A handsome young alpha stood on the porch, his arms full of shopping bags. He almost dropped them when he saw Genesis. His nostrils flared and his eyes flicked to her neck before he caught himself.
“Mr. Rossi asked that I bring these things to the cottage for Miss Woodhouse and her boys,” he said quickly. “I’m Isaiah. You must be Miss Valentine.”
Genesis stepped aside to let him in, smothering a smile as Avery gave her a suggestive look behind his back. Orlando’s assistant was much better looking than Genesis had expected. She’d talked to Isaiah on the phone a time or two, but they’d yet to meet in person.
“Call me Genesis, please. And this is my friend Avery Woodhouse, whose behavior I apologize for in advance.” Genesis gestured for him to put the bags down in the living area. “What is all of this stuff?”
Isaiah shrugged, looking everywhere but at Genesis. “Just some toys and things for the boys. Also, some snacks Miss Woodhouse requested and gifts for her new baby. Congratulations, by the way.”
Avery’s mouth dropped open. “I didn’t request anything! The baby is still basically a zygote and the boys don’t need anything! You stay right here, young man, because I have questions.”
She jumped off her stool and peeked into the bags, pointing a warning finger at Isaiah as if she expected he might try torun off. Genesis smothered another laugh. Avery was relentless when she wanted information. Poor Isaiah was in for a nice long interrogation.
“Can I get you something to drink?” she asked, moving back to the kitchenette. “We were just chatting and drinking sparkling water to toast Avery’s pregnancy.”
Isaiah backed toward the door. “No, I couldn’t possibly intrude–”
“Sit down,” Avery commanded, gesturing at the bar stool she’d vacated. She was using her mom voice, so Genesis knew there was no point arguing. “You have insider knowledge on the men courting my best friend, and I intend to grill you for every dirty detail.”
Isaiah looked so alarmed that Genesis did laugh this time. “It’s best to do what she asks and get it over with. She’s mostly harmless.”
“Bullshit,” Avery retorted. “I am very scary and a little stabby, so you’d better tell me what I want to know. But first, oh my god Orlando is the sweetest! I mentioned how much I love white chocolate truffles, and he’s bought me a whole box. And all these toys and books and clothes for the boys! He really didn’t have to do this.”
“It’s just the kind of person he is and has been for as long as I’ve known him,” Isaiah said with a shrug. He settled gingerly on the bar stool, accepting a glass of lemonade. “I’ve never worked for anyone so generous.”
Genesis reclaimed her seat on the stool beside the young alpha, who stiffened, his nostrils flaring again. Avery took a stool on his other side, studying him with undisguised interest. Isaiah blushed furiously.
“Are you just saying that because he pays you well?” Avery demanded, narrowing her eyes. “Does he make you buy gifts for women and their kids often? You must manage his calendar—is he hiding a secret family? What about dates or mistresses? Violent outbursts?”
Genesis snorted a laugh. “You don’t have to answer any of those questions. She’s being ridiculous.”
Isaiah smiled shyly. “It’s alright. I have older sisters, so this isn’t my first rodeo with assertive women. And Mr. Rossi doesn’t do any of those things anyway. I’ve never known for him to have any women, aside from his first mate and their two temporary omegas. He’s definitely not violent. I’ve never even heard him raise his voice. Between us, everyone at the office has been hoping he’d start dating again. He’s such a nice guy and we want him to be happy. And for Mr. Wilder and Mr. Acosta to be happy too. They’re good men. I look up to them.”
Avery nodded with satisfaction. “That’s what I thought but I had to ask. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, tell me their net worth. It’s the final thing I need to know before deciding if I’m going to let them mate my little girl.”
“Donotanswer that,” Genesis ordered. “She’s kidding.”
Avery laughed raucously, clapping Isaiah on the shoulder so hard he winced. “I am kidding, actually. I have eyes. They’re obviously loaded. I just wanted to see what this little cutie was going to say.”
Isaiah blushed again. “Thank you, I think. Now, since we’re being blunt, can I ask you something, Genesis?”
Genesis lifted a surprised eyebrow but nodded. “Ask away.”
Though he looked even more embarrassed, Isaiah finally met her gaze. “Are you going to break their hearts? I mean, you’re young and beautiful and could have your pick of packs. I can tell Mr. Rossi is attached to you and I would hate to see him get hurt. He’s been through enough.”
An invisible hand squeezed Genesis’s heart. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt Orlando, or any of them for that matter. She knew they were good men with a lot of love left to give. Theydeserved to find happiness. If they couldn’t find it with her, then she needed to walk away when the contract was up in less than a month. It wouldn’t be fair to string them along if she knew she couldn’t commit.
The thought of leaving Pack Rossi made her heart drop into her stomach. Only one more month of Orlando’s heart melting romantic gestures? Just one more month of Gabriel’s tenderness and creativity? A mere month of Luke’s sexy surliness and sarcastic humor?
That wasn’t enough. Not even close.
Genesis looked past Isaiah to lock eyes with Avery. She’d literally just been trying to convince Avery that it was all fake. Her best friend grinned, eyes twinkling. She could read Genesis like a book.
“I stayed unmated for a long time, and I thought I always would be,” she said finally. “I know exactly what I don’t want. I’ve always been clear on that. So, rather than being controlled by a pack of alphaholes, I intended to be alone. And I was happy—or at least at peace with that decision. But Orlando, Gabriel, and Luke have shown me another option, one I didn’t believe existed. And now that I’ve experienced what it’s like to be courted by them, I’m not willing to go back to my old life. So, no, Isaiah. I’m not going to break their hearts. And I’m going to trust them not to break mine.”
“I knew it, you lying hoe!” Avery exclaimed, bursting into tears. She hopped off her stool and crushed Genesis in a tight hug. “You have never been this nice to anyone in your entire life! You fucking love them!”
Genesis laughed, squeezing Avery back. “Okay, pregnancy hormones, don’t get carried away. Remember how we talked about taking things slow?”
