20. Nineteen
Nineteen
Zeke
With a sigh, I absentmindedly run my fingers through my hair, my attention fixed on the sight of the wee omega with shiny copper hair strolling hand in hand with Ripley in the backyard.
From the moment I saw her, I was captivated. I never expected to walk through my in-law’s house and find the perfect omega for me. For us. I also didn’t expect to be told her past was full of a darkness unlike anything we could imagine. But that hasn’t deterred me. I don’t care how sticky her past is as long as she’s open to giving us all a chance to show her how much she could mean to us.
Despite her tiny and frail appearance, she exudes an inner and outer beauty that’s simply beguiling. Not only that, she possesses a heart of crystal that yearns to be safeguarded, cherished, and adored. In my opinion, she’s still too small, but every time I see her, I can tell she’s growing stronger, both in body and mind.
“You gotta stop watching her like a stalker every time we come over here,” Manny mutters at my side, arms crossed with a bored expression painting his features.
“I dinnae ken whit yer talkin’ about,” I respond lowly, my accent coming out thicker than ever at the lie as my eyes stay glued to the sprite of a lass that I fear I could crush with the slightest amount of pressure.
The pull I feel towards her is so intense that it consumes my every thought, like a magnetic force drawing me closer to her. That day in Mama V’s kitchen, her scent hit me like a tidal wave, flooding my senses. And every day since, there’s been this overwhelming need to touch her, breathe her in, hold her. To be with her .
Mine.
I’ve never fallen arse over tea kettle for someone so fast, and if I’m being honest, no woman I’ve ever met even compares to Cozette now that I’ve met her. She’s literal perfection in every way.
Manny scoffs and shakes his head.
“She agreed to let us court her, so stop watching her like you’re afraid she’ll disappear any second. If you want to spend time with her, then do it. Go out there and ask her. I have no doubt she’d love that.”
With a gentle tone, his last words slip from his mouth, and his face eases into a serene expression as he looks out the window. The moment Cozette comes into view, his eyes light up with adoration, his lips tipping up into a semblance of a smile before he slaps me on the back and walks away.
Manny is usually so stoic, his face rarely betraying any hint of emotion. So seeing him barely able to contain his feelings when Cozy is near is something. I love my brothers, don’t get me wrong, but I won’t lie and say I haven’t been a little concerned about their strong personalities scaring the skittish woman we’ve all become enamored with. Especially after the disaster of our last courting attempt.
I never liked her anyway, I think to myself with a scowl when I remember how down both Ridge and Manny were after that brat of an omega did what she did.
Cozy is a much better fit for us, not to mention a million times the omega Elise ever was. With one last look out the window at the two omegas, I straighten my shoulders and take a deep breath. I make a quick stop at my truck outside to grab the things I got for Cozy after she agreed to us courting her. And then I go hunt down Mama V to beg for her help.
I find her in the kitchen, making lunch. When she glances up at the sound of the kitchen door opening and sees me, a smile blooms on her lips.
“Ye’re lookin bonnie as ever today, Mama,” I say with a grin, leaning on the island across from her after stealing a cookie from the plate in the center.
She titters and swats me with the hand towel draped across her shoulder, making me chuckle as I stuff the cookie in my mouth like a child.
“What do you want, you rascal?”
“Who says I want anythin’?”
She rolls her eyes, wiping her hands on the towel she hit me with before placing her hands on the counter and narrowing her eyes at me.
“I know you better than you think, young man. Now, why don’t you just spit it out? Because I’ve got a lot to do and no time for your shenanigans.”
I chuckle softly, shaking my head in amusement. I swear, you can’t get anything past her. She sees everything.
“Alright. Will ye help me wi’ something? I wanna ask Cozy tae go on a …” I pause, clearing my throat and rubbing the back of my neck as I feel the tips of my ears heating. “A picnic wi’ me,” I finally say a bit shyly, feeling absurd, but also feeling like this is the right move.
Mama V laughs softly and when I look at her, she’s grinning from ear to ear, eyes sparkling with tears. She claps her hands together, quickly wiping them away before moving all around the kitchen.
“Go to the closet in the hallway and grab the picnic basket out of there. I’ll start putting some things together, like some of her favorite snacks. Oh! Don’t forget to grab a spare blanket from the closet as well. There should be some thin ones that are soft.”
The sound of her quick footsteps fills the kitchen as she energetically stacks things together, making my eyes widen a fraction with surprise. When she realizes I’m still just standing there, she lets out an exasperated sigh and forcefully ushers me out, muttering about how difficult we all are to handle. As I stumble out, the door behind me swishes shut, and I can’t help but chuckle quietly to myself as I walk towards the hall.
Finding the closet, I grab the basket and a couple of blankets, tucking them securely under my arm before heading back to the kitchen. When I enter, I hand the basket to Mama V as she goes to pass me, watching as she handpicks items to pack. Hoping to remember Cozy’s preferences, I make mental notes of the things she adds.
With the basket brimming with a colorful assortment of freshly cut fruits, sliced cheeses, crackers, cookies, and finger sandwiches, she meticulously arranges the blankets I grabbed, placing them on top of our lunch before closing it and sliding it towards me. It’s clear that we won’t be able to eat all of this, but I’m glad there are plenty of choices available for Cozy to pick from.
“She’ll love this.”
“I hope so,” I murmur, feeling my heartbeat pick up in my chest.
I plant a quick kiss on her cheek, feeling the stubble of my beard brushing against her smooth skin, and flash her a grin before grabbing the basket and the bag with Cozy’s presents and heading for the back door to find my omega.
Down by the water, I find Cozy and Ripley, their laughter filling the air as they playfully dip their toes in. Cozy’s red curls cascade down her back, catching the sunlight and creating a fiery glow. Her slender figure is delicately wrapped in a pretty green sundress, the fabric falling gracefully just below her knees. The cream cardigan draped across her shoulders shields her fair skin from the sun—and my eyes—but gods, she’s still beyond enchanting. I find myself unable to do anything but stand there—completely mesmerized—and gaze in awe.
Rip’s eyes lock onto me before I can say anything, a mischievous smirk forming on her lips as she spots the weighty basket in my grasp.
“Zeke, what brings you all the way down here?” she teases, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
I clear my throat and smile awkwardly when Cozy turns to see who Ripley is talking to. Her eyes light up when she sees me, her cheeks taking on a pink tinge. I walk closer, that invisible rope pulling me to her until I’m at the water’s edge directly in front of her.
“I, uh, wis wonderin’ if ye’d like tae have a picnic wi’ me?”
Her clear blue eyes on mine ensnare me, causing my heart to race uncontrollably. She’s the most breathtaking sight I’ve ever laid eyes on, and I can’t help but feel undeserving of her presence and completely inadequate.
She glances over at Ripley, who smiles encouragingly at her. When she turns back to me, her beaming smile lights up her face, and her eyes shimmer with joy as she gazes up at me.
“I’d love to,” she murmurs, biting her lip and tucking her hair behind her right ear.
The corners of my mouth turn up into a smile that I can’t suppress, and my heart skips a beat in response. In an instant, a wave of elation washes over me, electrifying every nerve in my body.
“Aww. Young love. So stinkin’ cute!”
Ripley sighs dreamily, and when I glance at her, she’s batting her lashes at us. Cozy’s cheeks burn the brightest shade of pink, and I have to bite back the groan that tries to crawl its way out at the sight.
Fucking phenomenal.
“Well, I’ll just get out of your way. Have fun, you two!”
Ripley winks at me and smacks me on the arse when she passes me. I turn to glare at her, which only makes her laugh as she takes off back up to the house. I huff out an exasperated sigh and roll my eyes, then turn back to the woman of my dreams to give her a lopsided smile.
“Little sisters are the worst,” I joke, and she laughs softly.
“I wouldn’t know,” she shrugs with a light laugh as I hold the crook of my arm out for her to take.
The instant her tiny hand touches my skin, a surge of tingles shoots through my arm, causing a shiver to ripple down my back. With her so close to me, her mouthwatering lemon tart scent tickles my nose, and I can’t help but inhale discreetly. It’s quickly becoming my favorite.
I’ve been enduring Ridge and Manny’s constant teasing for weeks because I secretly bought a candle that reminded me of her. It’s safely tucked away in my room, and I’ve nearly burned through the entire thing, but it’s just not quite the same as getting it straight from the source.
With her arm linked in mine, I lead her to the left side of the pond, closer to the trees. We find a nice, shaded spot not too far from the water’s edge, and I gently set the basket down before opening it to pull out the blankets. I carefully lay out those on the ground, creating a soft and inviting space for us, and once they’re down, I place the basket and bag on top, extending my hand to help Cozy get situated.
I watch as she folds her legs up and gets herself comfortable, and when she looks up at me with a shy smile, I fall a little bit more for her. She’s nervous, but she’s still here, and I’m grateful. The fact that she’s willing to be here, sitting next to me after everything she’s been through, is a testament to her strength. Her willingness to trust me—despite her worries—only shows how resilient she is, even if she doesn’t yet see it. She will in time, though.
“Shall we see whit Mama V packed for us? I had tae ask her for help since I didnae know whit ye’d like,” I say, a hint of embarrassment tinging my words as I pull things out of the basket.
My hands shake as my own nervousness courses through me, terrified of screwing this up. Side by side, with only a sliver of space between us, I feel a soft breeze drift over, carrying the delightful scent of lemon tarts. As I take a deep breath, my eyes naturally close, and I exhale with a peaceful sigh, feeling an immediate wave of calmness. My eyes pop open when I feel her hand on my arm, and when I glance at her, the soft smile on her lips as she stares up at me calms me more.
“Nobody has ever done anything like this for me before. It’s really sweet. Thank you, Zeke,” she says, cheeks heating again, and I swallow around the lump forming in my throat.
“No thanks necessary, lass. I’m honored tae get tae do this wi’ ye,” I rasp out. “Thank ye for agreein’ tae join me.”
With everything laid out, I push the basket to the side and pass her a bottle of water. I can’t help but stare at her as she looks over the spread in front of us, wanting to pinch myself to make sure this is real. She’s so petite compared to me, every feature flawlessly crafted, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t afraid of making this a horrible experience. I can’t remember the last time I dated, so the thought of courting her is a tad nerve-wracking.
“What’s that?” she asks, pointing over at the bag, and I grin, pulling it over to us and passing it to her.
“Presents,” I tell her, eager for her to see what I got her and hoping she likes it all.
She smiles brightly and opens the bag, giggling as she pulls everything out. There’s a really soft blue throw blanket that I think matches her eyes, two candles that smell as close to my scent as I could get, a small koala plush, and a few self care items that I had to ask the sales associate for help on picking. She immediately rubs the blanket against her cheek, closing her eyes with a soft smile. When she sets it back down, she grabs the plush and hugs the koala to her chest.
“The blanket and koala smell like you,” she says, pressing her nose against it.
In an attempt to mask my delight, I bite down on my cheek, relishing the fact that she appreciates my scent. Clearing my throat, I slide some of the food closer to her, wanting her to eat so I can make sure she’s taken care of.
“Is this a-a date?” Cozy eventually stutters out as we eat.
I meet her gaze, lips parted with a sandwich poised just an inch from my mouth, surprised by her question. Clearing my throat, I lower my hand.
“If ye want it tae be, then, ay.”
Nodding, she gazes down at her lap, meticulously brushing away imaginary dirt from her legs, the hem of her dress sitting atop her thighs. Involuntarily, my eyes follow her movements, and I realize this is the first time I’ve seen her in something that shows more skin than usual. It’s also the first time I’m looking so closely, and my throat burns as I stare at the multitude of marks etching her lovely, freckled skin.
Her scar-covered pale legs trigger an intense rage in me that I have to swallow down, unlike anything I have ever experienced on behalf of someone else. Not wanting to intimidate or drive her away, I force myself to maintain my composure, despite my inner turmoil. She’s already so skittish, and I’m not a small man. I don’t want to scare her with my anger.
I’ll have to wait until I’m home to unleash on the punching bag in our makeshift gym. And unleash I will.
“I’d like that,” she eventually says, drawing my attention back up to her face when she pulls the hem of her dress down over her knees, hiding her scars from me.
“Then it’s a date, lass.”
I smile gently at her when I realize my staring at her scars has made her uncomfortable, a vulnerable look crossing her eyes that I need to wipe away. Slowly, I reach for her hand and grip it in mine, rubbing my thumb across her palm.
“Have I told ye how positively radiant ye look today, Cozette? The bonniest o’ lasses I’ve ever laid eyes on,” I murmur as I pull her hand up to my lips and kiss the back of it, never taking my eyes from hers.
I can’t help but notice the rosy hue that adorns her cheeks, perfectly complementing her vibrant blue eyes that seem to sparkle as she looks at me. Her fingers twitch in my hold as I bring our hands down to my lap, keeping hers cradled in mine.
“How many girls have you said that to?” she teases, but underneath I can tell she really wants to know the answer.
“Just ye,” I tell her honestly, and it’s not a lie.
“So, is that your plan? Flatter me for the entirety of our time together until I fall madly in love with you?” she asks, tone still playful, yet curious.
“Would ye believe me if I told ye I don’t have a clue whit I’m doin’? I’m tryin’ so hard no’ tae mess this up an’ tae make it perfect for ye. But I’m a bit inexperienced in… a lot o’ ways,” I murmur, hoping that my confession will distract her enough to erase those lingering worries I can practically see still dancing in her mind behind her teasing.
“Oh? You haven’t been on many dates?” she asks, her curiosity peaked, and I grin.
“No’ since I graduated.”
“Ah, so you’re a ladies’ man, then?”
I hear a hint of jealousy in her tone, though she tries to hide it. I don’t think she even notices, and it only makes my grin widen as I bark out a laugh.
“Hardly.”
A mix of confusion and amusement dances across her face, her lips forming a subtle smile as her brows knit together. Nervously, I run my fingers through my hair, feeling the strands slip between my fingertips before cupping my head in my hand and propping my arm on my knee.
“I dated a bit when I was in high school, but nothin’ too serious. A few dates out tae the local pub here an thare, dances an’ the like. But that was about as far as any o’ that went.”
“Well, that’s okay. Even people who’ve been on tons of dates are inexperienced with them. Besides, I think you’re a lot better at this than you think.”
Clearing my throat, I avert my gaze from hers while stifling a laugh and covering my face. Gods. I always imagined that when the time came to share this fun little fact about myself with my omega, I’d be a lot more confident. But suddenly, a wave of self-consciousness washes over me, causing me to second guess the timing of confessing this to her. As I glance back at her, I can’t help but notice the confusion etched on her face, and I inhale deeply before releasing a sigh.
“I’m inexperienced in more than that, lass. I’m uh, ya know. I’m still a virgin. So, when I say inexperienced, I really mean inexperienced. ”
I clear my throat again awkwardly when her eyes widen and soft pink lips part, the urge to kiss her difficult to ignore. Sitting up straight, I nonchalantly shrug and fixate my gaze on the tranquil expanse of water. The prolonged silence weighs heavily on me, causing my shoulders to tense up and my ears to burn with unease, until I feel her hand on my back. My muscles bunch at the touch before completely relaxing as the warmth of her palm seeps through the fabric of my shirt. Before I realize it, a soft purr is rumbling out of me, and when I look at the wee omega’s face, there are unshed tears glistening in her eyes and the sweetest expression painting her features.
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s not like I’m the most experienced person out there. Besides, I think it’s really admirable,” she murmurs, cheeks darkening and a wobbly smile on her lips.
“I’m no’ embarrassed. It’s juist harder tae admit tae ye than I thought it would be,” I admit with a cringe.
She tilts her head, pursing her lips, which only makes her look even more adorable and kissable, and I can’t stop the small smile that fights its way through.
“Why?”
“Because lass. I saved myself for my omega. I saved myself… for ye. I juist didnae know it was for ye until I met ye.”
Her lips part as a gasp escapes her, and she leans closer to me without even realizing it. It’s like that invisible rope is right there again, pulling us closer and closer together until our noses are nearly touching. I cup her cheek in my hand, and when she rubs against my palm, lips trembling slightly as a tear slides across the bridge of her nose, my chest aches.
“Och, lass, dinnae worry. I promise I’m a very studious student.”
I try to joke, but it doesn’t make her laugh like I’d hoped it would. Instead, another tear falls and my gut clenches, unsure of what I said or did that upset her and completely clueless on how to fix it. Gods, I should have asked the guys to come with me. It figures I’d be the one to screw this up from the get-go. I knew I would!
I make a noise in my throat when she moves away and sits up, wiping her eyes with the sleeves of her cardigan. My hands clench in my lap as she avoids my eyes, and the distance she’s put between us feels vast, though it’s hardly even a foot. Still, the absence of her body heat leaves me feeling bereft and yearning to pull her back to my side.
“Wow, I’m so sorry. I’m fine, I promise. I just—” she stops, shaking her head with a wry laugh.
“Ye have nothin’ tae apologize for. I’m the one that’s sorry. I dinnae know whit I said or did tae upset ye, but I didnae mean tae, lass.”
My throat feels tight, and I’m struggling with my need to hold and comfort her and the need to kick my own arse for upsetting her. Things were going so well.
“Oh, no. No, it’s not you. You didn’t do anything, Zeke.”
She exhales deeply, pivoting towards me and hugging the koala I got her tightly to her chest for comfort. With her chin resting on it’s head, she gazes at me intently, her blue eyes carefully studying every feature of my face.
“I think it’s beautiful, what you just shared with me. I just wish I could sit here and tell you the same thing you just told me.”
Her smile is sad and her eyes still glisten as she tries to hold back her tears. I shake my head and reach for her hand, clasping it in mine as I look deep into her eyes.
“I dinnae care that ye’re no’ a virgin. I didnae make this choice wi’ the idea that my omega would be juist as untouched as me. I did it because I knew when I found ye, the wait would have all been worth it.”
When more tears glide down her cheeks and her lips are trembling, I feel my own eyes burning. Her hand in mine is limp, but I still don’t let go, needing to let her know that I’m right here, and not going anywhere.
“You don’t understand. I-I was a virgin before Victor found me. So, if he hadn’t…” she trails off, a flash of anger crossing her eyes before she closes them and takes a deep breath. “I know there’s no sense in me thinking about what ifs, but sometimes it’s hard when I’m reminded of just how much I’ve lost. None of you know the true extent of what I went through yet, and I’m so afraid of getting too used to this idea of alphas and… multiple mates, just for you to find out how truly damaged I am and decide that I’m not what you really want,” she cries, burying her face in her arms, shoulders shaking.
I grasp what she’s saying without her explicitly stating it, and my stomach roils as my mind shows me awful scenarios with Cozy and a faceless man taking what she didn’t freely give. So many choices were stolen from her, and the fury bubbling inside me has me yearning to jump up and find a secluded spot to release it. I’m filled with an intense rage on her behalf, and the violent thoughts swirling in my mind are unsettling, even to myself. Once again, I swallow that rage down and take deep breaths to calm myself because I want to avoid any misunderstanding where she might think it’s because of her and not for her.
Slowly, I reach for her and when my hands land on her sides, she looks up at me in surprise. She doesn’t stop me when I pull her to me, keeping contact with her red-rimmed, teary eyes, and I keep dragging her to me until I can pull her in my lap, cradling her against my chest. She tenses at first, and immediately my chest vibrates with a soft purr against her head. When she relaxes against me, my purr gets louder, and she shivers against me before deflating and sighing out contentedly.
“Is this alright?” I whisper against the top of her head, and she nods, sniffling.
Holding her tightly, I can feel the tension in my arms as I try to calm the rapid beating of my heart by shutting my eyes. I know she has to hear it thundering in her ear, but she doesn’t say anything about it. As I bury my face in her hair, taking a deep breath, the unique tangy sweetness that belongs solely to her helps to quell the furious storm inside me enough that I feel I can speak.
“I wish more than anythin’ ye never had tae go through whit ye did. I can’t imagine how anyone could ever look at ye an’ want tae cause ye pain, Wee One. But I can say wi’ absolute certainty that nothin’ ye tell us would ever make us decide ye’re no’ whit we want. In fact, if ye never wanted tae tell us details, that would be fine. We dinnae need tae know them tae know ye’re exactly who we want. But if ye ever want tae tell us, we will listen without judgement.”
I hear her sniffle and see her rub her nose with her sleeve before she looks up at me beneath her lashes, her lips turning down into a frown. Her nose is red, cheeks blotchy, and her blue eyes are brighter because of the tears, but she’s still the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on.
“Why do you all keep calling me some version of small?” she mumbles, brows pinched.
I chuckle and tweak her nose, which makes her features soften as a giggle that makes my heart flutter escapes her.
“Well, ye are tiny. Especially compared tae me. See?”
I take her delicate hand in mine and gently press our palms together, feeling the warmth of her touch. Her slender fingers barely graze the bottom of mine, her hand significantly smaller by two or three sizes, proving my point. With fascination and an adorable curiosity, she gazes down at our connected hands. I watch as she slides her hand down a little, her fingers dancing around the rough surface of my palm. When her featherlight touch traces the lines there, an involuntary shiver of pleasure courses through my body.
“I hate being so small sometimes,” she mutters with a sigh, continuing to trace patterns in the lines.
“ ‘Though she be but little, she is fierce’ ,” I murmur against her temple, reflexively placing a gentle kiss there without thinking.
The sound of her humming fills the air as I press my lips against her skin, and she responds by closing her eyes and leaning further into my arms, a blissful expression on her face. For a while, we just sit there together in silence. We’re both completely at ease, the gentle melody of nature a soothing soundtrack that amplifies the tranquility between us.
When the rumbling of her stomach breaks through the peaceful silence, we both chuckle, and she squirms in my arms to move away. I make a sound in the back of my throat, my arms instinctively tightening around her as I give in to my instincts and lean down to press my stubbled cheek against hers. A contented purr escapes me as she sighs and affectionately nuzzles her cheek against mine, unconsciously scent marking me and unknowingly deepening my bond with her.
“Will ye let me feed ye? It would make me really happy. Ye don’t have tae say yes, but I wanna care for ye. Show ye how precious ye are tae me. I’m also no’ ready tae let ye go yet,” I whisper, resting my forehead against the side of her head and just barely catching the small, nervous smile on her lips.
I don’t express to her the true significance it holds for me, fearing that she might feel pressured or coerced into accepting my offer to feed her. But I want nothing more than to show her how a true alpha and omega relationship should be. I want to worship her in every possible manner, show her that she is a queen and we are merely her humble servants, yearning for even the tiniest bit of her love if she’s willing to give it to us.
“Okay.”
The softness of her voice amplifies the significance of her consent, and it means everything to me when she agrees. For the rest of the day, we sit out by the lake, just the two of us. I feed her bits of fruit, cheese, and crackers while we get to know each other, and with each new fact she reveals and every smile or laugh she gifts me, my affection for her deepens. We avoid discussing the dark aspects of her life, choosing instead to concentrate on lighter and more joyful subjects. I tell her about my family back home in Scotland, and she tells me about growing up in her small town, though she avoids talking too much about her parents.
To be honest, it’s the best day of my life, and when we trudge back up to the house hand in hand as the sun sinks almost all the way down, I can’t help the sudden sadness I feel at having to leave her after an entire day at her side. As we approach the back door, she suddenly pulls on my hand, causing me to turn and find her wrapping her arms around my waist, catching me off guard. I’m frozen, barely breathing, as she squeezes me and rubs her face all over my shirt, making the sweetest sounds that are just barely audible. She wraps her fist in the fabric after several heart-stopping moments and tugs on it, looking up at me with the most innocent look. She crooks her finger at me, and I bend lower until we’re face to face, her breath fanning across my lips.
“Thank you for today. It was perfect.”
Before I can say a word, she surprises me even more by leaning forward and quickly pressing her lips against mine in the most innocent, sweetest kiss. When she pulls away, her cheeks are once again flushed, but her eyes sparkle like gems as she giggles at my frozen form.
“Goodnight… Alpha,” she murmurs before scurrying inside before I can stop her.
I stand out there, rooted to the spot, until the sound of Manny and Ridge’s voices reaches me, their concerned calls piercing through the stillness. They find me frozen on the patio, my gaze fixed on the door as I try to process what just happened, my lips still tingling from the unexpected kiss. When they catch a whiff of me, my clothes and skin completely saturated in Cozette’s scent, they both scrunch up their noses and grumble about the unfairness, but I ignore them.
The entire way home, I can’t stop touching my lips and when I crawl into bed a bit later, I fall asleep with a smile and the imprint of my omega’s lips pressed against mine.