“You were flawless out there,” I add. His grin widens, splitting his entire face.
A moment later, the speaker crackles once more. “This year, we have two very special scholarships to give out. We are very excited to announce that the first goes to Asher Alton, and the second to Bran Dory. Will the winners please make their way onto the ice with their guardians to receive their prizes?”
Julius and I automatically step back, leaving this moment for Nixie. She’s the one who’s been by Asher’s side through everything. The driving, the money scares, the sacrifice—this prize is as much hers as his, and she deserves all the recognition. But when they realize we aren’t coming, Nixie and Asher turn around and beckon us forward.
“Aren’t you guys coming?” she asks, looking at us with furrowed brows.
“I wouldn’t be here without my mentors. Celebrate with me?” Asher reaches out for us, and before I have a moment to process, we take his hands.
Together as one unit, we make our way out toward the ice. Something settles deep within me; everything is as it should be. We smile at the photographer, snapping picture after picture until the muscles in our cheeks hurt.
But underneath all the joy is deep-seated concern that just as everything is coming together, someone is trying to tear it all apart....
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Nixie
“What do we think of this one?” the overly bright and cheerful beta real estate agent asks with a smile that’s so disingenuous it makes my hackles rise. Her thick, omega-imitation perfume irritates my sensitive nose. It makes me want to growl, but I stifle the impulse. Somehow, I manage to squash it down until her gaze trails over my Alphas like she’s trying to see beneath their clothing.
A sharp sound echoes from my throat, and both Vonn and Julius’s heads snap in my direction.
I don’t like this woman. She has my inner omega wanting to claw her eyes out.Uppity bitch, looking down her nose at me while undressing my men with her eyes. Not to mention, she’s continually tossing her hair and shoving her cleavage in their faces. While I know we have much bigger fish to fry, I also want to pour hot oil over our real estate agent.
“Well, that is about the cutest sound you’ve ever made, firebrand.” Julius leans in behind me, pulling my body flush against his and placing his hands just underneath the swells ofmy breasts. His familiar touch soothes and arouses me, and the beta’s eyes narrow.
That’s right, honey. They’re interested in me and me alone.You may wear a tight dress and have your makeup done while I’m walking around like a hot mess, but they still want me.
Julius bends down, brushing his cheek against mine, scent marking me and calming the hormonal storm raging within.
Vonn crowds us, doing the same on the other cheek, and I finally relax enough to consider the surrounding room. “Can you leave? We would like to view the home on our own.” The question is more of a demand. His voice carries a bark that makes the beta blanch. She squeaks, hurrying away, her high heels tapping, to the front door.
The second she leaves, my senses settle, and I can finally see what’s right before me.
“While your jealousy is insanely flattering, Mama, I hope you know that neither of us have any interest in that woman. She may as well be a troll. You’re it for us, Nixie.” The truth of Vonn’s words rings out, making heat crawl through my abdomen.
When I press my face into Vonn’s chest, I finally soften fully when Julius wraps around me from behind. Sandwiched between my Alphas, I take a few deep gulps of their scents, which twine around me.
“Now that she’s gone, what do you think? Should we walk through again without her nauseating perfume ruining every crevice of this awesome house?” Vonn slides his hand to the nape of my neck, giving my hair a gentle tug until I look him in the eye. The love and devotion in his gaze make my stomach flip. House hunting is such an overwhelming step. While I want a future with my guys, everything is moving so quickly.
Between Evan’s pending custody suit and the possibility of moving, I’m off kilter, longing to dive into a deep pile of blankets and never emerge from it. After he gave the papers to Julius,Evan ran, and we haven’t heard from him since, which worries me all the more.
Julius keeps telling me everything will be fine. He’s been the one to speak with the lawyers, and he’s not asked for a single penny. At this point, I’m really not sure what I bring to the relationship besides a knot-accepting pussy. I know my feelings for them are genuine, but I’m a literal leech on their lives, sucking their bank account dry with lawyers’ fees and now a house.
“It’s great.” I attempt to muster any kind of enthusiasm, but I fail abysmally. “Honestly, all of them have been lovely. Which one willyoupick?”
Vonn gives my hair another gentle tug, and Julius dips his nose into my neck, taking a deep inhale of my scent. Tension blooms between us, flamed to life by our proximity.
“Well, this one’s nice because it’s only ten minutes from Asher’s school, and there are a ton of extra bedrooms,” Julius says, his breath fanning my overheating skin. “There’s plenty of space for a gym, a theater room, and anything else we want.”
Vonn cups my face gently. “But this place seems to make our omega sad. So, it’s out.” Vonn rubs his nose against mine, and the sweet gesture makes warmth tingle from my toes all the way to my nose. Their touch is everything I crave, but the kindness in their hands and the love in their hearts is everything I never expected.
“It’s not making me sad,” I protest. And truly it’s not.
“Then tell us what’s going on. Why won’t you give any opinion besides ‘it’s great’ at every house we visit?” Their scents spin around me, cocooning me, bringing strength and compassion. Vonn and Julius’s earnest expressions beg for the truth, and they deserve it.
With a deep breath, I do my best to explain. “Because I haven’t earned it. My opinion shouldn’t matter when it comesto your house. Although you may want me here, I’m a parasite on your lives. There isn’t anything for me to bring into our pack—no money, no career, not even the emotional balance an omega should bring. I’m broke, and I have more baggage than a bellhop.” My words rush out, settling in the air between us.
I wait for them to finally agree. To understand how utterlyworthlessI am. My only strength is my independence, and even that’s a struggle now that I’ve met my scent-matched mates.
