"I know, sis," Dylan sighs, softly pulling me into his chest. He doesn’t hold me, just lets me lean my forehead against him, blocking out the rest of the world. "I should have been clearer about where we were going but these guys, they've gone through a lot. Lost their Omega a year ago in a car accident. They're struggling with the kids and everything else, if I’m honest. Hunter just wants to make sure it's a good fit."
The explanation makes sense logically, but logic doesn't do much against the panic that's making my hands shake and my breathing shallow. Still, I nod. Because what else am I going to do? I need this. I need something to occupy my time and make me feel useful instead of like a broken thing hiding in my brother's house.
"Okay," I whisper.
The drive is maybe fifteen minutes, but it feels longer. Maddox drives while Dylan sits beside me in the back, running through each member of the pack, complete with pictures. He did the same thing for me when I first started at the school, giving me something to focus on rather than the anxiety. By the time I walked in for my first day, it didn’t seem so scary because I already ‘knew’ everyone.
I take a deep, measured breath, working through the breathing techniques the school counselor gave me to further calm myself. In for four, hold for four, out for four. Repeat. It helps, a little.
When we pull up to the house, I'm taken aback by the elegance of it. It's a beautiful two-story home in a nice neighborhood, the kind of place that speaks of success and stability. However, while the yard is well-maintained, the flower beds look neglected, the pathway uneven in some places, toys spread out across the porch.
Even if it feels like a home, I know better than most that appearances can be deceiving.
Letting out another deep breath, I unbuckle my seatbelt. Dylan gets out first, coming around to open my door like he's worried I might bolt. The thought has crossed my mind. "You've got this," he murmurs as I step out. "Just be yourself. They're good guys, I promise."
Having Dylan vouch for them definitely helps. Seeing their faces made it easier to believe I’m not walking into enemy territory but my brother doesn’t truly understand how much strange Alphas terrify me. He’s seen me freak out, panic, and even cower in random corners when we’ve tried to go to the mall.
Hethinksit’s because of all the loud sounds and uncertainty of new places. He has no idea that every hardened scent and stare and movement I don’t understand reminds me of Vincent. In my head, even if I know better, Alphas are evil.
They take and take and take and take until there’s nothing left.
Even if I know that’s not how Dylan’s friends are, I can’t separate those thoughts from the fact that I’m going to be standing across from Alphas even larger than my brother and Maddox.
You can do this.I tell myself, fisting my hands at my sides as I follow my brother up to the door. The door opens almost immediately after Dylan knocks, and suddenly I'm face to face with three of the most intimidating Alphas I've ever seen.
They're standing in the foyer, and they're big. Bigger than Dylan and Maddox, bigger than Vincent even. My immediate instinct is to step backward, to put distance between myself and these strange Alphas, but I force myself to stay still.
The closest one steps forward with his hand extended, and his smile is kind even though it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Hey, I'm Wyatt. Thanks for coming."
I wrap my arms around myself instinctively, a protective gesture I can't seem to break. "I'm sorry," I blurt out, then force myself to unwrap one arm and shake his hand quickly before pulling back as soon as I can, stepping backward until I bump into Dylan.
This morning I'd put an extra dose of scent-blocking cream over my glands, paranoid and terrified that I’d get myself in trouble. The thought of these Alphas smelling me and reacting makes my stomach churn with anxiety. What if they react badly? What if they try something? What if they're like Vincent?
None of them are sniffing at the air, though, and I can’t smell anything more than whiffs of lavender and pear from what seems like an air freshener.
The biggest Alpha steps forward, Hunter, and I have to tilt my head back to meet his eyes. He's easily over six feet, with long brown hair that falls just past his shoulders and a sharp jawline. His hazel eyes assess me as they sweep over me, and even thoughhis expression isn't unkind, there's something carved into his face that speaks of deep grief.
The suit he’s wearing makes him seem even more... Alpha-like, putting my guards up to an 11.
"I'm Hunter," he says, his voice a deep rumble. "This is my pack. That's Silas." He gestures to the third Alpha, who gives me a small nod.
They all look vaguely like the pictures Dylan showed me in the car but also so vastly different, that it feels like I’m staring at different Alphas altogether.
Silas is wearing glasses that sit slightly crooked on his nose, dark circles under his eyes that speak of too little sleep and too much worry. He's trying to smile and appear welcoming, but exhaustion radiates from him and clouds his scent.
And then there's Wyatt again, who I'm trying not to stare at. His smile is strained, something dimmed in his expression. Like someone turned down the brightness on a light that used to shine much stronger.
All of it reminds me of myself and everything I’ve dealt with when it came to Vincent. It’s a different kind of pain but I know hurt when I see it.
Hunter starts explaining the job, oblivious to my panicking self. "We need someone to help with the kids over the summer. Riley's six, Isaac's four. We all work full time, and we're..." He pauses, a flicker of pain running through his features before it disappears. "We're struggling to keep up with everything they need. Meals, activities, and just general supervision. The position would be Monday through Friday, flexible hours depending on what we need that day but it would start around seven when they get up and end before dinner."
As he talks, I take in more of the house. We're still mostly in the foyer, but through the doorway to the living room, everything is visible. Toys are scattered across the floor incolorful chaos. I spot action figures, building blocks, stuffed animals, and coloring books. The coffee table has juice boxes sitting on it, and there's a bowl of something on the arm of a chair.
My eyes catch on the photographs covering almost every available surface. A beautiful woman with warm brown skin and an incredible smile. She's in nearly every picture, laughing with the kids, wrapped in the arms of the two other Alphas, her eyes bright with joy. Fresh flowers sit in a vase next to the largest photo, and the sight makes my chest ache.
Evie. That must be Evie. Dylan briefly mentioned her name this morning but I hadn’t seen a picture of her until just now.
The house has a lived-in chaos that speaks of overwhelmed people trying their best. As I step forward, I can see more of everything they need help with. These Alphas are drowning. Anyone could see it. They're clearly struggling, and something in my chest softens despite my fear.
