It made him feel more human. Even if this entire situation felt like some sort of fucked up fever-dream. This wasn’t where I saw myself today.
Hell, I should have been on a beach with a pack that genuinely cared about me. Now that the smoke-screen had lifted I saw all the cracks that had been splintering through the foundation the entire time.
I’d chosen to ignore them.
“Alright,” he said. “We have to get to know each other, or this is going to fail. My mom will see right through it. Honestly, I’m shocked she hasn’t already.”
“Okay,” I said, popping a piece of chocolate into my mouth and shifting in my seat to see him better. “Ask me anything.”
“On a typical night in, what do you do?”
“That depends on my mood,” I admitted. “Sometimes I’m in a true crime documentary mood. Other times, it’s a stress-baking kind of night. I’m a girl of many tastes.”
“Do you read at all?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said carefully. “But let’s not bring that up in front of your mom because I’d hate to have to explain the last book I read.”
“Okay, now I have to know,” he demanded playfully, glancing over before looking back to the road. The alpha was biting back laughter now and likely not far off in what he was imagining.
“Let’s just say I like my books spicy… and the more paranormal, the better. Vampires, shifters, monsters. I’m here for it all.”
“So, true crime, spicy books, and baking,” he summarized.
“Yep,” I agreed easily. “That about covers it. I’m fairly ADHD when it comes to hobbies. I like to try new things and go on little adventures. I’d go crazy if life got a bit too monotonous.”
“I guess that makes sense,” he said. “Since you decided to go along with this. And you showed up and jumped in my lap wearing a Santa suit.”
“Exactly,” I said with a grin, completely unapologetic. I have no regrets about my actions that night. Outside of giving the pack a piece of my mind. “It’s time for a new adventure.”
“And your pack?” he asked.
“Ex-pack,” I corrected quickly, turning to look out the window. “I’m not the kind of person who lets people treat me like garbage, cheat on me, and then waits around for an apology.I genuinely don’t care if they ever find out the real reason I left. I know exactly what they did and with who. I’m fully aware now of every way they let me down. That’s enough for me to cut them off forever.”
“Just like that you’re over them?” he asked gently. I wasn’t sure how to take the open curiosity and hope in his voice.
Was he interested?
Was I even okay with that?
Not wanting to think on that too hard, I went with honesty. No one had ever truly seen this vulnerable, raw, fully honest version of me like Cole. I liked that feeling and I didn’t want to fuck it up too soon.
“I’m angry. Hurt. I feel really fucking stupid for not seeing the truth sooner. Mad at myself for not realizing I deserved better. Pissed off at all the lies I took at face value. I should know better.”
My chest was heaving now and I refused to look over and see any ounce of pity he might have in his expression.
I didn’t need it. This omega was strong enough to put it behind her.
“So, no, I’m not just magically over it, but I won’t let them take any more of my time,” I clarified. “I had my moment that night. Now it’s time to move on. Life is too short to dwell on people who don’t make you happy.”
I glanced back at him, grinning now as I took in the snacks between us and the road ahead. This felt more real and right than the last few years of my life with my pack.
“And right now, spending Christmas in an adorable little village, driving you crazy, and having an actual mom around for a bit sounds perfect.”
“If it’s mothering you need, she’s got you covered,” Cole laughed. It was nice to see a grown alpha not afraid to talk about how much he loves his family. “My mother was born to be amom. She will make sure you’re fed, and she will hug you like she’s afraid you’ll disappear if she lets go. The woman will also hover like it’s her damn job. Just you wait.”
“That sounds kind of nice,” I said, considering it. Karina was such a sweet, fun, and genuine person. I didn’t know her well yet but I had a feeling she put her whole heart and soul into her family and getting to experience even a fraction of it was everything.
“You say that now,” he warned, “but it can be suffocating.”
