While I agree with that sentiment, my alpha instincts are demanding I lock Sage down. That all of us, even Riley (somehow), bite and bond her. Entwine her in our lives so fully that we can’t possibly be untangled.
It’s entirely irrational, and it’s also a complete surprise. It shouldn’t be, considering how strongly I feel for this unexpected omega, but I’ve never pictured myself being part of a pack—let alone bonded. I rub my chest, attempting to smooth away the ache of longing at the thought of feeling her there inside me.
It’ll happen when she’s ready.
We don’t want to make Sage feel trapped like she was with her brother and his friend. We want to give her choices, allowher a level of control over her own life that she’s never been granted.
I desperately hope she chooses us.
I’m working in her old neighborhood, a few houses down from Steve and Josh’s place, when a familiar loud rumble hits my ears. I jerk my head up to see their garage opening, and without thought, I speed walk to my truck, throwing the tools in the back.
I’ll come back to finish this yard, but something has my alpha urging me to follow them.
They drive directly to the police station, and my heart drops. If they’ve reported her as missing or kidnapped, would the police forcefully take her from us? She’s an adult, so I don’t think so, but you never know with law enforcement.
I sit in my car to wait, debating if I should call Neveah, but the two alphas emerge only a few minutes later. They’re both scowling as they stomp to the truck, then slam the doors as they get in, and something in me loosens.
If they’re mad, that can only be good for us, right? It means the police aren’t cooperating, or they haven’t found Sage yet.
Should I tell the police that Sage isn’t missing? I don’t think that’s my decision to make, and for now, Sage doesn’t want anything to do with reporting them or pressing charges. I think she’s coping via hard avoidance and denial, but there’s not much I can do if I want my actions to align with my words.
Everything in her life is her choice now.
I call Vee and update her, just to be safe, letting her know we still need to keep an eye out since Steve and Josh looked ready to murder someone. She agrees, and we decide to tell Sage together at dinner tonight.
Hopefully nothing comes of it, but I think we’re all feeling the stress of the unknown hanging over our heads.
The rest of the week passes uneventfully, and it brings me immense joy to drive home to my pack every day. I do hope I can start working closer to the farm so I don’t have quite as long of a commute, but for now, I’m happy to sacrifice that time if it helps keep Sage safe.
I smile when I think about how cute and ambitious she is. She’s blossomed over the last week since finishing her nest. She asked Riley for shopping help, and they ordered a bunch of new clothes for her in a variety of vibrant and darker colors, then trashed her old wardrobe. I’m thrilled that she’s gaining some weight and filling out a bit, no longer skin and bones. Now we’re all waiting to see when her heat will start. It should be any day now, if her initial estimate was correct.
When I gave her the gift I picked up from the nesting store a couple days ago, she threw her head back in laughter, then jumped into my arms to plant a kiss straight on my lips. I’ve never been happier.
I guess she really likes candy, even if it is a nutrient-dense protein version that’s supposed to help get her through a heat. She had immediately popped two in her mouth, grinning at me and licking her lips. I shake my head with a rueful laugh as my alpha instincts flare with satisfaction at the memory.
I’m so gone for her.
She’s also started attending the weekly gardening classes Neveah teaches, stating she wants to understand more about the farm and the work that all of us are involved in, and then decided she wants to learn more about interior design.
I only had a couple lawns to take care of today, so I finished them quickly this morning and now I’m picking my girl up to take her to the library.
She’s practically bouncing with nerves and excitement as Ihold the door open for her, and we stride into the quaint library near downtown.
“Do you think Claire is here?” Sage whispers. She cups a hand around her mouth and leans into me when she says it, and I grin—again—at how absolutely adorable she is. I swing my arm around her petite body, tucking her into my side.
“I would imagine so, she said she’s here most days, right?” I reply, voice equally soft as we head to the front desk.
Sure enough, Claire pokes her head out from behind a bookshelf, and her eyes light up when she sees Sage.
“You came!” she says, striding over. “Signing up for a library card?”
“Yeah, if you can help me with it. I’ve never had one before,” Sage says, twisting her fingers together. She hasn’t picked at her nails or cuticles in weeks now.
“I’d love to sign up for one, too,” I say, and Sage turns to beam at me.
“Perfect, let’s do it.”
Claire plugs in our information, registering us under the lavender farm’s address, which she already has on file since Neveah and Riley have had library cards for years.
