25. Opaline
Opaline
Everette leans in close, whispering, "Three…two…aaanddd…"
I glance around, trying to figure out why we're counting backward, before my eyes follow his gaze, landing on what's sitting heavily in Adrian's huge hand as he stalks towards us.
"One…"
"Fucked up my drink order," my mate mutters, walking back to our group.
"Oh yeah? What did you order?" Sage chimes in with a cheeky smile.
"Not this," Adrian shrugs. A little tug of shyness and satisfaction through our bond tells me the scowl he's sporting may be a little for…show?
"Look at all that whipped cream, brother! I can think of a specially fun way to make sure it doesn't go to waste…" Sage waggles his brows directly at me, making my face heat as I snort a laugh.
"I'm sure they'd be happy to remake it," Everette adds, glancing down at me with a mischievous smirk, pulling me to his side. His own voice sounds a little too teasing, and I'm starting to realize exactly what's happening. I don't think Adrian's upset at all.
"Are those sprinkles?" I gasp. The closer he gets, the more I'm eyeing his coffee.
A monstrosity of whipped cream, syrups, and two kinds of sprinkles starts dancing atop the latte with his every step.
Each sip he takes nearly hollows his cheeks, dropping the blob lower into the huge, clear cup with little, adorable flowers on it.
He huffs, taking another drink through his sunshine yellow straw. "Guess so."
"Aw, love. Do you want me to go order you a new drink?" I paste on my best sympathetic eyes, grabbing his bicep.
"Nah, half gone already."
"What are the chances, everywhere we go, they always mess up your order. Unlucky, I guess." Calder joins us, a simple coffee cup tucked into his own hand, winking at me.
"Widespread barista training crisis. I don't fucking know. Drop it. We ready to go? What are we doin'?" He changes the subject, and I all but cackle, trying to dampen the sound by muffling my laugh in Everette's shirts. The sound must be contagious; the others joining me.
"Your cute little ass is paying for that one later, kitten," Adrian breathes into my ear, dipping low as he passes by with a soft swat on my bottom. As he takes another step, I hear him lean into Ever's personal space with a similar warning. "You too, sweet boy."
Ever and I exchange a look; our cheeks both tinted, expressions a mirror to each other. I don't need a bond with my gentle alpha to know he doesn't exactly hate the idea.
"How's your coffee, babygirl?" Our lead comes to stand next to me with a deep purr rumbling in his chest, stealing my attention and physical affection from Ever.
"It's perfect, thank you." I grin, leaning my face up for a kiss that he happily provides. "Yours?"
"Plain. Black. All I need." He hums, tracing his nose along mine, stealing more soft kisses. Somewhere nearby, I could swear Adrian scoffs.
"If you need some sugar, just have our omega dip her finger in there. All that sweetness will fix it right up." Sage playfully bites his lip, earning a happy giggle.
We're having our first official pack date, together.
My inner omega is absolutely preening with the attention our alphas are providing, all too happy to accept.
Little touches, quick kisses, light and teasing fingers trailing innocent places…
it's feeding a greedy need in me to be loved on and adored by the men I love so deeply.
Surprisingly similar to how Adrian and my date had begun, today's group outing started the same: a winding, beautiful drive through thick and tall trees, and arriving in a gravel lot.
Only this time, we'd pulled up to a big, welcoming, wooden sign that read 'Welcome to The Honeybee Haven, Organic Wildflower Farm'.
We'd mostly left the majesty of the mountains, having even driven through the foothills, for flat land where the wildflower farm takes up residence. It's stunning in its own right.
Just inside the large, gated entrance is the small coffee truck, around which we're congregated now, enjoying our late-morning treats.
It's an adorable little mobile shack with pink and white stripes, big, bold bulbs that spell out 'Wildflower Café' in rustic metal framework.
It seems like maybe it's a slow morning, but there are several tables under matching striped umbrellas available for seating.
Cuddled up against Calder's big chest, I sigh contentedly and take in the view.
For miles and miles, there are various fields and rows of flowers, some of which are even grouped by color.
Just beyond were the mountains I'd become so fond of; a huge part of my daily life now.
From here, they're just as powerful and just as healing by simply being in their presence.
It's an unbelievable sight I will always treasure.
"Ready for the next part of our adventure, sweet girl?" Ever's voice washes over me in that special calming way of his, stealing my free hand. Turning with a smile, I bounce a bit on the balls of my feet. I am more than ready.