ChapterTwenty-Six
Josie
Iburied my face in the blanket and took a few deep breaths, trying to process everything Jewel had said. There was a gentle knock at the door.
“Josie, can we come in?” Cam asked, his voice as soft and hesitant as I’d ever heard it.
“Yeah,” I responded, feeling suddenly shy.
Were they upset with me? With Jewel?
Cam, Ben, and Theo shuffled into the room, eyes downcast. They stood in front of me by the bed but didn’t move to get closer or touch me.
“We’re sorry,” Ben blurted out. “We messed up. We wanted this to be a good surprise and courting gift, but obviously it wasn’t. We should have asked you first.”
My lips parted in surprise. Had an alpha ever apologized to me?
“Thank you,” I responded, unable to meet their eyes. “I’m sorry I ruined the present.”
“You don’t apologize,” Cam growled. “We’re the ones who messed up, sweetheart. I’m sorry.”
The tightness in my chest eased.
“You were upset when we told you Jewel was coming over and you didn’t say anything. Why?” Cam asked, his brow furrowed with concern.
“I didn’t want to be an inconvenience. Or make you think I’m crazy and hormonal.”
“Baby girl,I’mcrazy and hormonal. Fuck, my alpha won’t shut up about needing to protect you and feed you and give you a shit ton of presents,” Cam said.
“You’re allowed to need things, you and your omega both,” Theo said tenderly.
Finally, I looked up, meeting each of their gazes. They looked so genuine and unsure. Theo kept ruffling his hair, and Cam shifted from side to side.
“Will you sit next to me?” I asked.
The three of them moved to the bed instantly. Cam settled against the headboard so I could lean back on him with Ben and Theo beside me.
“We’re going to be better at listening, precious,” Ben said, kissing my cheek. “What do you need?”
I hesitated, wringing my hands until Theo gathered them in his, soothing his fingers down my palms.
“I don’t need to stay in bed all the time,” I said. “I’d like to go outside. Unless…”
“Unless what, love?” Theo asked.
“Unless you don’t want to be seen with me?” I whispered.
I heard a sharp intake of breath.
“Baby girl, no. That’s not… Fuck.” Cam pulled me so I was fully leaning on his chest.
“Of fucking course we want to be seen with you,” he said. “Except I’m feeling possessive as fuck right now.”
“We’re unsettled because you’ve been in pain the past few days and we couldn’t help you,” Theo said.
My eyes glanced over at the side table, which currently housed the vibrating dildo. Theo cleared his throat, and I realized he was blushing. He was so cute.
“Well, couldn’t help as much as we wanted,” he said. “But that’s our problem, not yours. You understand, angel?”
