“Only if you’re cool with it, obviously,” Leo added, “but if we got them neutralized and got you a shorter acting dose, then it’ll all be out in the open.”
Jude groaned, dropping his face into his hands. I stroked a hand down his back in what I hoped was a soothing manner.
“Okay, but if she hates me, you all have to take me out for a beer.”
“She won’t hate you, but yes.” I couldn’t help but smile. “Drinks will be on me.”
If we were going to be a pack, we had to do this right, no matter how terrifying next steps might be.
Anxiety was the only thing I could feel as the neutralizer took effect and I walked out of the clinic with an updated prescription for short-dose scent blockers.
Madison had texted to say one of Charlotte’s alphas would drop her off at the apartment later, which left me with plenty of time to stew. I hadn’t expected a day of bro-bonding to end at the clinic. For an injury, sure, but not this.
Nathan dragged me into a hug. “It’s going to be fine.”
He’d already said it about a dozen times, but my brain wasn’t convinced. I leaned into his embrace. His woodsy blueberry scent was soothing, and the purr he worked up for me was equally so.
“Group hug, motherfuckers,” Nathan demanded, and I chuckled as Leo and Alve plastered against us. “Do any of you actually think Madison would kick him to the curb over this?”
“She might be surprised,” Alve said slowly, “maybe hurt, but I think any difficulties would be short term.”
“I agree,” said Leo. “We can all see that Madison loves you.”
“Exactly.” Nathan cupped the back of my head. “You’re the favorite right now, and that works to your advantage. I vote we hit up the grocery store and make something delicious for when she gets home, so she’ll be in an extra good mood.”
It was sound logic.
“Enchilada night?” Leo offered.
“Fuck, yeah, enchilada night!” Nathan was certainly a character, but in a charming way. “Nothing bad can happen when enchiladas are involved.”
I laughed, the group hug gently dispersing when I stood up straight. Nathan kept his hand right where it was.
“I’m okay, I promise.”
He nodded, his hand dropping to mine. I stared at our twined fingers for a moment but didn’t pull away. I was still processing the particular revelations from our shared night with Madison, and it wasn’t that I was opposed, I just needed to line it up perfectly in my head so it could slot into place. I was used to casual touch from my sisters, but not a lot of guys ran around holding hands.
Nathan grabbed Leo’s hand too, maybe misreading how I’d looked at him. He gave Leo a hard look before the alpha took Alve’s hand as well. “Grocery time. Let’s rock.”
I couldn’t help but smile as our pack made our way to the car, all hand in hand. Nathan’s energy was infectious. If he was determined to make me comfortable, then I was willing to let him.
It felt wholesome and domestic when we made it to the grocery store near Alve’s apartment and navigated the aisles together. This was what a life together was about: communication, decision making, helping to lighten the burden by doing things together.
Leo listed out ingredients and we scoured the piles of vegetables, offering individual ones up for his inspection and approval before they made it into a bag.
Nathan chatted the entire time. It could’ve been to fill the silence, but it also took the pressure off anyone else to do it. Alve stood by, his card at the ready to pay when we collected all of our culinary treasures.
That energy followed us all the way home, where we split into meal prep teams. Leo made sauce and tortilla dough from scratch while Nathan and I sliced vegetables. Alve carefully weighed out the dough and formed the tortillas using our newly acquired press.
When Madison finally arrived, we were tucking the enchiladas into the oven. She sprinted inside, going straight for me. Had anything ever felt as right as the weight of her slamming against me and her arms wrapping around me? I gathered her close, both because it felt like the most natural thing in the world, but also in case it was the last time she would let me hold her like this.
She stiffened instantly. A shiver rolled through her and her fingers dug into my back. I had about half a second to panic before she looked up at me with wide eyes, raspberry sweetness exploding. “Jude?”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I panicked.”
The others watched us in silence, waiting to see what direction the wind would blow.
“Youknew?”
