It’s the first time we’re addressing this idea that’s been permeating silently through our interactions.
I wait for the panic to wash over me. For my instincts to tell me to run. For logic to dictate that I need to get up from this table and walk away from whatever this is so that my life isn’t put at risk again by a reckless pack who wants nothing more than to rut and mark an Omega.
But the panic doesn’t come.
The fear doesn’t wash over me.
And I realize… not once have they been reckless.
Eager, sure. But never reckless.
My scent glands pulse. I can’t stop it. My scent blossoms around us as heat spreads through me, relaxing my muscles and my clamping hold on Walker’s hand.
My pack.
It never felt right, introducing my former Alphas as my pack. The words always got caught on the tip of my tongue. Lodged in my throat, like my body itself was preventing me from using the title.
“Pack,” I whisper softly.
My throat doesn’t try to stop the word.
“Could we build a tire swing?” Amber asks, piercing the silence.
Knox points at Amber. “Now you’re thinking.”
Walker’s chuckle makes my heart skip a beat. “Of course, little one.”
“I mean, I’m down for vineyard life,” Knox says. “Fixing things? Updating rooms? A hot tub on the back porch? Sign me up.”
Eli snickers. “You’re not far from the school. It wouldn’t tack on much to my morning commute.”
“And a slide?” Amber asks, her voice growing in excitement.
“We could build you an entire playground, if that’s what you’d like,” Walker says.
“Yesssss,” Amber says. Her fist juts into the air like she just won gold at the Olympics.
The warmth building inside of me takes a turn. It’s not just emotional any longer. It’s heavy, entwined. My pulse thunders in my ears. My bones feel like they have fire rushing through them. My scent glands pulse again, shooting another plume of my scent around us.
“Lia?” Knox asks.
“Daddy, is she okay?” Amber asks.
Their voices sound so far away.
Fuck.
My preheat is getting worse.
“I’m okay,” I murmur.
“No, you’re not,” Walker says as he stands. “You’re slurring your words. Come here.”
My body is rising as the words whisper from my lips. “Another pack. Wow.”
“Get her to a sink!” Knox exclaims.
Before my world tilts so hard that it brings the soup right back up my throat.
