Cato worms his way in next to her while we’re getting snacks, but I make sure to get the spot on her other side.
Charm starts the movie once we’re ready.
This night is like so many others since Hestia joined us, yet it’s completely different.
We’re on adate. I don’t have to hide the way I touch her hand when I pass her something. I don’t have to pretend I’m not watching her watch the movie. I’m not the polite host when I put food on her plate, I’m an alpha taking care of my omega.
Throughout the evening, Hestia blushes and flutters her eyelashes and touches us back. She leansagainst me, twines her hand with Cato’s on her thigh, hugs Magnus when he refills her nachos.
It’s a slow start to our relationship, as promised.
After the movies, we talk until it’s time for bed. If we didn’t have to work tomorrow, we probably would have stayed up all night.
We walk Hestia to her door and say goodnight.
I return to my room with a smile, and fall asleep watching videos of her on my phone.
Chapter 43
Magnus
I’m going to wear out my pants at this rate.
I look around again for a rag, but can’t find one. Usually I have plenty hanging around the greenhouse, but the one time I really need a handkerchief, they’ve all disappeared.
Maybe Pete moved them. He drags them off sometimes to make nests, even though I give him nicer cloths for that.
I resort to rubbing my sweaty hands on my pant legs for what feels like the tenth time in as many minutes.
I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous before, even when scaling cliffs or coming face to face with a bear and her cubs.
Actually, there was one other time I was anxious, when Hestia was stuck in that hole with a panicking alpha.
This isn’t even a date, but itisthe first time we’ll be alone together since we started dating.
Since she kissed me.
I’m still afraid I’m too much for her. Too big, too rough, too much.
Hestia didn’t seem to mind that during her heat, but what about the rest of the time?
I never quite fit in with my family, not content to live that isolated. Except when I left, I never fit in in the city either. Even smaller towns are too overwhelming, too crowded for me to be comfortable.
Will Hestia decide one day that I’m too much, not quite good enough?
Is she already having second thoughts?
“What’s that?”
I jump at Hestia’s sudden question and almost knock over the bench. I didn’t even hear her come in.
She tilts her head, and I realize she’s waiting for an answer while I stare at her with a stupid smile on my face.
“What?” I ask dumbly, because I’ve already forgotten what she asked. Seeing her wiped everything else from my mind.
“What are those plants?” she asks again, pointing.
“Oh right, those,” I say.
