“Thank you,” I say, not just for the offer, but how much effort she’s putting at making me feel at ease.
“Always, you’re Jonah’s Omega. It means we’re family now. If you ever need anything, we’re here,” she says, and my heart feels endlessly full.
Gran is absolutely going to love her.
I sit between Jonah and Cole at dinner. Mack seems uncomfortable and part of me wants to soothe him, but I still don’t feel completely comfortable either.
“Where the fuck is your brother?” River says.
“Probably hooking up with some Beta in the coat closet,” Claire says easily, grabbing her champagne.
“That’s your last one,” River says, and she glares at him. “We can go home right now.”
“I’m not a kid anymore. I’m twenty-one now,” Claire says, and he doesn’t seem to give a single shit.
“River, let her be,” Liv says.
“There are lots of eligible packs here, Claire bear,” Dean says.
Jonah squeezes my thigh a little more firmly under the table as I watch all the family drama unfold.
“For the love of God, can you people make up your mind. Am I to be locked away in nowhereville Connecticut, not good enough for any pack? Or do you want me indefinitely tied to some of these stuck up assholes?” Claire says, pushing out her chair and walking away.
“I told you not to rile her up. Her first heat is sooner than later,” Liv whispers and my mind is a little blown by how open this family is.
“That’s exactly why she needs to find a pack,” Dean says.
“It’s exactly why she shouldn’t find a pack. She can go through heat without making the biggest decision of her life,” Liv defends her daughter.
“I know,” Dean gives up.
“And you, you need to stop treating her like a baby,” Liv points at River.
“She is quite literally our baby, angel,” River says back.
“Right, should we go bid on some silent auction items?” Jonah suggests.
“Please,” Mack agrees quickly as we all take a break from Jonah’s family.
I get what they were saying now. They are kind and welcoming, but they are indeed a lot to take in.
I grab Mack’s hand and he squeezes mine as we look at the items to bid on.
“You good?” I ask him, and he nods, kissing the top of my hair.
Maybe he has more in person social anxiety than I realized and I make sure to touch and assure him as much as possible to keep him at ease. I find it’s easy with him, with all the Alphas to be there for them when they need it. It makes me feel good and part of a pack. Whatever I can do to keep them happy I’ll do, because it makes me feel needed and as much as they want to care for me, I want to care for them.
Maybe it’s not all a pipe dream. Maybe we could be like Liv and her pack in thirty years. The idea doesn’t seem so far fetched anymore.
Chapter 26
Mack
I hatethese types of events, but this one feels different. I can’t tell if this sinking feeling in my gut is because I’m anxious or because it’s my first event where I have an Omega.
I hate the fact that people can scent her, that they’re looking at her. Though I’m proud to call her ours, with no bond marks on her body, I feel uneasy.
Her small hand is in mine as we walk down the aisle looking at different things up for auction and she helps keep me grounded. Even if I’m having a hard time paying attention. All I can do is focus on who’s surrounding us and who could potentially be a threat. There’s this worried sensation licking up my spine, and I don’t like it.
