20. Trent
Trent
The summer festival is in full swing as Zale and I walk hand in hand with Saylor through the bright, noisy stalls.
We go on several fairground rides with her, such as the carousel and the rollercoaster. We even have a go at the bumper cars. She laughed every time we would ram into Zale, giving him whiplash, no doubt, and who knew she could have such a mean streak.
Everywhere we look, the festival seems alive.
Children darted between the stalls with painted faces while local musicians played upbeat songs.
The scent of fried dough, popcorn, and caramel floated through the warm evening air, blending with the sweet perfume of blooming flowers from the nearby gardens.
It had been years since I'd attended something this carefree, and seeing Saylor take everything in with wide-eyed wonder made the whole place feel even brighter.
We even try our hand at the Ferris wheel, and I normally hate heights. The whole time we were up there, her mouth was covered in sugar as she gorged on her cotton candy. Or candy floss, as she likes to call it.
And I enjoyed licking it off her lips as we kissed. Zale too.
We bumped into Daisy and her Alphas at one point. Now the Omegas run off so they can spend some time together, leaving us Alphas alone.
Damn, it’s a real shame we don’t have River with us after all because it’s two Alphas against three.
Now the five of us square off in the middle of the aisle. People move around us as they avoid us at all costs, trying to enjoy the festival. We even draw a bit of attention, and it won’t be long until people place bets.
Still, I suppose even this is progress. We never did see eye to eye, even before they got with Daisy.
Rowan finally speaks, crossing his arms. His brow rises into his neat hairline. “So… I think it’s time we all talked. From one pack to another… I know she doesn’t show it, yet Daisy is hurting. She hurts because her brothers don’t like her Alphas.”
Zale raises his own brows, folding his arms in front of him. “Could you blame us?”
Briar sighs. “No. That’s the thing. We totally understand why you hate us because we still regret how we treated your sister every single day. Not a day goes by that I wish I could change the past.”
Ash sighs. “Same here.”
Rowan doesn’t speak, but when he bows his head, there’s no missing the fact that he feels the same.
They all regret that day.
My heart dips at the Alpha’s sad declaration. I get it. Because I feel the same way about Saylor.
We were such idiots for letting her go.
Ash gazes at the pair of us with hope in his big, green eyes now. “So, what do you say? Truce? We could be brothers, you know. Well, brothers-in-law.”
The big Alpha holds out his hand to Zale. Zale hikes up a brow at the shy Alpha. “I have enough brothers.”
I offer him a pointed look. He shrugs.
Ash blinks at him dumbly. Then he drops his hand, staring at his feet. Briar and Rowan scowl at my brother on his left and right, and I can tell they’re protective of him. He has a sensitive nature, so I get it.
Zale didn’t have to be so cruel after all.
Ash truly looks heartbroken now.
That’s when Zale shows his teeth with a wide smile, and then he grabs Ash’s hand, pulling him in for a hug. “I’m kidding. Bring it in, brother...”
Now he squeezes the Alpha with a bear-crushing hug, but really, it’s just like watching another bear hug another.
I smile. It seems something truly has changed within us both. Ever since we accepted Saylor as our mate, it appears we’re prepared to forgive easily. Even the Thorn Pack.
I suppose we could all be a family someday.
Zale throws his arms around Briar next, lifting him off the ground with another bone-crushing hug. But when he tries to do the same thing with Rowan, the Alpha steps back, shaking his head.
He probably doesn’t want him to ruffle up his nice suit.
Zale couldn’t give two shits, though, as he yanks the Alpha close, even going so far as to lift him off the ground and swing him around.
“Put me down, Rose,” Rowan says through clenched teeth.
My brother just laughs, even going so far as to mess up his slicked-back hair. Now he drops the Alpha, and the look he gives Zale next. It could burn the world to ash.
His brothers just snort at his response, though.
Unlike Zale, I just opt for a friendly handshake with all three.
Briar smiles at me as I take his hand. “So, if the three of you ever need any advice for Saylor, you know where to look. We’re reformed Alphas ourselves, after all.”
Zale and I glance at each other awkwardly next. That’s when I sigh, meeting his gaze. “Actually, it’s… it’s just us. R-River…”
Do I even need to explain? They’ve met River. He hardly ever smiles.
All three of our sister’s Alphas look rather surprised by the declaration at first. Then understanding dawns in their eyes. Briar shoves Rowan when a smirk crosses his smug face.
“Don’t worry, this one was the same way with Daisy. River will come around.”
Yeah, we’re not so sure. He’s been pretty distant lately and quiet. Too quiet.
It’s frightening.
Briar moves off in the direction of the closest bar. It’s been set up temporarily as a part of the festival under a bright gazebo, and already it’s packed to the brim.
Will we even fit inside?
“Come on. Let’s drink to our truce,” he says.
Fair enough. I’m down for a drink, too.
Well, here’s to a truce with my newfound brothers. Not that I didn’t already have enough brothers, but what’s three more?
Thorn Pack are practically family now.
Ten years of resentment may not disappear overnight, but that’s all right. Maybe this can simply be the first step.
Families argued. Packs argued… What mattered was whether everyone chose to keep walking forward rather than backward.