Chapter 1
Chapter
One
WREN
“We won’t stay long,” Ambrose mumbles to us, his arm wrapping around Flynn’s shoulders.
Flynn takes full advantage of being cuddled, making me hide my smile as Shaw knocks on Cian’s front door. I’ll also take any excuse to be held.
Cian invited some of the packed up mafia families to come over for a picnic today. Life has been really busy, and I have to admit that it’s a really nice thing for him to do.
Not everyone will accept the invite, and since it’s outside I won’t feel overwhelmed by people and sounds.
It’s also easier for Flynn to be in public if we’re surrounded by nature.
The agoraphobia is beginning to ease up after being kidnapped five years ago.
Our therapist is fucking incredible, and worth her weight in gold.
She’s done a lot of really good work with Flynn and I.
She’s always willing to do an extra session online, even if she’s had her own drama happening. Dr. Alys Edwards has kept things locked down for her patients.
“You made it!” Aisling says, smiling as she opens the door. The last few years have helped us all heal. “Come in, Morgan is making food on the grill.”
“That’s so domestic of him,” I giggle. I love that Cian is settled down. I’m sure things aren’t perfect, but then, no one’s relationship is.
Everest’s warm nutmeg and heather scent fills my senses as his hand settles on my lower back as we walk into the house.
“I’m sure Cian cracks the whip around here,” he murmurs.
“Dad’s been exceptionally happy,” Aisling says, leading us through the house. “He seems more relaxed now, and Morgan and he share some of the same interests. Kevin is super sweet and not who I thought he’d end up with. It's funny how things work out.”
Everest glances at Flynn with a small smile, nodding. Flynn has a bloodthirsty side of his own, but he also loves being the peacemaker.
Walking outside through the patio and into the garden, I see that Cian has blankets laid out, chairs under huge umbrellas, and there’s even kites being flown in the massive yard.
“Cian’s garden is amazing this year,” I sigh. There’s tulips, roses, lilies, and more blooming happily under the brilliant blue sky.
“You know what the secret to his garden is,” Aisling says, winking at me. It’s a very well kept secret that his dead wife keeps his garden going.
There’s a winding path through the yard that leads back to a collection of tables for those who want to eat there, as well as fruit, vegetables, breads, and dips.
“I do indeed,” I say, but she’s already rushing away.
“Come sit,” Flynn says, taking my hand to make a beeline toward a blanket in the shade. There’s a huge oak tree out of the way, and it also lets me people watch.
There’s a giant body pillow for him to settle on so I can curl up between his legs and lay on his chest. Damn, Cian really knows what omegas like.
“This is better than any formal party,” Flynn sighs happily, his arms wrapping around me.
I’m wearing a pair of brown shorts and a flouncy off the shoulder top with sandals that will help me not overheat. With the added shade, I have to agree with Flynn.
“Do you smell fire?” I ask, twisting my body to find the scent. It doesn’t smell like a grill, because I can see Morgan by the house making food. No, this is something completely different.
“Kane, stop playing with fire!” Adira yells.
“Of course,” Flynn chuckles. “Is he spitting liquor into the air?”
I watch as Kane spits something into the air and then lazily pulls a fire laden torch through it. It looks like he’s performing, but this is just Kane keeping himself busy.
“It looks like fun,” I say, smirking. “I don’t think it’s a smart idea with the kites though.”
Kane makes a face and hands his fun over to Morris, who gives him a kiss and wink for being a good boy. There are toddlers running around playing, babies nursing, and it reminds me that life moves on despite the rough patches it gives us.
“Do you ever wonder what that would be like?” Flynn asks seriously.
“No,” I say honestly. “I’ve experienced some of the worst parts of humanity, and I know I wouldn’t be able to enjoy being a mother. I’d always worry about my kid being taken from me.”
“Not all families need children,” Flynn says, breathing in my scent. It makes me sad sometimes when I see kids, but I know this is the best choice for me. My omega rubs his cheek against mine, soothing me as I sit with him.
He’s also right. My pack is made up of people who shouldn’t work together, but still do. Ambrose murders shitty people on his days off when he feels twitchy while listening to pop music with my other alphas, and Taylor Swift will always be on his playlist.
The clubs he manages for Corbin are doing really well, and the restaurant is flourishing. He’s less grumpy, he enjoys what he’s doing, and he’s found his place in life.
I know that he never liked the things people said about him. He’s too intelligent to not let those things get under his skin.
Shaw grins as he watches the way kids wind between his and Everest’s legs as they chase each other, amusement glittering in his gaze from here. Most importantly? There’s not an ounce of jealousy or envy in them.
He likes the freedom he has to work from home. He can fuck me over his desk in between meetings, or have Flynn suck him off while he’s on a call. I don’t think he’d want to give it up now that he’s had a few years to settle into our pack.
“Quinn, your kid is leading the pack in this insanity!” Everest laughs, watching as they run away.
Linus kisses Quinn’s cheek as she laughs from a blanket underneath an umbrella. She’s pregnant with their second child and he jumps up to chase after the kids, pretending to be a monster.
“Will you please eat?” Caleb asks his omega, waving a plate at her. She has pink and blonde hair and is about six months pregnant. Her bohemian outfit oddly suits her, and she allows him to pop a piece of chicken into her mouth before walking over to talk to Quinn.
I swear, getting an omega to slow down for any reason reminds me of herding cats. It just doesn’t go well.
“You’re giggling,” Shaw says, sitting beside us with a plate of fruit.
“I’m having fun,” I confirm.
“Good. Be a good girl and open your mouth for me,” he says, picking up a blueberry.
“Isn’t that my line?” Everest asks, dropping to the blanket with a grin.
I’m still laughing as Shaw pops a blueberry into my mouth. The fruit is both tart and sweet as it explodes between my teeth.
“That’s a really good blueberry,” I moan.
“Apparently, Cian has some fruit bushes that are doing really well out in his orchard,” Everest says, his eyes heating as he watches me. We won’t be staying very long if he doesn’t stop looking at me like that.
“We can go pick some…fruit that is,” Shaw says, smirking.
“I don’t think public sex this close to children is a good idea,” I hiss, but my cheeks hurt from smiling.
“Baby, we said pick fruit, not gag on my cock,” Everest chuckles darkly as I shiver.
“You’re both terrible,” Flynn breathes, his cheeks full of color as he eats a strawberry that Everest places between his lips.
“You love it,” he purrs, winking.
When Ambrose walks over and offers his hand, I take it so he can pull me to my feet.
“There’s baskets down the path for fruit picking if you want to head down with me?” he asks. At my wide-eyed gaze, he looks at me curiously. “What? I figured you’d like some since you were enjoying the blueberries so much.”
The other guys snicker as they get up, and we begin to walk together.
“I suggested this, but not to actually pick fruit,” Shaw drawls.
“Oh. Ohhh,” Ambrose says, blinking at us. “I mean, I like that idea too.”
“Are you going out to pick berries?” Cian asks, walking over.
He barely lets us finish nodding before he sighs heavily.
“Please take as much as you want. We have so much ripe fruit that we don’t know what to do with it.
Aisling and my gardener have been picking fruit for the Haven, but we still have tons. ”
“Then we’ll make sure we take some home,” I tell him, glaring at my pack. They dutifully pick up baskets, as if we aren’t planning to go out there to fuck.
“Thank you,” Cian gushes. “You should have the area to yourselves.”
He rushes off before I can get too embarrassed that he might know what we’re up to, and Ambrose just hands me a basket smugly.
“Cian is far from dead, sweetness,” Shaw says, helping me walk down the uneven slope. “I’m sure he has to have at least an idea of why we’re coming down here.”
“I really didn’t need to be reminded of that,” I mumble as I walk.
My pack just grins at me as they lead Flynn and I into the beautiful orchard.