Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Mason
Ishake my head, Christopher’s alpha bark pushing away the worst of my alpha instincts threatening to overwhelm me.
I glance around, trying to make sense of what’s going on right now.
In front of me, Crew stands frozen, his skin pale as his head turns away from me and my pack.
He’s my scent-matched omega.
No.
He’s our scent-matched omega.
His perfume has died down, the peach in his scent turning sour. Something has upset my omega, and I just want to make it better.
Except, I just met this man, and it’s not like he’s just a random man we met off the streets.
He’s Kiara’s.
Fuck. Kiara.
Following Crew’s line of sight, I realize the omega’s eyes are already on my stepsister. Her face is tear-streaked as she leans into Ruby’s side, and my stomach turns at the sight.
Allison steps in front of them, cutting off my view of Kiara, and I have to bite back another growl.
That’s just what we need—me pissing off Christopher more. Now certainly isn’t the time to find out which of us is the stronger alpha.
I startle when Alexander’s hand lands on my shoulder and squeezes. His warm spice scent wraps around me like a hug, but it can’t wipe away the scent of Crew’s distress. Glancing over my shoulder, I find him grinning at me.
Why the hell is he grinning when it’s clear that both Crew and Kiara are upset?
Deciding to deal with that afterward, I turn my attention back to Kiara. “Princess? What’s wrong?”
“Ruby and I have decided that we’re taking Kiki out to eat. There seems to be an abundance of men here to do the heavy lifting, and we’ll just end up in the way.” Allison crosses her arms over her chest, the look on her face daring us to argue with her.
I haven’t had as many interactions with Allison as I have with Ruby, Christopher, and Tyson, but if she’s anything like the other members of her pack, I really don’t want to argue with her.
“That sounds like a great idea, Ally.” Christopher tosses her the keys. “Take the SUV. Take all the time you need. If we get done before you get back, then someone can drive us home.”
“But Kiki just got here.” I can’t seem to keep my mouth shut as I frown.
Allison sneers as her eyes find me, one perfectly shaped black eyebrow lifting in disdain. “And?”
I shrug. “Maybe we’d like to spend some time with her?”
I know I would.
When I found out she was moving back and staying in the house I grew up in, I told the guys it was time to schedule the final renovations on our pack house. Not just because it meant we would need to stay at the house too, but because we’ve always known Kiara was meant to be a part of our pack.
We’ve never cared that she wasn’t an omega and were prepared to live an omega-less life, but then she turned up with our scent-matched omega.
Honestly, we should all be shouting from the rooftops.
For once, fate didn’t screw us over.
Not only is Kiara back home, but we also found our omega—one she’s already in love with.
“And you can—later. For now, y’all need to get to work unloading Kiara and Crew’s stuff. If she wants to spend time with you, she’ll let you know when we bring her home.”
All I can do is gawk at the beta as she leads Ruby and Kiara to their SUV.
“Can I come?” Crew asks, and the three women freeze at the uncertainty in his voice.
I don’t manage to bite back the growl that slips loose at the idea of him leaving me.
Kiara’s shoulders straighten as she turns back, eyes locking with Crew’s. “No, Crew. I think you should spend some time bonding with your new pack.”
Then she’s being rushed into the SUV, leaving all of us to stare after the car as it flies down the driveway and out of view.
“What the fuck just happened?” Davis asks, coming to stand at my side, and I just shake my head. His whiskey, leather, and lemon scent has always been a comfort to me, but right now, all I smell is soured peach, and I hate it.
I have no idea what the hell is going on right now, but it’s clear something isn’t right. I need to figure out what it is and make it right.
Just remembering the tears on Kiara’s cheeks has my alpha raging—something we don’t need right now.
Crew whimpers, wrapping his arms around himself as he stares after the car. Unable to help myself, I take a step forward, needing to comfort him but pulling up short.
What the hell do I think I’m doing?
Yes, Crew is obviously distraught, but that doesn’t mean he wants me touching him. Especially not considering his girlfriend just left him alone with a bunch of people he doesn’t know.
“Are you okay, Crew?” Christopher’s voice is much softer now that he’s speaking to my omega, which is good. I don’t think I’d be able to handle it well if he barked at him like he did me and Alexander.
Fuck.
Sometimes dealing with designations is a pain in the ass—whether they’re ours or someone else’s. There are just too many instincts to overcome.
“No, Chris. I don’t think I am.” His voice is thick with tears, and I take another step toward him before stopping again.
He doesn’t know you, I remind myself.
“What do you need?” Davis asks gently.
Crew shakes his head, staring at the ground. “Kiara, but that’s not really an option right now, is it?”
I clear my throat, glancing at Pack Hart. “I know I’m not Kiara, but I’ve been told I give a pretty damn good hug.”
“He does,” Davis confirms, and a glance at him shows he’s having to fight his instincts just as hard as I am. Alphas don’t like their omegas to be distressed, but betas are the true caregivers in packs. This has to be driving Davis insane.
“Kiara always says your hugs are the best,” Crew confirms, lifting his tear-filled eyes to glance at me.
“The offer is open.” Not wanting to press too hard, I open my arms and wait to see what he’ll do.
He hesitates for a moment before dropping his arms and stepping into mine. I hug him to me, laying my head on top of his as we sigh together.
“I don’t want to be a dick,” Alexander says quietly. “But I don’t understand what’s going on? Why is everyone so upset?”
I want to smack my best friend in the back of his head, but there’s no damn way I’m letting go of Crew.
Luckily, someone else takes care of it for me.
“Ow! What the fuck, Davis? It’s a genuine question. Kiara came home with an omega who’s our scent match. How is this a bad thing?”
Crew’s shoulders shake as my shirt dampens, telling me he’s falling apart in my arms even if he’s doing so silently.
“Shhh,” I murmur, keeping my attention on Crew while Davis deals with Alexander. “It’s going to be okay.”
Crew snorts. “Oh, yeah? And how do you figure that?”
I pull back, cupping Crew’s cheek and turning his gaze up to meet mine. “Because we’re scent matches, and because the three of us? We’ve been waiting years for Kiara to be ready to join our pack.”
“That’s the problem.” Crew sighs, but he doesn’t pull away from me. “Kiara thinks me meeting my scent matches means the end of our relationship. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve told her I’m never giving her up, she doesn’t believe me. Scent matches aren’t everything.”
“I feel like I should be offended.” I snicker, brushing away his tears. “But I understand what you’re saying. Scent matches or not, if they don’t want Kiara, then they don’t get you.”
He nods. “Yes. Exactly that. But the three of you being my scent matches? That’s her worst nightmare. She doesn’t think the three of you are interested in anything more with her than friendship, and you’ll always be around. She thinks she’ll have to watch the four of us be happy without her.”
“Yeah, that’s not happening,” Davis interrupts, drawing Crew’s attention. “I’ve been trying to make Kiara mine since I met her.”
Crew blinks at him. “Really?”
Alexander nods. “Both Davis and me. Mason wanted her from the start too, but she’s his stepsister. That made it more complicated for him.”
“Not anymore?” Crew asks, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Nope. It took a long time for me to get up the nerve to talk to my parents about it, but they set me straight that there’s nothing wrong with my attraction to her.
We’re not related, and we didn’t meet each other until we were teenagers.
” I pause. “They asked me to wait until we were older, which I think was smart. Plus, she’s been in love with you for as long as I’ve known her. ”
He snorts. “This really is the perfect scenario, isn’t it? She just doesn’t realize it.”
Someone clears their throat, and we turn to find Tyson watching us with a grimace. “I’m glad y’all are talking, but I don’t really think this is a conversation we should be listening to. Why don’t we get everything unloaded, then we can leave y’all to your conversation?”
“I… Uhhh…” Crew ducks his head, face going red. “I forgot you were there. Yes, let’s finish the unloading. That’s a great idea.”
When he goes to take a step back, I don’t immediately release him. I love having him in my arms.
My omega is in my arms.
But Tyson’s right. We need to help them unload, so Crew and Kiara can get settled. And there are a few conversations that need to happen.
Too bad the biggest ones need to be had with the woman who took off like her ass was on fire.
I press my lips to Crew’s head, ignoring the surprised look on his face when I step back.
I probably shouldn’t have done that, but I just couldn’t help myself.
Clapping my hands, I head toward the moving truck. “Let’s get this done, guys. Crew if you want—”
“I really hope you’re not about to suggest I let the rest of you do the work,” he cuts me off, and when I glance over my shoulder, I find him glaring at me.
“Yikes. Yeah. That wouldn’t be the thing to say, would it?” I wrinkle my nose. “Why don’t you tell us where to put everything since you know what’s inside?”
Adrian chuckles at my side. “Good save, Mace.”
“That sounds like a great plan,” Crew says agreeably, and I let out a quiet sigh.
I’ve known my omega for less than ten minutes, and I’m already trying to fuck this up.
I need to get my shit together, because we still need to figure out how the hell we’re going to fix this thing with Kiara.
And get to know Crew.
I’m really glad my parental pack and my siblings are in Europe. I don’t think I could handle them being here to see how badly I’m screwing this up.
Because they’re all going to have opinions on all of this—that’s for sure.
Christopher’s hand comes down on my shoulder as I reach the back of the truck, squeezing. He gives me a sad smile, and I nod before stepping up to grab a box.
Even he knows we’re in for an uphill battle.
But that’s fine.
Kiara’s worth it.
I’ll do anything I need to in order to make her mine.
For her and for Crew now.
I can’t believe we have a scent-matched omega.
How is this my life?
I hate that the moment isn’t as joyous as it should be for all of us, but once we work this out with Kiara, there will be plenty of time for us to celebrate.
Crew says Kiara wants us too, and I’ve never doubted that, but I’m a little worried that my pack being scent matched to the omega she loves is going to be a deal breaker.
It shouldn’t be, but what if it is?
What if we don’t get either of them?
I’m not sure I can live with that kind of heartbreak.
“That one needs to be stored. Mason, is there somewhere specific I should have them put it?”
Forcing myself to stop freaking out, I nod to Crew.
“Mom had us set up Kiara’s old room for the two of you.
There’s a room beside it you can use as a nest and across the hall is a spare room.
Akira said it’s better to keep your extra stuff inside there instead of putting it in the garage.
Shit, I guess I need to show you where that is. ”
“I know where Kiara’s room is,” Adrian reminds me. So does Davis and Alexander, but Adrian’s been with Ruby since they were teenagers. As Kiara’s best friend, Ruby was always here, and she’d drag him with her all the time. My head is a mess.
He continues, “Why don’t we all grab a box and head that way? Since everything is being kept in the same general vicinity, we’ll just show everyone at the same time. Then Crew will just need to direct us on which room to set things in.”
“Good idea, man. Thanks.” I force a smile and step off the truck, determined to stay out of my head at least until we’ve finished unloading everything.