Chapter 43
Holden
“We keep our eyes on her at all times,” Nash barks at me.
“It’s not like I was planning to let her out of my sight,” I sneer.
I get how he’s feeling. We’re taking her into a place that is one hundred percent out of her comfort zone.
She’s expressed her fear of people staring at her, and we understand that.
All I want to do is stare at her, not because she has a scar on her face, or the ones on her body that others won’t see, but because she’s absolutely gorgeous.
When she came out yesterday with shorts and the shirt that showed the edges of her Arcane bond, I was so proud of her. It was a huge step.
“Holden,” Henry says my name as he gives an awkward wave.
“What’s up?” I ask him, colder than I would’ve done before. He helped us find River, but it’s still hard to forget his involvement.
He lifts his hand, rubbing the pack of his neck. “How’s your omega?”
“As good as can be expected.” Nash barks, glaring at him.
“Good. Umm…I just want to say I’m sorry for everything.
I should’ve listened to you, but I just wanted so badly to be part of a pack.
” He clears his throat. There’s nothing I have to say in response.
I tried to warn him. “I wanted to tell you goodbye. I’ve withdrawn from school and I’m moving back home.
I need to make some changes, and I don’t think I can do them here. ”
“I hope you do make them,” I tell him, then Nash and I walk away.
We make our way to the parking lot. Roman should be here with her any minute.
“Do you think she’s going to go back on the suppressants?" I ask.
“I don’t know. She hasn’t mentioned it, but we haven’t all talked about her next heat either.
I know her appointment with the doctor is coming up in a few days.
Maybe we should see if we can go with her and have that conversation.
” “We can talk to Roman and see what he thinks. See if he has a good way to go about asking her that might not upset her,” I suggest.
As we’re standing there, Jessica, a beta that’s been chasing after Nash, starts sashaying her way over to us.
“Nash,” she calls in a high-pitched voice, waving her fingers at him. “What are you doing out here?”
My stomach churns. “Get rid of her,” I say sharply, seeing Roman’s truck pulling into the parking lot.
“What do you want, Jessica?” Nash asks, backing away from her as she tries to step closer to him.
She giggles annoyingly, clearly not getting the picture that Nash wants nothing to do with her as Roman pulls up to the curb. I’ll leave him to get rid of her while I get River.
I step up to the truck and open the door. She’s gazing at Nash and Jessica, a hurt expression on her face.
“She’s nobody. He’s trying to tell her to fuck off without being a dick,” I tell her, reassuring her that it’s nothing.
“Maybe I should just go back home.” Her voice is low, her bottom lip quivering.
“No,” I rush out. “Let’s go rescue him. Nash is excited to show you around,” I tell her as Roman glares at me.
“Thank you for bringing me, Roman.”
“No problem, sweetie. Call me when you get home.”
“I will,” she tells him, blushing. She takes my hand, and I help her out of the truck. She doesn’t pull away, so I keep holding it.
“You look beautiful,” I tell her.
“Thank you.” She looks around the school. “This place is bigger than I remember,” she says softly as we make our way over to Nash. I notice her turn her head, letting her hair fall into her face.
“Don’t hide your beautiful face,” I whisper, stopping in my spot so I can push her hair out of her face. “You are gorgeous, River, don’t doubt that.”
“Hey Nash, guess who’s here,” I shout.
He turns to face us, and the pissed off scowl on his face turns into a smile as he ditches Jessica and heads our way.
“Now my day is a hundred times better. Can I?” he asks, pointing to her hand.
She nods, and Nash takes her other free hand.
“Nash, who’s this?” Jessica sneers as she glares at River.
“I’m River.” I’m so proud of our omega as she speaks up for herself.
“Oh, is this a cousin or sister?” Jessica asks, and I can see the smile fade from River’s face.
“No,” Nash growls. “She’s our omega. Our Kismet.”
“You’re kidding, right? Her.” Jessica rolls her eyes as she turns up her nose at her. “No way would you bond with her? Come on lose her and let’s go have some fun.”
“Shut the fuck up,” Nash’s alpha bark even hits me. “You’ll apologize to our omega now and then get your troll ass far away from us. You’re nothing compared to her beauty.”
“I’m sorry,” Jessica whimpers before rushing away.
“Now that we’ve gotten rid of her, what should we show you first?” Nash asks, and we all laugh.
“The cafeteria,” River blurts, her beautiful smile gracing her face once again.
“Then let us lead the way.” We head toward the cafeteria, hand in hand and I’ve never been happier.
I have my brothers, my pack, and now we have our omega to complete us.
***
River
When I saw Nash with that beautiful beta, my heart dropped, but when he dismissed her for me, I didn’t know what to do. It was a public proclamation that I was his. And I loved it.
“So what do you think about the campus? Have we tempted you to join us?” Holden asks, and I tap my finger on my bottom lip as I think.
“Not yet.” I can see their hope deflate. “Maybe one day though. I mean, I have to. I’ve seen the number of girls chasing you around.” I wink at them.
Wait. I winked. When did I become so flirty? In a message is one thing, but in person is another.
“I do remember being promised ice cream?.” I remind them as we head back toward the parking lot. The last thing they showed me on this tour was the library, which was amazing.
“Then I guess we need to head to the ice cream shop downtown,” Holden says, gripping my hand tighter.
Neither he nor Nash have once let go of my hand since we’ve been here, and it feels so nice.
We walk to their car, and Holden lets go of my hand as he moves over to the driver's side.
Nash opens the passenger door for me, helping me inside, before getting in the back behind me.
“River, can I ask a question?” Holden says, as he grips the steering wheel tighter, his knuckles turning white.
“Yeah.”
“Can we go with you to your doctor's appointment?”
I sit there stunned. I wasn’t expecting that to be the question he would ask.
But maybe it’s the push I need to ask about their clothing.
It’s been almost two weeks since my last heat, and I’m starting to nest again.
But I’m missing their scents. They’ve been nothing but gentle with me, not even trying to kiss or hug me yet.
Something about that makes me sad. Maybe I should ask them about it?
“I’ll answer. But I have a question too.”
“Anything,” Holden says.
“I’d be okay with you going to the doctor with me. If we are going to be a pack, then the news will affect you as well.”
“We are a pack. Make no doubt about that. We just haven’t made it official yet.” Nash’s voice rises with conviction.
“Thank you,” Holden quickly says, pulling my attention. “Now what is it you want to ask?”
I take a deep breath, closing my eyes as I focus on how to ask them. I’m not sure what their response will be, and I don’t think my heart could handle it if they were to say no.
“Just ask, baby, there’s nothing to be afraid of.” Nash leans forward, whispering, his hot breath dancing along the exposed flesh on my neck.
“I was wondering… umm…if I could have something of yours?” My voice lowers with each word I say until it’s barely a whisper.
“Oh baby, you can have anything of mine you want.” I can’t help how happy that makes me, and I have to press my thighs together as my cherry scent perfume fills the car.
Both Holden and Nash let out a groan.