“A scent match?” Releasing my hand, she almost falls off her chair. “Holy smokes with a cricket on top! Alice didn’t tell me that.”
“You can’t trust everything you read online.” I make a mental note to give her online safety lessons. “I didn’t think scent matches were real until I met them.”
“Oh, they’re real alright!” She nods enthusiastically. “I’ve met plenty of omegas who have told me so. A connection like that can’t be stopped. A scent match is destiny at work, sweet girl.”
“I think you’ll like the guys when you get to know them.” My heart warms, just thinking of them. “They’re all so different, but they complement each other. Ren is kind and caring. He loves tea, and we spend hours talking about books. Cole’s the pack leader—he keeps everyone organized, but he’s super considerate and loves cleaning. Laz is an arty gamer. He’s so much fun and can make me cry with laughter. Then there’s Damon.”
“Damon … the one with all the tattoos?”
“He’s been through a lot.” I sigh. “He’s very protective, and he’ll do anything to keep me safe. They all would.”
“Your happiness and safety are all I care about, but I need to give them my special seal of approval,” Gram declares. “I’m in town until tomorrow evening, so I’d like to meet them properly.”
“I think they’d like that.” I take a sip of my tea. “They know a lot about you already.”
Gram claps her hands. “Well, that’s settled, then!”
Telling her about the Silverwoods has lifted a huge weight from my shoulders. I didn’t realize keeping her in the dark was affecting me, and it finally feels like the two parts of my life are coming together. There’s just one more thing she needs to know.
“There is something else to tell you.” I take a deep breath and move my hair to the side to reveal my bond mark. “I … um … maybe bonded with one of them.”
Her jaw drops, opening and closing before she finds her voice again. “Maybe? There’s no maybe about that claim mark!”
“Okay, okay, so we bonded, but it was me who instigated it,” I blurt. “I bit him first, and I fully consented. They’ve been so respectful and going at my pace. They’d have waited however long it took for me to be ready.”
“Well, here I was expecting to come to surprise you at your first rally, and now I find my little girl has bonded.” Her eyes well up, then her frilly handkerchief comes out again. “Ignore your silly ol’ gram’s tears. Finding a scent match is all that I could ever hope for you. From all accounts, they sound like lovely boys.” She sniffles loudly. “You’re all grown up. You don’t need your gram anymore.”
“Oh, Gram.” I take her hand again. “I’ll always need you, bonded or not. Our family is just getting bigger.”
“We’ll have to make room during the holidays.” Considering the way her eyes are darting back-and-forth, she’s speaking her thoughts aloud, her mind racing. “We could clear out the shop floor and put a table downstairs because there’s no way four alphas will fit in our little apartment.”
“One thing at a time, Gram.” I stifle a laugh. “I’m not officially part of the pack until I bond with Cole.”
“Everyone knows that’s just legal twaddle.” She flicks her wrist. “Which alpha did you bond? Actually, don’t tell me! It was the one with the tattoos, wasn’t it? Damon?”
“How did you know?”
“You’re a natural healer, Faye.” Her lips tilt into a thoughtful smile. “It’s always been your gift. Your parents’ death broke me, but you put my heart back together and gave me a reason to carry on. I saw the way he looked at you today. You’ve healed him too. I saw it in his eyes.”
Now it’s my turn to get weepy. Gram can look into people’s souls and see their truth. It’s what makes her so good at her job.
“I just want him to be happy,” I say. “All of them.”
“While I don’t know a lot about bonding, I do know a great deal about relationships. Happiness is the most important thing.” Her forehead lines deepen. “Heavens! In all my excitement, I haven’t even asked how you’re feeling? Does your claim mark burn? I should have brought some of my ointment.”
“I’m okay,” I insist. “Really, I am. The whole thing happened so fast, but I…” I haven’t said this to the guys yet, but with our connection, they probably know without me needing to say it out loud. It’s something I feel deep in my bones. “I love them. I know they’re mine.”
“Give your gram a hug!” She stands up and opens her arms for me to step into. “I know your mom and dad would be happy for you too, Hedgey.”
We hold each other for a long time, both of us crying. We look a mess, but I don’t care. Her approval means everything to me.
“Now, then.” She pulls back to wipe my eyes before wiping her own. “Why don’t you rejoin your alphas, and we can all meet later tonight? You tell me where, and I’ll be there.”
As we leave the teashop, I notice Frank waiting next to the car. “Frank?” I stop short. “What are you doing here?”
“Mr. Silverwood asked me to wait here for you.” Adjusting his tie—which only makes it wonkier—Frank looks a little flustered. “In case you needed the car.”
“Where are you staying, Gram?”
