26. Everette
Everette
Sage's dopey grin is as big as his sweet tooth.
My lips barely contain the laugh that's dying to bubble out at the sight before me, while still watching what our little omega is up to.
Opaline's arms are wrapped around his neck, deft little hands sneakily putting various flowers into his thick and wild dark curls, a mess on the top of his head.
"Someone's extra handsy today. I can't say I hate it," he murmurs with that silly smitten smile, completely unaware.
He's so wrapped up in having his omega's full attention, he doesn't even notice the bouquet forming like a bird's nest north of his forehead. "You're so pretty, you know that?" And with a chaste kiss, she turns before he can respond, winking at Calder, practically skipping back to her own table.
Catching her gaze, I shake my head lovingly and knowingly, her returning giggle a breath of fresh air.
Scattered raindrops had rushed us inside the Haven's large barn after spending a good amount of time outside trailing Opal through the fields like lost pups, watching for every flower she stopped to look at. We each now had big bundles on our own respective tables.
Is it a coincidence that each of our piles contained samples of those very same wildflowers? Definitely not.
The farm had a short menu of indoor and outdoor activities to choose from.
We'd chosen to hand-pick flowers and do a self-guided tour through the unending rows of color to learn more about their individual identifications, indigenous uses, and general roles in the local ecosystem.
It ended up being far more fascinating than I had assumed.
Although it was my idea when we planned the group date, I hadn't really accounted for the robust educational aspect.
Adrian and Opaline are loving every minute of our day; it's evident.
Even Calder and Sage are enjoying themselves.
Although I suspect that for them it has more to do with seeing our omega happy than building bouquets and studying bloom cycles.
We've been ushered into one of the various rooms in their monstrous barn.
Luckily, it's private and just us, a quieter oasis against the folksy music playing through speakers elsewhere.
We each have our own workstation atop a wooden crafting table to build our own blended wildflower bouquets.
All the tools, materials, and wrappings were provided and included in the day pass we'd purchased.
Around the room are a series of huge posters as resources, walking us through the steps of building the perfect bundle.
The little tips and tricks are helpful, but natural skill seems to come pretty intuitively.
Something I am positive omegas dream their future mates would be thoroughly practiced at…
Right. I huff inwardly at the thought, barely able to keep the sound from manifesting.
Mine seems to be pleased, though. That's all that matters to me.
I've never been overly alpha. Even before I presented, it wasn't necessarily a given the designation I'd show as, unlike many others at that age.
Most times, it's pretty apparent beforehand.
Omegas naturally thrive under guidance, are more sensitive, gravitate towards touch and cuddling, and most obviously, tend to seek comfort in dark, small spaces, displaying nesting behavior.
Those little signs start showing just before they present.
With alphas, there's a tendency towards protective behavior, growling, a desire for control, leadership, and fights for dominance. Generally, they experience earlier physical changes, shooting up in height like muscled beanstalks with a deeper tenor.
So, the day I presented as an alpha was ultimately a bit of a surprise to my family.
Taking breaks here and there, I focus on my second task, which is laid before me.
I'm making something special, just for Opaline.
We've done a little in ways of courting, but there's so much more I have planned; we all do.
It seems like the perfect opportunity to give her something crafted by my own hands.
Those gifts tended to mean more to me. Maybe she'd appreciate the gesture, too.
As the minutes pass, I keep to myself, a little lost in my head as I work, voices around me turning nearly haunting.
There's so much joy between my packmates, I can practically feel it slithering up against my skin from all angles.
I know my thoughts aren't logical, but to be blunt, I'm growing increasingly jealous and feeling insecure as time goes on.
The more it weighs on me, the further inward I want to retreat.
I want to be invisible, able to torture myself with their smiles while free from their pitying attentions in return.
If I could meld with shadows, undoubtedly, I'd be one with the dark corner.
Opaline had been caught sneaking flowers into Sage's hair, the two now posing for a picture in front of Calder. Even Adrian had joined in their fun.
They each share a bond.
Opaline had claimed each of them with obvious, physical marks for everyone to see. And seeing them together, smiling and laughing, is a constant reminder that they can feel each other on a level I couldn't yet comprehend.
In the back of my mind, I know it isn't a representation of our individual relationship.
We're great. Better than great, truthfully.
I couldn't be happier she was mine, my scent match, my mate.
What we have is growing and evolving at its own pace, as each of her relationships with my pack brothers would, and have.
This is just how things work in a pack, and an example of why emotional intelligence is important for pack dynamics.
Things are difficult between paired couples, sure, but sometimes even more so, though, for inter-pack relations.
More personalities weaving together. Or in some cases, tangling into knots.
I don't fault Opaline for my own internal insecurities; never. She's perfect and has learned quickly how to balance each of our attentions with grace. She's a literal angel.
But the fact is, she hasn't claimed me, and our bond isn't complete. I'm the last of her mates, and I can't help but wonder if there's a reason. Perhaps I'm failing her in some way, not doing enough, not…well, just not enough.
"Hey," Calder smiles, clapping the back of my neck into a firm hold.
Fuck, I didn't realize how badly I needed it.
I don't know what magic Calder possesses to know when and how I need him as my lead, but he does.
Clearly, that includes now. Just the thought he saw me, thought enough to come to me…
made my eyes burn with unshed tears. Not even Adrian had noticed I wasn't okay.
Fuck. I want to kick myself just at the thought, putting unspoken, ridiculous expectations on him. I am not his burden, and he's still flying high, in the woes of love after his bonding.
"Come on, come with me."
I glance up at Cald, and he nods, seeing everything, the chaos eating me alive from the inside.