Or the fresh marks on both of their shoulders. North was wearing two that were currently on display with his loose shirt, and Jack’s was right on his wrist.
“I’m so happy for you guys.”
Of course, my brother looked at me like I’d lost my mind, but North’s smile softened.
“Thank you. I was worried you might be upset,” Jack admitted. “I didn’t claim her yet.”
“She’s a person. I don’t exactly have stakes over what she does. It’s better this way, that it happens when it’s natural and in moments that matter. It’s what our girl deserves. What you both deserve,” I said, my eyes shifting to North.
He bit his lip and nodded, then opened his mouth and closed it. I simply waited until he got his thoughts together.
“I was thinking,” North started. “That it might be nice to have you bite me, too. I know it’ll hurt more than with everyone else, but I want our pack to be strong. Our bond needs to be complete. You’re a brother to me.”
My chest tightened at his request. The familiar guilt started to rise up for abandoning them, but then it disappeared just as quickly. I didn’t want to hold onto it anymore. He was offering me so much here, and I wanted to take it.
I wanted to do right by them.
“I’d be honored,” I said firmly.
His smile brightened even more at my agreement. He was crazy if he thought I was going to say no. I was learning thatthere was so much more to packs than just the usual traditions. The bond of brotherhood was equally as important to make us strong.
Our mate was back in record time, another ridiculous Christmas sweater that I was starting to love. This one had an alpaca on the front wearing a Santa hat, jingle bells adorning his fur.
“This one might be my favorite,” I told her.
She spun around and posed for me, her laughter bright and relaxed. I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pride that we had brought that out in her. She deserved nothing but the best.
After that shitty pack treated her the way they did, I wanted to hunt them down and ruin them for ever thinking that they deserved her.
I let my excitement build as we drove through town. I knew this just might be the final piece that we needed for our pack to settle down.
Like most of the buildings downtown, the one we pulled up to was quaint. It sat right on the corner like she promised. It had large windows and an old wooden door that showed a bit of wear and tear. The brick on the façade was clean, red and brown shining through. They must’ve done some work to it to get it ready for sale.
A woman was waiting out front. The beta eyed Jack the moment he climbed out. Her whole body seemed to light up, and then deflated as the rest of us joined, the two omegas claiming each of his arms.
Shit. I hoped this didn’t affect the sale.
She put a smile on her face, but it was much more strained now.
“Hello, Ivy,” Jack greeted, clearly not reading between the lines here. “We think this place might be incredible for my brother. He’s wanting to open up a business here.”
Her eyes flickered to me, and again they were hopeful. I wasn’t sure how to take that, so I plastered a smile on my face.
“Thank you for meeting us last minute. I hope it’s a good fit.”
“Prime locations like this don’t open up often,” she said with a sweet smile that would work on most alphas. “The previous owner bought it in hopes to turn it over. I think he put a lot of work into it, but nobody was biting. He just lowered the price and a few more offers rolled in, so you definitely want to get yours in now.”
She unlocked the front doors and gestured for us to go inside.
“I think I’ll give you a minute to get acquainted with the place, and I’ll be here when you’re ready to talk beyond that.”
Aspen let go of Jack as he and North walked in and instead held her hand out to me. I truly didn’t care if this woman was put out by the gesture. She’d see a whole lot more of us if she lived in this town.
We walked inside and I soaked in every nuance of this building.
Ivy was right about the previous owner putting in the work. There was brand new sleek hardwood throughout. The walls were painted a dull white, but that was something that could easily be changed.
There were two bathrooms, a break room with a full kitchen, and enough space and windows to create a solid office space out of it.
