Kit’s face morphs, determination and stubbornness written all over it. “She likes dipping peanut butter pretzels into Nutella because of the different textures. She loves cozy anime, but the more fantasy and magic, the better. She wants to be a teacher, wants to show children that no matter their temperament, they are worthy of being seen and taught.”
“Kit—”
“She cooks you breakfast every morning because she knows you take care of everyone, and she wants to do the same for you. She crochets literally anything she can think of that reminds her of us because she wants to keep us close. Jemma loves her more than she loves me, and that’s sayinga lot.” My omega sighs. “She seems shy, but there is a vibrant, loving person making herself small underneath there, and I think that’s something you two have in common.”
“Kit,” I say again with exasperation.
“You might be an alpha,” he continues, “but you’re also a prime. I don’t understand how you’re not picking up on what’s going on here.”
My eyebrows scrunch in as I take in how serious my mate is being. “And what is going on here?”
“She’s ours,” he proclaims, his tone the softest I’ve everheard him. It hits me square in the chest, but not in a good way. The hope on his face doesn’t soothe me—it causes fear.
“Even if that’s how we feel, it doesn’t matter,” I inform him, feeling the itch to go back to my work and deal with this conversation later. I start to fiddle with the papers on my desk. “Our pack is already complete.”
Kit slams his hand down on the desk in front of me, the sound making me flinch as I witness the anguish in his face. “Why are you fighting this?” he asks me. “Why aren’t you making any room to let her in?”
I steel my spine, even though seeing my omega in distress causes every molecule in my body to panic. “What are we going to do, Kit? What if we let her in, let the possibility of her joining our pack become a reality? And then six or eight months down the line, she meets her scent matches or other alphas who can take care of her, and she leaves us in the dust? Two omegas in one pack isn’t common. There’s no way to guarantee that it will work between all of us.”
His eyes widen. “What? That’s what you’re panicking about? When have you ever cared about what’s traditional?”
“It’s notjustthat, Kit. But if that happens,I’llhave to pick up the pieces, and I don’t know if I can do that if it all goes to shit with her. If that happens…” I stop, my brain going a million miles a minute. My breaths come in deeper, my calming technique working to do its job as my lungs slow enough for me to continue. “If that happens… it woulddestroyus, and we’re already a mess. I was supposed to lead us, and look at the trench we’ve ended up in. ”
“Sam. We’re not in a trench anymorebecauseof Opal,” he tells me, and I’m reminded of her words from the party last week. How she’s been trying to fix things all by herself, because I haven’t been around to help. Because I’ve been avoiding theinevitable, not letting myself look at the broken pieces at our feet.
“What if she realizes I can’t lead like a prime should?” I say, the emotion stirring from deep down. “I want things to beperfect, but they’re not.”
Kit’s hand finds its way to my shoulder. “You have to stop taking onallof the responsibility. It’s driving you insane, Sam. Nothing willeverbe perfect, and the more you strive for it, the quicker it will slip through your fingers.”
I’ve never considered that, because I’ve always taken on too much. It almost feels natural at this point. My life was turned upside down when I was a teenager, but I got a second chance. I didn’t feel worthy of it, but the more I work, the more I contribute to the world, and the burden feels less heavy.
“But… she deserves the best,” I argue again.
“You may not be perfect, Sam Langley,” Kit starts, his eyes pouring into mine with crystal clear adoration. “But youarethe best.”
He pulls me into a hug then. My omega comforts me, letting me soak in the praise like I never have before. And despite being scared out of my fucking mind, I let the idea of us seep into my chest and curl up, like a seed of hope waiting to grow into something beautiful.
THIRTY-SIX
Playing: “Hang With Me” by Robyn
My hand goesinto the bowl of gooey chocolate popcorn as I try to eat it without getting messy. The texture combination is heavenly, just another wonderful thing that Kit has introduced to me.
It’s a rainy day, and Kit and I are having aHobbit/Lord of the Ringsmarathon in the living room so we can hear the rain beating down on the windows. The atmosphere feels cozy and warm, and Kit’s foot next to mine causes all sorts of familiar fuzzy feelings to erupt.
“Their sexual chemistry is way too good here,” Kit says, pointing at the elf and dwarf on the screen.
I laugh. “I heard they were hooking up in real life.”
Kit’s jaw drops. “Oh, I completely believe that. I’d hook up with him.”
“Which one?” I ask.
He eats one of his licorice candies. “Both, to be honest.”
Discussing the fan-ship makes me wonder, so I turn to Kit expectantly and ask, “When did you find out you were bisexual?”
Kit chuckles. “Would it be a complete cliché if I said I’ve always known?”
