14. Thirteen
Thirteen
Ridge
I stare into the backyard through the kitchen window that sits above the sink, ensnared and unable to look away as I watch the little omega that’s invaded my thoughts for weeks now walk between my brothers. I can’t help but reach up and rub my chest, my brows furrowing as I feel the ache and surge of jealousy coursing through my heart at the scene.
If I’d been out there with them, would she have asked me to come with them?
It’s a sight to see—the three of them together—not only because they look like the most ridiculous trio from an outsider’s point of view, but also because my brothers look completely enamored as they stare down at the tiny woman between them, barely paying attention to where they’re walking.
Since meeting her, I haven’t been able to get her out of my head. She’s invaded my dreams, my every waking thought, and I haven’t even spoken a word to her.
How is that possible? How has she embedded herself so deep under my skin with only one miniscule meeting?
I’ve thought about that day at my parent’s house over and over these last few weeks, thought about what little Mom revealed and Dad’s cryptic words about how it’s possible there are others not in my pack meant for Cozy. How he’d asked if I thought I could put aside my personal feelings over an unknown alpha or beta coming into my pack if it means she’s happy and loved, and how I couldn’t answer.
But seeing her again now, snuggled between my brothers as they walk the trail Ripley carved out for herself as a kid, the answer is easy, and it should have been easy to answer the first time, but fuck… It’s a lot to take in at once. A beautiful scent match that’s perfectly broken, who possibly comes with strays, and she’s been living with my parents for months. I just needed to get over the shock and work through my own shit for a minute.
But now… Now I know it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if there’s someone else out there that’s meant for her as long as I’m one of them . I don’t care that it’s not going to be easy and that being with her will probably be a lot of work. Because she’s worth it. She’s worth the effort, the time. She’s worth it all, and I’m desperate to show her.
This isn’t how it was with Elise. Sure, I felt drawn to her in a way, thought of her often when we weren’t with her. Her scent was nice, and we all seemed to have something in common with her, and sure, it hurt when she ghosted us, but I’ve realized it hurt our pride more than anything.
For me, she wasn’t all I thought about. She didn’t have me tied in knots over her after only one meeting, and her scent didn’t awaken something buried deep in my hindbrain just waiting for the right one. In fact, I haven’t even thought of Elise or any woman since I smelled that mouthwateringly sweet, lemony scent of Cozy’s that makes me want to lose my head as it gets trapped between soft, milky thighs…
I blink, shaking my head as I clear my throat and back away from the window because, what the fuck?
I shouldn’t be thinking about her like that at all. Cozy isn’t like other women, omega or otherwise, and she should be handled with care and respect. She has a past full of pain and nightmares, more than we truly know, and because of that, courting her is going to be a completely different experience.
“Watcha doin’, sweetie?”
“Ah, fuck!” I gasp, nearly jumping out of my skin as I turn and see my mother at my side.
“Language, Ridge Shepherd Jacobs!” she scolds, frowning up at me as I stare down at her wide eyed.
“Where the hell did you come from?” I ask her incredulously, my hand clutching my furiously beating heart, and she raises a brow, huffing.
“I’ve been here for the last two minutes, lover boy. You’d have heard me come in if you hadn’t been lost in La La Land while staring out into the backyard where a certain sweet little omega just walked off with your pack brothers.”
She pats my back and shakes her head with a scoff before moving to grab a cup out of the cabinet and making herself a glass of sweet tea. I scrub a hand down my face with a groan and when I look back up at her, she’s sitting at the island with a shit- eating grin on her face that reminds me so much of both of my sisters. There’s no doubt they get it from our mother.
She tilts her head to the empty chair beside her and I sigh, shoulders slumping as I walk around the island and plop myself down in the seat and lean my arms on the counter.
“What’s got my only son so lost in thought that he didn’t realize his mama was standing right beside him?” she teases, smiling softly at me.
I absentmindedly run my fingers through my hair and steal a quick glance out the window, then redirect my attention back to her. Her deep green eyes are soft on my face, seeing so much more than I want her to, but that’s how it’s always been. For all of us.
Mother’s intuition, she always called it.
“I’m pissed at myself that I hid in here instead of going out there to talk to her like they did. If I had, I’d be on that walk with them all right now, getting to know her myself.”
She smiles at me and sighs, taking a sip of her tea.
“I’ve always told you that you miss a hundred percent of the shots you don’t take,” she says with a tsk and shake of her head. “And this shot is one I hope you don’t miss, baby boy. So, stop hiding from your omega and put in the work.”
I huff out an incredulous laugh.
“I’m not… Fuck, I’m not hiding from her, Ma. I’m just…” I trail off, staring down at the colorful counter as I try to figure out how to explain my thoughts to her.
“You’re scared. Aht !”
She holds her hand up, going to smack me in the forehead when I open my mouth to correct her, and I promptly zip my lips as I dodge her hand.
“You’re scared. Scared of these intense feelings that are so sudden when you barely know the person you have those feelings for. Scared of her past and how it’s going to affect your future together. Scared of the possibility of more change in your pack than you’d planned. But mostly, you’re scared that you’re not enough and that she won’t want you.”
My throat feels tight as I try to swallow and I have to look away from her. I clear my throat, my jaw clenched as her words echo in my ears.
She’s right, though. About all of it, but definitely about me being scared that she won’t want me.
“It’s okay to be afraid of taking such a big risk. We’ve all been there at some point. Shall we call your sister so she can tell you all about how afraid she was initially about exploring her feelings for River and the rest of their pack last year?”
I snort and shake my head.
“Gods, no. Please, do not call Ripley. I’ve heard about enough of their beginning to scar me for life,” I say with a shudder, making Ma laugh.
“Yes, well. I can only imagine what she told you, and I’d rather not,” she say with a chuckle. “As I was saying, you’ll never know unless you try, sweetheart. Cozy is still learning a lot about herself, on top of working through her trauma, but she’s tougher than you all think. That girl is a fighter, and right now she’s fighting to get her own happily ever after. All you need to do is be there for her, encouraging her every step of the way. Walk by her side or behind her protectively, but never in front of her. Guide her, but also let her find her own way when she needs to. Nurture her soul and watch it bloom again under your love and care. That’s what she needs most of all. Love.”
I let her words sink in, absorbing them and committing them to memory. Before I can respond, her phone rings, and she gets up, walking out of the kitchen as she answers. I’m still at the island when she comes back several minutes later, clapping her hands with an excited smile.
“Time to take your first step towards getting your omega! Go help your dads unload that truck out there and bring everything up to Cozy’s room. We redid Ripley’s old room for her, and your sister and I took her to pick out things for her nest today.”
My breath catches in my throat at the mention of Cozy having a nest, my stomach clenching as I try to imagine how she’ll decorate it and what it’ll look like. Will she fill it to the brim with a million blankets and pillows, or is she more minimalistic? Does she prefer only soft fabrics, or does she like a variety? What does her perfect nest look like for her?
Not knowing her preferences only fuels my curiosity, and I’m even more eager to glimpse into who she is. I spring to my feet, briskly walking past Ma while she chuckles softly to herself, following behind me.
Time to put in the work.