His low chuckle tickled my cheek.
I scanned the search area. King was leading a group of children who were carefully scanning the ground, and Wilder was crawling on his belly underneath the food table.
“How did Stanley recruit you three to be volunteers?”
“The universe told us to.”
I crinkled my nose. “Huh?”
He shrugged. “We’re following the commands of our daily horoscopes. Today it said it was critical for us to report to Stanley as Easter Eggstravaganza volunteers.”
Before I could make sense of what he’d said, a huge smile broke out across his face. He gave me a tight squeeze. “Look over there, pretty girl.”
Wilder was walking toward us, a cardboard berry basket in his hands. “We found her!” He waved his arm, and everyone in the search party cheered.
I jumped up and sprinted toward him, skidding to a stop to see a snoozing Blossom lying amid the blackberries, her mouth and paws stained dark purple.
My legs buckled, and Wilder’s firm arm wrapping around my waist was the only thing keeping me upright.
“She’s okay?” I choked on a sob.
“She’s perfect.”
I scooped Blossom into my shaking hands and tucked her to my chest. King and Leo were soon by my side, enveloping me in their embrace. I didn’t care that I was supposed to be keeping my distance or that our hug would be gossip fuel for the town or that Easton had stolen the egg hunt championship crown and was being chased by all the town children. All I cared about was soaking up their comfort, and the tickle of Blossom’s nose against my skin.
At the end ofthe festival, the guys—Felix included—walked me home. Blossom had been a happy little bunny the rest of the day, delighting the kids with her cute little hops, but I was still a bit of a wreck.
“Thanks for your help today. I’m sorry I got so emotional.” My cheeks heated and I couldn’t look Leo, King, or Wilder in the eye.
They had been nothing but sweet to me, but I was still braced for sly, cutting remarks.
Leo ran his fingers down my arm in a tender caress. “You never have to apologize for feeling.” He glanced at Wilder and King before continuing. “We didn’t do a good job explaining ourselves the other day. We want to court you, which means we want to be with you in all of life’s moments, even the painful ones.”
He lifted my chin, his thumb brushing against my lips. “I’m so fucking sorry for letting you down, azizam, but I’m all in. Nothing you do will scare me away.”
King pressed close to my side. “What he said.”
“Agreed,” Wilder added.
Leo let out an exasperated sigh. “I say all of that for you two to say ditto?”
A smile tugged at my lips as I slowly shook my head. “They’re alphas. What can we expect?”
King twisted his fingers in my hair and tilted my head back. “Brat.” His voice was filled with affection, and I shivered with pleasure.
Wilder’s chest was firm against my back. “What do you say, sweetheart? Will you give us another chance?”
My omega was shouting at me to say yes, and my chest ached with the urge to give in. But I couldn’t shake the loneliness I’d felt at craft night, and my determination to do this year differently.
“I don’t know.” My words came out in a hoarse whisper. “It’s not that I’m mad or holding a grudge against you all. I’m just not sure a relationship is what’s right for me.” I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for them to lash out or just walk away, but they pressed closer.
“It’s okay to not know,” Wilder said gruffly.
King gripped my chin. “Just as long as you’re okay with us not giving up.”
I chewed my lip. “You’ll get bored.”
Leo snorted and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. “You’re not getting how serious we are about you, but you will. Can we come inside? Keep you company?”
