Raeka leans back in her chair. “I get what you mean. Maybe not to the same extent, but… I get it. I made it through my first heat alone.” The moment she says that, I give her an incredulous look, to which she just laughs. “Yeah, I know, I know. I’m crazy.”
Mad respect for this girl. I had it in my head that I could do it, but when the time came… and the guys were right there, I was so, so weak.
“My parents were pushing me to a match, to any match. They really wanted me to find my forever. That’s when Gideon came into the picture. Our match wasn’t supposed to be for real and Pax was only brought in to make me feel safe in that house. I was supposed to be for Colter, his nephew. Things just spiraled from there. We formed a new pack, and honestly? Now that I have them in my life, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Though our situations aren’t exactly the same, it’s good to hear that new packs can form and be healthy. I say, “I wasn’t expecting anything like this to happen. It still doesn’t feel real. It’s like I’m in a dream, and I’m afraid to wake up.”
She gives me a smile. “Trust me, it’ll only get better from here. Those guys in there? It’s obvious they care deeply about you. The way they look at you… it’s real, and I bet they’re each dying to make it official with you.”
We talk for a while longer. The guys order pizza. We play some silly board games to pass the time. It’s… a very normal evening, considering, and I actually catch myself having fun. Grinning, laughing, teaming up with Raeka to try to beat the guys. It’s a good time.
When it comes time for Pax and Raeka to leave, she leaves her number and asks for mine.In case I ever feel like hanging out again, she says, but no pressure.
It’s all such a normal thing.
When they leave, the guys and I sit on the couch together, and Rourke is the first to ask, “Well? How was it? It wasn’t that bad, was it? You looked like you had fun.” Asher and Mason sit around me, waiting to hear my thoughts on the subject.
When Rourke first told me his plan to invite Pax and Raeka over, I wasn’t all too thrilled, but now that they were gone… I have to admit it wasn’t as bad as I thought it’d be. It was actually kind of fun.
I wouldn’t say Raeka and I are best friends or anything, but I wouldn’t mind seeing her again.
“I did,” I say, and Rourke smirks at me, Mr. Know It All. “It was fun. Don’t let it go to your head.” I playfully shove him, and the action comes so easily to me it’s almost unbelievable to look back and think about where I was a month or so ago.
This is my forever. This is my pack, even if it’s not official yet, and you know what? I wouldn’t change a darn thing.
Chapter Thirty – Asher
Our parents are dying to see Jess, but Jess isn’t quite ready. Today, me, Mason, and Rourke are meeting her at her house. Her aunt finally moved out last week, and she’s been busy getting rid of anything her aunt might’ve left behind. For obvious reasons, she doesn’t want anything that reminds her of her aunt to remain.
I ride with Mason. He’s pretty quiet, and I wonder if that’s because he met with a therapist earlier today. I’m dying to ask him about it, but I know it’s such a personal thing for him, so I hope he’ll open up when he’s ready.
The first step to working on yourself is admitting something’s wrong, or at the very least, something’s not quite right. I still feel so stupid for not realizing my brother was struggling all these years.
We pull up to a house whose size rivals our parents’. The mansion that Jess now has in her name puts most others on the same street to shame. It screams old money, with its all-white exterior and its finely-manicured lawn.
By the time we roll to a stop near the granite steps to the front door, Jess is standing outside, waiting for us. Even at a glance, she appears lighter, her shoulders less heavy. More relaxed all around.
Mason shuts off the car, and I’m the first one out—and I rush to greet her, sweeping her up into my arms and placing a gentle kiss upon those full lips. Her warm peppermint scent fills my nostrils, and I bask in her glory for only a few seconds before my brother coughs and brings me back to reality.
I let go of her, mostly so my brother can greet her in a similar manner. When they’re done embracing, I give her an easy smile and say, “I’m ready for the tour, Jess. Show us what you got.” Wemight’ve been friends all those years ago, but I never visited her house, so this is a firstfor me.
This house… it seems awfully big for an omega to live, all alone. I’m not saying I hope she invites us to live with her, but at the same time…
No, that’s exactly what I’m hoping. I’d move in in a heartbeat.
She rolls her eyes, but the eye rolling is accompanied by a slight smile, so I know she’s not upset at my comment. “Follow me, boys,” she says, taking on an air of dramatic and exaggerated authority.
We follow her inside the house, entering a grand foyer.
“As you can see, we spared no expense in the design of this estate,” Jess talks like she’s used to giving tours, a fake air of authority draping around her. She walks with her hands slightly raised, palms down, so she looks like she’s seconds from pointing things out at any given moment.
She takes us around the first floor first. It’s exactly what you’d expect: a grand kitchen, a huge living room, a few sitting rooms, and even a library room with an attached study. Needless to say, it’s all very impressive.
The patio out back? I can see us hosting out there, easy.
Next up is the second floor, which holds multiple bedrooms, including multiple rooms that are considered offices. It’s one of those offices where Jess strolls in and does a twirl in the middle of the room, near the desk.
“This was my dad’s study before it was my aunt’s,” she says, running her hand along the edge of the desk. “This desk was his. I’m glad she didn’t try to take it with her.” She scoffs. “Then again, it probably would’ve only reminded her of me, so, whatever.”
