be as tall as the alphas in my pack but she’s still so short compared to me. Her curls are a little all over the place but that’s okay. I tuck some of it behind her ear. Her eyes widen at that action.
“I had a great time tonight, Thea.”
“Me too,” she says a little breathlessly.
Gods I need to get out of here before I try kissing her and screw this up.
She moves even closer to me and I’m not sure what her plan is until she’s wrapping her arms around me in a hug.
I return it and lean down so my head is in the crook of her neck. Her fucking scent. It’s pure heaven.
She releases me and we both smile coyly at each other.
Gathering my belongings, we’re soon at the door saying goodbye.
We hug goodbye which was just as nice as the first time.
I know I have the biggest, dopiest smile on my face, and it’s all from a hug.
I bet if I told Eli he’d mock me endlessly but I know he’d feel the same.
Any contact, any connection she allows I’m grateful.
For the first time in a while I’m looking forward to the future.
I know even with everything going on it will work out. It has to.