A large hand encircles mine, and I look up to see Jude with an empathetic smile on his face, adoration pouring down the bond. “It’s going to be fine.”
I can only hope he’s right.
“Is that my beautiful Rosie Posie?” Mama shrieks the second I exit the car, barreling into me with the all the force of a toddler on a sugar rush.
“Hi Mama,” I laugh, hugging her back. The scent of comfort and home is all over her, instantly soothing me. It’s funny now that I’ve met the guys, the smell of home doesn’t really feel likehomeanymore. The four alphas shifting nervously behind me are starting to feel like my true home, and that thought both excites and terrifies me.
She leans back, gripping me by the shoulders and giving me an exaggerated once over. Thank god I remembered to throw on my scarf before getting out. “You’re glowing. I can only assume the four hulking men behind you are responsible for that?”
My face heats. “They are. Mama, this is Jude Carter, McKenzie Madden, and Paxton and Parker Avery.” I introduce them one by one before taking a deep breath and undoing my scarf. “My pack.”
She instantly tears up, clutching her hands together in front of her chest before reaching one out to hover over my bond mark from Jude. “My baby is mated. And was what you suspected true? Are these the neighbors you told me about after you met Paxton?”
I nod, giggling when Paxton’s jaw drops. Parker elbows him and he quickly recovers, but I make a note to spend some solo time with him this weekend. I miss my sweet alpha.
Mama claps, bouncing on her toes. “Well this is just the best news! We have to tell your dads.” She ushers us all inside. “Come on, come on! Oh!” She stops just outside the door. “Where are my manners? My name is Lily, and you can call me Lily, Mama Lily, or just Mama. None of that Mrs. Hale nonsense. That’s reserved for strangers, little ones, and Pastor George only.”
I can tell the guys are either confused or fighting to hold back laughter, but I’m so used to Mama’s brand of crazy it doesn’t even phase me. Jude, McKenzie and Parker all follow my mom in the house, but Pax wraps a hand around my wrist to hold me back. His eyes are shining as he looks down at me with awe written all over his face. “You told your mom about me?”
“Of course I did.” My smile is wide. “You were the first guy I met on campus and your scent was,is, one of the best things I’ve ever smelled. I called my mom the very next morning to tell her about you. She’s the one who convinced me you might be my scent match.”
He shakes his head, leaning down to rain light kisses on my cheeks, nose, and forehead. “You have no idea how good it feels to hear that, sweetheart.”
I rise up on my toes to scent mark his cheek,loving how rich and sweet his taffy scent is right now. “The other guys may be louder, but you’re the first one I noticed, Pax.” Taking a deep breath, I let it out slow and swallow my fears. “I love you, Pax.”
He startles, staring down at me with wide eyes. “Are you sure?”
I can’t help the laugh that escapes. “I’m sure.”
A huge smile takes over his face. His arms wrap around me in a tight hug as he takes my lips in a hard kiss that leaves me breathless. “I love you too, Posey.”
“Are you two done neckin’ yet?” Tucker calls out the front door. He’s got a hand over his eyes and a smirk on his face. “Your mama is chompin’ at the bit to meet your final alpha now that she’s sufficiently scared the other three.”
I groan, burying my face in Paxton’s chest as heat suffuses my cheeks again. “We’re coming, daddy!” Pax trails along behind me on our way into the house, never once letting go of my hand. As soon as we step foot over the threshold, Mama steals my alpha away to sit in the family room with the others, Auggie, and Henry.
Tucker comes to my side and wraps an arm around my shoulders, kissing the top of my head. “Missed you, honey.”
“Missed you more, daddy.”
“Are they treating you well?” He asks quietly.
I can’t help my smile. “Things were a little rocky with Jude at first but yes, they treat me incredibly well. I know it’s fast but I’m so happy.”
Tucker chuckles, gesturing at my other parents. “I know your mom told you our timeline. Who gives a hoot if it’s fast when fate is involved? They’re your scent matches, and the way those boys look at you?” He shakes his head. “It’s the same look your dads and I still give your mom every day. Love like that doesn’t follow any one timeline. Trust your instincts. What are they telling you?”
The answer comes to me right away. “I love them.” Therealization is like a light turning on after years in the dark. It doesn’t matter that I’ve only known them a month because it’s meant to be.
I love Pack Madden, and I think I’m finally ready to tell them.
“So what exactly is a harvest festival, and why does it involve wearing this atrocious shirt?” Parker grumbles.
I turn around in the front seat, grinning at the perturbed look on his face. The harvest festival is our annual celebration of a successful apple harvest. The whole town gathers together for one big weeklong party. There’s apple themed events and vendor stalls, a carnival and even a giant ferris wheel.” I wink at Pax, pleased when his cheeks turn pink at the reminder of our last ferris wheel experience. “Oh,” I turn back to Parker. “And the shirt is just for me.”
He growls and lunges at me from the back seat, but I hop out of the parked car with a giggle, eager to get the day started. My parents are off manning the Hale River Ranch booth, so today will just be me and my alphas out on the town. We’ve already run into half a dozen people who wanted to say hello, and I can feel the curiosity rolling off of the guys each time someone asks a question about the ranch or why I chose to leave home.
McKenzie pulls me into his side with an arm over my shoulder as we’re walking, and that’s when the dam finally breaks. “Time to spill, pretty girl. What’s with all the secrecy about the ranch? The first class flight, random townspeople interrogating you, the insanely beautiful house with enoughroom for nine grown adults. You know we don’t care if you come from money, right?”
I shrug, embarrassment sliding over me. “I know, but it’s always weird. My parents own and run one of the largest ranches in the country, and when people find that out it’s usually one of two reactions. Either they assume I’m some spoiled rich kid or they want to use me for access. I learned not to talk about it.”
