60. Opaline
Opaline
The sensation of our bonds collectively alight in my chest feels like electricity zipping through me. It's a new, larger ball of energy glowing within me.
And I couldn't be happier.
I'm also so thankful I'm able to be here for Everette as he settles into the rest of our pack connection.
They don't feel like individual threads anymore.
We're all connected in a twisted, tangled, beautiful ball of emotion.
Finalizing our circuit, so to speak, amped up my ability to feel every bit of what my alphas are all feeling.
While the others were off together and Ever and I had time to ourselves, I filled him in on exactly what had happened and what triggered my strong reaction.
He was more understanding and forgiving then the average person.
Having a direct line into each other's hearts didn't hurt.
While pissed and disgusted at the other omega and beta's behavior, he reassured me that none of it was true.
While it was nice to hear and it did relieve a little weight from my shoulders, I found I didn't care anymore.
I had him, was soul-tied and connected to him, to them all, forever.
None of the other stuff seemed significant enough to matter anymore.
If anything, I feel sorry for Annabelle and Vivian. I hope they find peace in themselves.
I follow Ever as he guides us towards the make-shift stage, where the musicians have just taken an intermission, a break from their performance.
Chatter and laughter float through the night air with young teens running past us, and groups of friends in their own little bubbles as we move through the grassy, open field.
Smiling faces and the smells of sugary desserts distract me well enough that I don't even notice our other alphas have made their way onto the small stage. The sound of a microphone coming online catches my attention, as well as some of those around us turning their heads towards the noise.
Somehow, knowing exactly where we are in the crowd, the three huge men home in on our spot as we move, smiling.
I smile back, unable to help myself with Sage's saucy wink.
God, they're all so beautiful and ungodly handsome.
The few stage lights that had been set up somehow only add to the severe lines and curves of their strong faces.
Amusement slithers through me, and I realize they know exactly what I'm thinking. Stronger bond now, indeed.
"Uh, hey everyone." Calder's voice rings out strong, echoing over the crowd that's now turning its attention towards our pack. Adrian's hand reaches out towards us as we near the small set of metal stairs.
"We're going up there?!" I hiss, panicking a little and freezing to the spot.
"Yeah, sweet girl. It'll be worth it, I promise with everything I am. Trust us?" Everette's face is sincere, layered with varying degrees of love and adoration. Comfort through the bond urges my feet forward, my knees loosening so I can follow.
Being pulled against Adrian's strong side doesn't hurt, I guess.
"My pack and I wanted to personally thank each of you for joining us tonight for the annual Mountain Glow Hot Springs Fest. It's been an incredibly successful, wonderful night, all because of you and your continued support.
Thank you to our amazing team that helped put all of this together and made sure we all had a great time, yeah?
" Calder claps his hands together, nodding towards Jewel and several other staff members I've seen or briefly met, as the crowd joins in.
"Everything we've been able to build here is because of your support and unmatched love of the springs.
We believe the waters are healing, and being able to share something so special is a blessing.
We cannot say thank you enough," he nods.
"I won't take up too much of your time. We'll get out of here soon so the band can get back up. We wanted to extend our gratitude, yes. But…” He turns to look at me with a bright smile.
"We also have a little something special planned for our omega.
" My gaze jets back out towards the crowd and back to my alphas, my body instinctively wanting to take a step back, to hide behind one of their giant bodies.
"We love you, Opaline!" A familiar voice steals my attention, and I realize, past the bright lights, that my friends are all standing at the front of the stage with big smiles and waves.
A sugar-high Lottie stands tall with Charlie.
Alina and Beck are next to them, both smiling.
And finally, Fawn. I'm so happy she made it, too.
I literally can't help but smile and laugh back, a little disbelieving at the scenario I'm somehow in: on stage at a festival nestled between the mountains, hugged by my mates, and cheered on by my best friends. Just months ago, this would have been a fever dream.
"Opaline…we have a gift for you. Something we wanted to share in front of all our favorite people...
" He trails off with a cheeky smile towards the crowd of townspeople, a wave of lighthearted laughter floating back to us on stage as everyone watches on.
"But, before we do, we each have something we want to share. "
All I can manage is a nod, watching as my mates reposition themselves around me, stage lights dancing across their faces as they move.
Sage, my sweet, strong mate, stands before me, taking my hands in his.
Clearing his throat, he shakes his head like maybe he can't believe we're here either.
"I love you so much, sweetheart," he smiles softly.
"Growing up, it felt like every time I turned around, another piece of myself was being chipped away by my parents, our lives, and the situations I found myself in, until I was a shell of myself.
My entire life, I felt like something was missing.
I thought for a long time, it was just me missing the pieces of myself I had lost along the way.
The ache to fill a void that can only be fulfilled by love, by friends, what family is supposed to be, by having a support system.
This feeling continued and followed me for years, though.
Even after Calder and his folks took me in; until one night when he and I made the drive into the city, out to Rem's bar.
" His smile is devastatingly gorgeous. "I know exactly what I was missing now.
I know what I was waiting for, what I was unknowingly searching for.
You're everything to me, Opaline. You complete my soul in a way no one will ever understand.
I will spend the rest of eternity showing you just how true that is. "
The crowd fades to black as my eyes blur with unshed tears, reaching for my Sage and pulling him into an embrace.
"I'm so proud of you, baby. I love you so much.
" Before I can say more, he's pulling back, blinking rapidly and trading places with Everette, smiling lovingly.
I smile back, pouring all my love into our bond so he can feel how sincere my feelings are.
"Sweet girl," Everette's melodic, soothing voice captures my attention, standing in front of me now.
He takes a deep breath, chest expanding as he captures my hands, rubbing circles over the tops.
"I have spent years trying to connect with the universe, with Source, with One.
I've learned the value of using my voice as well as the strength in silence.
Tonight, I choose to use my voice. So much of my efforts were to simply understand the reason for our lives, the reason for our existence.
After everything I have learned, all the knowledge I've gained, it is abundantly clear to me why I am here.
" With wide eyes, I listen, mesmerized and hanging onto every word.
"I am here to know the touch and vibration of our unique love.
You, little omega, have given me the ultimate gift…
You are the reason I am here on this planet, in this lifetime, in this exact spot. You are my reason."
"Oh Ever…" Tears fall freely, soaking my cheeks. Holding him to me, I try my best to let him feel my unending love for him in return. "You're my reason, too," I whisper next to his ear, sniffling.
Just like Sage, Everette pulls back, all too soon, replaced by my giant, gruff alpha. Blinking and wiping away my tears, I give him my full attention, anticipating where this is going. I want each of them to feel heard and supported. Never in my life has anyone loved me this much, and so openly.
"Opaline…" He pauses, clearing his throat, briefly looking at the ground.
"If you had asked me…" He trails off, looking behind him towards Everette.
With a hand out, he pulls our sweet mate up next to us with a nod.
"If you had asked me six months ago where I would be, it certainly wouldn't be here on stage in front of the whole damn town professing my love not only to you, but to my best friend… I would have never believed you."
Everette's eyes widen, mirroring my own, as Adrian looks between the two of us, nothing but certainty written on his face. Quiet murmurs and chattering from the crowd are white noise as he goes on, reaching for both our hands.
"I had given up on love long ago. I had the scars and the heartbreak that turned into a crutch, and that was that.
The ability to let anyone in was a vulnerability I couldn't afford.
But each of you showed up again…and again…
and again. Through the worst version of myself, you stayed.
You'll never know how much that means to me.
How seen you made me feel. Once I finally let you both in, I realized what a gift I was missing out on.
The universe didn't just give me one perfect mate.
" He looks from me to Everette, who has tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Somehow, I'm the salty bastard who got lucky enough to have two.
I can't imagine another day of my life without you. "
My face crumples, warm tracks on my cheeks quickly cooling against the chill in the air.
Large, strong arms pull both of us into safety, the three of us leaning on each other, whispering our reassurances and love.
I'm honestly not sure how long we stay wrapped up in each other before we pull apart.
"One more, kitten," Adrian smiles, stepping back and keeping Ever's hand tight in his.
Finally, the full attention of my lead alpha lands on me, his giant frame blocking out the rest of the world. "Hi, babygirl," he whispers softly.
"Hi, alpha," I whisper back, eyes locked onto his.
"Opaline…" He smiles, hands tracing down my arms and holding my hands in his warm ones.
"I've watched and admired my parents' pack for as long as I can remember.
Watched as my dads' demeanors and faces would change as soon as my mom entered the room.
The way you could see how much they loved each other through open affections, through action, through words.
I couldn't wait to find my own omega, my own mate.
I wanted everything they had found in each other.
Wanted my other half that I could pour my love into.
But…over time, with life, I had started to lose the hopefulness that I'd actually meet you one day.
You've given me the ability to hope again, babygirl. The ability to believe again."
I close my eyes, focusing on not sobbing. Each of their words is collectively building onto my heart space, and the nonstop love being shared from every direction, pulsing through our bond, is overwhelming.
"Sweet girl, you are the heart of our pack, the heart and home of our family. I know we've said this before, probably too many times. But you are the answered prayer we'd given up on."
His large frame kneels before me, lips falling onto my fingers and hands a final time. I sneak a peek at my other mates, now visible behind Calder's kneeling form. Each of their handsome faces looks back at me with love, pride, and palpable adoration.
"This ring…" My gaze flies back to my alpha before me. There in his hands…is a small ring box, a glowing, massive stone sparkling under the sky and stage lights. My jaw drops, staring at it and Calder's earnest expression.
"This ring is a physical reminder of that.
That you are the heart and home of our family.
A reminder that without you, we're not whole, we're not complete.
You are our future, greater than anything we could have hoped for.
You perfectly balance us." His smile grows as he looks up at me.
"Our omega, our fated mate, our scent and soul match.
This isn't a proposal. We've already made it pretty clear that you're ours. I think our bites prove that."
A wave of laughter and chuckles ripples through the crowd, nearly making me jump if I wasn't so entranced by my mates.
"This is, however…a symbol…and a reminder of what you mean to us and what you are to us. Will you accept this ring as a representation of our pack's heart?"
Losing the battle of controlling my face, I nod, feeling it crumple under the weight of emotion rushing through my entire body. "Yes," I gasp. "Yes. Always. Forever."