I was going to say I don’t know, but my omega wants to mark him back. I pull his hand to my cheek and scent mark his wrist in return, only for my eyes dart to his jaw. He smiles, then leans down so I can scent mark him the same way he did to me. My cheeks heat, but he seems pleased rather than upset, so it must be okay for me to do this back.
I relax back into my seat when my instincts are satisfied, and Brooks places a gentle kiss on the back of my hand. Goosebumps race up my arm as I stare at him, and then we’re driving away.
I watch behind us more than I look out the front, paranoid that somehow they’ll know and start following. Brooks rests his hand on my thigh, rubbing the skin below the hem of my skirt and sending tingles up and down my leg. It’s a welcome distraction, and before I know it, we’re pulling up to the lavender farm.
All of a sudden, I’m nervous for an entirely different reason. Am I really doing this? Leaving the only life I’ve known for something that might be even more terrifying? Because what if it’s as good as it seems, and it doesn’t work out? Or what if…
What if it’s as good as it seems… And it does?
Chapter Twenty-One
Neveah
Riley and I are waiting on the front porch when Brooks’ truck pulls down the private side of our drive, away from the store and toward our house. Riley leaps to his feet, and I stand as well, taking in our future pack mates as they drive up and step out of the truck.
She’s exquisite, this sweet, brave little omega. Tinier than I remember from our picnic a few days ago, but then, we were sitting down for most of that interaction. My alpha thrums in my chest, eager to have our omega in our space, to be able to care for her and get some proper meat on her bones.
Riley is a ball of excited nerves at having her here, and warm adoration ripples through me. He doesn’t hide who he is, always wearing his heart on his sleeve, and I love that about him. How he clearly feels right now is exactly what’s going on inside for me too, though I may not show it as obviously.
Brooks snags a small bag from the backseat before folding Sage’s hand in his. A subtle warmth simmer in my heart at seeing him being so gentle with her, but I frown as my eyes dart between them. Is that all she brought?
Riley can’t wait any longer. He leaps down the steps, then comes to an awkward halt in front of Brooks and Sage.
“Come here,” Brooks says, scooping Riley into his arms and eliciting a laugh from my beta.
I smile, my heart expanding in my chest as that pleased warmth spreads through my veins. Brooks’ grounding presence will be good for all of us. When he lets go, Brooks turns Riley to face Sage, letting them sort themself out as he strides up to me. To my surprise, he scoops me into a hug too. I barely hold in the undignified squawk of surprise, and then that warmth blossoms into desire, anticipation and need pulsing through me at the feel of his strength surrounding me. I suck in a deep lungful of his earthy scent, relishing how profound it is now that he’s not wearing the dampeners and is free to let his true emotions out.
Then I realize… He needs this—physical comfort—from me. He’s been holding all of this on his shoulders, much of it before Riley and I were even part of the picture. Brooks needs support too, and I’m happy to be that for him. My jumbled emotions settle into a steady stream of belonging and peace, the knowledge that this is fundamentallyright.
I tighten my arms around him, our heights are comparable, but his wide form overtakes mine easily. When we pull apart, Riley is chattering to Sage, snagging her hand to pull her up to the house. Her eyes are wide as she takes it all in, but she hasn’t shut down yet, so that’s good.
Brooks and I exchange an understanding look at how big of a step this is, and subsequently how close to breaking Sage could be. Sensing she needs guidance, I open the front door.
“Everybody in, shoes off, then head to the kitchen. Let’s get some food going.”
Sage immediately complies with my instructions. Riley and then Brooks trail behind her. I sit Riley on one of the barstools, then pull out the one next to it for Sage.
She hesitantly perches on the edge, glancing between me and Riley, then around the kitchen. I run a hand through Riley’s silky hair, then lean against the counter next to Sage.
“May I?” I ask, holding up a hand.
She swallows hard, then nods. Before I can move, though, Brooks pointedly clears his throat. He’s standing on the other side of the counter facing us, leaning back against the sink with his arms loosely folded over his chest.
Sage’s gaze flies to his, and I twist to look at him as well.
“Use your words, Petal,” he says.
I’ll need to ask him more about that later. I don’t doubt he has a good reason, but I also don’t appreciate being interrupted. I’m happy to wait for verbal confirmation, though, so I turn back to Sage with a slight smile on my face.
“Yes, um…” she trails off, looking uncertain.
“What is it?” I ask.
“What should I call you?”
“You can call me whatever you’d like. Vee is fine.”
“You don’t want me to call you alpha?”
