It occurs to me then that he hasn’t considered the inconvenience of it at all. All he knows is that he likes me, that he feels this pull to me, and nothing else matters besides chasing that. Maybe I’m the one making it complicated, muddying up the waters of it in my head.
He confirms as much when he says, “I never thought of that. I just want to get to know you. But I understand if me having a pack makes it hard for you.” He thinks for a moment. “Do you… want a pack?”
There isn’t any motivation in my body to lie. “Yeah, that’s the dream. My own pack, one where everyone loves each other.”
I don’t know why I added the last part, but he gives me a sneaky smile at it. Some omegas like to be the center, have all the attention on them. I can tell by Kit’s reaction that he’s like me, that he likes the love to go around.
His scent blossoms, curling around us, and for a moment, I think about what it would be like if my scent came out to play with his. My imagination doesn’t do it justice, but it sends a shiver down my spine.
My throat clears as I try to refocus on the game. We’re suddenly becoming very transparent, and if I speak anymore, I will spill everything to him. There’s just something so charismatic and dependable about him. I feel like I can tell him anything and he will open his arms and accept it, acceptme, no matter what form I’m in.
It’s a dangerous game to play with him.
His foot fiddles with mine, and it sends somethingthrough me, something warm. “Well, I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
Every fiber of my being wants that to be true, but the insecurity rings through one more time. What happens when he finds out I’ve been lying? What happens when this pull between us stretches so far that it snaps? I have to prepare myself for that, because he may be an omega, but Sam is a prime, and I don’t think he’s going to want me around after he finds out.
SEVENTEEN
When I walk into the kitchen on Tuesday night and see all three of my roommates, I’m gobsmacked.
“We’re all home at the same time?” I ask, and all three heads turn my way. My use of the wordhomeslips out so easily, I almost feel embarrassed by it, but then Kit sees me and lets out an unhinged laugh.
“Right? Did we fall into a portal to an alternative universe?”
“Are we actually sleeping and we’re all astral projecting in our kitchen?” I say back.
“Or, were we abducted last night and this is the projected scene the aliens are playing for us so that we think everything is normal? Too bad for them, because it’snot.”
“More like practice got canceled, and Sam moved our weekly meeting to tomorrow,” Thatcher points out from behind the cutting board.
“Why did you do that?” I ask, eyeing Sam as he sears something on the stove.
Kit speaks up for him. “They wanted to make us dinner foronce. I was going to come get you when they were done, but to be honest, it’s taking longer than expected.”
Sam grumbles, “If Thatcher knew how to cut vegetables the right way, we would be done by now.”
His best friend gives a very unamused snort. “Just because you want the onions and carrots cut in an exact shape does not mean I don’t know how to cut vegetables.”
They continue to bicker as Kit conspiratorially waves me over. His smile is beaming, obviously enjoying the antics of the alphas in the kitchen. When I get to his side, he whispers, “Sam likes to have a united front outside of the house, but in moments like this, you get to see them go at each other’s throats and it’s hilarious.”
My eyebrow rises. “Them arguing is entertaining?”
“Trust me, this is when you get to see how close they really are. It’s a treat.”
The kitchen smells heavenly, and when it’s finally time to sit down and eat, things are weirdly ordinary. It doesn’t feel as strange as I would have thought to sit at this table with the three of them, like a family.
That single thought makes my omega perk up, but I shove it back down into the vault built for my emotions before she can beg for more.
I find a spot between Thatcher and Kit with Sam across from me. When he catches me admiring the food on my plate, he grins but doesn’t say anything. He just picks up his fork and digs into his own food like it isn’t a million degrees and still steaming off the plate.
Conversation flows easily. Kit lets the guys in on our farm we’ve made onStardew, and they pretend to understand while asking questions about the game. Thatcher comments that he doesn’t understand why there’s a random wizard or what the ‘little apples’ are supposed to be. Then, he tells us that Kendallgot hit really hard in practice yesterday by his new partner, and how he wanted to wring his neck. I make a mental note to text Stacia to see how he’s doing before Sam tells me a little bit about fraternity life. Kit comments on how much the charity must still be reaping the benefits from the last gala they threw, and Sam only agrees that it was good for right now, but he needed to start thinking about the next event so he could help them more.
His dismissal of the successful gala causes me to raise a brow, but then a tiny coo comes from below me. I see a flash of fur disappear below the table just before Jemma jumps up between Sam and Kit and takes a seat, ready for them to give her pieces of their meals.
“Aw, Jem,” Kit says, reaching out to scratch behind her ears. She lets him and even releases a tiny purr just before he puts some meat in front of her. I watch happily, loving that she decided to come out of her hiding place and join us. When she finishes her piece, she looks over at Sam, and he doesn’t hesitate to give her another small portion. He rubs her head somberly and then goes back to his food.
My smile can’t be contained, and I don’t even try. Someone’s foot touches mine by accident, but I don’t mind at all. Everything about this meal is exquisite, the food and company alike. I’ve never felt happier or more content than I do sitting amongst them right now.
