He flicks his eyes over to Lulu again and then tightens his jaw, like he’s preparing to do something he knows he shouldn’t. “There’s not much to tell. I’m the third son of a Bravonnian noble pack, who is eternally disappointed that I never amounted to more than being the personal assistant to the prince.”
I blink at that, and my mouth is hanging open in shock. “Yourfamilydoesn’t know?” I yelp. How could they not? How could anyone look at these men all together and not realize immediately that they are in love. “Piers.”
He shrugs, slides his hand across the table to lace his fingers through mine. “Its… complicated.”
“God, I hate that word when it comes to relationships.” I twist my head to glare at Forsythe, only to find him already watching us. Has he even looked away once since we sat down together? I doubt it. “Your prime needs to uncomplicate it for you.”
“Ren.” His thumb rasps over my knuckles, his fingers surprisingly calloused for a nobleman.
“No. Isn’t that what they’re supposed to do? Take care of their packs, make sure you have what you need? You can’t tell me this is what you need.”
“No, but I needthem. And this is the only way I can have them.”
That knocks the fight out of me, replacing it with a grief so deep I’m a little worried I might drown in it. I want more for him. So much more.
But it's not my place to say anything. This is not my relationship. Its theirs. And if it works for them…
Still, I’m going to be sure to include him in my date. I’ll do my best to fade into the background and make it about them, their pack and what they need. Production might not like it, but I’m going to do it anyway.
Shaking my head with a sigh, I click my pen and use it to scrawl across a blank page in the notebook.Menu: Cheesy bacon fries.Then squint up at Piers. “What else?”
Episode 26: Building Castles… And Nests
I’ve spent all day with Florence, running errands for her, prepping ingredients, hanging up string lights and fluffing pillows, doing every little thing that needs doing. She’s essentially made me her little bitch, and honestly I’ve never been happier.
Especially when she spent an inordinate amount of time arranging blankets, pillows and floor cushions until her blanket fort was just right. I don’t know if she even realized she was doing it, but it was suspiciously close to an omega creating a nest for her pack, and it made my heart ache.
Her brow furrows as she sits back on her heels, teeth sunk into her bottom lip, before she looks at me. “Do you like it?” She asks uncertainly. “Will they like it?”
I come to stand behind her, chest swelling with emotion, taking in the date she has planned for my pack, for us. Because I know she intends for me to stay, to be a part of it. None of the other omegas did that, not even Isadora, whoknowsI’m a part of the pack.
And it's been lonely as hell for the last few days.
Well, it was lonely, until Florence started asking me to help her with her date.Sunshine.She has a way of making me feel seen in a world that seems determined to relegate me to the shadows, shining her light on me, warming me with her attention.
She tilts her head back to watch my face as I look at the setup she’s created. “I think it's perfect, omega,” I tell her. “They’re going to love it.”
And they will… once they get over the shock of the very simple and low key date she’s planned for them.For us.
She’s been like this all day. Second guessing her instincts, waffling between being certain this is what we need and doubting every step she’s taken. I’ve had to reassure her countless times, but I don’t mind in the slightest. I’ll do it a million more times tonight if needed. But I think once the others get here and add their reassurances she’ll settle.
She frowns at the little kitchen, at the array of food already laid out on the island. “You don’t think I should have done something fancier?”
“Mac and cheese is Thayer’s late night food. Cheeseburgers are what Grieves eats when no one is watching. The cheesy bacon fries are Forsythe’s go to room service order. Believe me when I say they’ll love this.”
They will. I know it in my bones. The other omegas looked at the image my pack shows to the world and, even after all this time in close quarters with them, they think that is all they are.The polished, fancy, haute couture wearing, twelve course meal eating royals.
Only Florence has taken the time to look beyond that. To get to know who we are on a deeper level.
She’s filled this room with little homey touches, with things that will speak to each of my pack mates. A chess board set up by the window, a book of crosswords in the fort, the food, the dim lighting. Everything is so perfect it makes my heart ache.
It's far too easy to imagine this as our lives. Me and Ren getting things ready for the pack, making each night special whether it's staying in or going out. Lazy days lounging in bed. Taking Ren out and showing her off.
I want all of that with a ferventness that shocks me.
And I have to keep reminding myself that I can’t have her.
She’ll never be ours.
