Ben’s a tattoo artist, now the owner of what was once Lloyd’s Tattoos, but is now Ivy’s Ink.
I swear the kids aren’t spoiled. At least nottoospoiled.
I sip my cappuccino, my way of stalling to think. When I place the cup back on the table, I look my brother square in the eye. “I am scared shitless, bro.”
The way his brows fly upward would be comical if it weren’t my life I was talking about.
“Scared of what, exactly?”
“Having a pack. Being with them, living with them.” I clear my throat and lower my voice to just above a whisper. “Mating.”
He gets all bemused before sipping his coffee like I had, almost snorting on it with a laugh.
“Yeah, thanks a lot.”
“I’m sorry.” He sounds sincere, but I still give him the stink-eye. “I mean, you don’t need me to give you a ‘Birds and the Bees’ refresher course, do you?”
I am going to melt into my seat and disappear. “Of course not,” I hiss.
Now, he’s full-on laughing at me. “There’s no reason to be scared, Adam. You’ll do what comes naturally, and it will be great.” His head tilts as he regards me. “I assume she’s… not in the same situation as you?”
Uh, not a virgin, no.“She’s mated with one of my pack brothers.”
Ben nods at this, tears off a piece of his croissant, and pops it in his mouth. “Well, I know you’re going to be fine. And honestly, we can’t wait to meet your pack later today.”
It’s Saturday, the day we’re all going to head to Ben’s place and take a look at the interior for some inspiration. The whole family will be there.
I take a bite of my own croissant as my brain whirs in overdrive, until the bell at the door jingles behind me, and a familiar and delectable scent hits my senses.
Eyes wide, I’m frozen in my chair, and I don’t have a clue why. Embarrassment? Like, do I think she’ll know what I was just talking about?
Shit.
“Adam!”
I pop out of my chair so fast that I knock it over, catching it before it tips to the floor.
“A-Adley.”
Oh, great. Fantastic. Real smooth, man.
But she gives me a grin, leans in, and kisses my cheek. Warmth flows through my body at her touch, and I’m all better.
Magic kisses, apparently. Need to add that to the list of amazing things about Adley.
Ben clears his throat, and I jump a little, gesturing to him. “Uh, this is my brother, Ben. Ben, this is Adley. She’s my…”
What do I call her? “My Omega” sounds so clinical and cringe in a public setting. Can I call her my mate when we haven’t bonded yet?
“I’m his mate,” she supplies, and I guess that answers that question.
As they join hands to shake, Ben smiles. “It’s good to meet you, Adley. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Taking her hand back, Adley shoots me a sideways glance. “Is that so?”
I cough, gesture to the empty chair between my brother and me. “Can you stay a bit?”
“Absolutely.” Her smile is so happy, it makes me feel it in my chest. “Let me just go order. Be right back.”
