Sunshine

MIRA KANE

Copyright 2025 Mira Kane

Cover by Covers by Combs

Copy Edits by Steph Tashkoff

Formatting by Melissa Huxley

All right reserved as permitted under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the Author, with the exception brief quotations may be used for review purposes. Criminal Copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is publishable by up to five (5) years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead is coincidental.

The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of the words mentioned in this work.

What is Omegaverse?

My first omegaverse was Supernatural fanfiction. I read halfway through and wondered why no one had changed into a wolf yet.

That led to many Internet searches where I discovered sometimes omegaverse can contain shifters, but it’s also possible to have a contemporary story with no magic.

Omegaverse is often exactly like our world, just with alternate human biology layered over it. This biology includes animalistic traits, fancy penises, mating instincts, bonding marks, pheromones, and a slight social hierarchy. Alphas are considered powerful, and men have knots at the base of their penises to lock inside omegas. Alphas are natural leaders and form family packs by biting their bondmate. Omegas are rarer, go into sexual heats, and are considered more fragile. Betas are the normal people without which nothing would get done.

And then I had a lot of fun picturing our modern-day world, only with the omegaverse dynamics layered over everything. So enjoy this story set in the real world, with some extra spice.

Content Notice:

Readers should note, there is MM in this book, mention of parent death (not on screen), oral sex, anal penetration, double penetration, knotting, heat scenes, lots of aftercare, biting and marking, mention of being cheated in the past (not the current relationship), a male omega firefighter, and a character discovering she might be ADHD

This one goes out to all my neurospicy people. I see you, fam, I see you.

Chapter 1

Sunshine

My high heels clicked across the intricate white and gold tiles as I made my way between the tables set at intervals around the massive ballroom. Most of the Californian upper crust were here tonight, dressed in sleek evening dresses and perfectly fitting suits. They gathered in groups, wheeling and dealing, or flirting with potential mates. Couples twirled on the dancefloor, the shimmery dresses adding sparkle to the already gilded aesthetics.

The event of the season was a roaring success. I paused to soak in the atmosphere and allowed myself a moment of satisfaction and relief.

I’d managed to pull it off, even though it had been a train wreck. The flowers had been reordered three times, the venue had to be changed four times, and every time we’d tried to finalize the menu, there’d been problems with suppliers.

But tonight, six months of hard work had come to fruition.

Too bad I couldn’t really enjoy it. I loved event planning, but I put so much into each one that by the time it arrived, I was exhausted and ready to move on. Everyone in my extended family had told me I needed to celebrate my achievements more, but that was difficult when the final event always felt more like a narrowly avoided disaster than an accomplishment.

I did another round, keeping to the wall, and this time checking to make sure everyone was playing nicely. There was an additional reason for the well-heeled and well-connected to mind their manners tonight—the influential Bancroft pack was here.

Their eldest son, Simon, was my new brother-in-law. My sister, Stella, an omega, had bonded him and his pack a few weeks ago. Being associated with a rich family made it almost guaranteed that no one would decide to insult a business rival and ruin the evening.

Most of the movers and shakers here would never actually make a scene, but that didn’t mean there weren’t still cutting remarks and power plays.

I slipped past some decorative urns, and a massive oil painting set up on an easel. The next event I was working on was an art auction for charity, so I’d asked the artist to pick some of his best pieces tonight to show off his work and generate interest in the auction. Having a mini gallery added a unique touch to the ballroom. Otherwise, it would have looked like every other expensive venue.

Satisfied, I headed toward the kitchen. Logan, the alpha head chef, wouldn’t need help. But it didn’t hurt to check in and make sure everything was running smoothly. As I turned my head, I caught sight of another familiar alpha. Logan’s packmate, Luca, was looking completely dashing in a three-piece tuxedo. His curly black hair was usually unruly, but tonight he’d managed to tame it.

Julian, their omega, stood next to Luca. The male omega was one of my closest friends. He was funny and flirty, and had a great smile. A blonde woman was standing beside him. As I watched, she laughed, leaning on Julian’s arm as if she needed support. The urge to march over there and pull the woman off him was so strong it stole my breath.

Julian was giving off clear “give me personal space” vibes, from the tight set of his shoulders and the way he angled his body away from the woman.

My heart lurched, and I wished I was standing between Luca and Julian, instead of making sure this fancy event didn’t nosedive into a disaster.

Julian shook his head, his low ponytail moving across his tuxedo. He had refreshed his under shave, so his silky black hair stood out. He laughed, his dimples showing, and my stomach swooped. The image of being between the two of them presented itself again, except this time we were caressing and kissing as we went to find Logan.

I bit my lip, wondering how Julian’s tattoos, currently concealed by his tux, would feel. And whether running my hands through Luca’s hair would mess up the soft waves.

I shook my head, trying to push my thoughts away. I could long to be part of a pack, but at the end of the day I was just a beta.

The twenty-first century was trying to be kinder to the three designations than previous eras. A popular sitcom, Omega in Love was getting traction because it turned the stereotypes around: the omega wasn’t just a sex-crazed bombshell, the alphas weren’t Neanderthals dragging the first omega they saw off to their cave, and betas got to do more than just be there for support or to bring snacks during the heat.

Modern culture could talk about how betas did it better, but in reality, all pack dynamics revolved around an omega finding their mates. Alphas had to make sure they found their perfect omega, omegas craved alphas and their knots, and betas were caught somewhere in between.

Despite this, alphas and omegas were far less common, so most of the world was still made up of betas paired with other betas. In comparison, my mom and dads had been a pack and so had my aunt and uncles. Everyone pointed out that’s why there were so many alphas and omegas in my family.

My two sisters, Stella and Luna, were omegas, as was my cousin Ember. My cousin Raina was a rare female alpha, and I had another alpha cousin, Zephyr. My cousin Terran and I were the only betas in the family.

If my parents had still been alive, I was sure they’d have advice for me. Dad had been a beta, and he used to make jokes about the two of us getting away from all the hormones.

“Where are you from?” I heard the blonde asked Julian, pulling my focus back to the present.

Julian was half Korean and half Hawaiian—idiots always asked him where he was from.

“Hawaii,” he said. “But we’ve lived in Half Moon Bay for years.”

Sometimes when someone assumed that, since he wasn’t white, he must be from China or something, Julian turned it back on the person. But apparently, he didn’t feel like playing the racial microaggression game today. The woman giggled, and I tore my gaze away. If I watched them for too much longer, I’d walk over there and snatch her off Julian.

Luckily, Luca was already wrapping an arm around his omega’s shoulder, subtly pulling him closer.

I continued my course for the kitchen where I could torture myself with Logan. I’d tried out pack life before, but the pack I’d been with had broken things off with just over a year ago.

After cheating on me.

Because I was a beta.

It was better for me to dream about Pack Kahele than to take any action that would end with my heart being broken.

Again.

Clouds of steam greeted me as I pushed into the kitchen.

Logan stood behind a massive stove, directing several sous chefs. All burners were going at once, one of the assistant chefs was setting up rows and rows of gleaming white plates, while another was stirring sauces.

“Everything okay?” I stood at the side of the kitchen, appreciating the delicious smells wafting over.

Logan didn’t look up when he heard my voice. Instead, he turned and grabbed a side plate then arranged a sample of the next course—seared scallops nestled next to baby spinach. After drizzling pomegranate glaze over the whole thing, he held the plate out to me with an intent look. “Try,” he said.

I walked over to the countertop, smiling as I took the plate. “It was delicious during the tasting. I was just making sure you don’t need more bus boys.”

Logan grunted in the negative as he flipped scallops onto plates and passed them over to the person in charge of appetizers. I got a slight waft of his herbal scent, blending in with the kitchen so well you had to know his scent to know the heady blend of thyme, bay, and rosemary was the alpha, and not a delicious dish he was cooking up.

I took a bite and sighed happily, the buttery scallop melting in my mouth along with the sharp and almost citrus taste of the pomegranate. “No wonder Persephone stayed in the Underworld.”

Logan shot me a grin.

It felt like winning the lottery. Gruff and terse barely covered Logan’s grumpy chef personality. I’d rarely seen him crack a smile, especially when he was working, and I couldn’t help but stare.

His short brown hair was mostly hidden under his bandana and his chef’s whites were pristine. The heat of the kitchen had given his normally pale skin a slight flush that revealed a smattering of freckles.

I kept my eyes on him as I took another bite, the combination of flavors became almost sensual and I found myself wondering if Logan’s skin flushed like that when Julian was in heat, and their bodies were pushing together. My breath caught in my throat at the sudden rush of desire.

I slammed a mental door on that line of thinking and ate the rest of my scallops. “Thanks. I hadn’t eaten yet.”

“I know,” he grunted. “You need to eat more. Julian and Luca eating?”

“Of course.” I’d barely had time to talk to them, but I had managed to keep an eye on whether they hit the buffet table. “Julian destroyed your Marsala Risotto.”

Logan nodded, then plated up some of the risotto for me, and I started on it happily.

Just as I was thinking I should head back out, the kitchen’s double doors opened again, and Julian and Luca came through.

“I didn’t know we were allowed to hide back here.” Julian grinned at me. “Hey, gorgeous.”

Warmth rushed over me, and I knew I was smiling like an idiot. Julian was an irresistible cross between adorable and sexy. I eyed the tattoos peeking over the edges of his crisp white dress shirt, wishing I could see more.

Julian and Luca didn’t usually come to the events that Logan catered, but Luca was a hot shot lawyer, and his firm had been invited by one of the hosts. Julian had come as his plus one, so it was a happy coincidence that we were all at the same event together.

My grandparents had started the family matchmaking business, Cosmic Bonds, when they bought a resort in Half Moon Bay. Me, my siblings, and cousins had all grown up helping our parents’ packs run the business. We planned on taking over, but didn’t know it would be so soon. When I was sixteen, our parents, aunt, and uncles had all died in a plane crash, and it had fallen to us to keep the place running. My older cousin Raina, barely eighteen at the time, managed to get custody over the six of us, and we pitched in to help so we could stay together.

Ten years later, and the business was thriving. In addition to personality tests and tarot readings, we also hosted events on the grounds of the resort. I’d started event planning when I was twenty, along with my adopted sister Holly, and six years later the scale of the work had increased immensely. When we realized we needed a regular caterer, we had offered an exclusive contract to Logan’s company, Talk of the Town.

Logan was still free to cater elsewhere, in addition to the restaurant he had in Half Moon Bay, but having him as our sole chef meant that Cosmic Bonds could say we offered nothing less than a three Michelin-starred menu.

It also meant that every now and then there were opportunities to spend time with them as a pack.

“I’m making sure Logan doesn’t need more busboys or waiters.” I took another bite of the risotto. The buttery rice was delicious, and I fought not to make a little moan of pleasure.

“Sure you are.” Julian gave me a side hug, enveloping me in his tropical scent of coconut and pineapple. Inwardly, I melted. “I’m back here checking on Logan’s service, too.”

“Smashing event as usual.” Luca winked at me, his warm brown eyes twinkling.

Having the three of them so close made me tense up, my face flushing from more than just the heat of the kitchen. It was too easy to think about what it would be like to date them. We’d decompress on the couch after a long day, and at night we’d climb into bed, touching and kissing.

My heart began to pound so hard it felt like it was going to come out of my chest, and yearning filled me. The heat I felt was one that never truly went away. I let out a breath and then pushed my fantasies away.

I could dream all I wanted, but nothing good would come from getting involved with a pack. Especially Pack Kahele. Julian was my friend, and I couldn’t stand the thought of losing him just because I wanted something I couldn’t have.

“Thanks.” I set the plate down and slid off my chair. “Speaking of, I’m headed back out to run the gauntlet.”

Julian pecked a kiss on Logan’s cheek. “See you later, hot stuff. We’re gonna go make sure the rich people behave themselves.”

“Good luck with that,” Logan grumbled. “Y’all come back for the dessert course.”

“Yes, sir.” Julian gave Logan a mock salute, and I found myself being escorted out of the kitchen by the men of my dreams.

Chapter 2

Sunshine

As we left the kitchen, I reminded myself why I wouldn’t embarrass myself by asking them on a date.

Julian put his hand on the small of my back. “Let’s go work the room, babe.”

“I liked hiding in the kitchen better.” Luca muttered.

“You eat these people for breakfast.” I arched an eyebrow at Luca.

It amused me that he was a high-powered corporate lawyer. Based on his attitude you’d never know he spent most of his time dealing with fortune five hundred CEOs.

“It’s easier to demolish them in court.” Luca tugged the cuffs of his jacket down. “I have to play nice here.”

“Exactly.” Julian pointed across the room. “There’s the head of Bowen Consolidated. Talk them into coming to the First Responders’ Festival and donating a lot of money.”

Luca heaved a sigh and leaned over me to give Julian a peck on the cheek. “You could come along.”

Julian patted my arm. “I’m helping Sunshine check on her guests.”

“Very well.” Luca headed to the other side of the room.

I glanced at Julian. “You just don’t want to answer the same five questions about an omega being a firefighter.”

“Guilty.” Julian didn’t look sorry at all.

I didn’t blame him. It sucked in a lot of ways being a beta, but there were aspects to the other designations that sucked too. Society wanted everyone to fit into a neat box, and none of the people I knew actually did.

Julian was a firefighter. Barely fifty years ago it had been illegal for omegas to go into ‘dangerous’ occupations. He still caught some level of grief from his company, even if he was accepted overall.

But every time he was around new people the questions ranged from where he was from, to how he handled being an omega and a firefighter, and why his alphas let him do such a dangerous job.

We circled the room a few times, making polite conversation with California’s business elite, and then Julian headed to the bar to get us something to drink.

I’d just started another check on the support staff when a voice behind me made my entire body freeze.

“Sunshine?”

I turned around slowly, hoping I was wrong. A chill spread over my skin. Maybe it wasn’t Rob. But as I completed my turn, my stomach twisted, and I regretted every bite I’d eaten.

Rob Beneventi stood in front of me. His smooth blond hair was perfect, and his suit was more expensive than my car. Cold blue eyes assessed me, and I suddenly felt underdressed, even with high heels, a full face of makeup, and a fancy gown for the event.

But Rob had always had that effect on me. It was just that once upon a time, I’d thought I would be good enough if I wore the right makeup, said the right things, and became successful enough.

But no matter how many hoops I jumped through, it was never enough.

I swallowed hard and smiled. “Rob. Hi.” I was proud that my voice sounded only a little strained. Mentally, I was trying to ignore the panic that had started clawing in my chest.

There was no reason to be this upset. Pack Beneventi had broken up with me… after they’d started dating my ex-best friend Becca behind my back. I’d had my pity party, my crying over ice cream, and rage over being jilted, months ago. I had moved on.

Mostly.

Maybe it was over and done with, but my stomach still clenched like I’d been punched in the gut.

“What brings you here?” Rob looked around as if to say I didn’t belong in a room full of the rich and powerful.

I stood up straighter. I would never be ashamed of the work I put into my event planning. “I’m the event coordinator.”

“Oh. Well done.” His voice was cold and cultured.

I prayed that Rob had come by himself even though I knew better…and, sure enough, Becca materialized from the crowd. She smirked at me as she slid under Rob’s arm.

Becca was beautiful, with glossy brown hair, big brown eyes, and curves. For a moment I saw the beta girl that had befriended me on the playground in ninth grade. Becca and I had been inseparable in school, along with Talia, our other best friend. The three of us had weathered boys, proms, and family tragedies together.

But all that went up in flames when Becca started sleeping with the pack I was dating behind my back. I hadn’t suspected a thing until I’d caught them all in bed together. Like the cliché I was, I came home early to bring surprise presents to Rob, only to find them all mid-orgy.

“Hello, Sunshine. Nice to see you again.” Becca smiled, her expensive lipstick glossy under the lights. She and Rob looked ready for a photoshoot. “I see you’re still doing event planning.”

“Of course she is.” Julian slid in next to me, handing me my drink then putting his arm around my waist. “There’s a waitlist a mile long.”

I hid my surprise and relief, and tried to act like it was normal for him to cuddle up next to me.

Julian beamed at me, like we were the only two people in the room and then took notice of Rob and Becca. “Julian Kahele.”

Becca’s smirk grew bigger, and my stomach twisted with knots. I knew that look. It said: “I have the upper hand”. I’d been used to seeing it on her when she destroyed the competition. I just hadn’t realized I was the competition until it was too late.

Isaac, the other alpha in the pack, came over to stand next to Becca as Mason, the pack omega, walked up on the other side of Rob. I looked at him with regret. I’d tried so hard to win Mason over.

But he was quiet, and intense. I’d never known what he was thinking, and he’d go days without talking to anyone.

The reality was that I could date alphas all I wanted, but if their omega didn’t like me, there was no getting into a pack. Simple as that.

My attention went back to Becca as she introduced herself to Julian, “I’m Becca Beneventi.” And I realized why she was looking like the cat that ate the cream.

Becca had taken Mason’s last name…which meant she’d been bonded into the pack.

All the air rushed out of my lungs. I leaned on Julian a little bit more than I should have, but my knees felt like they were going to give out.

I couldn’t stop myself from looking at her neck. Becca obliged me by tossing her hair off her shoulder. A shiny bondmark showed pale white on her tanned skin. It was months old.

My skin prickled, and black spots formed at the edges of my vision. They’d refused to bond me after almost two years of dating but had bonded Becca soon after they’d dumped me.

“Julian, this is my pack. Rob, Isaac, and our omega, Mason.” Becca gestured around her, like I didn’t know these men intimately.

Like I hadn’t fallen completely in love with them.

Isaac at least had the decency to look uncomfortable, rubbing the back of his neck. “Nice event, right?”

Julian moved close enough that the heat of his body pressed into my side. I felt ice cold.

I tried to swallow, but my mouth was too dry. The room seemed too small, the lights too bright, as everything hit me. The whole time we’d been together, the pack had told me they weren’t sure if they would ever bond a beta.

And yet Pack Beneventi had bonded Becca within months of dating her. Some of those months were when they were supposed to be dating me.

“Hello.” Luca’s smooth voice cut through some of the noise in my brain. Then he was at my other side, surrounding me with his cinnamon and vanilla scent. “Luca Kahele.”

Isaac frowned for a moment, as though puzzling over something, then his brow cleared. “Kahele, that’s where I know that name from. You just finished that massive case with the Somatics Firm, didn’t you?.”

Luca gave the alpha his thousand-watt smile that said I eat alphas for breakfast. “That’s me. It was a team effort of course.”

“Of course.” Isaac worked in business and both he and Rob had been obsessed with social climbing to improve their careers. “A team effort that you pulled off for your firm. Well done.”

Luca put a hand on the small of my back. “I see you’ve met my omega, Julian? And Sunshine?”

“We have,” Becca said, her expression poisonous. “I see you’re still chasing omegas, Sunshine.”

I blinked, too shocked she’d directly insulted me to be able to come up with something witty. She’d already won, so I didn’t see why she was crowing over the victory.

“Becca!” Julian snapped his fingers, as though he’d been trying to figure something out. “Now I remember. You were the best friend who slept with Sunshine’s pack behind her back.”

Becca’s face drained of color, and I tried to turn my choked response into a cough. Shock and amusement warred inside me that Julian had said that out loud instead of playing nice.

Rob’s face turned red. “We hadn’t bonded Sunshine yet, so we didn’t actually…”

And with that, I was back to feeling like I’d been punched.

“Cheat?” Julian snorted. “I’m pretty sure it’s still cheating, even if you haven’t bonded. Otherwise, what…? You’re all free to sleep with whoever you want?”

“We scent-matched,” Becca said, her voice as tight. “I can’t help that.”

Isaac cleared his throat, running a hair over his close-cut brown hair. “It was nice to see you again, Sunshine, but we have business elsewhere.”

Becca looked like she was going to say more, but Isaac shot her a glare, and they left.

For a moment I stood there, unable to speak. To think. The world felt soft and fuzzy, like it was all a dream. Or a nightmare, so much worse than showing up at school naked.

“Come on, love.” Luca steered us back into the kitchen. “You need a break.”

My hands were shaking. I hated that my exes still affected me. After almost a year, I’d thought I was over the ugly break up. I’d spent enough time crying on Julian’s shoulder.

Julian pulled two extra chairs up to a small table to the side of the kitchen and gestured for me to sit.

Logan looked up, concerned. “You’re as white as a ghost.”

I tried to speak, to tell him I was okay, but my mouth was too dry. I swallowed hard, but the lump in my throat wouldn’t go away.

“Later,” Julian told Logan, sitting next to me. His coconut and pineapple scent soothed my nerves as he brushed his arm over my shoulder, as though he was scent marking me.

Luca brought me some soda while Logan carried over a platter of the different desserts that were on offer tonight.

“I’m sorry.” I gripped my fork, the metal cold against my clammy skin. “I’m fine, really. Over that whole mess.”

Julian ran his hand over my back. “It’s still upsetting, babe. Anyone would be hurt, especially with that hag’s display.”

“Who hurt you?” Logan looked at me intensely, fire in his eyes. “They’re dead.”

I shook my head. “It’s okay. Really.”

Logan looked at Luca and Julian like he wanted answers, but Julian made a cutting movement, and the alpha backed down. Instead, he handed me a slice of chocolate torte with salted caramel sauce.

I tried to focus on eating the divine dessert. I was okay. My body might have gone into panic mode, but I was okay. My family was safe, I had friends at my side to help me through an uncomfortable situation, and I wasn’t in any physical danger.

The problem was that even though I knew all that, adrenaline raced through me like I’d nearly been mauled by a bear. I had never been good at separating myself from social injuries versus physical ones. Sometimes I thought I would prefer a broken arm over pain like I’d just endured.

I swallowed the delicious bittersweet chocolate. “This is amazing.”

“Of course.” Logan sat down across from me. “We’re almost done with service.”

Julian brushed his hand across my arm again. “You want to come over? We can play whatever you want.”

Julian and I both loved videos games, and bonded over them early on in our friendship.

We loved Animal Crossing and had already spent hours on an island we’d designed. It was a single player game, but you could visit each other’s islands and trade fruits, items, and clothing.

But as much as I wanted to spend time with my friend, I was going to crash when I went home. All the energy and work that went into planning an event left me drained. I would always be fine during the event, but every time I got back to my cottage, I just wanted to crawl into bed and binge watch cooking shows until I fell asleep.

“I need a rain check.” I hated telling him no, but I knew I wouldn’t be any sort of company. “I’m exhausted.”

“Sure.” I was relieved that he didn’t seem annoyed with me or hurt I didn’t say yes.

Julian was straightforward. It was one of the reasons we were friends. I couldn’t handle trying to read into what people secretly wanted, especially after Pack Beneventi.

Just thinking about the way they’d made me feel made the old worries come back, that maybe he was secretly mad at me for saying no.

“You’re okay to go back into the ballroom?” Julian studied me. “Because I’m totally fine hiding out here with a gorgeous woman.”

I laughed. “I have to do my job. The event’s almost over.”

“At least allow me to walk around with you. Luca and I can take turns.” Julian winked, and my mind went straight into the gutter at the idea of how else they might take turns with me.

Luca brushed his hand over my arm, his voice silky as he responded. “My pleasure.”

It was sweet of them to try and make me feel better. I stood up, and with promises to Logan that we would return at the end for more food, we went back to the event. Luca steered us around the room, avoiding my old pack.

I was lucky to have friends with me, but I reminded myself that’s just what they were. Friends. Nothing more.

Chapter 3

Julian

Packing up after one of Logan’s catering events was usually something I enjoyed, but tonight it dragged. Ordinarily, it reminded me of being at work with the fire crew, all of us pitching together for a common goal. Logan’s staff was chill, and Luca and I knew how to break down a kitchen, so it should have been a breeze.

Tonight, though, I sighed with relief as we got into the van. Logan arched an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. When I’d said goodbye to Sunshine, it had been on the tip of my tongue to ask her back to our house again.

Despite her glossy pink lipstick, and flawless makeup, she’d looked tired, and I knew she needed to rest.

My pack had moved to California from Honolulu almost four years ago, when we found out my mom had breast cancer.

Sunshine had been there through the entire horrible process. I wouldn’t have gotten through Mom’s chemo if Sunshine hadn’t been around to help me, distract me, and empathize.

Logan and Luca were my alphas, but Sunshine lost her parents as a teenager. She understood my grief in a way they didn’t. I’d been waiting to ask her out, but just when Mom went into remission two years ago, Sunshine had started dating Rob and Isaac.

After almost a year of Sunshine being single, I’d been thinking it was time for more. I didn’t want to wait much longer to make a move on the beta that haunted my dreams.

But Logan had said he didn’t think she was ready for more yet, and, after seeing Sunshine’s face tonight, I had to agree with him. It was one thing to be her friend, and another thing to date her. I had to make sure I wasn’t going to break her heart, no matter how badly I wanted her, or how much I craved her touch.

I was picky as hell. I’d known Logan was mine the first time I breathed in his scent. He was quiet and gruff, but that didn’t bother me. I’d perfumed early in high school and I’d had alphas throwing themselves at me for years.

It was nice to have space to just be myself around Logan. He cooked for me, made sure I got enough sleep, and helped me get ready for my Basic Firefighter Training school. It had been ten weeks of hell. Logan got me through it. Then, when we met Luca, my other alpha balanced me and Logan out with his quick wit and charm, in a way that was effortless.

Every other alpha, omega, or beta that made a pass at one of us seemed like a risk. What if they didn’t fit in right? What if they judged Luca for all his weird quirks? What if they made Logan feel bad because he struggled to talk about his feelings?

And, underneath all of that, I was secretly worried I would be jealous.

Luca and Logan were obsessed with me and had no problems showing that. They loved each other, too, and when they spent time together their solid bond of trust and respect was like those packs who’d been together for fifty years.

No one ever seemed worth the risk of ruining our pack dynamic.

Until Sunshine. She helped me take Mom to chemo, she researched ways to combat nausea, never made me feel weird for having an unusual career, and was the only thing missing in my life.

“What’s wrong?” Luca murmured as he pulled me against him. We were sitting in the back seat while Logan drove. Even though he grumbled about being a chauffeur, he knew I preferred being cuddled.

Too many replies hit my brain at once, and they were all to do with Sunshine. I wanted her to come home with us, permanently. I wanted to steal some of her clothes so I could finally line my nest with her scent. I sighed, then settled for the most recent.

“Sunshine ran into that hose beast, Becca.”

Logan’s face was blank as he turned off to head out of the city. With the window down, the air smelled of the ocean. While I missed Hawaii, California’s coast came a close second-best.

I told Logan what had happened at the gala. By the end, Logan was growling, his knuckles white on the steering wheel.

“I should have kissed her right in front of that entire pack,” I grumbled. “That would have wiped the smirk off Becca’s face.”

Sunshine’s crumpled expression still haunted me. I would do anything to fix it.

Luca nuzzled his face into my neck, then rubbed his chin on my shoulder. “You know she wouldn’t have appreciated that. Besides, your first kiss shouldn’t be about one-upping someone else.”

Luca was right. I chafed at my inability to comfort the beautiful beta. Even if she had been nothing to me, I would have been upset. My desire for her only made it worse.

“You’re right,” I said, my voice hoarse with emotion.

“She needs more time,” Logan said. “They broke her heart. Let her show us she’s ready for more before we make a move. We don’t want to make her uncomfortable.”

Luca kissed my cheek. “You’ll know when the time is right.”

I grumbled some more, grumpy that my alphas were so reasonable. I wasn’t a patient person. Flirting with Sunshine as much as I could, without coming across as creepy, was taking all my willpower, but the thought of putting her through a fraction of the pain her last pack had caused her stopped me from going any further.

I would just have to spend more time with her, and keep showing her that we were safe. That we wouldn’t break her heart like Pack Beneventi.

I could be patient. Hopefully. Maybe.

Chapter 4

Sunshine

The next day I was dragging. I sat in my office at the Cosmic Bonds Welcome Center, considering packing it all in and moving to Fiji. Or maybe some armpit town in the Midwest where no one knew my name.

I had a billion small tasks to do, and I didn’t want to do a single one of them.

I loved my job. It gave me the challenge of being creative and figuring out a compromise between the budget the clients set and what was actually possible. But some of the day-to-day tasks were so tedious it made me wish I had an assistant, even though our budget couldn’t afford it. And I didn’t actually need one.

When I got really behind, I asked one of my sisters or cousins to help, but it was a massive pain in the butt to bring them up to sped.

Despite each of us being particularly good at one area, we all helped out with the rest of the business.

I was really great with bursts of inspiration and handling the vendors. But the small tasks would catch up with me. I couldn’t force myself to just sit and do them, so I would put it off until the absolute last minute and then, in a flash of cold sweat and panic, I’d get through my to-do list at once.

My cousin Raina, who was the oldest of the family, called this my Last-Minute Meltdown and kept telling me to do small boring tasks daily so I didn’t build up so much stress at the end.

I’d tried. I bought planners and made a schedule. I put reminders into my phone. I downloaded an app to help me remember tasks. None of it worked for long.

Every workaround that my family came up with, from reminders to Excel spreadsheets, would work great until something had to be adjusted, and I would go back to manually changing information. No two invoices looked the same, and neither did the orders to venders because everything was done differently for each event.

Anxiety hit me, making my stomach roll. I had forgotten to send two invoices yesterday. When Raina asked me if I’d sent all my invoices yet, I’d have to tell her no. Like I had the last three times she’d asked.

She’d even reminded me, by email and verbally, to finish up those invoices. But at the end of an event, I was so busy I could barely remember to eat. Sitting down to add more lines to an invoice while I was trying to make three phone calls, visit four different locations, and coordinate between the client and service providers just made me feel like death.

I should have put a reminder in my phone to finish them yesterday, but I’d been busy with the florist, and then it had been the actual event. And then when I’d gone home, I’d totally crashed.

Yet another failing that my former pack had pointed out whenever they caught me up late. Rob would say I needed to act like an adult if I wanted to run a successful event business.

I tapped on my keyboard, and, of course, my computer wanted to update. Whenever I wanted to get into my spreadsheet, build an invoice, and then fling it at the client, my computer acted up.

I huffed, waiting for the updates.

“Knock, knock.” Talia poked her head in the door.

My stomach clenched. I wasn’t sure I was ready to talk to Talia today.

She was my best friend, but she was sometimes hard to be around. Mostly because of how she’d responded when I’d found out Becca was sleeping with Rob and Isaac. Instead of taking my side, Talia had decided there were no sides. It was a bad situation, she told me. Scent-matching wasn’t common, and Becca couldn’t help that she’d scent-matched the men I was dating.

The problem with that was, in my heart, I didn’t believe that Becca had actually scent-matched Rob, and then the rest of the pack. But, instead of comforting me while my life was imploding, Talia reminded me that Becca was having a hard time too, because she couldn’t tell me about her new love. Then Talia had complained about being in the middle of her two best friends.

So I’d stopped talking about it. It hurt, and I still felt like I was right, but I didn’t want to fight about it either. It felt too much like high school drama. We were all grown women, for crying out loud. It was supposed to be ‘betas before boys’, but somehow that didn’t count when there was a scent match.

“Hey.” I looked up from my computer, internally swearing at the piece of junk. If it hadn’t been updating, I’d have the excuse of work to avoid talking to her.

“I wanted to check on you.” Talia came into the office and set a plate of cookies on my desk, scooting some papers over to clear a space. My desk was always ground zero of a massive paper mess. “Ember let me in. She’s still glaring at me.”

Talia sounded put out and confused, her platinum blonde hair framing her face like an angel.

My cousin, Ember, was still pissed off that Talia talked to Becca on a regular basis. My entire family was, but Ember didn’t bother to hide her stink eye.

My life had turned into a soap opera. Minus the hunky men vying for my love and attention.

“Just tired.” I forced a smile. “Trying to finish my invoices.”

“I heard you saw Becca last night.” Talia sat down in the chair opposite my desk. “Are you okay?”

I let out a gust of breath. “It hurt, but I’m okay.”

Talia frowned. “I’m sure that was awful. If I’d known they were going, I would have warned you.”

She had warned me in the past when Pack Beneventi was going to be attending certain functions. The problem was that, now Rob and Isaac were climbing the social ladder, there would be a higher chance of running into them. California was a big state, but not big enough, apparently.

I considered opening a browser to check into moving to the Midwest—somewhere far, far away from my exes—but of course my computer was still updating.

“Thanks. It was just a surprise.”

Talia cocked her head. “Becca said you were rude to her, which doesn’t sound like you.”

Hackles raised, I gritted my teeth. “Really? She called you right away to tell you I’d been mean to her, did she?”

Talia lifted her hands up. “I’m sorry. But you’re not usually rude, so I wanted to see how you were doing.”

“I was perfectly pleasant.” I couldn’t keep the defensiveness out of my tone. “But Julian was there, and Becca asked him if I was still chasing omegas.”

Talia frowned, her pretty face looking confused. Sometimes I wished she’d pick either me or Becca and stop trying to be a good friend to both of us.

I waited for Talia to tell me that was rude of Becca. But she didn’t say anything, and that was another little bitter twist in my heart.

I finished the story. “Julian brought up that she was the beta who’d been sleeping with the pack I was dating⁠—”

“—she scent-matched⁠—”

I held up my hand. “I don’t want to rehash everything. You asked me what happened. I’m telling you.”

Talia bit her lip. “That’s fair.”

“And I wasn’t rude. She was.”

“Okay.” Talia gave me another worried look. “I’m sorry you were hurt last night. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

I held my tongue. I’d told her before she could be friends with Becca if she wanted, but that I didn’t want to talk about her.

It wasn’t Talia’s fault I had issues with being a beta. For once in my whole life, I wanted to be picked. To be special. I’d thought I was special with Pack Beneventi, but I wasn’t good enough when the time came to pick me over Becca.

The needy, insecure voice in my head whispered that if I had been the one to sleep with Becca’s boyfriends, both Talia and Becca would have shunned me. That I was the third wheel. Pretty, but not pretty enough. Good with people, but I didn’t have the allure that Becca had, or the charm Talia did.

I was the slightly awkward, weird beta girl with a big family.

I huffed, pushing the thoughts away. That was enough of a pity party. I was always tired after an event and emotionally worn out. I decided it was time to change the subject. “So, how’s the bakery?”

Talia was a baker and had been trying to expand her business. She was renting a small space on Main Street with a couple of other bakers. Spring break tourist season was currently upon us, so the foot traffic was bringing her extra revenue.

“Good, actually.” Talia pulled a thick piece of paper out of her purse. “What do you think about the menu?”

I looked over the menu and, for a little while, things went back to normal. We talked about the market for salted caramel, whether red velvet was still considered trendy, and what to do about this year’s holiday celebrations.

I thought Halloween cookies were going to be popular this year, but Talia thought it was going to be Christmas cookies again and wanted to do a Christmas in July event.

My phone chimed, and I looked at the bright screen. It was Julian.

Julian:

Babe

I’m on a twenty-four hour at the fire station and my useless alphas have the audacity to be busy.

Babe.

I’m bored.

Babe.

What are you doing?

Babe.

“Who’s blowing up your phone?” Talia grinned, leaning over her chair like she could see my phone from there. “All your relatives are here. I counted. Someone special in your life?”

I shook my head. “Julian’s on a twenty-four hour shift and bored.”

Firefighters had to work long shifts at the fire station. They needed to be ready the moment a call came in, which meant staying at the station house for twenty-four hours at a time.

They were allowed to sleep and relax during that time as well perform duties like exercise, study, and equipment checks.

“Uhh hmm.” Talia nodded. “Judging by how your face lit up, you’re not “just friends” as you keep telling me.”

I resisted the urge to text him back as two more “babe” messages came through. “Friends text each other when they’re bored.”

Talia smoothed her hands over her bakery menu. “I say go for it. He wouldn’t be spending time with you if he wasn’t interested. You’re gorgeous, smart, and successful. What more could he want?”

I smiled. “Thanks.”

“I’ll get out of your hair. Keep me posted.” She left in a flurry of motion.

I opened the chat. I’d missed two more “babes” and two actual sentences in the short time I’d been focused on Talia, so I tapped a response.

Sunshine:

Julian. How are you bored?

Don’t you have a fire hose to lift or wind sprints to run?

I hit send and realized my mistake.

Almost immediately he replied.

Julian:

You can lift my hose any time you want

I rolled my eyes, and then sent an eye rolling emoji for good measure. Julian could be hyper, and we had the same weird sense of humor. Days of silence followed by one of us being dramatic over text message was nothing new. I turned back to my computer as it gave a beep when it finally finished its updates. Then my phone pinged again.

Julian:

For real though what are you doing?

Something sexy?

I almost made a joke about him going into heat early, but I knew his heat schedule already. He wasn’t due for another two months. Julian flirted over text without ever being graphic, but in person he mostly kept it platonic.

Sunshine:

Only if you think invoicing is sexy

I would rather chew broken glass

Julian:

:(

Anything you do is sexy, but sadness for hated tasks

How many invoices do you have?

I opened my browser just as Ember stuck her head into my office. Her red hair was down today, and she looked like the chaos gremlin of mischief that she was. She grinned. “Hey, favorite cousin.”

“Your leftovers are in the breakroom fridge.”

Ember loved Logan’s cooking as much as I did, and I made sure to steal her a plate when I did events.

“Raina is on a tear today. Something about her computer systems being down.” Ember gestured down the hall to the rest of our offices. “I’d finish your invoices if I was you.”

“I’m trying.” I waved at my computer. “It just took twenty minutes to update.”

“Do McCullen’s now,” Ember said. “I’ll buy you time to get the rest done by tonight.”

“I owe you.” Relief rushed over me. I didn’t want to know what Ember was going to do to distract Raina, but I would take the stay of execution.

“Get Logan to make me more of that Sex in a Pan⁠—”

“—that’s not what it’s called,” I started. “It’s a Pudding Bar Cake.”

“—and we’re even.” Ember left before I could argue with her about the name of her favorite dessert.

Feeling a bit less stressed, I went back to my text messages.

Sunshine:

Apparently, Ember will buy me time to finish the *cough cough* five invoices I have left if Logan makes more Sex in a Pan.

Julian sent me some laughing emojis.

Julian:

That’s too obvious, even for me

I can make that happen, tell Ember the goods will be delivered tomorrow

In the meantime, if you want to do your invoices let’s body double and I’ll do my checklists for Wednesday

Sunshine:

We have a deal

Sometimes having someone work at the same time helped me hate it less. Julian called it body doubling, and I saw the term floating around the Internet a couple of times.

I filled out my stupid, boring, horrible invoices while Julian made occasional comments about the safety checks. I snickered to myself as he cracked jokes about how the fire hose was still fine, the water tank was still where they left it, and so on.

I got my invoices finished with a rush of relief, and even managed to finish up other boring tasks before it was time to go home.

When I got back to my cottage, I messaged Julian to see if he was free for me to call so we could play video games. He was done with his work tasks, so we both signed in online to play Race to Win. I sucked at the game, but Julian loved it, and it was an easy way to turn off my brain. The players raced around a variety of tracks from normal racetracks to the moon.

I could hear the voices of other firefighters in the background, some of them joining our game, and for a while I forgot about my worries.

Right in the middle of a race, an alarm sounded, and Julian’s voice changed from excited to calm and controlled. “We got a call, got to go.”

“Text me when you get back safely,” I said, before exiting the game and hanging up.

It was impossible to sleep that night. I tossed and turned, wondering if Julian was okay. How Luca and Logan could stand it. My phone vibrated, and I rolled over, grabbing for it.

Julian:

Back safe, gonna crash now

Sunshine:

Okay good

Sleep well.

I stared at my ceiling in the dark. We were friends, but the worry and stress I felt didn’t feel like that was all we were.

No matter how many times I told myself it would end with my heart shattered in a million pieces, I couldn’t help wanting more.

Chapter 5

Sunshine

Iwas off work the next day, so I slept in then decided to do a whole lot of nothing. My invoices were done, and most of the prep work I needed to accomplish for the next few jobs was ready to go.

Sometimes, I liked to have a lot of stuff to do at once followed by absolutely nothing. Today, not having anything to do was a curse. I didn’t have any real hobbies. I’d tried painting, crochet, clay sculpture, cooking, and all sorts of other things, but they never stuck.

Nothing kept my interest. I would fall in love with something, spend a bunch of money to get into it, and lose motivation in a few weeks.

Yet another failing.

I picked up my phone and sent Julian a text before I could talk myself out of it.

Sunshine:

Hope you’re okay

I’m off today if you’re not busy.

There, that was friendly. I figured he’d be off work since he worked twenty-four hours on, twenty-four hours off for a few days in a row before it changed to being off a couple of days in a row. It was a complex schedule and the minute I thought I had figured it out, I would calculate something wrong.

I thought about deleting the message. He probably wanted to spend time with his pack. Logan’s catering business kept him busy all sorts of weird hours, and Luca’s law firm kept him on cases, but they also worked from home sometimes.

Asking about their personal work schedules always seemed like girlfriend territory.

I was just a friend and a business associate. I sat around feeling out of sorts, still not sure whether to unsend the message.

Then Julian texted me back.

Julian:

I would love to come over if you don’t mind?

Chill on the couch?

Still drained from last night.

He then sent me some gifs of adorable sleepy kittens.

Sunshine:

Sounds like a plan

I glanced around my messy living room and had a moment of panic. I should have cleaned up before inviting him over. I ran around, grabbing random items and trying to make the living room look clean, and less like “there were signs of a struggle”.

My little cottage had a small kitchen and eating area that opened into the living room. Down a short hall was a bedroom and master bathroom. It was small, but I didn’t need more. I lived on the same property as the rest of my family.

Of course, I lived in a little cottage now, and not the big house we grew up in. Once we started becoming adults, having everyone under the same room made the house feel too small.

When my parents, aunt, and uncles died in the plane crash that left Ember in the hospital for weeks, our world had been turned upside down.

It was hard. Some nights it felt like we were building a parachute three seconds before we hit the ground, but somehow, we landed on our feet.

Stella even had a pack now. A month ago, she’d fallen hard for Simon, Evan, and Jerrick. I’d never seen my sister happier, and I was relieved. I didn’t need to be a psychologist like Raina to know that losing our parents and growing up early had left its mark.

Stella was the first one to settle down with a pack, even though we had all given dating a shot.

Julian knocked on my door, and I answered it, still holding some clean dish towels I’d just picked up from the laundry pile on the armchair.

He grinned, breezing inside holding two Tupperware containers. “Don’t bother cleaning up. I know you’re a slob.”

I hid my wince, even though his tone was playful. Maybe someday I would get organized enough to not leave a pile of clean clothes half-folded in my living room, but that day wasn’t today.

“Hey, sorry.” He touched my arm. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way. I don’t care, I’m messy too. So’s Luca.”

“It’s fine.” I nodded at the containers in his hands. “What’s that?”

He headed over to my small kitchen table. “The Sex in a Pan that your mercenary cousin requested, and Logan made you a key lime pie.”

“Ooooo.” I hovered in anticipation.

Julian was wearing a pair of athletic shorts and a t-shirt, his usual sort of outfit, but he was paler than normal, and he had dark circles under his eyes. That was to be expected since his last text message to me had been at three in the morning.

“I’m shocked to see you before noon.”

He shrugged. “I got some sleep.”

“What do you want to do?” I gestured at my couch. “More Race to Win? Animal Crossing?”

“Ehhh, I’m still sort of worn out. Binge watch something?”

“Sure.”

“Actually…” The adorable omega looked a little sheepish. “I totally understand if it would make you uncomfortable, so tell me no if you would rather not…”

I scanned his face. He turned a little pink and looked at the floor. He never seemed embarrassed so I couldn’t imagine what he was about to ask.

“I was wondering if you wanted to uhhh…snuggle? While we watch TV.”

“Sure.” I frowned. “You seem nervous asking. Did I do something…?”

“No.” He shook his head. “I’m just exhausted, and I want to be around you. I’d love to just lay on the couch under a blanket and snuggle while we watch mindless TV.”

Understanding lit me up. “It was a stressful call last night, and you want to recharge.”

Julian nodded. “It was a bad car accident. But I don’t want to put you on the spot.”

“It’s okay.” I clapped my hands together. “I have some weighted blankets. And we should have some snacks and water, so we don’t have to move from the sanctity of the blanket fort.”

Julian laughed, relief making him look irresistible. “That sounds amazing.”

Anyone would want some comfort after a stressful job, but he was an omega and needed extra. I knew the drill, both of my sisters and my cousin were omegas.

I grabbed a weighted blanket off my bed, some pillows, and my two teddy bears, and brought them to the couch. “Stella, Luna, and Ember like stuffed animals too.” I spent a lot of time cuddling with my sisters and cousins, even when we were teens and “too old” for that sort of thing. It was like a giant slumber party.

I set the pillows and blanket down, then handed Lewis, my ancient stuffed panda, to Julian. “Here you go. I’ll just give him to you, so you don’t have to wrestle with keeping up your manly appearance.”

Julian put his arm around Lewis. “I so appreciate that.”

I got together some Goldfish crackers, potato chips, Nutter Butter bars, and the water and brought it all over to the coffee table. Julian was stretched out full-length on the couch, already looking more relaxed. He was leaning up on one elbow, his chin resting on his hand as he searched through the channels, stopping on the reality cooking competition we both enjoyed watching while we judged the chefs ruthlessly. I couldn’t cook to save my life, but it didn’t stop me from heckling people who couldn’t poach an egg.

I paused. “Where do you want me…?”

Julian tossed the remote onto the coffee table and patted the empty space in from of him. “Here? Wherever you’re comfortable. I can sit up if you’d prefer.”

“No, that’s okay.” I moved so I was lying in front of him, and he dragged the blanket over us both. Then he put his arms around me, and pulled me back against him, his forearms crossing my upper chest to cover my shoulders like a bear hug. I sighed happily, and he laughed.

“What?” I said. “This is cozy.”

I was trying not to examine why Julian was working so hard to not give me the wrong impression. He said he just wanted to snuggle. It had nothing to do with sex. He even had his forearm high enough that he was hugging my collarbone, with no danger of touching my breasts.

We were friends. I was allowed to snuggle with my friend. Even if we’d never snuggled like this before.

I settled back against his chest, stretching right out on the couch. I could see some of his tattoos, and I started studying them now that his arms were around me, even though my eyelids were starting to droop.

I’d never been so comfortable in my life. The blanket was warm and heavy, and with Julian’s slow breathing against my neck, I felt safe and warm, in a way I hadn’t since before my parents died.

“If this is why omegas like snuggling so much, I think I’m adding it to my needs as a beta.” Which were, biologically speaking, very little. But I could pretend.

I might have snuggled with my cousins and sisters before, but it was different with Julian. His scent coconut and pineapple scent surrounded me, making me think about beachy vacations.

“Mmm. Yes.” Julian sighed, squeezing me against him gently before loosening up. “You smell good, too.”

“What do I smell like?”

“Laundry. Sunshine. Outside.” His voice was thick with sleep. “Like a nest.”

I blinked, keeping my eyes on the cooking show. That was a compliment. Had to be.

Betas had softer scents than alphas or omegas, and Rob had always said I smelled fresh and clean and like being outside. It somehow didn’t come out sounding like a particularly alluring thing, and I’d always wished I had a more evocative scent.

But Julian said I smelled like a nest.

I tried not to read anything into the situation. This didn’t mean he wanted to date me. He was my friend, and he’d had a stressful night at work last night. Of course he wanted comfort.

I thought again about how Mason had never really warmed up to me. Not like his alphas had. We’d been friendly enough, but he’d always acted like I could never give him what he needed.

It was strange then that just snuggling on the couch seemed to make Julian more relaxed than I’d seen him in days.

His breathing gradually evened out, and before I knew it, my eyelids were heavy. I wanted to stay awake and revel in the feel of Julian’s arms around me. His chest moving up and down, the hard planes of his body curled behind me.

But sleep claimed me anyway. I woke up a few hours later when Julian shifted. I made a sleepy noise, and Julian patted my arm.

I lifted my head, and twisted so I could look at him. He was awake and gave me a sleepy smile.

“Hi. Epic nap time snuggles achieved.”

I nodded, setting my head back down. I usually didn’t like napping in the middle of the day, but today I felt refreshed, like I could run ten laps.

Well, maybe not ten laps.

Julian shifted, and drank some water, before handing me my cup. He sat up a little bit, pulling me with him.

“Didn’t mean to fall asleep, but I feel better.” He wrapped his arm around my waist, adjusting the blankets so we were both covered. He gave a little sigh, and my heart thumped in my chest.

I curled into his side. “I apparently needed that, too.”

We ate some snacks until I felt more awake. I shifted so I was a little bit more on my back, and I could look at his face. “Are you okay? Just working too much or was last night that bad?”

Julian made a face. “It’s a bunch of little stuff that’s making me crazy.”

“Oh, that’s worse sometimes.” I thought about my stupid invoices.

“You know Chuck?”

He was an alpha in Julian’s company who had mentioned—a time or seven—that maybe omegas shouldn’t be allowed to be firefighters.

I glared. “He’s an asshole.”

“He is. And mostly it’s fine, but last night on-site, we had to pull an omega woman out of the car. She was okay—everyone survived, with relatively minor injuries,” Julian reassured me, “—but there were three different cars involved, and one of them had kids who were scared, and it was a high emotion situation.”

“Did Chuck do something?” I could see where this was headed.

“Yeah. The omega woman wanted me to help her out of the car, but Chuck kept stepping in. He was really upset, even though you couldn’t see it, and the omega woman’s pheromones were bothering him. We needed the Jaws of Life to get her out of the car, so by the time she was freed, her scent was really concentrated. She was terrified, and that set him off.”

I snuggled against Julian, pulling my ankles under me. “But you made her feel safer.”

“I did.” Julian sighed. “Afterward, when it was safe to react, Chuck got in my face and told me I needed to keep my emotions in check. That it was bad enough to have to ignore the passengers, he didn’t need to worry about my scent too.”

I struggled, and failed, to keep the stink eye off my face. I was going to march right down there and tear Chuck a new one.

Julian laughed. “That’s the same look Luca and Logan get. Stop, it’s fine. He’s just an asshole. We all have to deal with stupid coworkers.”

“That’s for sure. My family can be a pain in the butt.” I traced the scales on Julian’s forearm dragon tattoo. It was a little bit bumpy where the ink sat under his skin. I leaned my head against his shoulder. His brown eyes were so close, his plush mouth right there. “You said a bunch of little things. That doesn’t sound little.”

“I love my job, but I didn’t make it easier on myself as an omega choosing the profession I did.” Julian sighed. “That stupid firefighter charity calendar is coming up again and they’re asking me to be in it again.”

“The what now?” I frowned, looking the TV. It was better to pretend I wasn’t hanging on his every word.

On screen, the celebrity chef was making the poor contestants fillet a whole Alaskan salmon. I consoled myself knowing that no matter how terrible things were, I would never have to fillet a salmon on TV.

“We do a calendar and sell it for charity every year.” Julian cocked his head. “I told you about it when we did it last year.”

“Yes. You said, ‘we’re selling calendars for charity’. Not that firefighters would be in the calendar.” I squinted up at him. “I need to see this. You have copies, right?”

“Of course.” Julian grinned, and heat zipped through me. I tried to calm down, but the thought of him posing, holding an ax or something, was too much to bear. I breathed deeply, but instead of that helping, I got a lungful of his coconut and pineapple scent. Suddenly I was craving a pina colada.

“The photographer always wants to cover up my bond marks, but it feels wrong, like I’m saying I’m available when I’m not.”

And that doused the lust. He wasn’t available. I could dream about his hands sliding over my body all I wanted, but this was all the physical contact I would ever have.

I had to be okay with that. I shouldn’t be lusting after my friend.

“How do Logan and Luca feel?”

“They don’t need to give me permission, of course, and I’m comfortable with my body. But Luca is also possessive, and covering my bondmarks is just gonna make him more so.”

“Possessive?” I tried to hide the skepticism in my voice. Luca had been nothing but urbane and relaxed whenever I saw him. Rob and Isaac had been possessive around Mason, sometimes to the point of not wanting him to go in public without them. Luca was nothing like that.

Julian laughed. “I know, I know. He keeps his cool, but he’d drag me by my hair back to the nest if he could. I go between using scent canceling products at the station to him jumping me when I get home so he can put his scent all over me again.”

And just like that, all of the oxygen left the room. There was a five-alarm fire in my panties as I pictured it. Julian trying to play nice by washing his omega scent off at work and inadvertently getting rid of the scent of his alphas, but then getting the sex of his life the second he came home.

Luca, possessive and growling. Logan...also growling. Maybe tearing his clothes off. My mind went straight to the X-rated version of Julian’s life.

Julian arched an eyebrow. “Didn’t mean to distract you.”

I was so glad at that moment that he wasn’t being flirty with me. I would have made an idiot of myself by plastering myself against his body. He would have had to let me down gently, probably blame himself, and then pull back.

I shook my head. “It was a lot of exciting information at once.”

“Exciting?” His black hair was rumpled on one side from sleeping, the ponytail starting to fall out. I wanted to either smooth the bit of hair or pull the ponytail holder out completely.

Instead, I answered him. Because I could be reasonable and not jump my hot omega friend.

“Get me that calendar and we’ll do a sponsor thing again this year.” I nudged him. “But back to your problem. If Luca and Logan said they’re okay with it, then they are. You have a choice over your body and what you do with it. If you want to go into a calendar of sexy firefighters for a good cause, that’s okay.”

Julian nodded, looking at the TV thoughtfully. “You’re right.”

“Of course I’m right.” I grabbed some popcorn. The way I was feeling, if I didn’t do something with my hands, I would rip his shirt off.

I’d seen Julian in a tank top before, and his bondmarks were extremely obvious. One bite on each shoulder, with a black tribal tattoo circling them. He basically had a neon sign on his body saying bonded and taken by two alphas.

“What the hell sort of position does that photographer think you can take without showing your bondmarks?”

“With my jacket on.” Julian grinned.

“That’s a waste,” I snorted. “How else are we going to see your abs?”

“Oh, I wear the jacket open.” Julian’s grin turned hot again. “Or without my shirt on but airbrushing the bondmarks out.”

I shook my head. “Tell them to shove it and take whatever sort of picture you want. For charity.”

“Yeah, I’ll think of the puppies.” Julian grabbed some popcorn.

“Yes, the starving orphans.” I struggled not to picture him posing shirtless. Failed horribly and grabbed my water. It was hot in here.

He laughed. “I’ll think of the cause and grin and bear it.”

“So will the public when we pay for the calendar.” I smirked.

“Speaking of, you’re coming to the First Responder’s Festival, right?”

“We’re working a booth this year.” I kept my attention on the TV. My face was hot, and my insides felt squirmy. I was plastered against Julian’s side, but it didn’t feel close enough. I wanted more. More touching, more of his scent, more of that flirty smirk he gave me when he knew I was picturing him shirtless.

“I got roped into helping out with the ice bath booth again.”

“The what now?”

“The ice bath.” Julian gave me an innocent look, so I knew he was up to something. “I’m going to sit in a massive tub filled with ice water. People come sit with me and the longer they stay in, the more money gets donated.”

I was going to need some sort of ice bath to cool my hormones. My skin prickled, and I could feel myself getting wet from all the lewd images floating through my mind. Julian wet. Julian in a wet t-shirt. I edited out the part about freezing cold water and focused on Julian wet and sexy.

Thank heavens I wasn’t an omega, or I would be perfuming like crazy.

“That sounds horrible.”

Julian shrugged. “It gets your adrenaline going.”

“Aaand the real reason you became a firefighter surfaces.”

Julian let out a real laugh. “That and I get to carry a massive hose around all day.”

“You would think that was a perk.” I shook my head and changed the subject. It was going to be another lonely night for me when Julian went home to his pack.

Apparently to get railed by his alphas. I tried to get the images of the three of them thrusting into each other out of my mind, but it was too late. Sometimes Rob had become possessive about wanting Mason smelling like him and he’d come all over him. It wasn’t something I was part of, but I was allowed to watch, and the idea of being scented and marked had always made me squirm.

I pushed all those heated thoughts away. Julian wasn’t going to be mine, not like that. Their pack was closed, and I should be respectful of that.

We spent the rest of the afternoon watching TV. I kept my mind off how good it would feel to crawl into Julian’s lap, mostly, and when he left, he made me promise we could do something on his next swing shift.

I said yes because I was a glutton for punishment, and no matter how much I tried to keep my distance, being around Julian felt like home.

Chapter 6

Sunshine

The next week flashed by in a blur. The whole time, my sister Luna was being extra quiet, but she hadn’t talked to anyone about why. Stella was so happy with her pack, she was practically dancing. That was good. I’d hate to have had to help Zephyr hide the bodies if they hurt her.

As if I’d summoned him with my thoughts, my alpha cousin appeared in my doorway. Zephyr had thick brown hair that he usually pulled into a ponytail and deep brown eyes that made him look like a mournful poet. He was reserved, which meant people threw themselves harder at him.

He was barely a year younger than me but still acted like an overprotective older brother. With him and Terran being the only men in the family, they had their work cut out for them.

“How did the event go?” Zephyr asked, then glanced around my office which had gotten messier than usual. “Raina is going to pop if she sees your office.”

“Raina can bite me.” I crossed my arms over my chest. My temples had been pounding all day, and the headache was steadily growing worse. “I’m busy. You know, making money.”

“Yep. Speaking of, a new client has dropped by. She’s in the lobby. Said Chef Kahele recommended you.”

“Now?” I didn’t bother to hide the panic in my voice. I jumped up, snatching at papers and trying to stack them into some sort of order.

“She said wanted to just stop in.” Zephyr rolled his eyes. “She’s dressed really well.”

I groaned. Clients dropped by because they didn’t think they actually needed appointments, or because they were trying to catch me out.

“Let me see if I can call Logan and find out about her. Tell her I’ll be with her in ten minutes.”

I sighed, and my cousin left. Logan made me think of food, and I realized I hadn’t eaten anything all day and that was probably why I had a raging headache. I fished around for some crackers in my desk drawer, while I dialed Logan. But I knew it was a long shot, he almost never had his phone nearby, especially if he was at the restaurant.

Sure enough, it rang a few times but went to voicemail. I texted Julian but didn’t get anything back.

Oh well.

I finished making my office presentable, and buzzed Ember at the front desk. “I’m ready.”

“Mrs Moira Cullen is headed your way,” Ember said.

My stomach flipped, and my temples throbbed. She was a huge mover and shaker, and from what I’d heard, she thought she was too good for the earth she walked on. If I’d known she was stopping by, I would have dressed better than the slacks and blouse I was wearing. And I would have had my office detailed.

Oh well, again. I could always offer to take her on a tour of the grounds like I did with most prospective clients, and hope that would have enough of a ‘wow’ factor.

Moira Cullen had blonde hair, a smooth complexion, and clear blue eyes. She looked like she was in her mid fifties, and was wearing diamond earrings, necklace, and bracelet that cost more than my year’s salary. Her dress suit was perfectly tailored, and her arms toned. She probably went to the gym more than I did. Since I never actually made it to the gym, that was a low bar.

“Hello.” I gave her my best smile. “I’m Sunshine Sullivan, event coordinator at Cosmic Bonds.”

“Moira Cullen.” Mrs. Cullen shook my hand, eyes flicking around my office.

“Please, take a seat.” I stepped to the side and offered her the couch to the side of my desk. Officially it was there to allow me to talk with clients about their events, but most of the time it was my napping couch. “I apologize about the disarray, I just finished up with an event and we have three others ongoing.”

Mrs. Cullen perched on the edge of the couch. “It’s quite alright. Forgive my rudeness for popping in. I thought I would stop by and see if my project was something you were interested in before moving forward.”

“Certainly.” I offered her water and tea, both of which she declined, so I grabbed some of my event books and set them on the coffee table in front of the couch and sat down. “How can I help?”

“Well…” Mrs. Cullen looked around the office again. I couldn’t tell if she disapproved or not. It wasn’t that messy considering the state it had been in ten minutes ago. “I had a meeting with Chef Kahele…”

Her voice took on a self-important tone, like Logan was her personal chef. I ignored the urge to tell her that “Chef Kahele” made me key lime pie ‘just because’ the other day.

“I was lamenting my struggles at finding an event planner to help me bring my vision to life, and he suggested your services.” She looked me in the eye, her blue eyes sharp and intelligent. “He recommended you highly, and since I’d never heard Chef Kahele recommend someone with such praise before I thought I would look into your business.”

“Sure.” I nodded. “Cosmic Bonds has worked closely with Talk of the Town for three years.”

Mrs. Cullen glanced around again, her gaze landing on the massive amethyst geode on the corner of my desk. “Does every event you manage have these…New Age elements?”

I gave a polite laugh. I’d been there, done that. Cosmic Bonds used crystals, tarot, Reiki, and other modalities that were considered New Age, but not everything we did had to come from that base.

Mrs. Cullen’s energy was weird enough that I felt like I would need to cleanse the office. She seemed uptight and like she was used to getting her way.

“Of course not.” I picked up one of my event binders. I’d had high quality pictures of my most successful events made up so that I could show them to prospective clients. “Here is some of our recent work.”

Mrs. Cullen flipped through the book quickly and then gave a short nod. “I’ve been through four event planners already, and none of them have the vision I’m looking for.”

Alarm bells went off in my head. Four different planners? The woman was probably either too controlling or not clear about what she wanted.

“I want something…unique. Exquisite.” She gestured and the diamond bracelet on her wrist sparkled.

“Why don’t you tell me a little bit about the event, what you’re looking for, what you don’t want to include, and we’ll see if there’s the potential for a good fit.”

It was important to get control of the conversation now. If she thought she could just run roughshod over me, it would be a miserable event.

I’d stopped taking on every client that asked me to work with them after learning my lesson the hard way. Multiple times. I was twenty six, and someone like Mrs. Cullen wouldn’t take my opinion seriously unless I established early on that I was a business professional.

Logan had done me a solid by suggesting my services. His word carried a lot of weight.

“Of course.” Mrs. Cullen straightened up. “I’ve elected to help with a charity event this year. It’s in four months⁠—”

I hid my wince. Not a lot of time.

“And I am at my wits’ end. I have been part of the charitable circuit for years.”

I nodded, trying to look interested and sympathetic.

“Every event feels the same. The same glitz and gold. It’s part of why I stepped back. But this event is personal to my charity, the Cantilever Foundation, and I would like for it to stand out.”

I pulled out a pen and paper. It made me look professional, but I also needed something to focus on while she talked. I could already picture golden halls, and if I didn’t focus, I would space out while she was talking.

Found that out the hard way.

“Stand out how?” I poised my pen over my notebook.

“That’s what the event planner is for, right?” She huffed. “I want something unique. Grand. Not just the same fancy party where everyone wears the finest dress and makes small talk for hours.”

“You know part of the reason that charity galas emphasize wealth and status is to remind you that you can afford to donate money?”

Mrs. Cullen snorted. “Money is not an object to these people. I would rather give them an experience they will remember for years to come than simply stroke egos.”

I nodded, biting my bottom lip. I considered and discarded ideas one after the other, until I had been quiet too long. Anything I could think of off the top of my head would be the exact opposite of what Mrs. Cullen wanted.

“Well?” She arched a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “What are your suggestions?”

“I don’t have any yet.” I smiled. “I haven’t gotten to know any of your personal likes and dislikes⁠—”

“How I like things decorated is irrelevant.” Mrs. Cullen cut in, waving her hand. “I need something with vision.”

I gave the pushy older beta a bright smile. “Begging your pardon, but I disagree. This is your pet charity, right?”

She nodded impatiently, her perfectly coiffed hair shining. “This event needs to be a one-of-a-kind experience. Something for the donors to truly appreciate. I’m tired of the same balls, galas, and art shows.”

She was here expecting to be disappointed. She had come here on Logan’s word, but she assumed she would be leaving just as soon as I confirmed what she’d already assumed—I couldn’t do the job.

She was of the belief that no one could, because what she wanted was just too avant-garde. She was the only one with any vision and the rest of the world was just trite and so last year.

Unfortunately, that was the default attitude of most of the clients that came to me for event planning. I’d learned how to deal with them. Mostly I found out what they were personally interested in and tailored that to the specific event. It was how I’d built up a reputation.

“Which is why I need more personal information.” I tapped my pen. “Let’s say you hate Monet. If I create a beautiful event for you, and use his watercolors to tie everything together, it will feel impersonal at best. At worst, you’ll feel like a stranger at your own event.”

“I’m mature enough to put my own tastes aside, Ms. Sullivan.”

“Of course you are,” I said brightly. I could bulldoze right over her too. I pulled some glossy photographs out of my book. “This client wanted sheer opulence.”

Mrs. Cullen glanced at the photographs.

“The event raised record breaking profits for the charity. We made the guests feel like they were in the Tudor Era, complete with historically accurate clothing.”

“It doesn’t need to be that on the nose.”

“Which is my point.” I gestured at the photographs. “My client wanted something rich and luxurious without being garish. We found what worked for her, and she beamed during the entire event. At Cosmic Bonds Planning, we tailor the event to suit everyone’s needs.”

Mrs. Cullen nodded, tapping the photographs against the book. I could tell she wasn’t convinced, but she was at least thinking.

“I could give you ten different ideas right now, but you’ll reject most of them because anything I come up with off the top of my head won’t have the same care and effort as strategic planning.”

“What are some of those ideas?” Mrs. Cullen took a sip of her water. “I don’t have weeks to go back and forth with you only to decide it’s not going to work. No offense.”

“None taken. You want to see if we’re a good fit. That’s a smart move.” I pulled some more books out. “Here are some good options for charities. You could do something elegant and understated, with a royalty theme. You could pull in the colors of the charity and showcase some of the charity’s recipients, connecting your guests to the personal element. You could go completely to the left and give your guests a Vegas theme.”

I pulled that idea right out of nowhere, maybe because Luna had just gone to Vegas. “There could be raffle events, showtunes, live music, and slot machines.”

Mrs. Cullen wrinkled her nose. “I’m not sure such…a relaxed atmosphere is right. None of those sound right.”

I wanted to strangle her. She asked for my ideas and then she shot them down. Like I told her would happen. But what did I know? I had only been planning events for six years officially, since I was sixteen unofficially.

“Exactly my point. I could draw up twenty plans right now and none of them are going to fit what you’re looking for. Give me a week to put together some proposals.”

She looked like she wanted to argue, so I held up my hand. “I’m doing three events as we speak, we’ve got a booth at the First Responders’ Festival, and I need time to research your charity and locations. I also want you to fill out this questionnaire.”

I handed her a massive questionnaire I used for my clients.

“I am not entering your matchmaking database. If you think this is another way of getting notable clients in your matchmaking business, I will have no part of this.”

My temper was almost gone. I really should replenish my Snickers stash in my drawer. I was bordering on hangry. I was just so very tired of the same tedious complaints.

“Mrs. Cullen. That is illegal, first of all, and unethical second of all.”

“Don’t get offended.” The older woman sat back on the couch. “I was simply explaining my position.”

“And if this is something that concerned you, I need to make sure it’s very clear.” I took a breath and gestured at the questionnaire. “Our matchmaking database asks completely different questions. Those are simply about your preferences, events you’ve attended and enjoyed, and personal interests.”

Mrs. Cullen glanced at the thick ream of paper without reading anything. “This is a waste of time.”

I shook my head. “You need time to put thought into your response. You can either fill out the questionnaire and we can see if we find something that works, or you can choose other designers.”

She looked at me and then down to the questionnaire. “I don’t see the point.”

“You’ve gone through four planners already.” I took a sip of water. I needed breathing room, or I was going to raise my voice. “It’s not working out because they’re planning what most people would come up with for a charity gala. If you’re truly going to find something unique, you have to do something differently. That starts right now, in the planning process.”

Mrs. Cullen paused, giving me a shrewd look. Finally what I was saying sank in.

“I’d rather if you emailed me the questionnaire rather than do this the old fashioned way.”

“Certainly.” I pulled up my phone. “What’s your email address?”

She told me and I sent her the attachment.

“I’ll have this back to you by the end of the day.” The older beta stood up. “But I want Talk of the Town to cater the event.”

As if she could just slide that in. I stood up, giving her a smile. “It would be quite presumptuous of me to book a client without checking Chef Kahele’s schedule. I will mark them down as your top choice, and I’ll make sure working around any conflicts they might have is a priority.”

“Very well.” Mrs. Cullen gave me a short nod. “Thank you for speaking with me on such short notice.”

“Of course. Have a wonderful day.” I walked Mrs. Cullen back out to the lobby.

The lobby was a boho paradise of overstuffed couches, pillows in purples, blues, teals, and greens, and lots of houseplants.

Mrs. Cullen couldn’t have looked more out of place if she tried. There was a reason why I didn’t meet most of my posh clients at the Welcome Center. I preferred meeting them for lunch in town, or maybe the lodge where we hosted events. But Mrs. Cullen ambushed me, and I lost control of the situation.

I headed straight back to my office, feeling like I’d just gone ten rounds in the boxing ring.

My phone was buzzing. It was Logan.

I picked it up as I slumped in my chair. “Afternoon.”

“Everything okay?” His gruff voice was tight. “You never call me out of the blue.”

If we were working on an event together, Logan and I talked specifics, or set up meetings. But we weren’t working any events together right now, and we had the menu for the corporate retreats at Cosmic Bonds ironed out already.

“Sorry. Mrs. Cullen just dropped in, so I was trying to get the dirt before talking to her.”

“Already?” He sounded shocked, and pots and pans clattering faintly in the background. “She just left the restaurant.”

“And headed straight here, I guess.”

“Sorry. I was going to let you know, but I thought I had more time.”

“No worries.” I sighed. “She’s a handful.”

Logan snorted. “She’s a pain in the ass. She’s a good person but too used to getting her own way all the time.”

“I can tell.”

I pulled up my internet browser so I could start researching her charity and any news Mrs. Cullen had made. I had other work to do, but now that I had a shiny new challenge it was hard to let go.

I’d tried and failed to schedule research time into my planner. But whenever I put it off that just meant doing tedious research when I was no longer excited about it.

“You eat yet?” he asked, and I glanced around quickly. I should have found something to shovel into my face, so I didn’t have to lie.

“Uhhh, I was going to eat. But I had some last-minute schedule changes. And then Mrs. Cullen stopped by. I thought about it, though. That counts, right?”

“It does not.” Logan growled. “I’m not going to ask when the last time you ate.”

I opened my mouth to tell him I had a bagel for breakfast but then stopped. That was yesterday. Around lunchtime. I couldn’t remember if I’d had dinner or not.

“You have more work at the office, or can you come by the restaurant? We can talk about Cullen, and I’ve had some ideas about menus.”

I checked my schedule and didn’t see anything I couldn’t put off until tomorrow in favor of hanging out in the restaurant kitchen with Logan.

“Nope, I am free as a bird.”

“See you in a few.”

He hung up before I could say bye, but that was just how he handled phone calls. Why speak in entire sentences when you could just grunt?

Looking forward to real food, I packed up my laptop. The day was looking up.

Chapter 7

Sunshine

Idrove over to Main Street, humming a song that had been stuck in my head for days. Logan’s restaurant was always crowded, even though it was later in the day so most of the lunch rush had died down. I was allowed to come in through the kitchen entrance, since I worked weird hours with Logan.

Between catering and his restaurant, I wondered when Logan had time to sleep. He employed a full staff for both the restaurant and catering business but oversaw both. If he didn’t have events scheduled, he was in the restaurant, but I wondered if he ever actually took a day off. I filed that away to shoot back at him the next time he gave me a hard time about forgetting to eat.

The scent of meat, garlic, butter, and herbs greeted me, and I was instantly ravenous.

Alejandro, the sous chef, nodded at me while adding some fish into a piping hot pan. He was good looking, with light brown skin, and curly black hair that escaped his bandanna. “What’s shaking, Sunshine?”

“Nothing much,” I said, pointing at Logan. “Crashing your lunch rush for food.”

“Don’t let me stop you,” he grinned and gestured at Logan.

I took a quick left to the small kitchen set up off to the side of the main line. Since they also did catering, Logan had two different areas both with ovens, stovetops, grills, the whole nine yards. It meant that Logan could work on catering without bothering the chefs working the restaurant side.

Privately, I also thought he had his kitchen set up this way so whenever he got a wild hair to go into Mad Scientist Mode he could take over.

Judging from the number of different dishes plated up around Logan, like satellites, he’d been in Mad Scientist Mode all day. I’d never realized how much creativity went into cooking until I started working with the alpha.

“I see you’ve been at this for a while.” I took a seat at the counter. It was a high top with bar stools under it, so whoever was sitting there could face Logan while cooking.

He passed me a plate like we were in a homestyle diner and not a state-of-the-art kitchen. As he handed it to me, his hand brushed mine, and electricity zipped through me. My cheeks got warm, and I prayed it seemed plausible that it wasn’t that I was blushing, but because we were in a hot kitchen.

Logan didn’t look up at me, thankfully, his attention still on his array of plates. “I’m working on the menu for the First Responders’ Festival.”

I picked up my fork, my stomach growling. He’d plated beef brisket cut into three perfect pieces, baked beans with bites of bacon poking through, and macaroni and cheese with gooey cheese sauce. The rim of the plate was perfectly clean and despite the Southern BBQ elements of the plate, it still looked like it came from a fancy restaurant.

I took a bite out of the brisket and moaned. Mouthwatering beef melted in my mouth. The outside of the beef was a little bit charred, adding some texture, and the meat itself was moist. I swallowed and shook my head. “This is so good it should be illegal.”

Logan watched me, the corners of his mouth turned up. “Not quite that.”

If I didn’t know better, I would have thought his growl had switched to something…huskier.

It was just my mind in the gutter again.

I tried the baked beans and moaned again. They were soft and chewy, the thick brown sauce sweet and tangy with a little bit of bite. I shook my head. “I don’t even like baked beans, but this is magic.”

I took another bite, getting a bit of smokey bacon, and sighed. “This is amazing. Marry me.”

Logan laughed, his blue eyes twinkling. “Glad you approve.”

I ate some macaroni and cheese. I’d had his version before and it was always delicious, with bits of chive and leek. Logan passed me a glass of water.

I took a sip. “It’s perfect.”

Logan’s nose wrinkled, and he crossed his arms over his chest. He looked at the delicious food he’d spent hours prepping like it had offended him. “Something’s not right.”

“Don’t serve it on white plates.” I grinned, knowing that’s not what he meant.

Logan shook his head, but he wasn’t frowning anymore.

“Walk me through it. First Responders’ Festival.” I twirled my fork, perfectly happy to be in the middle of a busy kitchen with a plate of yummy food, with an even yummier chef in front of me.

“Y’all gonna be there?”

I nodded. “We’re going to have a booth with crystal and tarot readings, with some raffles.”

Every year Half Moon Bay did a festival to raise money to donate to the local fire department and the other first responders. Local businesses came to advertise and show off their products, artists came to show off their art, and it was a fun time all around. Food trucks would be a heavy presence, and I was super excited about my yearly funnel cake.

Logan didn’t usually have a food truck, but they would bring the catering van to the festival to advertise the restaurant and raise money for the cause.

I gestured at my plate. “What doesn’t feel right? The food is casual, but the plating is still elevated.”

Logan stared at the food like it held the answers to all of life’s questions. “We’re going to smoke the brisket the day before to make sure we have enough portions. Mac and cheese, baked beans, that’s all getting prepped the day before.”

I took another bite of baked beans and almost died happy on the spot. “Sounds great.”

He kept frowning at the food.

“What’s wrong? You want it to feel more upscale? Less upscale?” I tried to picture Logan’s menu at a fair.

Talk of the Town was ‘sort of’ a steakhouse, in the way that unicorns were ‘sort of’ horses. Logan had a knack for putting menus together that were delicious, but also creative and adventurous.

It was upscale enough that food critics praised his vision and artistry, enough for him to earn those Michelin stars, but accessible enough that ordinary folks like me could sit down and order from the menu without feeling like we were country yokels.

“Nah, it fits the fair.” Logan moved some plates around. “I made a salted caramel peach cobbler for dessert.”

“Oh, god.” I looked down at the food I already had in front of me.

Logan laughed and passed me some of the peach cobbler. I ate until I no longer felt like I would pass out from hunger. I pictured the catering van Logan had set up near the picnic benches last year, with the rest of the food venders.

“You could serve it buffet style.” I shook my head, immediately changing my mind. “No, that’s lame. Plating won’t be an issue.”

Logan’s shoulders relaxed and he grunted. This was familiar territory for both of us. Me thinking out loud while he pondered my suggestions.

I watched Alejandro work, running the kitchen with smooth efficiency. “Did you make these baked beans the special of the day?”

Logan’s eyes twinkled. “Yeah, we already sold out.”

I moved my plate closer to me. “These are mine.”

“They are. I got you some to go boxes set up already.”

Warmth curled through me. Logan made me food and set it aside so there would be enough for me tomorrow. I knew better than to read into it. I always forgot to eat, and he was a chef. Wanting to feed people was a requirement.

I pushed my insecurities away. “What did you serve it with?”

“I left it up to Alejandro.” He grinned over the counter at his sous chef in a display of pride. “He did a great job. Grilled bone-in pork chop with charred okra and scallions, and a chipotle peach chutney.”

“Thanks boss,” Alejandro lifted up a hand. “Pork’s almost sold out.”

“Ohhhh!” Understanding lit up inside me as to why Logan wasn’t happy with his menu, even though it was so delicious I wanted a lifetime supply. I had no idea how my brain worked sometimes, only that I loved these moments of brilliance. “Your menu’s wrong.”

“I know,” Logan growled. “I just don’t know why. Southern comfort barbecue is perfect for the fair.”

“Yes, but not for Talk of the Town.” I waved my hand over my plate, keeping the other curled around it as if Logan would take it from me. “You’ve gone too far into Southern-style food. This is the best beef brisket, mac and cheese, and baked beans I’ve ever eaten in my entire life, but outside the setting of the restaurant, it’s going to be just really good Southern food.”

“Oh.” Logan looked like I’d shocked him. “Oh, you’re right.”

“I am.” I took another bite of baked beans and swallowed. “The people at the fair are going to think Talk of the Town is a delicious BBQ joint and move on with their lives. Keep the brisket and the beans but do some other sides.”

“Something that’s more in line with the restaurant’s menu.” Logan sounded distracted.

I ate more. The tangy-sweet-heat of the food hit me, and I wanted to rewind time so I could eat it again. “Do some fancy sides. Don’t get rid of the peach cobbler though.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Logan barked a laugh. “Tell me about Mrs. Cullen while I’m mulling this over.”

While I told Logan about what Mrs. Cullen had said, he wandered around the kitchen, opening and closing fridges. It was like when I searched my house for food— except that he actually had food in his.

“She wants something that’s never been done before, but also elegant.” Logan snorted. “Said every client ever.”

“Exactly.” I wrinkled my nose. Logan started on making pickles with cucumbers and radishes, so I snitched a piece of cucumber. “What about Tex-Mex, sort of?” I looked at the food he’d pulled out. “Like…street corn salad?”

Logan glared at the food like he would make it talk. And he would, eventually.

“Corn’s going to be sweet with the brisket and beans. Maybe I should do skirt steak.”

I didn’t say anything, just stuffed my face.

“Hmm. Do a lime and chili marinade on the brisket.” He started chopping limes. “What are you going to do with Mrs. Cullen?”

I shrugged. “She wants the same thing but different. I’m hoping some of her likes and dislikes will spark some ideas. I don’t think picking out a grand location with a tasteful color palette is going to work this time.”

“Let me know if you want to bounce some ideas. Luca’s really good at listening too.” He added, almost as an afterthought.

I hid my surprise at his inclusion of Luca. Of the three of them, we had the least reason to cross paths. “She wants you to cater, of course.”

Logan nodded. “Let me know what dates you decide on, and we’ll make it work.”

“I told her it was presumptuous to get you to agree when we didn’t have a date.”

“I’ll work around it.” Logan shrugged, pulling out some mangoes.

I needed to get a date as soon as possible. Logan was sweet for being flexible, but I didn’t want to take advantage of our relationship. We talked a lot during work events, but most of the time it was related to actual work.

Logan decided to push the menu from Southern comfort to Southern Tex-Mex, and made some Mexican corn salsa, and ceviche as sides. I helped taste through the salads until the mixture of tangy and spicy hit the right notes. It was a tough job, eating delicious food until I could explode, but someone had to do it.

My phone buzzed.

Julian:

Babe.

Puppy gifs followed.

Babe

Babe

Babe

What are you doing?

I’m at work

Suffering boredom

I grinned and picked up my phone. I gestured at Logan and leaned so we were both facing the camera. “Say cheese. Your omega is bored.”

Logan leaned over the counter and grinned, his face almost close enough to touch. My stomach flipped at his proximity, his herby aroma hitting me hard. I gave a goofy grin and sent it to Julian.

Sunshine:

Working on menus with Logan

Julian:

Oh yeah you can work with Logan any time

Beg him to save me some food

“Julian wants me to beg you to save him some food.” I gestured at the tin foil serving trays already prepped by the door. “Should I not take a picture of his spoils of war?”

“Nah, let him beg.” Logan still looked amused. “Thanks, by the way.”

“For what?” I looked up from texting Julian that I wasn’t sure there was enough food left.

“He was really drained the other day.” Logan glanced up briefly from slicing up red onion. “It’s hard for him to make friends.”

Guilt sliced me, sharper than the knife in Logan’s hands. Friends. We were all friends, and me mentally undressing them every five minutes wasn’t very friendly. If I wasn’t interested in them and they were constantly creeping on me I’d be upset.

“He’s great.” I shrugged. “So are you. I love my family but…”

“They’re family.” Logan gave a short nod. “It’s not the same.”

“It’s not.”

And things had been tense with Talia ever since Becca had ditched me for my exes.

“He told me about his asshole coworker.” I grimaced. “And the calendar.”

Logan growled. “Chuck better hope he doesn’t meet any of us down a dark alleyway.”

“That’s for sure.”

Julian replied with a list of random dishes Logan should make. I relayed them to Logan, and we both vetoed Julian’s suggestions.

The backdoor opened, and Luca walked in, looking like a sexy supermodel. His tie was already off, and the top two buttons of his white button-down shirt were undone. A little bit of dark hair peeked through his warm caramel skin, and I was hit by an urge to lick his chest that was so strong, I was halfway out of my seat before I came to my senses.

“Sunshine, hi.” Luca smiled warmly and gave me a one-armed hug, before giving Logan a quick kiss on the cheek. “Julian sent me to get some food before you two finished scheming.”

Logan gestured at the pile of containers.

“I know, I know. It was a nice excuse to come by.” Luca took a seat next to me, his warm vanilla spiced scent wafting over.

I opened my phone to text Julian, only to discover he’d sent me one.

Julian:

I sent over a double agent

Your move, babe

I laughed and showed the alphas the message.

“Another selfie.” Logan leaned over the counter.

Before I knew what was happening, Luca leaned to my right, and I had one of them on either side.

Heat bloomed in my chest, spreading like wildfire as my heartbeat sped up. Logan’s herbal scent blended with Luca’s cinnamon vanilla, and my hands went clammy. This was how I die, in an alpha sandwich.

I lifted the phone, snapped a selfie of us and sent it. I was grinning like an idiot, but I couldn’t keep the happy expression off my face.

Sunshine:

Idk about your double agent

We’re bribing him with food

Julian:

That looks so good

Brb faking sick so I can have join the alpha sandwich

I laughed. “Julian’s feeling left out. He says he’s going to fake being sick and come over.”

“We’ll have to all hang out soon, so he doesn’t have to go to such drastic measures.” Luca nudged my shoulder. Logan’s herbal scent of lavender, bay, thyme, and rosemary, which always reminded me of herbes de Provence, mingled with Luca’s cinnamon vanilla, making my head spin.

Just as I replied to Julian, I got a ping from my email server. Mrs. Cullen’s information. Frowning, I scrolled through the questionnaire.

“What’s wrong?” Luca put his hand on my shoulder, and it was everything I could do not to lean into him.

I told him about Mrs. Cullen, finishing by gesturing with my phone. “Her questionnaire didn’t help at all. It’s filled with random likes and dislikes. She’s focused on her charity work. She wanted something unique because she’s worried something too boring will taint her image.”

Logan snorted. “Wouldn’t want that. What about something more suble?”

“Yes, but a theme will pull it all together.” I scrolled through her answers.

Luca took another bite out of brisket. “Hmmm. Rich people are mostly bored. They want novelty.”

“She talks about her favorite memory being going to the zoo and seeing the zebras. She had wanted to see them for so long.” I took another bite out of the peach cobbler. It was perfectly sweet and tart with caramelized brown sugar.

I wanted to marry Logan if only to lock down a lifetime supply of this food. His hot body, and his hot pack members were an added bonus.

“You should do a zoo,” Luca snickered.

I scrolled through Mrs. Cullen’s answers, a vague idea forming. I didn’t have words for it yet, but it was almost there. Like a sneeze.

“She wants to be inspired.” I muttered, picking at my plate. “I should make them all take an art class.”

“Not a terrible idea.” Luca leaned on his elbow, facing me. His body language was open, and I realized I never paid so much attention to my own posture as when he was around.

The image of him grabbing Julian for a searing kiss popped into my head. No. Bad Sunshine. Too many thirsty thoughts would just make me die of unfulfilled desire.

“You should give her the feeling of being a young child, being at the zoo, seeing a zebra for the first time.” Luca gestured with his fork. “Mrs. Cullen is jaded and bored, so are the rest of them. They want comfort and wonder.”

I bit my lip, not really seeing Logan prepping food in front of me. “Like a circus.”

“That would be interesting.” Luca gestured at my phone. “May I?”

I handed him my phone, and watched as he skimmed Mrs. Cullen’s answers. I could almost see him in a courtroom, destroying a client with his careful research. “She talks a lot about her vision for her company. A circus or something equally novel would capture her interest.”

I thought of the illusion act Luna loved, Dante Trent. She’d gone to Vegas two months ago, and saw his performance, even though she hated large crowds.

The idea continued to stay just out of reach.

“Not quite a circus.” I dug for the perfect bite, with peach, crust, and brown sugar in equal proportions. “It’s too showy.”

“It would take the focus off Mrs. Cullen.” Luca nodded. “She wants people to spend the night telling her what a success her event is.”

“Exactly.” I snapped my fingers. “Something magical.”

I kept picturing a large ballroom. When we’d talked about the circus, I’d envisioned acrobats twirling in massive circles suspended from the ceiling. I’d wanted to go to that sort of acrobatic circus so badly as a child that the image had lived in my head for months.

“What did you want to do when you were a kid?” I looked at Luca. “Like going to the zoo.”

“Me?” His hair was tousled, and he had his own plate of peach cobbler. “I wanted to travel all over the world and try different foods. My mother didn’t know how to cook very well, and my father was picky.”

I grinned at Logan. “Shocking that you would end up in a pack with a chef.”

“Truly.” Luca winked at Logan, a moment shared between the two of them. My heart twinged, and not just because I wanted them. They both wanted each other as a person, they both saw the other as who they really were. Instead of trying to change each other, they embraced their partner.

“What was yours?” Luca brushed his hand down my shoulder. Heat followed his touch, and my brain stopped working for a moment.

“What?” I blinked.

“What did you long to do as a child?” Luca smiled at me like he knew my mind was in the gutter.

“Cirque du Soleil. I wanted to be one of those ribbon dancers until I figured out I have no coordination.”

Luca laughed. “How unfortunate.”

I held Luca’s gaze, his hazel eyes boring a hole into me. Logan wasn’t big on eye contact, which was fine, but Luca seemed to do nothing but look directly at me like he could see right into my soul.

“She wants her dreams to come true…” I said, thoughtfully, pausing again while still staring into Luca’s eyes, until I realized he was waiting for me to continue.

My cheeks heated. “It’s like…” I gestured with my hands. “Sorry. Thinking out loud.”

“Continue.” Logan was still focused on his cutting board. “I like hearing you think while I’m cooking.”

“If I could figure out what each attendee’s secret longing was and somehow fulfill it…”

“You would be a rich woman,” Luca finished. “But maybe you can simulate that during the gala.”

“But how…” Images began to appear in my mind. The room would be decorated in dark blues and purples, with turquoise and gold laid over. It will feel mysterious, magical.

I looked over at Luca again, who was staring intently at me.

“Everyone has things they long for,” Luca said softly.

The conversation was turning too intimate, too personal. Like he knew my secret desires, as if he’d climbed inside my heart to see what forbidden things lay there.

“How would I even begin to get each person’s secret desires…” I shook my head, still caught by his eyes, images of a gala swirling in my mind, but now with me in the center of Luca, Julian, and Logan. “It’s so personal.”

“It is.” Luca brushed his hand over my wrist. “But surely you can evoke those emotions?”

“Make it feel like a dream.” Images of me with them swirled in my mind, so clear it felt like a premonition.

The door to the kitchen opened with a snap, and I looked away, the moment lost.

I could want them with all my heart. It would change nothing.

But maybe that yearning could help me. Everyone wanted something bigger and better. Grasping for things just out of our reach was human nature.

“Maybe make it interactive.” Logan adding, squirting lime juice into the marinade. “People wish they could fly, swim in the ocean with dolphins, that sort of thing.”

I wrinkled my nose. “I don’t think my budget will let me import dolphins.”

“It won’t have to. Just work your event planning magic. You don’t have to do the thing to feel joy and wonder from it.”

“True.” I bit my lip again, fiddling with my fork. I was finally full, but I didn’t want to declare the meal done, because that would mean my time here was over. “I’m gonna look into spaces in the area. It will help me put it together.”

Logan grunted. “Let me know when you want to start going over the menu.”

“Why not be creative?” I pushed some more food around my plate, savoring the last few bites. “You know Mrs. Cullen, and you know the event. I’ll tell you when I have more ideas, but feel free to brainstorm.”

Luca grinned. “Music to our ears.”

“That’s a good plan.” Logan said, with the faraway look on his face that said he was already plotting the menu.

“You two have the same expression.” Luca laughed, stealing some of the corn salsa. “No wonder you work so well together.”

Warmth flared inside me. I ignored it as best as I could and spent the rest of the night at the restaurant, clowning around with the two of them.

Luca talked about one of the heavy cases he was working on. It was corporate law, so nothing dramatic like cheating spouses and custody battles, but it was a lot of tedious paperwork and hunting for clauses in contracts.

We went home after the restaurant staff finished cleaning the kitchen. By the time I crawled into bed, I was wired. Exhausted, sure, but super pepped-up about planning menus, the upcoming festival, and how to make Mrs. Cullen see reason.

It was becoming too easy to picture more evenings like this. I knew better. They weren’t my pack. Logan had said as much at the restaurant, and so had Julian when he’d asked for platonic snuggles.

It did nothing to stop my epic crush. But that’s what it would do—crush me—if I let it get out of hand. Better to keep things friendly and stop letting myself picture their mouths on my skin, their arms around my body.

Chapter 8

Sunshine

The afternoon breeze lifted my hair, and I leaned my face into the sun. A few days after my evening planning menus with Logan and Luca, life had gone back to what passed for normal.

“And that’s why we should do a turtle pond,” Ember finished, gesturing at a wide field.

Raina looked up from her planner. She never went anywhere without it, and the easiest way to get her to relax was to bring her a new set of stickers. “We don’t need a water feature in the middle of the resort.” Her brown hair was pulled into its customary bun, without a single hair out of place.

“I’m just saying think about it.” Ember did jazz hands over the patch of land. “Tiny baby turtles. Guests could come out here after having their chakras balanced.”

Luna looked on, still paler than normal with dark circles under her eyes. I wrapped an arm around my baby sister and gave her a hug while I watched my cousins.

I couldn’t tell if Ember was being serious or not. I almost didn’t care. It was far too amusing to watch them talk about a hypothetical turtle pond.

Raina shook her head. “Maybe. Bring me some spreadsheets on cost analysis and we’ll bring it up at the next family meeting.”

“It won’t bother your pollinator garden, right?” Ember looked at Luna, pushing her flaming red hair out of her face. “I want the bumblebees to be happy too.”

“It will be fine,” Luna said.

“You’re sure?” Ember patted Luna’s shoulder, and Raina looked at my little sister critically.

“Are you feeling okay?” Raina asked.

“Fine.” Luna said, though without looking at any of us. “Just tired.”

I bit my lip. I wanted to pry but now wasn’t going to be the time Luna opened up. I’d have to catch her alone, maybe at her cottage, with some candy as bribery.

Raina started walking back. Near the main road was the Welcome Center. Behind the Welcome Center, we had a spa complete with sauna, rooms for massages and Reiki, and a crystal room. Along the rest of the property we had cottages for retreats and a massive lodge for conferences.

The rest of the property held walking trails, a rock garden, numerous flower beds, and scenic areas. We had a view of the ocean, and the scattering of trees around us. It was perfect and I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out of the pocket of my sundress.

It was Luca. I smiled and answered. “Hey, what’s up?”

“Hi. I uhhh… Well. I got off work early and it’s a beautiful day.”

Ember, Raina, and Luna were staring at me like I was a monkey in the zoo. I shot them a glare.

“Logan and Julian are at work, and I don’t feel like going home, so I thought maybe you were free? I don’t want to bother you during your workday, but you might not have taken a lunch break yet. We could walk along the beach?”

I blushed for no good reason and blurted out. “I’m at the resort with my family. Have you seen the hiking trails?”

Ember smirked, and even Raina looked interested. I waved them off. “I can meet you at the Welcome Center.”

“That sounds great. Thanks for letting me drop in on you like this.”

“No problem,” I said, my voice sounded strained. I was trying not to overthink everything and also hold a conversation. “See you in a few.”

My sister and cousins stared. I shook my head. “It’s nothing. Luca is off work, but Logan and Julian are working.”

“So he thought you would drop everything you were doing in the middle of a workday?” Raina arched an eyebrow, ready to pounce.

“No, for my lunch break.” I eyed her. “He wasn’t rude.”

Ember elbowed her sister. “Raina, come on. She’s been pining over Pack Kahele for years. If they’re gonna start making their moves, let them.”

“This isn’t a move.” I slipped my phone back into my pocket, and clutched my water bottle in my hands, not sure what to make of Luca randomly dropping by. “We’re friends.”

My heart, however, was beating faster. Luca never called in the middle of the day to hang out. In fact, we’d never hung out alone. Either Logan or Julian was around.

“Hmm.” Raina cocked her head. “If he was considerate of your time, then, yes, I think Ember’s right. He’s trying to date you.”

I choked on my sip of water. “They keep saying they’re not dating anyone.”

“Maybe they’re not dating casually, but you’re their friend.” Ember gave me a tight squeeze. “You’re gonna be the beta butter in their alpha and omega sandwich.”

I made a face. “Ember, that image…”

My cousin eyed my dress. She fiddled with the top buttons. “You look super adorable but maybe let’s show some skin.”

I squealed and swatted her away. “Stop undressing me. I’m not walking around with my top buttons undone.”

Ember cackled. “He’s already interested in the goods, so maybe you’re right.”

I shook my head and walked back to the Welcome Center with my family.

I tried and failed not to get my hopes up. I’d spent more time with Pack Kahele recently, sure, but that didn’t mean anything.

I would do my best to take Luca at his word. He wanted to hang out.

Try as I might, I couldn’t stop from feeling the nervous energy buzzing through me as I went to meet the suave alpha.

Chapter 9

Luca

Despite the crappy start to my morning, the afternoon was looking up.

“Hi.” Sunshine beamed, standing in front of the Welcome Center, looking ravishing in a yellow sundress and sandals. Her honey blonde hair was pulled back into a simple ponytail, and her soft linen-and-air scent teased me.

“Good afternoon, beautiful.” I pulled her into a quick hug, unable to resist getting some of my scent on her.

I was a masochist for doing this. I should know better than to be alone around the alluring beta. It was going to be nearly impossible to hide my need to drag her back to the house and scent mark her until every alpha in the Tri-county area knew she was mine.

But if I scared her off, I would never forgive myself for breaking Julian and Logan’s hearts.

“Thanks for letting me crash your lunch break.” I stepped back reluctantly, leaving my hand on the small of her back.

“It’s not problem.” Sunshine grinned. Her plush mouth looked so warm and inviting, I almost leaned down to taste her.

I stepped back with a smile and forced myself to focus. I’d had a bad morning filled with shouting clients, missing briefs, and tight deadlines. I craved her scent. Julian was her buddy, and Logan worked with her, so I’d realized I had to make my own excuses to be around her or invite myself when they were with her.

Today it would be just the two of us.

“Do you want to walk around?” Sunshine gestured behind the Welcome Center. “Are you hungry?”

“A walk would be lovely.” It was a beautiful spring day, with a nice breeze and plenty of sun. “I haven’t seen much outside of the lodge. How about you give me a tour?”

She perked up. “Sure. I can show you around.”

“Lead the way.” I gestured ahead of us and followed as she walked me past the Welcome Center. I’d been inside, but it was mostly offices and waiting rooms.

The buildings were all constructed from warm brown timber with arched rooflines. Surrounding the buildings were fields with beautiful flower beds and walking trails. Sunshine brought me to the next biggest building to the left.

“This is the spa.” I followed her inside, slyly checking out how her legs looked under the swish of her dress. Inside it was dimly lit, with a check-in desk and a long hallway of treatment rooms. It smelled vaguely of lavender, reminding me of Logan’s herbal scent.

“We have massage rooms, places for Reiki balance, a sauna, and a tub for soaking in salts.”

“Looks wonderful.” I’d been to spas before, during corporate retreats, and hated most of them. But here it was homey and warm, with the soft yellow light and natural wood making it feel like we were in the middle of nowhere, not twenty minutes from downtown Half Moon Bay.

Sunshine beamed as she showed me empty treatment rooms and the sauna. “You guys can come whenever you wish.”

“I’ll be sure to tell the guys that.” I leaned against the wall. “Do you come with the tour as well?”

Sunshine’s cheeks turned pink. “Of course not.”

“Right, right, we’d have to ask for a personal tour.” I winked at her. “What’s next?”

“The lodge, which you’ve seen.”

“I can see it again. I like listening to you talk about your business. It’s impressive, to have done all this at a young age.”

Sunshine led us out of the spa. “It wasn’t me, it was my grandparents. And parents.”

“Right, but your family took it over at a young age? And you started the event business with Holly?”

Sunshine nodded. “It was a hard couple of years, but we’re making it work.”

I brushed my hand over her shoulder. Her skin was smooth and soft, and I wondered how soft the rest of her would be. “You should be proud of yourself. You’ve accomplished a lot.”

“Thanks.” She swallowed hard and tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear. “So, this is the lodge.”

She changed the subject, licking her lips nervously. Interesting. She loved talking about her family but didn’t seem comfortable talking about her own success.

I’d have to fix that. She was brilliant, helping her cousin Raina take over the family business after the tragedy of losing her parents, aunt, and uncles. When I was sixteen, I was moping around in my room.

The lodge was built from the same wood, with a high roofline, and sat partly inside the trees, giving it a more rustic look than the other buildings. I’d been here frequently, because Logan prepped his catering for Cosmic Bonds here.

Inside there was a large, open space. The stone floor had different toned inlays. A large deep brown couch dominated the sitting area, with a sage, blue, and brown area rug covering the space in front of it. It was a nice place to watch Logan cook.

“We finished hosting a corporate retreat last week,” Sunshine said. “And a few of our regulars have it booked out for their summer camps.”

“Sounds busy.” The sundress hugged her frame before flaring out around her knees. For a moment I indulged, watching the swell of her breasts as she breathed.

She saw where I was looking and her cheeks turned pink. Her breathing kicked up a bit, and I took a step closer. Her linen scent teased me, getting stronger.

I kept my gaze on her, dragging out the moment. She had a mole just below her collarbone, and my fingers itched to touch it. The straps of her sundress were thin, and it would be so easy to slide them off her shoulders. I wondered if her breasts would feel as soft as the skin on her shoulders, if she would gasp when I touched her, or cry out.

Blood pounded in my veins, and I told myself to calm down or I would embarrass myself.

I looked up, and her face was flushed. Her mouth was slightly parted, and she watched me like she was hanging on my every move.

It was a heady feeling, to have someone’s attention so completely that everything else just fell away. I’d never felt that until I met Logan and Julian, and I hadn’t expected to feel it again with anyone else.

I clenched my jaw, the urge to bite her, claim her so strong. Her worthless last pack had hurt her, made her doubt herself. I’d spend every second of the rest of our lives proving that they were idiots, if she let me.

One of the doors opened, and a worker walked through.

Sunshine sucked in a breath and stepped back with a guilty look, like we’d been caught doing something more exciting than standing in the living room.

I sent Sunshine a scorching grin, trying to tell her I wasn’t finished with her yet. “Do you ever host your events here?”

“Sometimes.” She sounded a little breathy and the sound went straight to my cock. I had to pull myself back or I was going to grab her and kiss her, consequences be damned.

“Usually they’re hosted in bigger venues, but sometimes for small events we host here.” Sunshine swallowed hard and gestured toward the industrial-sized kitchen. “You’ve seen the kitchens, of course.”

“Of course.” I trailed my hand down her shoulder once more, fascinated with how soft her skin was. “You could always show me again.”

Sunshine let out a little laugh and led me through. We’d spent hours here as Logan cooked and prepped. “We have some sandwiches and snacks, if you’re hungry?”

“I’m okay right now.” I didn’t want to sit and eat and stop the flow of the tour.

“You’re probably used to having gourmet food all the time anyway,” she said.

“Logan doesn’t cook all the time,” I said. “We have a lot of leftovers too.”

“Of course.” She turned around and headed back into the living room. “He’s probably tired of it.”

“He loves it.” I followed her, wondering how soon was going to be too soon. Julian had a better feel on Sunshine’s emotional state than me, but seeing her old pack at the event couldn’t have helped her feel good about herself.

It had almost been a year since her terrible pack had broken her heart.

Maybe Julian could ask some questions about when she was going to start dating again. I didn’t trust myself to ask her without making it sound like a demand.

Sunshine led me back out into the grounds. “We have some hiking paths but…” She looked at my feet, and my impractical dress shoes.

“I could change…” I paused, realizing I couldn’t finish the idiotic statement. Of course I couldn’t change my shoes. I’d driven here from work. My suit jacket and tie were in the car, but I was still wearing my dress shirt, slacks, and loafers.

“It’s okay.” She laughed, and the sound was light and filled with brightness. I watched her, utterly entranced. I would commit many, many crimes to make her laugh like that again. “We have some easier tracks to walk.”

“Lead the way then.”

She took me along a scenic path, filled with shady trees and dappled patches of wildflowers.

“How’s work going?” I asked, and then immediately regretted it. I was supposed to be trying to get to know her better, and asking about work wouldn’t help that.

“Great.” Her face lit up. “I’ve got some events in the works, and some meetings later this week.”

“Excellent. I’m sure you’ll smash them.”

“What about you?” She cocked her head. “You’re off early.”

I huffed. I wanted this to be a tale of my awesomeness, but I didn’t want to lie either. “It sucked. We’re behind on some filings, I missed two briefs somehow, and some clients were yelling. I finished the important stuff and took a half day.”

“Awww.” Sunshine touched my shoulder. “That sucks. We all have bad days.”

I knew that. Logically. I didn’t like having bad days, however. It was too much like failure, too much like trying to be good enough, but knowing I couldn’t reach that rung of the ladder.

My parents had preferred my older brother, Justin, in every way and made it clear that I had to work harder, be better, to even come up to average. If he’d gotten a silver medal in soccer, I had to get a gold medal and be named Most Valuable Player.

I’d done a lot of work on myself over the years, initially with a therapist and then with Logan and Julian, but the old wounds were still there.

“Thanks, love.” I gave her a smile. “Hard to remember that, sometimes, you know? I just know I could do so much better. I hate failing.”

“Did you really fail?” Sunshine put her hand on my forearm. “Or did you make a mistake like anyone else would?”

“I should have remembered the filings,” I grumbled. I was supposed to be wooing this beta, showing her we were her perfect pack. Telling her how I screwed up at work was not part of the plan.

“I forgot to fill out three invoices.” She frowned at me, a stubborn little line forming between her eyebrows. It was adorable and I wanted to kiss it. “Are you going to tell me I failed? That I’m a terrible employee?”

“Of course not.” I stifled a growl, some of my protectiveness showing itself. Another failing. I was too much of an alpha. Too demanding and possessive, too much. “You’re allowed to make mistakes.”

“Just not you?” Sunshine laughed.

“Now you’re catching on.” I shook my head. “You’re right. Julian and Logan would tell me the same thing. Just hard to remember, especially when I hold myself to such a high standard.”

“I am right.” She sounded smug. “I want you to be nicer to yourself.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I liked this bossy side of her. She could boss me around any time she wanted.

“You know, speaking of your pack, you guys really are allowed to use the facilities any time you want.” She gestured at the grounds we were taking a slow walk around. “Sauna, spa, you name it. I told Logan, but I wanted to remind you.”

“A spa day sounds nice,” I said, wondering how Julian would handle the strange smells. He didn’t like most spas because he didn’t like the scent of other people when he was trying to unwind.

“Even the matchmaking services.” She looked at me out of the corner of her eye, before continuing cheerfully. “If you guys want to be put into the system and see what kind of matches you have, you can do it any time.”

“Thank you. Logan did say we were welcome to that.” I grinned, trying to soften the blow. “But I’m afraid we’re too set in our ways to be good for matchmaking.”

I didn’t want her to feel like we didn’t appreciate what she was doing for other packs. But when I thought of the endless, tedious matching process, of going on first date after first date only to reject each hopeful person, I wanted to crawl in a hole.

“That’s fine,” she said, her voice sounding strained. “I just wanted to remind you.”

“It’s incredible, what you’re doing,” I said quickly. I hoped I hadn’t offended her. “The algorithm Ember and Terran invented is amazing. You’re all helping people find their forever packs, using crystals and other energy methods to do it. This whole place has me in a better mood just being here.” I gestured at the rolling fields around us.

“Thank you.” She gave me a quick smile, but the teasing smirk was gone. “We’ve worked really hard.”

“And of course, the company can’t be beat.” I touched her shoulder.

“Thanks.” She smiled at me again, but it wasn’t as open as before. I wouldn’t have noticed, if she hadn’t spent the afternoon looking at me like I was something special. “I should get back to work before Raina comes and hunts me down.”

I bit back my instant reply that Raina would have to fight me. “Right. I didn’t mean to bother your workday.”

“You didn’t,” she said quickly. “You’re always welcome to come over.”

I nodded. “I might take you up on that, you know, so I hope you mean it.”

“Of course.” Now she had a soft look on her face.

We reached the Welcome Center too soon. Far too soon for me to figure out if I had offended her, or it was something else.

Logan was right. She wasn’t ready. I’d flirted a lot today, hopefully giving her some idea of my feelings. If I could just be patient and not drag her back to my cave, she would come to trust me and my pack in time.

But I wasn’t a patient person, not with the thought of Sunshine running around in the world without my scent and bite to protect her.

I shoved the alpha caveman back into the box and drove away, pleased and frustrated in equal measure.

Chapter 10

Sunshine

The day of the First Responders' Festival was clear and beautiful. At a cool seventy degrees with a breeze, it was the perfect day for the festival. The air smelled sweet and woodsy.

One of the local fields hosted the event, and it was set out as one long winding maze of booths, tents, and tables. There was a small petting zoo, food trucks near the picnic area, and tents showcasing everything from local microbreweries to homemade jams.

We got there early to set up our own booth. Zephyr and Raina were in charge of the actual white tent, while me and Ember worked on the awning, the table set-up, and the pamphlets.

Stella had brought her pack, and Simon, Evan, and Jerrick were helping her with the crystal display. Crystals were an easy draw for the crowds, and in addition to the cost of admission, we donated the proceeds to the First Responders’ Charity.

West, Ember’s male omega partner, helped organize the intake papers. West and Ember had been together since they were teenagers, and he made Logan look like a chatterbox.

If people wanted, we’d ask them questions about their preferences for partners, and get them set up in the database later. Ember and West would be manning that station while Raina and Zephyr talked about corporate retreats and rentals on the grounds. Luna had her essential oils set up, and I had my event books so people could see the previous gala we’d done. Terran helped wherever we needed an extra set of hands.

“Hey babe, what’s shaking?” Julian smiled at me as he walked over to our tent. All sense left my head when I saw him in his shorts and t-shirt with the fire department’s insignia on it. His hair was pulled into a manbun, and he wore flip flops.

“Hi.” I walked over, drawn to him.

He was just my friend, I reminded myself. Longing filled my chest like a soap bubble ready to burst. When Luca had dropped in on me last week, he’d flirted like he was going to kiss me.

But when I reminded him that they could use our matchmaking services—trying to test the waters in my own clumsy way—he’d repeated what Logan had told me three years ago. They didn’t want to sign up because they weren’t dating.

My heart plummeted. I was already in too deep not to be crushed.

Julian handed me a stack of glossy paper.

“Your calendars, as promised.” Julian nodded at Stella as my sister walked over. “Hey, Stell.”

Stella peered over my shoulder. “Oooh yes, hot firefighter calendar.”

“What?” Simon frowned. He wasn’t wearing a three-piece suit today, instead he had on a polo shirt and khakis that was his idea of laid back.

“Nothing, honey.” Stella waved him off, with Jerrick and Evan smirking.

Luna actually came out from behind her essential oils display to say hi, and soon my whole family was gathered around Julian.

“Where’s your…” Stella frowned, “I don’t know, your firefighter uniform?”

Julian smirked, brushing his hand over the fire department’s insignia on his t-shirt.

“His turnout gear?” I asked her. My sister had to be referring to the heavy yellow uniform that everyone thought about when someone said ‘firefighter’.

I may or may not have deep-dived into research about firefighters when I became friends with Julian.

“Yes, that.” Ember gestured at him. “Not that this isn’t great, too.”

“It’s on the truck. I’m going to be taking turns in the ice bath, so I’m not going to wear it.” Julian turned to me. “I’m here to deliver the calendars and ask Sunshine if she’s jumping in with me. You know, for charity.”

“A bath filled with ice water?” Ember shook her head. “Hard pass.”

A tub filled with water and ice cubes? But also, a tub filled with Julian. I sighed. “Fine. But at the end of the day. I didn’t bring a bathing suit.”

“Yes!” Julian pumped his fist in the air. “Logan said he’ll bring some food by around noon.”

“He doesn’t have to go to the trouble.” I frowned. “He’s going to be busy.”

“He’s bringing food for my fire company, too.” Julian winked. “Don’t take the pleasure of feeding people away from him.”

“Yeah, Sunshine.” Ember elbowed me. “I still haven’t forgiven you for not sharing the last time.”

“Go make friends with Alejandro if you want a personal chef,” I grumbled, rubbing my side.

Julian had a wicked look on his face. “He is single. Not my type, but he’s a really great guy.”

Ember gave me the stink eye and then tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Maybe I will.”

I glanced at the calendars in my hands. It was this year’s calendar and last year’s calendar. I wanted to find which month Julian was on right away, but it felt weird with him staring at me.

“I’ll come over around seven.” I wanted to ask him where Luca was, but I wasn’t going to do it in front of my entire family.

“Hey, everyone.” Talia walked over with a few trays of cupcakes. She looked adorable with her blonde hair in a twist, wearing a white dress and a pink apron with Cupcake My Day’s logo on the front.

Stella and Ember gave Talia identical glares.

I stepped ahead, trying to head off the inevitable confrontation. “How’s set-up?”

“Going great.” Talia stopped at our welcome table. She noticed Julian and then winked at me. “I see your friend is here.”

She said “friend” in such an exaggerated way, I wanted to die.

“You know, Sunshine is still single.” Talia elbowed me as if she hadn’t be obvious enough the first time.

My worst nightmare unfolding before me. I shot Talia a look, but she ignored me. All through high school she had tried to help me be more outgoing with my crushes. I wasn’t exactly shy—nothing like Luna—but the thought of telling someone I liked them, and then having them tell me ‘no thanks’, made me want to crawl into a hole and die.

Sometimes Talia’s attempts worked, and I got a date, and sometimes they ended up in mortifying failure. It was bad enough in high school trying to avoid the hot jock that turned me down, but Julian was my friend.

If things were going to be awkward between us, I wanted to be the idiot who caused it.

“I’m aware.” Julian grinned, and it didn’t look strained to me. If anything, he looked amused.

“What have you got there?” I pointed at Talia’s tray, trying to change the subject.

“Cupcakes!” Talia perked up. “I brought some from our booth.”

The tray had a sticker for Talia’s bakery on the plastic top. She’d brought three trays, more than was needed for just me and my family.

“Sunshine’s also open to dating packs.” Talia nodded at me as she turned back to Julian. “I noticed you don’t have any betas in your pack yet.”

Oh, sweet monkey muffins. “Thanks for the cupcakes, Talia.”

I knew my face was bright red but if I pretended I wasn’t going to die on the spot, maybe the rest of the world would comply.

“We can’t advertise for other booths.” Raina came over, putting a professional expression on her face, and I knew we were in for it. Raina’s alpha designation had come in almost the day after her fourteenth birthday, not that any of us were surprised.

“I didn’t ask you to.” Talia frowned. “I wanted to bring some treats over. You could pass them out to people in your booth, help draw them in. Sunshine helped me with the menu.”

“I bet she did.” Raina gave Talia a level look.

I flinched. Raina did not like Talia. She hadn’t when we were teenagers, and she liked her even less now.

I piped up again. “Raina, it’s fine.”

“There’s a sticker on the trays.” Raina arched an eyebrow. She wore jeans and a t-shirt but still somehow managed to radiate the sort of professional competence that I needed a suit and heels to pull off.

“So?” Talia shifting her weight to her hip.

My stomach twisted. This wasn’t going to end well. No matter how this played out, someone was going to be mad at me. I snuck a glance at Julian. He was watching me, looking concerned. Great, an audience for a family meltdown.

“So that’s advertising for your booth,” Raina explained. “We do not have a business relationship, so it would be disingenuous.”

Talia looked at me. “This is a stressful day for you. I wanted to do something nice. If you don’t want my cupcakes, that’s fine.”

It was not fine, not by a longshot, judging by Talia’s tone of voice.

“Thank you for thinking of me,” I started, trying to figure out how to salvage this in 0.8 seconds.

Talia rolled her eyes. “Of course. Side with your cousin. I’m only your best friend, what do I know?”

“Can you really claim to be best friends when you’re still friends with Becca?” Ember said, glaring at Talia.

“It was a scent match,” Talia hissed. “What would you have done in my place?”

“Can we not?” I said loudly, trying to head the trainwreck off at the pass. The only saving grace was the festival wasn’t open to the public yet.

“I definitely wouldn’t have kept being besties.” Ember ignored me. “If it was a scent match, Becca should have said as much the second she saw Rob, and then the two of them should have sat Sunshine down and had an adult conversation with her. Not fucked around behind her back for three weeks.”

If looks could kill, Talia would have killed Ember. “I’m not Becca, in case you forgot.”

“I didn’t.” Ember gave her a poisonous smile. “If you were Becca, you wouldn’t have been allowed to approach the tent at all.”

My chest pinched and my throat closed up. I knew my family didn’t like that I was still friends with Talia but I hadn’t realized it was this bad. Part of the joy of almost everyone being an alpha or omega in my family was it meant I had a veritable gang of overprotective siblings and cousins.

Of course, it really, really didn’t help that Talia kept trying to get them to agree with her. Talia was a lot of things, but easygoing didn’t make the list.

Part of me was glad Ember said what I had been thinking for a year. If it was a scent match, fine. Tell me that and break up with me. The cheating behind my back was the part that was so hard to swallow.

“I’m going back to my booth.” She dropped the cupcakes on the ground. “I guess this serves me right for trying to do something nice.”

She sounded close to tears. Guilt tore at me, and I stepped over to her. “Talia, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.” She shook her blonde hair. “Have a nice day at the festival.”

She walked away, her shoulders tight.

Ember let out a breath. “Sunshine, I know you don’t like confrontation, but she’s going to keep pretending she’s taking the high road until you call her on her bullshit.”

I bent over, picking up the trays of cupcakes. Ember moved to help, and I waved her off. “I got it.”

I kept my mouth shut. There was no calling Talia on her bullshit. Any time I tried to have a conversation about something she’d done wrong, it somehow got turned around to how her feelings were hurt.

Either she was upset that she’d hurt me, or she was upset that I assumed the worst. She was really good at sidestepping whatever point I was trying to make.

I’d learned it wasn’t worth it. I would have to have a more honest conversation with her soon, but whenever I thought about it, I just got tired.

It would be a lot of back and forth about our feelings, and at the end I would feel like I’d accomplished nothing.

And questioning if it was worth it.

“I’ve got to go back,” Julian said, quietly. He was still looking at me like he thought I might start crying.

I wasn’t close to tears. I was just tired and drained. Tired of all the mess.

“Want me to walk you?” I put the plastic trays of cupcakes in the closest trash can. “That way I’ll be able to find it easier at the end of the day.”

Julian perked up. “A fantastic idea.”

I didn’t even look at Raina or Ember, I just walked with Julian down the path of booths.

Chapter 11

Sunshine

“Sorry about Talia.” I shook my head. “Everything keeps getting more and more complicated the older we get.”

“That’s the truth.” Julian let out a puff of breath. “We’re all adults, I thought we would have the answers by now.” He sounded as mystified as I felt, and it was a relief. Where was the instruction manual on how to be an adult, anyway?

“Exactly.” I glanced over at Julian. He was only a little bit taller than me, so I had a very close view of his sharp cheekbones and annoyingly kissable pouty mouth. “She used to sit up all night with me.”

It just came tumbling out. Julian was so easy to talk to, which was what had started our friendship to begin with. I’d been visiting Logan’s new catering company shortly after they moved here from Hawaii, and, despite his chipper attitude, I’d known something was wrong. I’d asked him about what they’d seen in Half Moon Bay so far, and we ended up talking for hours.

I bit my lip. “My whole family is pissed at her about the thing with Becca, and it hurt me too, but it’s not as simple as her being a bad friend.”

Julian took my hand and squeezed it. “I hope you don’t mind that I stayed. Leaving seemed…rude.”

“I don’t mind. It’s embarrassing but…” I shrugged.

It wasn’t he didn’t already know my life was a hot mess. What was one more incident?

Besides, a voice whispered, it wasn’t like we were ever going to date.

“Why did she stay up all night with you?” Julian asked, bringing me back to my other train of thought.

“After my parents died. I didn’t handle it well.”

Losing my parents was hard. The nighttime was the worst. My siblings and cousins would be asleep, and I’d wake up in a cold sweat, my heart pounding in my chest, utterly certain someone I loved had died.

“She would stay up with me, on the phone or Internet, and talk to me about boys we liked, what we wanted to do with our lives, or books we read.”

“Oh, babe.” Julian hugged me. I relaxed into his arms and sighed. He felt so warm and safe.

Some of the jagged edges of the stress dissolved.

“Thanks.” I squeezed him and stepped back.

“Can we talk more about this? Later?” He looked hopeful.

I nodded. “Later sounds good.”

I walked him over to their booth. It was technically two booths in one. One side had the calendar and gift baskets that had been donated by local businesses to be raffled off, and the other had a small, raised stage set up. A plastic tub big enough for two people sat next to a few chairs.

Firefighters roamed around, doing the final touches.

Julian raised his hand and then pointed at me. “Everyone, this is my friend Sunshine. Sunshine, this is everyone.”

A woman rolled her eyes. “Very helpful.” She held her hand out. A beta woman maybe a little older than me, she radiated calm competence. “I’m Chloe.”

The rest of the crew introduced themselves, but I immediately forgot their names. Which was probably why Julian didn’t introduce me to everyone all at once.

The only one I remembered was Chuck, and that was because of Julian’s stories. He was exactly like I’d pictured, a middle-aged alpha man with brown hair and a goatee—handsome in a gym rat sort of way, and very full of himself.

The alpha barely glanced at me before looking at Julian. “Thought you said your pack was closed, Kahele.”

The ice bath station seemed like a harebrained idea, but they had a massive poster talking about the health benefits of ice baths and how sitting in ice would raise money for their charity because local businesses pledged donations.

Julian frowned. “When did I say that?”

“You keep telling everyone that hits on you that you like your pack small.” Chuck made it sound like an accusation.

I stifled a giggle. Maybe Chuck had a thing for Julian, hence all his pissy aggression.

“We do like our pack small.” Julian crossed his arms over his chest. “I never said our pack was closed.”

My brain frizzed out. I’d made the same assumption. I’d heard Julian tell people they liked their pack small plenty of times. My mouth dried up and my mind circled the tone in Julian’s voice, of confusion and annoyance, how he had said, ‘I never said our pack was closed’.

I almost asked about Logan telling me years ago they weren’t dating, and then more recently, Luca echoing the same thoughts. They didn’t need the matchmaking services because they weren’t dating.

“This is the same beta you talk to at work all the time and play games with.” Again, Chuck made it sound like Julian was slacking off.

“Right,” Chloe cut in drily. “And you aren’t always texting like ten people. But you’d prefer not to settle down.”

Chuck huffed and stomped off to move tables around.

Julian turned to me. “I’ll see you around seven?”

I nodded, still feeling like I’d been hit by a truck. He said their pack wasn’t closed, but they didn’t need the dating service from Cosmic Bonds. It didn’t make sense to me, and I wanted to ask him now, before the moment was lost forever.

He looked at the booth. “Things should be winding down around then.”

Chloe nodded at me. “You’re going to jump into the ice bath?”

“Julian said he would do it with me.”

“I did.” Julian grinned, his dimples flashing.

“Awesome.” Chloe held up a blue towel with the fire department’s insignia. “I’ll save you one.”

“It’s okay.” I tried not to fidget. Even though everyone was working, it still felt like they were all looking at me. “I can always steal one from Julian later. Let the customers have them.”

Julian and I said bye, and I headed back to the Cosmic Bonds booth.

Stella and her alpha, Evan, were talking about the crystal arrangement, and Luna fiddled with the essential oils. Raina looked at me, and I braced myself.

I didn’t want to talk about it. I was too full of feelings, overstimulated before the day even began.

“I’m sorry.” Raina let out a puff of air. “I didn’t mean to put you between us and your friend.”

“Even if she’s treating you like crap,” Ember muttered.

Raina shot her sister a look before continuing. “If you really want to, we’ll put the cupcakes out. I just thought we all agreed today would be about Cosmic Bonds, not any of the other vendors we work with.”

Raina could make statements like that, and it didn’t fill me with guilt. For all of my cousin’s overbearing need to have everything perfect, she was direct. There wasn’t a passive aggressive bone in her body.

We’d had a meeting and decided we weren’t going to advertise for anyone else today. Not even Talk of the Town, which would have been my pick.

“You’re right, we did.” I rolled my shoulders. “I didn’t expect her to suggest the cupcakes. I’m sorry, I was on the spot, and I couldn’t figure out a way to make everyone happy.”

Raina cocked her head, concern filling her face. She was only two years older than me, but sometimes it felt like those two years made all the difference. “Sunny, you can’t make everyone happy all the time. It’s impossible to try.”

I knew this. And yet, it didn’t stop me from feeling like crap when someone was mad at me.

“She put you on the spot and made it about your friendship, when she should have respected your boundaries.” Raina picked up her planner, the sparkly pink unicorn cover completely at odds with her tough, no-nonsense alpha persona.

Raina gestured with the book. “I shouldn’t have been in Talia’s face, I know she hates it. But it makes me angry how she’s been treating you.”

“It’s okay.” I grabbed my cup of coffee. Jerrick, Stella’s beta, had gone to Grinder’s and brought us all our favorite drinks. “You’re basically my big sister. It’s been really complicated with her lately and I don’t know how to make it less weird.”

“Maybe it would be less weird if she stopped pretending it’s okay she’s still talking to Becca,” Ember piped up. “Just saying.”

I shot my cousin a look.

Ember held up her hands. “I’ll let it drop.” She looked at West. “We ready to go?”

The taller omega nodded. He had silky black hair he kept in a braid that Ember was forever playing with. If anyone else tried to touch his hair they got a death glare, but for Ember he would crawl over broken glass.

Which was how it should be. Ember deserved happiness.

I sighed. We all did.

I finished helping to set up the booth and the rest of the day flew by. People stopped by, making sarcastic jokes about the healing powers of crystals, but still took brochures. A few of them bought crystals and essential oils, and most of them signed up for the free fifteen-minute consultation we were offering to those who donated to the First Responders’ Charity.

Logan stopped by with Luca in tow and dropped off several trays of food. Logan gave me a stink eye, told me to eat, and then left. Luca crowded my personal space again, asking for a personal tour of the grounds soon.

His smolder made my breath come in shorter, and I almost asked him right there what he’d meant by not needing the matchmaking services if his pack wasn’t closed. But we had an audience, so I settled for smiling.

We descended on the food like piranhas who smelled fresh blood. The brisket was charred perfectly, the baked beans magical as ever, and the grilled corn salsa pulled it all together. I went back for seconds of the peach cobbler and then regretted eating so much in the middle of the day.

At the end of the festival, Zephyr waved me off. “Go do your ice bath thing, we’ll break the booth down.”

“Hell, we’re going to watch. The booth can wait.” Ember popped up.

Decided, my entire family walked behind me as I went to meet my fate.

Chapter 12

Sunshine

Iapproached the ice bath with a mixture of excitement and dread. I’d researched ice baths on the Internet and found out there were health benefits. Good for inflammation and swelling, also inconclusive studies showing it promoted relief from anxiety and depression.

Mostly it was a funny gimmick to draw interest to the booth. When we got there, Chloe was sitting in it as the fire crew’s support person, encouraging a teenage girl whose face had turned pale. Her family stood to the side cheering her on, while a massive digital clock with red letters counted down her time.

Thirty seconds.

The girl huffed and puffed, and Chloe was telling her to breathe in and out.

Julian’s shorts and tank top were damp, and he’d taken his flip flops off at some point.

There were two other firefighters standing around in damp clothes, so I assumed they had taken turns in the ice bath.

His tattoos were on bright display, and I saw the rest of the dragon curving around his back, some koi fish done in watercolor style swimming around each other in yin and yang style, and other tattoos I couldn’t pick out without staring more than I already was.

“Not too late to back out.” Julian grinned at his wrung water out of his damp hair. Logan and Luca walked toward us from around the back of the booth.

“I only made it a minute last time,” Luca admitted as he came to stand near me.

“A minute is a great time.” Julian smiled. “Any time is good.”

“I would take a bullet for you, but I’m not jumping in that ice bath again.” Logan looked at me. “Did you eat?”

“Too much.” I patted my stomach. “There’s nothing left. We licked it clean.”

“Licked it clean, huh?” Julian winked. “I got something for you to lick.”

“Sure you do. Jump in that bucket of ice water and then let’s go.” I rolled my eyes. He was wet and beaming, clearly in his element. Adrenaline rush my eye.

Luca and Logan both laughed, a surprised sound.

Julian tapped his forehead. “Good thinking, babe. Let’s wait a little bit, that ice won’t do my anatomy any favors.”

I blushed at his shrinkage reference, and the voice in the back of my mind whispered that his pack wasn’t closed. Then I felt bad, remembering Becca asking me if I was going to chase Julian’s pack too. They hadn’t been on a date in the years I’d known them, so nothing really had changed.

I couldn’t help that I liked dating multiple men at the same time. I’d dated betas in high school, but one of my boyfriend’s designation as an omega came in when we were seventeen. Even though we’d never had sex, it was amazing dating him and his two alphas at once. Someone was always around, and they’d fitted my personality. It took the pressure off being perfect for one person.

It must have left a mark, because whenever I dated a beta man it felt weird, like we were missing someone.

The teenage girl tapped out, and Julian and some of the other firefighters helped her out of the tub. She was shivering but beaming with pride, and her family clapped. She’d made it almost a minute.

I would have to beat that. There was just no way I could let myself lose to Luca.

“Your turn.” Julian held out his hand, and I stepped up to the small stage. It was much less crowded now that the fair was basically over, and I was glad I’d decided to do this when the fairgrounds were mostly empty.

Julian led me over to the table and handed me his shirt. “Use my shirt so you have something dry.”

“Aren’t I supposed to be the one giving you clothes?” I joked, nerves fluttering in my stomach.

“I will totally steal your clothes if I can get away with it.” Julian smirked, tugging gently at my tie-dyed t-shirt.

I should have gone and got my bathing suit but going home just for that that had felt too weird. There was a small partition you could change shirts in, so I ducked behind it and changed out of mine and pulled Julian’s on. It was too big but didn’t swallow me whole. The combination of pineapples and coconut reassuring me.

I came out grinning. My entire family waited for me along with Logan and Luca.

“Who’s next?” I said, giving my whole family the thumbs up.

“Hell, no!” Ember said, West hugging her from behind. “We’re here for moral support.”

Julian led me over to the tub. My stomach turned and I wondered if I was going to make it. The water was still filled with ice and chilly air radiated out of the tub.

Chloe shook herself, a towel wrapped around her shoulders. “You got this.”

“Okay.” Julian stood in front of the tub. “I’m going to climb in first to help stabilize you. Sit down, all at once. Don’t try to go in slowly to adjust.”

I nodded.

“Try to meditate if you can. Or focus on your breathing. In and out.” Julian took a deep breath and then let it out. “That’s all you have to do. You can tap out at any time. No shame, just do it as long as you can.”

“Okay.” I glanced at the red clock. “That’s going to count down the time?”

“Yes, but once you’re in, it’s easier not to watch the clock.” Julian hopped into the tub and then gestured at me. I stalled for half a second, but I didn’t want to keep him waiting.

I stepped into the ice water, and my entire body stiffened. I let out a gasp, unable to stop the air from leaving my lungs. Icy water hit me up to my knee. It felt like if I stopped to think about the blinding cold, I would die. I sat down instead, and freezing numbness gripped me.

Panic hit me as the pain receptors lit up inside my brain. It was cold. So cold it was hot, sending burning, searing pain all through my body. Julian had sat down at the same time I did. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and leaned back so I was leaning against him.

“Remember to breathe. In.” He took in a deep breath through his nose. “And out.”

I sucked in a breath, the warmth of his body engulfing me. My instincts were at war between escaping the freezing numbness and sinking into the pure comfort of his arms around me. I put my hands on his forearms and took a deep breath.

“There you go, babe, in and out.”

I let out a shaky breath. I kept waiting to get used to the searing cold, but so far, I was two seconds from jumping out.

Julian nuzzled my hair. “Breathe in and out. Come on, take another breath for me.”

I obeyed. My brain latched on to his soothing voice. I wanted to ask when I would get used to it, but I couldn’t make my mouth work. Dimly, I heard my family cheering me, Luca cheering my name, Logan promising dessert.

It was all fuzzy. A cocoon wrapped around me, and I sank into it. It was like meditation, but much more extreme. I wasn’t sitting calmly in our rock garden listening to the birds chirp, trying to empty my mind. I was forcing my body to laser focus on the blinding cold from my waist down.

“Breath in.” Julian’s mouth was right next to my ear. “And out.”

I tried to focus on his body wrapped around mine. I was safe. He wouldn’t let anything hurt me.

It was still so cold. Every time I thought I’d been in long enough for my body to acclimate, another jolt of pure freezing cold hit me.

I fought the urge to pull away from it.

“Remember your breathing.” Julian’s voice pulled me out of my body and back to focusing on one single task.

The rest of the world fell away. I wasn’t trying to impress Mrs. Cullen, or fix what was broken between me and Talia, or make sure my family was happy.

It was just me and Julian, and all we had to do was breathe.

So I focused on his chest inhaling, and exhaling. I matched my own body movements with his, and it was oddly sensual, like our bodies were in sync with more than just our breath.

It didn’t get less cold, but it stopped being so shocking. I floated in space, blocking out everything but Julian’s voice and the deep cold.

“And time!” Chloe yelled.

I blinked, coming out of the haze.

The clock said five minutes in big red numbers. Ember was squealing, jumping up and down, and everyone else was clapping. Luca grinned ear to ear, and Logan’s expression was thoughtful.

“You did amazing.” Julian beamed at me like I’d cured cancer, and my heart squeezed. I would have stayed in the ice bath for an hour if it made him grin at me like that.

“Slowly, babe. Slow and steady.” He gave me one last squeeze and released me.

I almost protested. My brain was slow. It felt like I’d taken a nap and now I was trying to wake up.

Julian climbed out first, Chloe standing close by to offer him a hand. I stood up, my knees shaking, then Julian held out his hands, and I used both to steady myself. My legs were cold, but standing up was worse.

“You okay?” Julian looked into my eyes.

“Yeah.” I blinked. “Just sleepy, sort of?”

“Oh, yeah, we got another one.” Julian’s face lit up. “She likes the ice bath everyone.”

“Pretty sure it was the person she was in the bath with,” Ember muttered.

I pretended I didn’t hear her. She wasn’t exactly wrong. The other firefighters came over to congratulate me for making it five whole minutes. Julian brought me heated towels and sat us in chairs close enough to touch.

Julian waved his hand at Luca and Logan. “We need snuggles from dry people.”

“Did I stay in too long?” I blinked, my brain still fuzzy.

“Nah.” Julian put his arm around me. “I don’t have a full set of dry clothes for you, so we’re bringing our body temperature up the fun way.”

Luca and Logan came up to the stage.

Julian patted the two empty chairs on either side of us. “Come on, snuggle time.”

Luca and Logan both gave each other a look, and I was glad I was cold enough for my blush not to show. Logan sat down next to me, scooting close enough for me to feel his body heat.

“You okay?” Logan asked me as Luca sat on Julian’s side.

“It was actually…fun. I freaked out but it was good once I relaxed.”

Slowly, feeling came back into my legs and arms. It wasn’t pleasant, but it wasn’t as bad as the pins and needles from sitting on my foot for too long.

I looked at Julian. “I can’t believe that was five minutes.”

“You did great.” Luca patted my back again.

“We’re going to break down our booth.” Raina walked over and looked at Logan. “You’re going to stay with her?”

“Of course.” Logan nodded. “She needs to sit for about ten minutes, anyway.”

My family left, looking far too pleased. Julian’s coworkers congratulated us, then proceeded to break down their own booth around us. We offered to help but were told to stay put.

Julian squeezed his arm around me. “You did that like a pro. I thought you’d last a minute.”

“Showing me up,” Luca said. He didn’t sound mad at all.

“You’re going to come back to our place?” Julian perked up. “Logan promised us dessert.”

“He doesn’t have to cook,” I said automatically, although my words were still coming out slowly.

“It’s no trouble. Unless you’d rather wait for another day?” Logan’s face was close to mine, and I tried not to think about kissing him. His herbal scent was the perfect thing after being in the cold for so long. Invigorating and soothing.

I shook my head. I should use the excuse to get invited over some other time, but I couldn’t stand the idea of being parted from them. Being smushed between them was everything I wanted. All my defenses were down, and the reasons why I shouldn’t want them didn’t matter so much in the haze.

After letting my family know, I was bundled into the back of Logan’s station wagon. The fuzzy feeling was still invading my brain and, for once, I let myself just go with the moment instead of trying to analyze everything.

I was going to spend the evening with Pack Kahele.

Chapter 13

Julian

We pulled up to the house and I couldn’t stop myself from giving a little bounce. “Home now!”

Sunshine grinned. She was still a little pale from being in the icy water, and her ponytail was wet. I’d snuggled against her side the entire car ride home, with Luca on her other side.

Bubbly energy filled me. Sunshine was here. At our house. We went inside, and I took a deep breath, relishing the combination of all our scents together.

Our house was perfect. I hadn’t thought I’d like California, not the way I loved Hawaii, but Luca had found the perfect place. The design was airy and open, and the walls were white with high ceilings and pine wood floors. The furniture was all soft blond wood with overstuffed cushions.

We’d added our own touches of sea glass, driftwood, sage green and crystal blue accents to make it feel cozy.

It had been ages since Sunshine had been over, so the house no longer had any traces of her scent. Something that was about to change.

“You need to hydrate,” Logan said. “You want some water? A sports drink?”

“Please?” Sunshine looked around uncertainly, like she wasn’t sure what to do with herself.

“Okay. You’re wet.” I tugged Sunshine’s hand. “You can borrow some of my clothes while yours are in the dryer.”

The urge to “accidentally” steal some of her clothes was strong. Unfortunately, she’d only worn shorts, a t-shirt, and her undergarments to the festival. There was no sweatshirt to conveniently forget about or I would have claimed it for my nest.

“You don’t mind?” She looked worried.

“Heck no.” I shook my head, showing her the main bathroom. “One sec.”

I went into the bedroom and rummaged around for some spare clothes. I found one of my softest t-shirts, a clean pair of boxers, and a pair of sweatpants with a drawstring. I was only an inch or so taller than she was, short for a guy, but average height for an omega, so hopefully my clothes wouldn’t be too big for her.

She was hovering near the bathroom. I handed her the pile of clothes. “No bra, sadly. No girls in the house.”

“The top half of my body didn’t get too wet,” she said. “I’m okay.”

“Hmm, guess I should have splashed you.” I winked at her. “Here you go.”

She shook her head at me and took the clothes into the bathroom. I wandered back out to the living room. Sure enough, Logan was dishing out dessert while Luca paced. They both stopped what they were doing and looked at me when I walked in.

I gave them the thumbs up, bouncing on my heels a little bit. Logan went back to getting the dessert sorted and Luca sat down, looking a little more relaxed.

Sunshine was in the house, she was going to sit on the couch and I would get to snuggle her. My omega instincts were all but giving me a standing ovation at finally getting my beta back to the house.

It was shaping up to be an awesome night.

She came out of the bathroom looking adorable in my t-shirt and sweatpants, her wet clothes in her hands. “Where’s the dryer?”

Luca jumped up, and Logan stepped forward, but I beat them to it and led her to the laundry room next to the master bedroom. When I’d set the dryer going, she was in the hallway looking around curiously.

“You’ve seen the house before, right?” I cocked my head.

She blushed, like she had been caught doing more than peeking into the bedroom. “Yes, but not the guided tour.”

“That’s our bedroom.” I gestured needlessly at the massive bed, still not made. There was a pile of laundry in the corner, and some random books and papers on the end table. “Me and Luca are messy, and Logan’s neat freakiness can’t keep up.”

I opened the door opposite the bedroom. There was a massive hardwood desk with shelves lined with books and an armchair. There was a small table to the side of the chair we called the “anal table” because we’d discovered it was just the perfect height.

I decided not to tell Sunshine about the table just yet. “This is the office. Mostly Luca uses it when he works from home and he needs a quiet space when I’m too hyper.”

“You, hyper?” She smirked. “I can’t imagine.”

She looked so adorable I wanted to press her against the wall and steal kisses.

Focus, Julian. Focus.

I showed her the spare bedroom we’d talked about converting into a hobby room but had never bothered with and took her up the winding staircase to the back of the house that led up to the loft.

Where my nest was. Bubbles fizzled in my stomach. I was totally showing her my nest, except we would just stand outside it. I wasn’t going to suggest we snuggle inside the nest, because that would be too forward.

I opened the door to the loft but stayed in the hallway. “And the best nest in all the lands.”

Sunshine peeked in. “You have your own little kitchenette.”

It looked like an in-law suite, with its own bathroom with a massive tub, a little kitchen with a stove and fridge. The other side of the room was one massive circular mattress, the size of two beds put together, covered with soft and comfy blankets and pillows. Also random sweatpants and shirts, whatever I felt like I needed from day to day. The room itself was painted dark blue and had black out curtains because, like most omegas, I hated bright lights when I was in heat.

“I guess downstairs is too far away for the kitchen.” She grinned.

“Way too far away.” I smirked. “This way we get to eat well.”

I stepped back down the hallway, despite my instincts telling me to drag her into the nest and roll her all over the bedding to add her scent to it. And then maybe we would roll around for more exciting reasons.

I shoved my feelings back. I didn’t want to rush her and make her feel like it was just physical.

Tonight would be a good way to gauge how comfortable Sunshine was with the three of us.

We went back downstairs, and, after a short detour to the bedroom for blankets, I led my beta back into the living room.

I sat down on the couch and held my arms out. “Snuggle time. It’s for your own good.”

“I think my body temperature is normal,” she said, with a smirk, although it didn’t stop her from cuddling up next to me.

I rubbed my face on the side of her neck, inhaling a lungful of her linen and sky scent. “I don’t know, we better make sure.”

She relaxed in my arms. “Okay.”

Logan brought us some bottled water, and Luca hovered near the kitchen.

“Come on.” I patted my free side. “It’s snuggle time.”

Luca sat on Sunshine’s other side, and Logan pushed the chaise ottoman against the couch so we could all rest our feet up on it and then curled up against me.

I gave a happy sigh.

Sunshine laughed. “You sound so pleased.”

“I am. Movie night with my favorite people.”

Luca put our favorite cooking show on. I wrapped my arms around Sunshine’s waist, and she rested her head on my shoulder. I wasn’t going to move for a very long time.

While we watched the show, Logan judged the contestants harshly, complaining whenever they did something that he thought was ridiculous, and Sunshine and I critiqued their choice of dishes. Luca never got as invested as the rest of us and was always more entertained by our comments than by the show.

Sunshine was warm and comfortable next to me, curled up between me and Logan. Luca spooned my other side, and I kept taking in deep lungfuls of their mingled scents.

It was pure heaven. I just needed to figure out how to make tonight the norm, not just a rare occurrence.

I looked at Sunshine out of the corner of my eye. Her blinks kept getting longer and longer.

I was exhausted, too. It was still early, but it had been a long few days, and then I’d had to get up extra early to set up for the festival.

I closed my eyes, shifting on my weight a little so I could curl up better. It felt perfect to have Sunshine here, with my pack.

I should ask her on a date soon. Or at least make a joke about when she was ready to get back in the field. There had to be a cute and suave way to ask. Luca looked at her like they had already gotten naked, and Logan was incapable of being around her without his nurturing instincts being triggered and providing food for her.

Still pondering how to not so subtly ask my favorite beta if she was ready for dating, I fell asleep.

Chapter 14

Sunshine

Iwoke up sandwiched between the omega and alphas that haunted my dreams. Julian was lying against me, and I was plastered against Logan, his chest lightly rising and falling.

Disoriented, I tried to remember what had happened.

We’d been watching TV. It was dark now, but I remembered feeling incredibly comfortable then exhaustion pulled me down.

I looked around, but there wasn’t a clock handy. It could have been an hour since I’d fallen asleep or three in the morning.

I shifted my weight, my hip starting to hurt. In the movies when people accidentally fell asleep, they stayed asleep all night. But my arm and shoulder were starting to ache and I wanted to roll over.

Julian stirred and lifted his head up. He nuzzled my neck. “You okay?”

“I fell asleep, I’m sorry.” I was still trying to make sense of my surroundings, the unreal feeling of a dream making it feel like we were outside of reality.

“If I’d known all I had to do to get you to spend the night was dunk you in an ice bath I would have done it years ago.” He gave me a sleepy smile, and he looked so…vulnerable, it made my heart lurch. “We could get in the bed.”

Bed. As in lying down. My brain blanked out.

“I have to work tomorrow.” My mouth tasted bad. I hadn’t brushed my teeth. I must have horrible breath. “Three early morning appointments.”

“You want us to take you home?” Luca shifted so he could look at me. “Or we could take you…early tomorrow?”

Julian looked over my shoulder and gave Luca a smile, even though I wasn’t sure why.

“I need my stuff.” I shifted again, my hip hurting. “I don’t have a toothbrush or anything.”

I also didn’t want to sleep in my bra, but I didn’t want to take it off around them. I thought about the morning, about how weird I would feel without any of my personal items. Sleeping next to them in bed would feel like…we were more than just friends. But maybe that was the result of my desperate longing—adding myself into a situation that didn’t include me.

“No problem.” Logan patted my shoulder. “You can always come back.”

“And next time you could pack an overnight bag,” Julian said brightly. He didn’t seem sleepy at all, even though he’d just woken up.

Arms and blankets were moved, and then we were all standing up. I looked around, blinking and a little confused, feeling like there were some things I needed to take with me, but not able to work out what. I was still half asleep and missing the warmth of the snuggle pile. I stood next to Julian, my hand wrapped around his arm, and leaning on his shoulder.

“I’ll get your clothes,” Luca said. “Just a sec.”

A minute later, he was back with my dry clothes in his hands.

“I’m sorry you have to drive me.” I bit my lip. If I’d driven over here, they could have stayed comfortable and warm.

“It’s no problem, babe.” Julian kissed my temple, and we went outside. It was a nice night, only a little bit cool. I climbed into the backseat and was shocked when Luca and Logan climbed in on either side of me.

I frowned. “I thought…”

“I am allowed to drive.” Julian waved at me from the driver’s seat. “It’s late and we all just woke up so I’m the driver. Luca and Logan know better.”

“Boy do we,” Logan muttered. His voice was still thick with sleep. “Last time we insisted we drive late at night, we got a long lecture about how many drivers fall asleep at the wheel.”

I smiled and settled down. It wasn’t that far, and it felt like I’d just closed my eyes when Julian was pulling into the driveway.

I waited for Luca to get out so I could exit behind him. I smiled at him sleepily, then pushed myself to remember my manners. “Thanks for having me over.”

Julian got out, leaving the station wagon running, and gave me a big hug. “Any time. And by that, I mean, let’s do that again soon.”

I could only nod. I wanted to say something cute and flirty, but cute and flirty were asleep at the wheel. All I could manage was a smile and a wave before I let myself into my cottage.

I brushed my teeth and took off the offending bra, then climbed into bed, still in Julian’s clothes.

I should have stayed over. If I had stayed over, maybe something would have happened.

But then, if it hadn’t I really would have cemented myself as just a friend.

I tried to work out if I should have said or done something differently, but as I was puzzling it over, my face nuzzling the soft fabric of Julian’s shirt, the scent of Pack Kahele lulled me to sleep.

The next few days I was slammed.

Instead of being able to work out how to ask Julian about whether the pack was open to dating, I had to focus all my energy on keeping my head above water.

All of my events required my full attention and, even with Holly’s help, I worked long hours. As much as I wanted to spend time with Pack Kahele, I barely had time to eat.

I’d expected Julian to be upset that I was so busy, but he took it all in stride, sending me text messages in the morning to tell me that I was a boss babe, and sending Luca or Logan over with food if he couldn’t bring it himself. It was sweet and touching and extremely distracting.

Talia hadn’t texted me in days. I’d known she was mad, but as time went on, I realized she must have really been fuming. She’d obviously assumed I would reach out and apologize for what happened at the festival, but I didn’t know what to say other than what had already been said.

I wanted to take Julian up on his offer to talk about it, but I didn’t have the emotional energy, even if I’d been able to work it back into conversation.

When the pressure got too much, I took a work-from-home day. I’d been unable to focus at my office, and I preferred to do my crazy lady pacing in my living room, not where my family could see how stressed I was. I was still trying to figure out how to present my idea to Mrs. Cullen.

If I told her the theme of the gala was going to be ‘Dreams Come True’, she would think I was nuts. I had to get my ideas more formalized and, hopefully, some images mocked up.

I had too much to do and not enough time. I was doomed.

I’d spent every waking moment Googling event locations, going down a random rabbit hole about aquariums, and then circling back to the idea of the guests having stations they could interact with.

I’d grilled Raina about unfulfilled desires most people had, and it came down to money, status, health, and something artistic, but most of the attendees would have the first three covered.

I’d even managed to clear off the pressing items for the other events I was planning, but the timeline to present Mrs. Cullen with something amazing was rapidly shrinking.

I would have to give her the half-baked idea. I could picture myself telling her I would make her guest’s dreams come true. I made a face. She would laugh at me and then ask Logan what he was thinking.

I tried not to make event planning about my ego, about my worth as a person, but it was really, really hard not to. Everything lived or died on my ideas, on my ability to carry off the event.

I was aware that part of me wanted to fail. Because if I managed to pull this off for Mrs. Cullen, she would refer her friends. And then each new event would have to be bigger, and better.

No pressure.

My phone chimed again, and I ignored it. The family group chat was active today, planning out Sunday dinner, but the noise was too much.

I sat on the couch, flipping to a cooking show, and stared at my laptop. I’d looked at hundreds of venues, sketched out a few of my ideas, but I couldn’t see how to make the vision in my mind translate to reality.

My phone chimed again.

Julian:

Babe

Babe

Babe

I’d almost ignored him the last few days after telling him I was swamped at work.

I picked up the phone.

Sunshine:

Still working on the Cullen thing

:( :( :(

I didn’t want Julian to think I was ignoring him, but I had to get this figured out and I would be a basket case until then.

Julian:

Still?

I thought you decided on a theme thing?

He sent me some bunny gifs.

I sighed out loud.

Sunshine:

Yeah but packaging it, finding the venue, the décor, I need that locked in or she’s going to laugh in my face.

I hit send and regretted it.

My stomach twisted. I’d barely eaten because my stomach was too upset. I tried to tell myself it wasn’t a big deal, but I had to present to Mrs. Cullen and it wasn’t going to go well.

Julian:

I’m sorry you’re so stressed out about this.

Can I help?

I smiled.

Sunshine:

You’re helping just by listening to me complain

I’ll get it figured out.

He was sweet. I wanted to invite myself over to their house again. We could cook something delicious, talk through my issues, and I’d get out of my own head for a little while. Maybe I’d be able to casually slip in a question about their dating life.

I shoved the urge away. They weren’t my pack. If I really needed someone to bounce ideas off, I could call Holly and tell her I was struggling.

But Holly was in the middle of a massive corporate event, and I didn’t want to distract her with what amounted to me feeling insecure.

I was a big girl. If Mrs. Cullen hated my idea, oh, well. I thought it was amazing, but I couldn’t control how other people saw me.

Even though the thought of her rejecting my idea did feel like death. I was logical enough to know it wasn’t about me, but that didn’t stop the actual feelings.

My phone chimed again, and I picked it up, expecting more puppy gifs from Julian.

It was Talia, and my stomach clenched.

Talia:

Just making sure we are still on for Saturday

If not I understand

Damn it. I’d forgotten we’d made plans weeks ago to talk about the spring menu.

After the First Responders’ Festival, I’d assumed we would just apologize to each other and move on. But she had stayed radio silent, and I hadn’t been able to think of what to say that didn’t sound like I was taking full responsibility.

Why were friendships so hard? I’d naively thought it would be easier as I got older, but it was only more difficult.

What had been annoying when we were teenagers was tiresome now. I hated how she would get upset about something and then expect me to apologize.

I gritted my teeth. If I didn’t reply now, I would obsess over that instead of my proposal.

Sunshine:

Of course we’re still on for Saturday

I’m sorry you were upset at the festival, but I don’t see how I could have done anything differently

It took a few minutes, but she replied.

Talia:

I’d rather talk about that in person so my words don’t get twisted

I know you’re really busy with events and it’s okay if you don’t have the mental space to talk right now

I rolled my eyes, trying to calm my anger. Becca was the one who would nail you to the tree with your words. If you said you were upset, she wouldn’t let that go.

But at least Talia was telling me what she wanted. Despite the frustration, there was something comforting about someone knowing me so well.

Talia knew I was flipping out about my events and was giving me space if I didn’t want to talk.

Sunshine:

It’s okay

I’m stumped anyway

Do you want to meet somewhere this afternoon?

Talia:

Pier 57?

Talia and I used to hang out on the beach all the time, and it was still one of our favorite places in the world.

We agreed on a time, and I tried not to worry. We would work things out. We always did.

Maybe that’s part of what had gone wrong when I was dating Rob. I’d told Rob how I felt about everything, from my favorite coffee to scary movies. I was so used to being open with the people involved in my personal life. With so many cousins and siblings, I had to.

But Pack Beneventi had been all about compartmentalizing. We’d talked about things, but I’d still felt like I was getting to know everyone, much less how they interacted with each other, when I walked in on Becca, Mason, and Rob having sex in the living room.

Tears stung at the corners of my eyes. I really needed to decompress if I was getting myself this worked up. I thought again about how Talia had been there for me through my parents’ death, the panic attacks I’d had at random intervals, the stress of starting the event planning business. I didn’t know why things were so complicated now, but we could work through it.

Leaving my coffee table a mess of papers, I drove out to Pier 57. On the way, I turned on one of Ember’s playlists. Loud pop music blasted through, clearing some of my thoughts.

By the time I parked, the saltwater breeze was coming in steady off the ocean. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else in the world. Most of the time when I got too in my head, I’d drive out to the ocean and watch the waves roll back and forth.

There were a few people out and about, mostly walking along the beach. I stopped at a lemonade stand, bought two, and headed over to where Talia was sitting on our favorite bench, a box of cupcakes next to her.

Some of my anxiety melted away. I didn’t know how, but we would figure this out.

“You look stressed.” Talia bit her lip.

I plopped onto the bench, handing her a lemonade. “I’ve got four parties in the heavy planning stage. And there’s a big client I’m trying to do a proposal for.”

I sucked in a deep breath of fresh air as nerves made my chest tight.

“We can talk later, it’s really okay.” Talia tapped the pink cupcake box. “I brought these because I didn’t know if I needed to change our plans for Saturday.”

“I wasn’t trying to ignore you. I’m slammed at work, and I don’t know what else to say.” I shrugged. “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings, but I can’t override my family’s decisions for our business either.”

“I wasn’t thinking about it being my business.” Talia shrugged. “Raina is so mercenary. I was trying to do something nice.”

“Which is great.” I watched seagulls swoop around the pier, basically rats with wings begging for food. “Raina isn’t trying to be mercenary. She’s very driven about the family business.”

She had to be to make sure her entire family didn’t starve, or get thrown into foster care, I silently added. I was sixteen when our parents died, but Luna, the youngest, was only ten. At eighteen, Raina might have been considered an adult, but we’d had to prove we were going to be financially secure.

Mercenary didn’t begin to cover it.

Talia fiddled with the lid of the box. “It just feels like if it’s a choice between me and your family, it’s your family.”

“I don’t understand why it has to be a choice.” I took a sip from my lemonade. “You realize how horrible that is, being put in the middle?”

“I wasn’t trying to.” Talia sounded frustrated. “I was playing with a recipe, and I wanted your thoughts. If Raina wanted to make that into something bigger, that’s on her.”

I thought about how to reply. Talia was upset, and I could see why. But once again, I had to either stand by Raina’s actions or tell Talia she was completely right in being hurt.

I tried another approach. “I have a big family, yes, but as much as I love them, they drive me insane. You’re my best friend.”

Talia grinned at that. “Still glad I’m an only child.”

“When my family makes decisions, I can’t always change them, but that’s not because I’m picking them over you.” I looked at her. She had my back through high school and beyond. “And it doesn’t mean I don’t care about you.”

“Okay.” Talia fiddled with the box of cupcakes again, and frustration broke through some of my peace. Regardless of what else was on her mind, Talia’s priority was her business, and I could see she wanted me to ask her about the cupcakes. “I want you to remember that I care about you, too. It’s been hard being between you and Becca.”

I looked away at that. Tears needled the corner of my eyes.

“I’m sorry she hurt you, Sunshine. I am. But you two are my best friends, and I’m caught in the middle.”

I bit my lip. “I don’t ask you questions about them.”

“You don’t,” Talia agreed. “But it feels like you’re punishing me for being friends with her.”

I gritted my teeth, and I considered if I really wanted to have it out. If I really wanted to ask Talia why she stayed friends with someone who hurt me so badly.

No, not today. Not with Talia already upset and me exhausted.

“I’m not trying to punish you,” I said instead. “But you act like I should just move on. I can’t be hurt around you without you rushing to defend Becca.”

“I don’t mean to.” Talia frowned.

I stared at the ocean. Things were so much easier when we were teenagers. Despite the grief I’d been working through, our squabbles had centered around where we wanted to eat for dinner and what we should do on the weekend.

When we argued about boys and packs, it was because we didn’t like them. Talia liked to date bad boys, which meant most of them were assholes.

“I don’t know how to talk to you anymore.” I shrugged, feeling helpless.

Talia looked surprised and then nodded. “Me too. It feels like no matter how hard I try, things get weird and complicated.”

“We’ll have to keep talking through it. Like we are now.” I shook my head. “I don’t know what else to do.”

Talia handed me the box of cupcakes. “I’ve really missed you. I hate feeling like you’re mad at me all the time.”

“I’m not.” I took the box, the scent of mint and chocolate wafting up. “Going through a horrible break up, the business picking up, it’s all been a lot in the last year.”

“We won’t let this come between us.” Talia put her arm around my shoulder, and I leaned against my friend.

“Nothing can be worse than when Bobby tried to date all three of us at the same time and then lied about it.”

Talia giggled. “Or when we went two years without sharing a single class or lunch together.”

“Right?” I watched the waves roll in and out, the water hypnotizing.

Those two years, me, Talia, and Becca learned how to make time for each other. High school was about easy friendships. You shared lunch, a class, and had something in common. Our junior and senior years, we didn’t share any classes. We had to hang out after school and on the weekends. I learned a lot about making time for someone you cared about rather than them being around you because of circumstances.

“Or when Noah’s designation came in,” Talia added quietly.

I muttered at that. Noah was our friend in high school, a beta guy, and we thought he was gonna stay a beta forever. Talia dated him on and off until his designation came in as alpha, and the sweet, slightly shy guy changed almost overnight. He’d dumped Talia and started only dating omegas.

Part of our shared history was missing—Becca—and it still felt like a knife inside me. Becca was calm, laid back, and charismatic. Becca was the one who’d said we had to make time for each other, that we would be best friends forever.

When Bobby had tried to date the three of us at once, it was Becca that stepped in, called him out in front of the entire school, and shut him down.

I was twenty-six now, too old to be thinking about high school antics, but that was what had glued my friendship with Talia and Becca together.

I’d always thought after college and getting “big girl” jobs, as we called them, it would have been easier to stay friends.

Becca’s accounting firm had taken off. Talia’s bakery was doing well. I had Cosmic Bonds. We’d met up for Sunday brunch and talked about our lives, the terrible dates we went on, everything that mattered.

A realization struck me. “I think I’m struggling because we survived high school. We’re still friends.”

“We are.” Talia said firmly.

“Even though it would have been easier to let our adult careers separate us.”

“It’s somehow harder when I’m an adult to have party weekends.” Talia sounded put out, and I laughed.

“I thought it would be the three of us as friends, forever.” I let the words out, and they hung in the air, full of the weight of crushed expectations.

Talia grew still.

“But Becca hurt me, whether or not she meant to. And now it’s like we have to relearn how to be friends without her.”

Talia let out a heavy sigh. “I wish she’d made different choices. I think about it all the time.”

I looked at my friend. For the first time since I’d broken up with Pack Beneventi, it sounded like Talia was criticizing her.

“I wasn’t trying to stick up for Becca,” Talia held her hands up. “I was trying to salvage our friendships, not knowing it would be impossible.”

Hurt wormed its way through me. “She did that, Talia, not me. She could have talked to me, and things might have turned out differently.”

“But she was caught up in the moment.” Talia started, her eyes wide. “She⁠—”

“For weeks?” I raised my eyebrow. “That’s not caught up in the moment, Talia, and you know it. She could have talked to me. She chose to sneak around behind my back, and she’s not even sorry.”

Talia looked like she wanted to say more, but didn’t. “You’re right. Scent matches make things so much more emotional but you’re right.”

“Thank you for saying that,” I said with a rush of relief. Maybe we could get through this. “It hurt so bad hearing you defend her actions. Knowing you would be furious if she did the same thing to you.”

“I get that.” Talia pushed some hair out of her face. “But I’m here for you, Sunshine. I’m sorry if I haven’t been doing a good job. I thought I was doing the right thing.”

“I know.” I sighed. “We’ll figure it out.”

I spent the rest of the afternoon talking to Talia, catching up on the beta she was dating, how her business was going, and everything else.

It still hurt, but I felt better about the whole business with Becca.

If we just kept talking through things, we could make it work. I wouldn’t have to lose both of my best friends, and maybe that’s what I’d been the most worried about.

My phone pinged.

Julian:

Can you swing by the Sweetfern Country club?

I’m getting off work soon and Logan’s almost finished his catering thing

He wants to talk menus and I want to take advantage of the delicious food

I smiled.

Sunshine:

What sort of food is involved?

“You’re grinning.” Talia leaned over my phone. “I see hunting Pack Kahele is going well.”

“I’m not hunting them.” I huffed. “I have to hammer out some menus with Logan, and Julian just got off of work.”

“Tell him yes.” Talia gestured at my phone. “He wouldn’t ask you if he wasn’t interested.”

I blushed, feeling weird. “It’s just for work.”

“He likes you,” Talia said confidently. “He wouldn’t be spending so much time with you if he didn’t.”

“They like their pack small, Talia. They could have any other pack member they wanted.”

I almost asked Talia for advice about how to figure out if they were actually dating or not, but she kept talking.

“You’re amazing.” Talia continued. “You’re smart, beautiful, and you don’t treat Julian like he’s your ticket into a pack.”

“Because he’s not,” I muttered. I decided not to say anything. She was already embarrassing around Julian, I didn’t want to know what she would do next if she thought I wasn’t moving quickly enough.

“Tell him yes. It’s just for work, as you said.” Talia nudged me.

Before I thought better of it, I texted back.

Sunshine:

What time should I meet you?

Julian:

An hour?

I sent back yes and spent the rest of the time till I needed to go chatting with Talia.

She gave me advice on dating packs, not that her strategies would help me. All of her flirting tactics were really on the nose, and I preferred to be sure there was mutual attraction.

If I made a pass at Pack Kahele and they weren’t interested, I would ruin everything.

Julian, Luca, and Logan knew me better than most of the rest of the world except my family and Talia. If they didn’t want to date me, they wouldn’t just be casually rejecting a person they weren’t interested in.

They would be rejecting me, and I knew that would be a wound I wouldn’t get over easily.

I left Talia with a hug, hoping things with her were finally on the upswing.

Chapter 15

Logan

Something had changed.

Watching Sunshine climb into the ice bath with my omega had made my heart pound. Sunshine was a breath of fresh air. She didn’t expect me to talk incessantly, and she understood food in a way few people did.

When I first met Julian, I knew he was mine. His pineapple and coconut scent made all my alpha instincts drive me to court him as best I could. I wasn’t outgoing and so I expressed myself through food. I made sure to cook everything he craved, that he didn’t have to worry about things like his laundry while he was studying to be a firefighter and anything else I could do to make his life easier. I thanked whatever forces of the universe were at play that Julian chose me.

Luca was a happy accident. When we met Luca, our scents locked together, and I knew we were supposed to be together. It had been years since we considered adding someone to the pack.

Until Sunshine.

The blonde beta kept the three of us captivated. She was funny, sarcastic, and smart. In short, she was perfect.

But she was hesitant, and no matter how many times I told Julian she might not be ready, it didn’t sink in. We wanted her to be ours.

It had been almost a year since Pack Beneventi broke her heart.

She was crazy about Julian. She grinned every time he was around. It had taken more time for her to connect with me and Luca, but I thought she was interested in us as well.

I wasn’t the best person at reading body language, but even I knew she wouldn’t snuggle with us on the couch for hours if she wasn’t comfortable. Comfortable as friends or yearning for more. That was the big question.

My phone buzzed.

Julian:

Sunshine is already there

I’m hung up at work, but I’ll be there in a few minutes

I texted Sunshine to come in through the back door. She could have walked in through the front but going through a crowd of people she didn’t know would just embarrass her.

I opened the door for her, and Sunshine gave me a small wave.

“I hope it’s okay we bother you at work.” She smoothed her hands down her cotton t-shirt and jeans. I rarely saw her dressed down, and the effect was stunning. She looked soft and comfortable, like we could curl up together on the couch and stay there. Forever.

“You’re never a bother. Besides, I invited you.” I stepped back. “Service is almost over.”

The country club was a venue I worked at often, and when they updated the kitchen, Mrs. Braxton asked me for input.

Sunshine took in the expansive, rustic kitchen. Cream and blue backsplash tile made the place look homey even though there were four industrial sized stoves and ovens.

“Retirement party,” I said. “Small service, elegant menu.”

“Nice.” She shifted, looking like she wasn’t sure where to stand. It was a marked difference compared to when she was in the kitchen with me during an event.

Maybe she wasn’t comfortable being alone with me in circumstances that didn’t involve work. My heart sank at the thought. Maybe she was only interested in Julian but just liked me as a friend.

I held back my sigh. Trying to date as a pack was hard.

If I had Luca’s charm, I’d place my hand on the small of her back. Before I could get the nerve up, I’d already walked back to the stoves on autopilot. Instead, I patted the high-top counter in front of me. “Have a seat.”

When she’d rested against Julian in that ice bath, something had clicked into place. She didn’t just lust after my omega. She trusted him. Trusted him enough to let him talk her through being in a stressful situation.

I didn’t know what to do with that information. I didn’t think Julian realized it, not as a conscious thought, at any rate, and neither did Luca.

I put a bowl of pasta in front of her. “Eat.”

She pulled out a stool from under the other side of the counter-top and sat down, a pretty smile on her face. “You don’t have to feed me every time I see you—not that I don’t love the food.”

I snorted, moving some of the pans into the sink. Feeding her was the only way I knew how to flirt. I had told Julian to slow down, to let Sunshine flirt back in a way that let us all know she was ready for the next step.

Now, I wasn’t so sure that had been the right call. Maybe we’d missed some signal, something that was her way of telling us she wanted more. She never treated us like anything other than friends, but that didn’t stop her soft linen and sky scent from getting stronger when we were around.

I couldn’t get the image of her and Julian out of my head. They’d looked like they belonged together, like she was already in our pack.

Sunshine twirled her fork in the fettuccine Alfredo. “Do you do small parties like this often?”

“Nah.” I added the final swirls of raspberry coulis to the vanilla bean infused panna cotta and garnished it with a pistachio tulle. “Mrs. Braxton owns the country club and lets me use the kitchen when I need it. Sometimes I do small parties for her in exchange.”

“Oh, that’s a nice set up.” Her brown eyes lit up, and my heart lurched in my chest. It was all I could do not to lean over and kiss her.

She licked some of the cream sauce off her lip. I sucked in a breath, the scent of the kitchen and Sunshine flooding me.

“Is Julian coming too? I was supposed to meet you guys here, wasn’t I?” She looked around the kitchen like she thought maybe she was in the wrong place.

“He’s on his way.” I shifted my weight, feeling like an idiot. I wished knew how to woo people. I hadn’t charmed Julian so much as thrown myself at him.

“Okay, great.” Some of her honey blonde hair escaped from its bun, and I pulled my hand back from reaching over the counter to push it out of her face.

“Luca’s on his way too.” I moved the rest of the pans off the stove, grateful for something to do other than stare at the beautiful beta looking at me.

I should ask her personal questions. That’s how people got to know each other. With personal stuff. I didn’t bother with social niceties. I sucked at them, and people made their own assumptions anyway.

But, for Sunshine, I would make an effort. She and Julian played video games together and had an easy banter, so maybe that was something that she’d enjoy talking about.

“How’s the racing game with Julian?”

Sunshine blinked. “Good? He still beats me.”

I grunted, not sure how to follow it up now that I’d started this conversation. I hadn’t had to ask questions to get to know Luca and Julian so much as they’d volunteered information to me.

“Animal Crossing isn’t so competitive. It’s just rearranging your village and decorating your house and doing chores.”

“Julian says he likes those chores better.” I didn’t see the appeal of video games, but I could manage the racing game when Julian wanted to play.

“Oh, crap.” Sunshine sat up straight and whipped her phone out. “I forgot to order the silverware.”

I watched as she typed furiously on her phone. I was used to her seemingly random thoughts. Somewhere in her mind, the two were connected. Years of dealing with Luca’s scattered thoughts made it seem normal she would remember silverware from a conversation about video games.

When she’d finished, I leaned against the counter. “Julian said you were still stressing about the proposal for Mrs. Cullen?”

Her face went pale, and she looked like someone had punched her. She forced a smile. “I have some really nice mockups, but I don’t think she’s going to get the whole vision.”

“What’s wrong?”

This was what Julian had been talking about. I did know her well enough to see the shift in mood, even when the pretty beta was trying to put on a good show.

Sunshine flicked her wrist. “I can see it all in my head, but I don’t have a venue, and all I have are these mockups that won’t really capture what I’m trying to do. It’s going to sound like a science fair, or a museum visit.”

She looked so crushed that I wanted to hug her. Luca got the same desperate, panicked expression on his face when he had to present a big case.

“Plus, I have a bunch of other events to work on,” Sunshine added. “And my brain is just going at a thousand miles an hour.”

A vague plan formed in my mind. “We could do a mock set up with a sample menu.”

“At the conference center at Cosmic Bonds?” Sunshine made a face. “She was really high and mighty about not wanting it to be about the foo-foo stuff.”

I grunted. There were many events I’d catered for since the business took off. Mostly I spent time in the kitchen, but before and after the event I liked to walk around, experience the space. If I got a feel for the place where I was serving food, it felt like getting the essence of what I was trying to do. Cosmic Bonds had a great vibe going on, so I wasn’t sure what Mrs. Cullen’s hang up was.

The back door opened, and Luca and Julian came in at the same time.

Julian reached out both arms and pulled Sunshine straight into a hug. “Hey, babe, thanks for coming.”

Luca gave her a tamer side hug, and then I felt like an idiot for not having hugged her. In my defense, we never usually hugged.

My alpha and omega came and gave me kisses on the cheek.

“Did you tell her yet?” Julian grinned between me and Sunshine.

“I suggested the sample menu.” I gestured at the countertop where I’d pulled out a lot of random ingredients. “You can talk about the next part.”

Sunshine frowned. “Tell me what?”

I passed Julian a plate and watched as he grinned at Sunshine. “So I was thinking about your problem. And Logan is right. We should do a little set up, so Mrs. Cullen gets what you’re trying to do.”

Sunshine frowned at her plate of pasta. “She didn’t really like the vibe at Cosmic Bonds.”

“We won’t do it at Cosmic Bonds.” Julian elbowed Luca. “Tell her.”

Luca gave her the suave and charming smile that made people flock to him. Sunshine’s cheeks turned a little pink, and she swallowed hard.

I hid my grin that Luca had the same effect on Sunshine as he had on Julian and me.

Luca slid into the seat next to her. “You need to show Mrs. Cullen your vision, yes? So why not find a breath-taking spot to set up some of your ideas so she can walk through the event herself?”

Sunshine looked so hopeful it almost hurt. “But you can’t book venues for previews.”

“I can.” Luca winked. “Mrs. Renata owes me a huge favor. She’s agreed to let us do some simple set up at her Italian villa⁠—”

“The Villa Del Salerno?” Sunshine squealed. “That place is booked out for years.”

“It is.” Luca grinned. “But she likes things quiet there, so we have this weekend to set up⁠—”

Sunshine’s face fell. “Mrs. Cullen wants to see the mockups tomorrow. If I put her off, she’s going to think I’m flaky.”

Luca pressed his lips together. “We could tell her the delay is for a good reason?”

I knew what to do. I pulled my phone out. “I got this.”

I hit the contact button for Mrs. Cullen.

Sunshine frowned. “What are you doing?”

I held up my hand. Julian was smirking like the cat that ate the canary and Luca was giving Sunshine a look that said he was considering dragging her back to the house.

“Chef Kahele,” Mrs. Cullen said over the muted sound of silverware on plates and quiet conversation in the background. “Such a pleasure to hear from you. To what do I owe the honor?”

“Is this a bad time?” I asked, even though I didn’t care. I knew the woman would be making a point of receiving a personal phone call from me.

“I’m at dinner with some friends of mine, but I can always take a call from one of the best chefs on the California coast.” She laughed.

“Excellent. About your charity gala, I had some menu ideas after Sunshine showed me her mockups.”

“Oh?” Mrs. Cullen was too sophisticated to sound excited, but her voice had a telltale lilt that betrayed her interest.

I grinned, leaning into my role as the eccentric chef. “I know you’re supposed to meet with her tomorrow, but I wanted to ask for your indulgence.”

“This gets more and more interesting. You’ve agreed to cater the event?”

“I can make it work,” I said. “But I want a little time to let my concept come to light. Can I ask you to reschedule your meeting? Saturday evening should give me enough time. Then you can have the concept, venue, and menu presented at once and make whatever adjustments you want.”

Sunshine’s jaw dropped. I gave her a thumbs up.

“Of course I can,” Mrs. Cullen said, sounding delighted. “You know I admire your vision, and having it attached to one of my events is quite exciting.”

Worry snaked through me. I didn’t want to steal Sunshine’s thunder, and make it seem like I’d had all the ideas. I just wanted to use my position to help her. “It was Sunshine’s vision, but her ideas melded so well with the artistry of my culinary palate, I just had to experiment.”

“Of course, of course. I’ll let Sunshine know I’ll reschedule. It’s just a few days anyway.”

I made small talk for another minute and then hung up.

Sunshine was staring at me.

I rubbed the back of my neck. “I hope I didn’t overstep. But if I made it about me needing time for the sample menu…”

“You didn’t overstep.” Sunshine laughed. “You’re usually so quiet, I forget how well you manage people.”

Relieved I hadn’t upset her, I went back to fiddling with random ingredients. At some point they would come together into a menu but I wasn’t sure what I was doing with them yet.

“There we have it.” Luca held his hands up. “You can set some things up in the Villa, Logan will get the sample menu up, and then Mrs. Cullen will see your entire vision, not just a copy on paper.”

Sunshine clasped her hands together, looking at the three of us. “This is amazing. I can’t thank you enough.”

“You can thank me by playing Animal Crossing,” Julian said. “I need you to water my flowers.”

“Of course.” Sunshine laughed, her eyes shining. The worry had left her expression and, with it, so had my own tension.

She leaned over the counter. “What’s your vision for the menu?”

“Something extraordinary,” I said.

Matching a menu with the wonder and nostalgia Sunshine was creating was the perfect challenge to throw myself against. Much easier than figuring out if she wanted more from us.

“Of course,” Luca said, rolling his eyes. “It’s okay if it’s not the most perfect thing.”

Julian paused, fork full of pasta, and then looked between the three of us as if he’d just had a realization. “Oh, no.”

“What?” Luca leaned over Sunshine to brush his hand over Julian’s shoulder.

“I’m surrounded by perfectionists.”

I laughed. Sunshine shook her head. “I’m not a⁠—”

“Yes, you are,” the three of us said at the same time.

She grinned at that. “Okay, fine. I am. I just like things to be done...”

“...a certain way.” Luca agreed.

“All the time,” I added.

Julian shook his head in mock horror. “For the love of cheese, save me.”

Sunshine gestured at the bowl of cilantro in front of me. “What are you thinking?”

Julian finished his plate of fettuccine alfredo. “More food, please.”

“Something upscale and nostalgic.” I grabbed Julian’s plate and topped it off, making sure his noodle to sauce ratio was perfect. My omega liked a little bit of noodle with his sauce.

“Ohhh.” Sunshine’s face lit up. “I like it.”

“Nostalgic is good,” Luca said, musing. “You could do surreal things.”

“Like?” I asked, rearranging the bunch of herbs I had left over from the dill and herb salad I’d made as the salad course.

“I don’t know, you’re the chef.” Luca blew me a kiss.

“Something dreamy.” Sunshine bit her lip, looking into the middle distance. She was thinking, always a good sign when we were talking menus.

“What about finger foods?” Julian stole some bread. “I assume they’re going to be walking around, so sitting and having courses might not work?”

“Or they do…” Sunshine trailed off, still staring almost over my shoulder. “I was thinking of breaking up the experiences all over the location, so they could mingle as they wanted. Maybe it’s not just a buffet, or seven course meal, but different foods in different places.”

I perked up. That would be a pain to execute, but it would help center the menu. “Maybe a place for desserts.”

“Chocolate chip cookies.” Sunshine’s face lit up, looking at me. I would have given almost anything to keep her looking at me like that. “Nostalgia. Apple pie. Cherry cheesecake.”

I grunted, trying to get my brain to spin out entrée ideas. Nostalgic desserts were a good place to start but following that to dinner didn’t help. “Pot roast. Meatballs. Meatloaf.” I made a face. None of those entrees were right. “We need upscale.”

“You can upscale anything,” Sunshine said, waving her hand. “Maybe we focus on the food vibes. Like maybe lots of smaller courses that can be enjoyed together or separate.”

That would match up with the dessert idea.

“I keep thinking about blue food, or angel food cake, or something that feels like going to an art show.” Sunshine took another bite out of her pasta.

“Maybe lots of appetizers then,” Luca added with a shrug. “It would be easier to manage them in different locations.”

An idea tickled the back of my mind. “Or it’s part of the discovery. You lead them around the location, discovering different entrees.”

“I have an idea to do a virtual reality room, decorated to look like the sky, to simulate flying. I also want to do a small circus, with maybe a ringmaster and a trained tiger.” Her voice shifted, and she looked down. “It sounds insane, but it makes sense in my head.”

“It sounds great. Like an experience.” Julian put his hand on her forearm. “You could also focus on sound and texture. Like maybe somewhere an orchestra is playing, and then in another location there’s a jazz band playing who will let the guests play alongside them, to give them the feeling of being in a band.”

“That’s a great idea.” Sunshine twirled more fettucine onto her fork. “Maybe the food is part of that. Like a hunt, or surprise. They turn the corner, and find another room, this one serving light soups.”

I nodded, almost there. “Like dim sum. The food comes around, can be eaten separately, but all together.”

“Like Kaiseki,” Sunshine jumped in her seat, clapping her hands together. “There’s your upscale.”

My mind lit up. Kaiseki was the Japanese tradition of an eleven-course meal that focused on flavor, balance of texture, and igniting the five senses. Most kaiseki dishes were light, designed to all be eaten in one sitting, like a rich broth before a vinegar vegetable palate cleanser.

It was as much of an art as a set of recipes, with the chef focusing on fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Energy buzzed through me and I wanted to start cooking, now. “You’re the most brilliant woman I’ve ever met. That’s perfect.”

Sunshine blushed but looked pleased. “It doesn’t have to be all Asian-inspired.”

“But the concept of simple dishes done beautifully,” I said, grabbing some leeks, cheese, and pastry dough out of the refrigerator. “That’s seen across many culinary disciplines.”

“You can focus on flavors that are evocative,” Sunshine said, playing with her piece of bread. “If you wanted to do a seafood soup, you could still layer in the flavors without it being a massive bowl of food.”

“I love watching the two of you bounce ideas off each other,” Julian said with a grin. “It’s one part sport, one part flirting.”

Sunshine’s face turned red again and she shoved a bite of fettuccine in her mouth. I shot Julian a look.

“What? You never talk about food with anyone but me and Luca.” Julian looked pleased with himself. “I love this idea. It sounds like you’re going to be in the kitchen a lot, and this means I get leftovers.”

“Sunshine has a good feel for what a menu should look like,” I said finally. My voice sounded more gruff than I meant for it, but I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to be flirting more.

“You’re the chef,” she said, still looking a bit red. “I just like throwing ideas at you.”

I nodded, and we spent the rest of the night trying and discarding ideas for dishes I could execute. I wanted each dish to stand on its own but also work with whatever we were serving in the room with it. Using the concept of kaiseki would help, because then I could focus on the five senses to make the menu cohesive. It would be too easy to make it a jumbled mess.

I promised to meet up with Sunshine the next day when we could work on the menu some more, and as I drove home with my pack, I couldn’t help but focus on the small whiffs of Sunshine’s linen and sky scent.

Once the three of us were in bed, Luca and I on either side of Julian, he pounced.

“Sunshine wants us,” Julian said.

Luca shifted his weight and rubbed his chin on our omega’s shoulder. “She does. But she doesn’t flirt back. We don’t want to push before she’s ready.”

“She might not know how. She never pushes us away when we flirt.” Julian sounded sure of himself. “She was perfectly comfortable when we snuggled on the couch together.”

“Maybe Julian’s right,” I started, not sure how to articulate my feelings.

Luca and Julian waited, neither of them pressing me. “She watches you two. She isn’t unaffected, but she doesn’t flirt back. But she trusts you, Julian.” I huffed, annoyed at my lack of ability to express myself. “She feels like pack.”

Luca and Julian both made noises of agreement.

“I’m going to flirt a little harder,” Julian said. “If you two are ready for the next step.”

“I am,” Luca said quietly. “I keep wanting to take her to dinner, to a show. But I’m too worried about making her uncomfortable.”

“I’m trying,” I said. “I don’t know what else to do, but I’ll try not to make things harder.”

Julian patted my shoulder. “You’re doing great. She loves hanging out with you.”

“I need more excuses to be alone with her,” Luca said, sounding put out. “Julian’s her buddy and she talks food with Logan.”

“Which makes me her coworker,” I grumbled.

Julian laughed. “Okay, okay. It’s settled. We will flirt and see if she’s open to the idea of dating.”

I didn’t think I was going to be particularly good at dating, but if it meant seeing Sunshine more, and being able to touch her when I wanted to, I was up for that.

I just had to focus on getting our menu together while Julian put whatever plan he had into motion.

Chapter 16

Luca

My shoes crunched on the gravel driveway as I walked up to the Villa Del Salerno. A secluded villa along the California coast, it had been most people’s Holy Grail to host an event. I’d parked off to the side and walked around to the courtyard.

Sunshine walked quickly across the patio, her strappy sandals clicking on the cobblestones. Her sister Stella walked past, carrying a massive potted plant.

I paused, watching as Sunshine directed three people into three separate directions, patting Stella on the back.

“Grab the instruments from the day room and add them to the stage.” Sunshine touched one of the attendants on the shoulder and gave him a quick smile.

Before I knew it, I had taken three steps forward. She wasn’t flirting with the man, I knew that. But my alpha instincts wanted me near her, scenting her, letting the world know she was mine.

“Hello, darling, how are you?” I put my arm around Sunshine’s waist and gave her a kiss on the temple.

“Hi.” She looked a little surprised but leaned into me. I almost purred with pleasure. “We’re about done setting up. Mrs. Cullen will be here soon.”

“I came to see if I could help.”

“Help?” Sunshine beamed at me. “You’re the reason why we’re even here. This place books years in advance.”

I shrugged. “Anything for my favorite beta.”

She glanced up, surprise and hope at war on her face.

Before I could flirt more and take away some of that surprise I saw on her face, Ms. Renata walked over to us.

She was an omega woman in her early fifties, with perfectly styled blonde hair, but a surprisingly low maintenance cream suit. “Mr. Kahele, Ms. Sullivan, hello.”

Sunshine held her hand out. “Thank you again for letting us use the venue. It’s been a dream of mine.”

Ms. Renata smiled, crow’s feet at the corner of her eyes making her look like a refined sculpture. “I’m always happy to help.” She looked at me. “Mr. Kahele did me a great favor once.”

“Oh, don’t even mention it.” I winked at her. Ms. Renata’s ungrateful sons had tried to take her estate away from her, but my firm and I had found enough clauses to save her.

“Do you need anything else?” Ms. Renata smiled warmly at Sunshine.

“Everything’s about set up.” Sunshine swayed, almost like she wanted to grab my hand. My fingertips twitched, and for a breath I thought I would grab her hand, hold it in mine. Feel the warmth of her skin.

Stella stepped back onto the patio. “Sunshine? We’re done and Ms. Cullen should be here soon.”

The beta of my dreams stepped away, giving me a quick smile, and we followed her out to the front of the villa. Logan was already there, wearing his chef whites, and chatting with some of Ms. Renata’s kitchen staff.

Mrs. Cullen arrived, her soft yellow and cream suit looking perfectly California.

Sunshine stepped into the role of host, introducing Mrs. Cullen all around, before beginning the tour. We followed her through a grand ballroom filled with balloons, a spacious room that made it feel like we were swimming underwater, and three more event rooms.

I couldn’t hide my pride in the beautiful beta’s work.

Even Mrs. Cullen was smiling by the end of the tour.

Sunshine spoke about each experience with calm poise. I wanted to hug her, hold her, and maybe drag her off to a quiet place where I could properly show my appreciation.

At the end, Logan had a tasting menu set up. There were shrimp basil rolls, a cold Russian soup whose name I couldn’t pronounce, beef short ribs resting on top of puree of pumpkin with maple, and paprika, and tiny orange blossom honey cakes with a salted honey buttercream for dessert. Logan walked Mrs. Cullen through the menu and how the dishes would tie into the theme of the room.

Mrs. Cullen beamed, a real smile, and looked at Sunshine. “This is better than my greatest expectations.”

Sunshine smiled. “Thank you. And thank you for your patience. I wanted you to see what I had in mind in person. Photo mockups wouldn’t have done this justice.”

“It would not.” Mrs. Cullen was still beaming like she’s won the Noble Peace Prize. “This is exactly the sort of vision I was looking for. Chef Kahele was right in recommending you.”

Sunshine gave the older woman a smile. She was still using her “work” voice, and it made me want to see what I had to do to make her squeal. “Thank you. Chef Kahele is always a pleasure to work with.”

Logan grunted, and the conversation shifted to the other planned experiences.

I glanced over at “Chef Kahele”. He was watching Sunshine with a soft look on his voice. They really did work well together, and it was nice to see someone who appreciated Logan for his creativity, not just his status.

Ms. Renata approached me with her own tasting plate. “She’ll make a beautiful addition to your pack.”

I huffed a quiet laugh. “She’s still a bit…skittish.”

“All things in time, you taught me that.” Ms. Renata smiled, her eyes twinkling. “This food is divine. Logan out did himself.”

“I’ll make sure you have some to-go trays for your trouble.” I nodded. “It was quite wonderful of you to open up the house early for this set up.”

She took a bite out of a chocolate chip cookie. “I’m being well rewarded, I assure you.”

I smiled, but at that moment, through the mate bond, I felt Julian get tense. I shared a glance with Logan. Julian was at work, and he must be out on a call. He struggled to feel calm and controlled when he was called out, even though he never showed it outwardly.

I took in a deep breath and let it out. I would never stop Julian from following his dream, but it was so hard when I knew he was in danger, and I couldn’t be there. Loving a person was like handing them your heart and praying it came back in one piece.

I looked at Sunshine, thinking about how her last pack had betrayed her in the worst way possible. No wonder she was skittish. She had given them her heart and they had thrown it into the dirt.

The impromptu party continued as I chatted with Logan and Ms. Renata. After a little while, I looked around for Sunshine, and when I didn’t see her, I decided to let my alpha instincts out a bit.

Using her sky and linen scent as my guide, I left the front room and followed her aroma to the next room over.

Through the floor to ceiling French doors was a balcony, overlooking the cliffs. I paused on the threshold. Sunshine was leaning on the railing, looking out at the ocean. Her shoulders were relaxed, and her breathing even, so I didn’t think she was upset.

“Room for one more?” I cocked my head.

She looked over her shoulder. “Always. I just needed some air.”

I strolled over and leaned my elbows onto the balcony’s marble railing, matching her position. I also stood closer than was generall considered polite, but I didn’t want to be polite. I wanted her to know she was mine. Mine and my pack’s.

“You did well.”

“I’m glad I was able to come up with something.” Sunshine nodded, watching the ocean breaking against the cliffs. “You were a huge help, Luca. Seriously, thank you.”

“You can have anything you want.” I watched her intently.

She looked at me, the same surprise and shock on her face as earlier. She bit her lip and looked down at the railing.

Slowly, I told myself. Slowly. Give her space to feel comfortable. I edged my hand resting on the railing closer to hers.

She watched my movement, her entire gaze focused on the inch of space between our two hands.

“I told Julian I got Mrs. Cullen’s approval.”

“Good.” I smiled, shifting my hand closer. “He’s on a call right now, but he’ll reply when he’s back.”

She checked her phone, probably for a text message from our omega.

“I felt it.” I tapped the center of my chest. “He gets really focused.”

“Oh.” Concern filtered on her face. “That must be really hard.”

“It is.” I chuckled. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“I don’t expect him to drop everything he’s doing just to reply.” Sunshine tucked some of her blonde hair out of her face. The wind was surprisingly calm, this close to the ocean.

“He was sad he couldn’t be here.” I brushed my fingertips against hers. We’d snuggled on the couch, but this somehow felt more intimate. Harder to brush off as casual.

Sunshine’s breathing measured out, and she looked at our hands touching. “When you came over to Cosmic Bonds earlier in the day. Last week.”

“Yes?”

She sounded uncertain, and also casual, like what she said didn’t matter.

It must have mattered a great deal.

She struggled with what she was going to say. She bit her lip, looking up at me before looking away quickly. Like she was nervous.

I shifted my body language, so I faced her, and gave her my best winsome smile. “Yes? I could make a habit of it.”

She blinked and nodded. “Yes. That’s what I was going to ask.”

It was definitely not what she was going to ask. She straightened up and smiled, but I could see how she held herself, how her face shut down. “You should wear better shoes next time.”

“Yes, ma’am.” If she wasn’t ready, I wouldn’t push. But I’d try to be as encouraging as I could. “Whatever you want.”

“We’d better get back. Don’t want to ditch my newest client.”

I offered her my arm, and she took it. I walked her back to the gathering and pondered if there was anything else I could do to make her feel more comfortable.

Logan and I stayed to help clean up and got home late. Judging by the quiet, cold hum of the mate bond, Julian was either still on the same call or he had two calls back-to-back.

It was going to be a long night. We’d try to sleep, but there wasn’t a lot of resting until we knew our omega was safe.

Chapter 17

Luca

Iclimbed into bed, and spooned Logan.

“Sunshine was happy.” Logan rolled over, and I flipped onto my back.

I didn’t consider myself dominant but compared to Logan and Julian I was definitely more the top. Julian liked being a bottom, and Logan didn’t care much one way or another.

“She was. I tried to flirt some more.” I put an arm behind my head. “I could have sworn she was going to ask me something personal, but then she lost her nerve.”

“Events stress her out.”

“Really?” I frowned. “She always seems so calm.”

“She’s like Julian. Calm on the outside, panicking on the inside.

“Hmmm.” I tried to analyze the situation, but there was nothing more I could do. Not without just asking her out directly. I’d bring it up and ask Julian what he thought. I ran my hands through Logan’s hair, the strands soft against my skin.

I must have drifted off then, because I woke up when Julian came through the door.

I sat up at the same time as Logan, blinking myself awake.

Julian crawled into bed, Logan scooting over to make room so we could cuddle from both sides. Usually, he only smelled faintly of omega, due to all the scent canceling stuff he used at work, but this morning his scent was burnt.

Alarmed, I wrapped my arms around him, Logan doing the same from Julian’s other side.

“I’m okay. Just tired.” Julian buried his face into my neck and took a deep breath in.

He was still wearing his pants and t-shirt from work, an obvious sign he was exhausted if he didn’t even want to change.

I tugged off his t-shirt, and he chuckled. “I love you too, Luca, but I’m too tired for you to rail me. Give me a couple of hours for a nap.”

“I’m trying to give you skin on skin contact.” I kissed his temple. “And then I promise I’ll rail you after your nap.”

Logan helped lift up Julian’s arms and wiggle him out of his t-shirt. Logan pressed a kiss to Julian’s shoulder and then curled against him.

I didn’t have to ask how the call out had gone. If Julian’s scent was burnt, it had been bad.

“You want something to eat? Or you want to sleep?” Logan caressed his hand down our omega’s arm.

Julian chuckled, not opening his eyes. “No food yet. Just alpha snuggles.”

We lay together for a long while. I ran my hand through Julian’s hand, rubbed the back of his neck. His scent slowly calmed down, the acrid burn fading.

“I saw Sunshine’s thing went well.” Julian’s voice was thick with sleep. I wanted to tell him we’d talk about it after his nap, but he was clearly too wound up to sleep just yet.

I looked at Logan who gave a quick nod.

This was the other reason I usually jumped Julian and gave him so many orgasms he went to sleep straight away. He did better with our scent on him, and the endorphins from coming so much relaxed him.

“She did really well. Calm, professional. Mrs. Cullen ate it all up.”

“Especially the balloon room.” Logan added, patting Julian’s shoulder. “Good idea.”

Julian took a deep breath in and let it out. Slowly some of the tension left him.

I told him about Sunshine on the balcony.

He laughed. “Look at you, being suave.”

“I’m trying.” I adjusted the blanket higher so it covered Julian’s shoulders. It was perfectly fine where it was, but I itched to do something to make him feel better. “I don’t know, I think Logan’s right. We’ve missed something. She acted like she was going to ask me out and then lost her nerve.”

“She’s still shy, I guess.” Julian shifted again, wriggling so his head was on my shoulder. “Her last pack hurt her.”

“They did.” I played with Julian’s hair. I’d never been one for long hair until I met my omega. Now I couldn’t imagine not having something to run my fingers through.

“She said something about when I went over there last week.” A thought tickled the back of my mind. “She’d seemed really open and then she shut down again.”

“She’s probably worried about what happens if it doesn’t work out.” Julian sighed. “I know I am. I can’t imagine not having her in my life.”

“Maybe.” I frowned. “She mentioned the matchmaking service at Cosmic Bonds. Why would she be trying to get us to date other people?”

“She told me that too, years ago.” Logan muttered. “When we first started working together. I told her we weren’t dating, so we didn’t need it.”

“Maybe she’s upset? Thinks we think her New Age methods are stupid?” I frowned. Maybe I should read up on crystals.

Julian froze and lifted his head. “What did you say? Last week when she mentioned matchmaking again?”

I racked my brain trying to remember my exact words. “Uhhh we were set in our ways? We wouldn’t be good for matchmaking.”

Julian slapped his hand to his forehead. “Oh my God, we’re idiots. She thinks we’re not dating anyone.”

“We’re not dating anyone,” Logan said. “People are hard.”

“Which means she thinks we don’t want to date her,” Julian said.

“Oh.”

“She’s not going to understand that just because we’re not dating around doesn’t mean we don’t want her.” Julian laughed. “No wonder she’s holding back. We’re sending mixed signals.”

“Oh, crap.” I felt terrible. Of course Sunshine was skittish. She’d probably been trying to assess her chances at dating us and then like an idiot I’d basically told her we weren’t dating anyone.

“Even Chuck gave me shit about the pack being closed when I introduced Sunshine. I told him it wasn’t closed, we were just picky as hell. She looked surprised.”

“I’m sorry. I screwed that up. I’ll talk to her.”

“Don’t be sorry.” Julian gave me a quick kiss. “You weren’t lying. We don’t want to date a bunch of people. Just Sunshine. She’s just insecure and isn’t going to assume she’s the exception.”

I sighed. “I was trying to make her feel good. Special.”

Instead I’d just been confusing her.

“Hey.” Julian put his face close to mine. “Stop. Timing’s been off for four years, too. It’s fine. I’ll just flirt with her and bring up the matchmaking thing. And ask her on a date.”

Julian settled back on my chest, sounding pleased. “It’s time to just be blunt. I should have been blunt months ago, but I didn’t want her to feel rushed.”

“Especially with those assholes that broke her heart still poking around,” Logan growled.

I wanted to text her right away, ask her over. But it was only eight or so in the morning, and she was either sleeping or getting ready for work. Julian had a good plan, and he wanted to see her for more than just dating. She would comfort him too, a sure sign she belonged in our pack. If Julian wanted her around when he was feeling his most drained, we wouldn’t have any problems.

“When are you going to see her?”

Julian laughed. “I know, I want to go right now. But I’m exhausted and I’ll make a mess of things. Maybe after a nap. Or tomorrow. I’m off.”

I shifted the blanket around Julian again and tried to calm my mind. Julian knew how to handle this. And when he asked her on a date, and she said yes, Logan and I could explain exactly what we meant when we’d turned her down for the matchmaking services.

It was hard to focus, but Julian finally fell asleep. I made myself rest too.

Our lives were about to change for the better, and I didn’t want to make another mistake like that. No matter how small.

Chapter 18

Sunshine

The day after the smashing success with Mrs. Cullen, Julian texted me his congratulations. He apologized for taking so long to get back to me, but I’d told him not to worry. He wanted to hang out the next day. I told him I was off and looking forward to it.

My stomach swooped at the thought of being around him. I needed to just suck up my feelings and ask him about what he meant when he told Chuck the pack wasn’t closed. I’d tried to ask Logan and Luca a hundred times, but I couldn’t figure out how to ease it into casual conversation.

Hey, remember when you told me you weren’t dating, but then it turns out you actually might be dating? About that…

I sighed. I was a hopeless coward. I needed to get my courage up and ask. I no longer thought they would laugh in my face. Maybe it would feel a little awkward, but now I felt like Julian wouldn’t shun me. And if he said thanks but no thanks, I’d even make a joke about how of course he was irresistible.

Still, my stomach churned.

Julian texted that he was on his way over and when he arrived, he’d brought boxes of food. “Logan’s been in a cooking frenzy. You should come over, really take advantage of that.”

I laughed, joy bubbling up inside me. “That’s not the only thing I could take advantage of.”

Julian blinked, looking shocked for a minute.

Nerves fluttered through me, and I breezed past him. “We should play Race to Win. I watched YouTube videos on some tricks.”

“Did you?” Julian smirked, heat in his voice. “We’ll have to see about that.”

My brain stopped for a minute. Were we flirting? We were flirting. I thought. Maybe.

I grabbed snacks and water, and we played. I was still terrible at the game, but it was fine because the tracks were fun, and Julian was hilarious when he was trash talking the other computer-generated racers.

He flopped back onto the couch. Despite his happiness, he had bags under his eyes and his scent smelled off. “I’m beat. Let’s be lazy and watch some Kitchen Wars.”

“Let’s snuggle again. You look like it’s been a rough couple of weeks at work too.”

“Don’t I know it.” He shook his head. “We had three back-to-back calls the other night. I thought Luca and Logan were going to go through the roof when I came home.”

“That sucks.” I scooted closer to him, putting my head on his shoulder.

Julian put his arm around my shoulder. “I’m always down for snuggles.”

“Great.” I popped up. “I’ll get the blankets.”

I grabbed the weighted blanket again and the stuffed animals. Part of me wondered if cozy snuggle time would forever put me in the friend zone, but I couldn’t help but crave even the slightest touch from him.

We assumed the same positions, me laying with my back against Julian’s chest, his arms around my waist. I pulled the blankets over us, and we spooned. Slowly his scent evened out, until it smelled normal. Coconuts and pineapple, tropical and beachy.

I let myself drift in the warm comfort of being around one of my favorite people in the whole world and fell asleep.

When I woke up a couple of hours later, I was refreshed and ready to take on the world. Or at least a snack.

Julian was like a furnace behind me, his scent teasing my senses. I made a happy noise of contentment. I should bring up the dating thing today. While we were both content and happy, with no chance of being interrupted.

Julian sighed behind me and nuzzled his face into my neck.

On instinct, I lifted my hand to touch the side of his cheek, turning my face toward his. It put my mouth not an inch away from his.

Julian was sleepy, his defenses down, open in a way I hardly ever saw him. He leaned into the last inch of distance and pressed his mouth against mine.

I melted against him.

His mouth was warm and soft. He kissed me thoroughly, like everything else in the world no longer mattered. Time stopped, his mouth on mine, his arms around my waist.

Warmth from comfort but also now desire moved through me like smoke. I kept my hand on his cheek, the position leaving me feeling oddly vulnerable since it made me stretch a bit to reach him.

He kept kissing me, breaking away to brush his lips against mine, only to dip back in. I floated, his kiss anchoring me. I opened my mouth, and he pressed his tongue inside.

Liquid heat curled through me, my nerves firing with electricity. His mouth was a blessing and curse, breaking me into smaller pieces only to make me whole again.

We kissed and kissed, time stretching out until it was my whole world. His tongue swept into my mouth, and I moaned, wanting more of him, whatever else he wanted to give.

He pulled back from the kiss, his mouth hovering near mine. “I was supposed to ask if you wanted to go on a date with us.”

I laughed, my sleepy, sex-addled brain confused. “What?”

He moved his hand slowly, lazily, over my hip, his fingertips brushing against the bottom of my t-shirt.

“I want to go on a date with you. Luca and Logan too.”

“Really?” My brain seemed to have stopped working. Everything good was happening at once and I wondered if I was still dreaming.

He pressed a kiss against my mouth. “Really.”

“I thought you weren’t dating anyone.”

“We aren’t dating random people, which is why Luca and Logan said no thanks to matchmaking. But we want to date you.” Both his hands moved over my hips, now.

“I want to date you.” I brushed my hand over his cheek again. “So badly. Luca and Logan too. It felt like hubris, thinking that you would make an exception for me.”

“Not hubris.” Julian kissed me, trailing his mouth down my jaw. “In case you haven’t noticed, you’re incredible.”

I sighed. His hands brushed the small strip of skin between the bottom of my shirt and the top of my pajama bottoms.

“This okay? Touching you? I don’t want to rush you.” Julian pressed a soft kiss near where my jaw met my neck. “I crave you.”

“This is amazing. Don’t stop.” I whimpered, my body lighting up like he was kissing somewhere more intimate.

He had every nerve firing, even the smallest bit of movement felt sensual. He gently brushed his hands over my stomach, over and over, until I was breathless.

Slowly, slowly as he sucked on the sensitive skin behind my ear, he brought his hands up, skating against the edges of my ribcage.

I keened, twisting my hips. Heat pulsed through me, covering me like liquid molasses until all I knew was that I hungered for him, for the next feather touch.

He moved his hands up to gently cup my breasts over my bra, and I saw stars. I shifted my hips against him, my back pressed against his front. I expected him to grind against me, but he didn’t move.

This is what being in heat had to be like, with everything inside boiling into an inferno. My pussy pulsed, wetness seeping between my legs. I was finally, finally kissing Julian. After all of my desire and longing, his mouth was on mine.

Leisurely he rubbed his thumbs against my fabric-covered nipples. He cupped and stroked and squeezed, exploring me like I was his for the taking.

I shifted again, trying for more—anything. I needed him, needed his touch. He was so sure, so possessive with my breasts. Shifting one hand to my back, he unhooked the back of my bra.

“Yes.” I gasped.

“Whatever you want, babe.” He chuckled before diving back in to kiss me.

“Luca and Logan are okay if we…?” I stopped talking, his hands on my breasts making heat concentrate in my core.

“Very okay.” He nipped my neck.

Bra loosened, he pulled my shirt up so he could touch bare skin. I gasped as he grazed his teeth gently on my neck, the sensitive skin overstimulated.

The feeling of his hands on my breasts was so sensual, almost like we were teenagers having a horny make out session. It didn’t feel he was just going through the motions to get me ready for sex.

I wanted to sit on his lap, but something about him touching me from behind was making me crazy. I wanted to see what else he would do.

“I love your breasts,” he whispered, squeezing them gently.

I arched my back, my voice breathless. “I love that you love them.” It felt like my breasts were directly connected to my clit, heat pulsing between my legs.

“Let’s see what else you love.” His voice was pure smoke, desire rolling through me. He kept a hand on one breast and moved the other one slowly down my stomach until his fingertips brushed against the waistband of my sleep pants.

All I could do was moan, squeezing my legs together at the idea of him shoving his hand down my pants.

“Please,” I whispered.

Nipping my neck, he pushed his hand slowly down. Edging a knuckle and then another inch down further. Each inch sent scorching heat between my legs. I tried to focus, but I was breathing like I’d run a mile. My back flexed up on its own, chasing his touch.

Pulling me back into a searing kiss, he reached the edge of my panties. I gasped into his mouth as he sank his fingertips into the small thatch of hair above my pussy.

I dug my nails into his forearm. He swirled his fingers further, sweeping down to my nether lips, and groaned.

“You’re so wet.” He was hoarse, his own breath coming in gaps. “Oh, Sunshine.”

He rubbed his fingers along my lower lips, and I cried out, bucking up against his hand.

Moving made his hand shift away from where I needed him. I sat back, putting my heels on the couch and letting my legs fall open.

Julian groaned, nipped my neck again, and rubbing his fingers against me. I tried so hard not to thrust my hips again. It felt good to move, but every time I did, I moved away from where I wanted his hands.

“Yes, that’s it. That’s my girl.” He dragged his fingers up and down my entrance, rubbing his thumb along my lips.

Even single cell in my body was focused on his fingers. On the electric waves of pleasuring shooting out from where he touched me.

He slid two fingers inside, and I arched up, unable to help it. “Julian,” I panted.

“I’ve wanted to do this to you for so long.” He pushed his fingers in and out with excruciatingly slow thrusts.

“Me too.” I pressed my back against him, and he did grind against me this time.

He built up a rhythm, thrusting his fingers until I was twisting around him. Using his other hand, he caressed my breast, until desire was as steady as my pounding heartbeat.

Julian shifted forward so he could push his fingers deeper inside, and I saw stars. Keening, I twisted my hips.

“Yes, babe, come on.” He panted in my ear. “Let me make you come.”

His long fingers inside me spiraled my desire tighter and tighter. He worked me with his hands and fingers, panting in my ear, my lips wet and swollen, my hips making little jerky movements with each pump of his fingers.

I hovered on the edge of orgasm, pulled there by the sharp buildup of ecstasy. Julian’s scent surrounded me, strong enough to make everything smell like coconut and pineapples.

“Tell me if I should do something different.” Julian panted. “I’m not trying to edge you. This time.”

Anxiety spiraled through me. I was taking too long to come. Sometimes, no matter how into the moment I was, it took more time to build up to an orgasm. Isaac used to always get impatient, thinking he was doing something wrong.

I panted. “I’m sorry it’s taking so long.”

Julian wrapped his arm around me, squeezing me against him. “Babe, I would do this all day.” His fingers pressed deeper, and I shuddered, electricity shooting through me.

“I’m worried I’m not pleasuring you right.”

He sounded nervous and aroused in equal measure, and that cut through my anxiousness.

“I love you touching me.” I relaxed against his hand. “You can do whatever you want.”

Julian growled, nibbling my neck. “I want to make you scream.”

I shuddered at the pure lust in his voice, arching my hips up.

“You’re amazing.” My breath came in pants. I should probably tell him to play with my clit more if he was going to try and finger me into an orgasm, but I couldn’t make myself say the words. “It just takes longer sometimes.”

Julian nibbled the sensitive skin on my neck again. He moved his fingers inside me, changing pace, curling them around my entrance before pushing back inside. Time slowed down, narrowing to his hands on me, his body pressed against my back, his heavy panting breaths in my ear.

My body went liquid and hot, the orgasm hovering just out of reach but every other nerve lit like it was on fire. And then he dragged his fingers out of my pussy, his thumb brushing against my clit.

I cried out, a moment of electric shock racing through me. Julian bit my neck, wrapped his ankles around mine so I’d hold still, and rubbed my clit again.

It felt like being struck by lightning. My eyes squeezed shut and my body bowed out, but Julian held me against him, using his fingers in a sweeping motion until an orgasm burst over me.

All I could do was make a strangling noise, and then everything tensed inside me. Fireworks went off, and I collapsed against him.

“I think I found your clit,” Julian whispered, kissing my cheek.

I choked out a laugh. “Umm… yes? I didn’t know you were looking for it.”

I curled on my side, and Julian wrapped his arms around me. I pressed my face into his shirt, breathing in his tropical scent.

“I haven’t been with a girl before.” Julian nuzzled my hair. “I’m mostly gay.”

I gasped and looked up at him. “I assumed you…”

He shook his head, grinning ear to ear. “Nope. Luca is the only one of the three of us that’s slept with a woman. And after all the movies make a big deal about pleasuring women, I worried I wouldn’t do it right.”

“Oh,” I sighed, “that was more than right.”

Desire curled back through me. I wanted to kiss him again, wanted to curl myself against him. He was hard against my hip, and I wanted more.

I brushed my mouth against his. “What do you want next?”

“Whatever you’re comfortable with.” He gave me a soft kiss. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

I sighed. “I think this is the most comfortable I’ve ever felt.”

With a start, I realized it was true. I wanted him, but this was my friend. I could tell him anything. I should have had the courage to tell him to touch my clit. He wasn’t trying to get me off as quick as he could so I would return the favor. He just didn’t know what to do.

“I want you. If you’re okay with that. If Luca and Logan are…” I trailed off.

Julian stole a kiss. “I’ll come home smelling of you, it will make them insane.”

The thought sent shivers of desire racing through me. With Julian’s help, I pulled my shirt and pants off and he pulled his pants off.

I paused, admiring his body. He was lean, with defined abs. I trailed my hand over his chest. “You know you’re gorgeous, right?”

He looked at me with a grin. “An omega does like to be told.”

I laughed, running my hand down his dragon tattoo over his shoulders. “I love the tattoos.”

“I got them just so you would paw all over me like this.”

I grinned, moving my hands down his stomach. His cock was hard and weeping precum. I raised my eyebrow. “Do you want to be on top or…”

Julian brushed his hands over my sides, resting them on my hips. “I want you to take me. Have your way with me.”

Heat rolled over me, and my pussy pulsed with the thought. I ached to have him inside me.

“Are you on birth control?” He cocked his head. “I’m clean but if you’re not, we should use a condom.” He made a face.

“Birth control,” I said, straddling his lap. I thanked the universe for that, I wanted to feel him bare inside me.

“Thank fuck,” he said. His eyes were wide and his silky hair mused.

I positioning myself over his cock.

“Yes, Sunshine.” Julian moaned, leaning back.

I usually felt self-conscious being on top, but he looked like he was already about to come. It helped my nerves. I slid myself down onto him and we both moaned at the same time.

He was thick and hard, the position making him slide deep inside me. Usually taking someone this deep would make it feel like too much of a stretch, but he fitted perfectly.

I twisted, helpless against the rising tide of desire. I needed him, he needed me. His hands were roaming my body. I lifted my hips up, almost pulling off him, and pushed down slowly, so wet that he slid in and out of me easily.

“Oh my fuck,” Julian gasped, arching his hips up. “Oh God, Sunshine, you’re so warm and wet.”

His pupils were blown black, and he looked up at me. “Oh baby, yes. Take your omega.”

“You’re so hot,” I panted, running my hands over his flexing abs. “I want you so badly.”

“Take me. I’m yours,” he panted. “You can have anything you want.”

I moved up and down more quickly, my breasts swaying. Julian cupped one with his hand and then snaked his fingers between where our bodies met. He rubbed my clit, a quick study, and heat pulsed inside me as another orgasm started to build.

Julian levered up into a sit-up to meet me, our bodies moving together in synch until he moaned, grabbing my hips as he thrust inside me. We met each other, his cock rubbing deep inside me, making my body go liquid with pure bliss. I rode him, the position making me feel sexy and powerful and just turned me on more. Julian was whining and keening underneath me, like I was destroying him with pleasure the way he was wrecking me.

He cried out as he came. I gyrated my hips, trying to milk his orgasm out as long as I could.

I stopped as he finished, then I leaned forward to rest my cheek against his chest. His heart was hammering in his chest and he was sweaty.

He stroked his hands down my back, panting. “You need a break?”

I looked up at him. “Me? What about you? You just came.”

Julian laughed and kissed my forehead. He shifted his hips, thrusting slowly up into me. He was still hard.

Liquid heat rolled through me. He was still ready to go.

Julian choked out a laugh. “I thought you’d been with an omega before.”

“No.” I let my need rise up again with the knowledge that the orgasm that had been starting to build would have the chance to peak. I wouldn’t have to lay there and tell myself to be happy with the climax I’d just had.

Julian lay all the way back down, pulling me against him. I lifted up and then pushed down onto his cock and the angle made us both gasp. As Julian thrust up inside me, it felt like pure heaven, with his cock hitting places inside me I didn’t know existed.

I built up speed, chasing the orgasm I knew was there, although hovering just out of reach.

“Oh yes, ride me baby. Ride your omega,” Julian groaned, thrusting up to meet me. His fingers dug into my hips, cupping my breasts like he couldn’t help himself, and played with my clit.

His cock kept hitting deep inside me, until I felt like I was nothing but a creature of desire. I bounced on top of him, faster and faster until I forgot about anything but the feeling of our bodies meeting over and over.

I came hard, moaning his name, my entire body shuddering. He kept thrusting up, pushing me through my climax, which was just as well because I couldn’t move, my body spasming so hard.

I collapsed onto his chest, struggling to breathe. He brushed his hands up and down my back, gently playing with my hair as he caught his breath.

“You’re amazing.” He kissed my temple. “I was trying so hard to be patient. I hope I didn’t rush you.”

I shook my head and huffed in his scent. He smelled amazing, and everything inside me felt like pure joy. “I have trying to figure out how to ask about dating, but I’m a chicken.”

“You’re not a chicken. You’ve been hurt.” He wrapped his arms around me, squeezing me against him. “We’ve been trying to figure out how to know when you’d be ready for dating.”

“’We’?” I couldn’t hide the surprise in my voice.

I was finding it hard to come to terms with the reality that Julian wanted me, let alone his packmates. He hadn’t stopped touching me like I was a precious gift. It felt too good to be true.

“Luca and Logan are crazy about you.” He kissed my temple. “We’re all crazy about you. I wanted you to spend the night the other week. I want you in my nest, making it smell right.”

I rubbed my cheek against his chest. “This isn’t just…desire…?”

I felt stupid asking, because he’d been talking about dating, but I couldn’t help but need more reassurance.

“Not just desire.” Julian held me closer against him. “If it wouldn’t completely freak you out, I’d ask you to move in with us. I’ve wanted you badly, for years. But between my life and your life the timing has been garbage.”

Move in. “I didn’t know you felt that way.”

“That’s fine.” He sounded so pleased with himself. “I can wine you and dine you. Luca and Logan too. So you’ll see that we’re amazing.”

“You are amazing.” I tilted my head up so I could look him in the eyes. He looked so, so happy. I’d made him that happy.

“I was scared of rejection, and then I didn’t want to lose you as a friend.”

“You will never lose me as a friend.” He looked serious for once. “Ever. You’re stuck with me, forever.”

“Good.” I sighed. “Dating sounds good.”

“Great. How much begging would I have to do in order to convince you to spend the night at my house?”

“Considering you just made me come twice,” I sighed happily, “not that much.”

Julian kissed my cheek, pressing his face into my neck and inhaling deeply. “Pack an overnight bag. Stay with us.”

Maybe I was just riding high on omega hormones, but the thought of walking in smelling like Julian and sex didn’t make me anxious. When I’d been dating the Beneventi pack, if Rob and I had sex without the others, the rest of the pack made it awkward, like we’d left them out.

Julian acted like it was perfectly natural that we’d had sex without the rest of his pack present.

So I packed a bag, and Julian drove us back to his house.

Chapter 19

Sunshine

Nerves fluttered inside me when we got out of the car, but before I could get too anxious, Julian put his arm around my waist and dragged me inside the house.

Luca and Logan were both sitting on the couch. Their heads snapped immediately toward us.

“Hi.” Julian grinned. “She’s agreed to dating.”

“Good.” Luca looked us over, his gaze turning smoldering.

It would have been embarrassing if Julian didn’t look so happy with himself. He gestured between the two alphas. “Make room for us. We want cuddles.”

Logan scooted over. “You’re okay, Sunshine? We didn’t want to rush you.”

“Rush me?” I blinked, sitting between Julian and Luca. “I didn’t even know you guys wanted to date me until Julian…” I trailed off, my cheeks heated.

Julian whacked Logan’s arm. “I told you she thought no matchmaking meant we didn’t want to date her.”

“Sorry.” Luca looked at me, and he looked so sad I wanted to hug him. “I didn’t know you were asking for yourself. I don’t want to date the lovely people in your matchmaking program.”

“But you?” Logan said, picking up my hand. “We want to date you.”

Everything clicked into place. “Really?”

“Come with me to the Farmer’s Market on Friday.” Logan kissed the back of my hand.

“I want to take you to dinner,” Luca said, brushing his hand over my shoulder.

My skin was still sensitive from Julian touching me, and it felt like Luca’s hand was on something more personal than my shoulder.

“So I’m not crazy.” I looked at Luca. “And you really were flirting?”

Julian laughed, and Luca nodded. “Yes, kitten. I was flirting. Trying not to be too forward.”

“Trying not to drag you back to our house, more like it,” Julian muttered, and pressed a kiss on my other shoulder.

I couldn’t believe it. It was actually happening. These three men wanted me. They had been talking about wanting me for months.

“I can see I have some work to put in.” Luca trailed a fingertip over the skin on my shoulder. “I’ll show you how much I want you, need you. That will take that look of doubt off your face.”

“It’s okay,” I said quickly. “I wanted all of you so badly that it just seems too good to be true.”

“This isn’t too good to be true,” Logan said. “Because you’re perfect for us.”

“I have been craving you.” Julian looked at me. “Your touch, your scent, your laugh.”

I grinned. “I’m glad the pining has been going both ways.”

“Oh, it has.” Julian leaned over and kissed me. He started to pull back as if to cut it short, but I kept kissing him back, desire swirling around me. They wanted me. They craved me.

Julian cupped my face with his hands and kissed me like his life depended on it. He pushed his tongue inside my mouth, already a quick study from this afternoon.

Luca’s hand didn’t move from my shoulder, but his thumb rubbed across my skin like he was thinking of touching other parts of me.

Pulling away from the kiss, Julian turned his head to kiss Logan.

The older alpha consumed Julian’s mouth. Logan grabbed Julian’s head and tilted it back so he could plunge his tongue into the omega’s mouth, and a gasp escaped me at the sensuality of watching the two of them.

Luca trailed his hand down my arm, and I shivered as I turned to him.

He leaned forward and slowly pressed his mouth to my shoulder. I shivered again, grateful that my t-shirt was almost a tank top. My body went molten at the sound of Julian moaning into Logan’s mouth.

Luca ran his hand down my arm again and traced his fingertips back up to my shoulder. I watched him touch me, wishing he was touching other things. It felt like my body was on fire, as if even the most innocent touches were deep penetration.

But with the way Luca was looking at me, it wasn’t an innocent touch either.

He leaned forward slowly and kept coming closer, pressing against my side, body heat coming in waves. My pussy clenched, as though I hadn’t just had mind-blowing sex with Julian.

Luca’s hair was tousled, the black waves looking like he’d been running his hand through it. I wanted it to be wilder, so I reached up and ran my hand through his curls.

He hummed and tilted his head into my touch. Then he reached for my hand and brought my finger to his mouth. He kissed each fingertip, as Julian reached down and grabbed for my hand without breaking away from Logan’s kiss.

We were connected, all able to touch each other without anyone feeling like they were being slighted.

Luca turned my hand to kiss my palm, and I shivered again. He licked my wrist and then kissed up my arm. “I have been fantasizing about touching you.”

“Me too.” I let out a sigh.

Luca cupped my face with both hands, mirroring Julian’s movements earlier and leaned forward. He stopped just a breath away from my mouth.

His cinnamon vanilla scent was intoxicating, mingling with Logan’s herbal scent and Julian’s tropical aroma. I took in a deep breath, and tilted my head, trying but failing to be patient, with Luca’s mouth hovering close to mine.

“Tell me to kiss you,” Luca said, his voice husky. “Tell me to claim you, little beta.”

Hot molten desire shot straight to my pussy. Julian squeezed my hand and moaned. I stifled a groan. “Please, Luca. Claim me.”

Luca pressed his mouth against mine. Finally. I’d expected something hot and heavy like how Logan was devouring Julian. Instead, he brushed his mouth over mine with feather-light kisses. His tongue darted out to take small swipes of my lips.

I sighed, melting into his body. He wrapped his free arm around me, like he would hold me forever, and drank from my mouth like he was tasing the finest of wines. Heat pulsed through me in waves until I began to feel lost again, although Julian’s hand gripping mine and Luca’s arm around my waist held me firm like a steady anchor.

Luca moved away from my lips, licking down my neck. “I see Julian has been here.” He kissed the place where Julian had bit me and left a hickey.

“He has,” I said, squeezing Julian’s hand. “He was incredible.”

Julian broke away from his kiss with Logan and grinned. “Don’t worry Logan, I’ll show you where her clit is.”

“What?” Luca laughed.

Logan shook his head. “I think I’m okay.”

Julian grinned at me. “Maybe it was the angle, then.”

“The angle was heaven,” I said, and leaned forward to steal a quick kiss from him. “You were amazing.”

“But I accidentally edged her,” Julian said, and looked at Luca. “So I stole your moves.”

Luca huffed. “Did he now?”

“Accidentally.” I grinned, euphoria filling me. It was somehow less weird for me to be making out with them if we also talked like we did when the four of us were just hanging around. “But I liked it.”

“Don’t tell him that,” Julian warned, nipping Logan’s shoulder. “He’ll edge you for hours.”

“It wasn’t hours,” Luca said, giving me a smoldering look. “And I’ll edge Sunshine as long as she wants me to.”

I sucked in a breath, and the three men around me groaned.

“Oh, your scent.” Julian nipped my shoulder. “Can we pretty, pretty please relocate to the nest? If you’re not uncomfortable with that? I want your scent all over everything.”

The way he said “all over” made it sound dirty. I shivered. “We can.”

“Yes.” Julian pumped his hand into the air and dragged me up with him. “To the nest.”

Luca put his hand on the small of my back and I jumped a little, my pussy clenching hard. I was so wet again, I could feel the slippery press of my own lips.

“Sorry, sorry.” He stepped back.

“No, no.” I shook my head. “I like it. I was just surprised…”

At my body’s response to him. To them.

“I see.” He gave me that smoldering look, his eyes raking over my body. “In that case.”

He put his hand on the small of my back and I was prepared for the hard clench of my pussy this time. He touched me like I was already his, bonded and claimed.

Julian led us upstairs to the loft. He opened the door and gestured inside. “Alphas and beta are allowed in the nest.”

Once inside, I waited to see what I was supposed to do.

Logan opened the flap and the canvas dome over the nest looked even more like a tent. “You’re okay?”

I smiled at him. “I am.”

“Good.” He leaned over and sealed his mouth against mine.

He tasted like mint and herbs. He kissed me like he was hungry, like he was a starving man and I was a banquet. As he snaked his arms around my waist, Luca adjusted his grip so his arms wrapped around Logan, too.

Logan had a little stubble along his jawline and his cheeks, and it prickled against my skin. He moved his hands up to hold my face, and again, the movement felt like a pack thing, like I was part of them. I’d never felt like I was part of Pack Beneventi. Always just the beta that was dating Rob and Isaac.

I moaned, and Julian moved closer to stand by my side, his touch moving between me and the alphas.

I tilted my head back, and Logan deepened the kiss, crowding into me as he plunged his tongue in my mouth. Heat pulsed inside me, his passion overriding any worries in my mind. Luca kissed my neck, moving his hands to my hips.

Julian cupped my breasts again, and I moaned into Logan’s mouth, sensation overriding everything. They were touching me like they couldn’t get enough of me, like I was the center of the universe.

Logan pulled away with a gasp. “Let’s get you to the bed.”

Julian darted in for a kiss, and along with Luca, tugged me to the bed. It was sunken into the floor by three steps, and then we hit the plush mattress. Julian’s nest was filled with pillows in every shape and size, lining the circle around the nest. There were at least five blankets that I could count, and a tangle of sweatshirts and pants.

Luca laid me down on my back and knelt over me, while Julian and Logan moved to my side.

“Take off your shirt.” Julian’s face was flushed. “I want you to accidentally forget it so I can claim it for my own.”

I laughed as I pulled it off and gave it to him. “It’s yours.”

“Don’t tell him that,” Logan smiled, moving his hands down my sides. “He wants to steal it.”

“Oh, right.” I was panting at the effect of Luca and Logan’s hands roaming my sides. “I mean, just take it off.”

“Mmm, yes.” Julian tugged on my pants. “I’ll take it off.”

I shivered, my stomach muscles jumping.

Logan rolled to his side and tugged on Julian’s shirt. Luca dropped his hands to my hips, pulling my pants down. I sucked in a breath, and noticed both alphas were still fully clothed, while I was in my bra and panties and Julian in his boxers.

“Julian.”

Julian looked over at me immediately. “Yes babe?”

I looked at Logan and then Luca. “They’re both still fully clothed.”

“Oh, that won’t do.” Julian grinned. “Come on, alphas, strip.”

“That’s how it’s going to be, is it?” Luca purred and looked at Logan. “They want us naked.”

“They just want us for our cocks,” Logan said, sounding grumpy. “Day in and day out, used for their pleasure.”

“That sounds about right.” Julian wacked Logan on the butt. “Now did you want to pleasure your omega and beta, or will the two of us just screw each other again?”

The thought of having Julian inside me made my already hormone-addled brain go nuts. Liquid heat poured over me, like a fire had started inside me and now was burning out of control. Again, the three men looked at me with pure lust.

“What?” I panted.

“Your scent keeps getting stronger.” Luca leaned over me and took a deep inhale. “You liked your omega pleasuring you, didn’t you?”

“Yes,” I gasped, Luca running his tongue down my stomach. “He felt incredible.”

“That’s because I am.” Julian said, his joking voice going strained as Logan pulled his boxers down. Logan pushed Julian down next to me and used his thick fingers to stroke down Julian’s cock. He was hard again, and I was starting to wonder how much stamina an omega actually had.

“Good.” Luca licked along the seam of my panties.

I shuddered, letting my legs fall open. Luca shifted so he could lie between them, and I stifled a moan, biting my lip.

“Stop that.” He nibbled against my tender skin. “Make all the noise you want.”

“I sound like a porn star when I get going.” I put my hands on Luca’s shoulders, desire making my body feel needy and tight again.

“Oh yeah,” Logan leaned over, and kissed me. “Make all the fucking noise you want.”

“Go on. Show me how much Luca’s pleasuring you.” Julian panted, lying back beside me. “I want to hear you shout.”

Luca gave me a wicked look and hooked his fingers on the edge of my panties. He inched them down slowly until my breath became even more erratic.

He leaned over and dropped tender kisses along my collar bone. I tugged at his shirt. “Bad alpha. Take it off.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He smirked and pulled his shirt over his chest. His brown skin looked pale in the low light of the nest, and I ran my hand over the scattering of chest hair.

Julian whipped Logan’s shirt off, and I was momentarily distracted by having three sexy men surrounding me, shirtless.

Julian winked at me, and pulled Logan’s pants down, cupped his balls as he went. Logan was hard, and his cock was thicker than Julian’s. At the base his knot had already swelled, and it felt oddly voyeuristic, watching Julian undress him.

Logan looked at me. “Alright, darling?”

I felt my cheeks flush. “Yes.”

Julian sent me a grin and stroked his hand down Logan’s shaft. The alpha let out a sharp groan.

I turned my gaze to Luca, and he laughed. “Yes, kitten, I’ll get right on that.”

Luca shimmied out of his pants, also hard. I should have known they would have been more than ready. After shoving his pants to the corner of the nest, he leaned over me again.

He licked over my chest, and I let out a breath. His cinnamon spice scent was everywhere. He was touching me, finally, after all these years of wanting. Needing. Yearning.

Luca licked down and around my breast, then pulled my nipple into his mouth. I gasped, arching my back as heat travelled from my nipple to my pussy. He sucked hard, working his tongue against the tip of my nipple, and I saw stars. He trailed his hands over my sides, my hips, like he was memorizing my body.

Licking a trail down my stomach, he moaned as he got closer to my pussy. “You smell incredible.”

I blushed, hoping I didn’t smell weird. “There’s a reason I’m so hot and bothered.”

“Is there?” He licked the seam of my pussy lips.

I cried out. He snaked his tongue along my entrance, making me writhe beneath him. I’d been in a state of shimmering desire, but now his mouth between my legs made everything build so much quicker.

I grabbed his head before I could stop myself but quickly let go. “Sorry, sorry.”

He looked up at me and placed my hands on his hair again. “Do it. Pull my hair if you want. I like it.”

I squeezed my legs against Luca’s sides and whimpered as he plunged his tongue inside me again. When I glanced over at Julian, I was shocked to see both him and Logan staring at me with hunger.

“I want to do that.” Julian rolled over and kissed me.

“Mmmm.” Logan crawled to my other side, and peppered kisses over my body. “You smell incredible.”

Julian pulled away from the kiss and darted his head down to seize a nipple with his mouth.

“Oh, God,” I jerked again. Luca didn’t stop plunging his tongue inside me. I twisted my hips, trying to meet his rhythm but he wouldn’t settle. He sped up only to slow down.

Logan kissed down my other side, licking and nibbling at my other breast. I put my hands on their shoulders, my hips bucking up of their own accord. I couldn’t stop moaning and panting, the coil of the orgasm building inside me, winding tighter.

Julian crawled between my legs. “I want to watch.”

Luca groaned and shifted over. “Plunge your tongue inside her like you’re kissing her mouth.”

Julian leaned forward and pushed his tongue inside me.

“Oh my God,” I shouted. “Oh for the…”

I snapped my hips up, as Julian thrust his tongue inside me over and over.

“Don’t forget to lick her clit,” Luca said, putting his hand on the back of Julian’s head. “She loves that.”

Julian grinned at me before sucking my clit into his mouth. I grabbed his head, keening. I was so close. So close.

“I’d better help too.” Logan pressed a kiss to my mouth. “Make sure I know how to pleasure you right.”

“Everything you do feels good,” I panted.

“Even so.” Logan scooted down, and Luca moved over to make room.

Julian pulled off my clit to kiss Logan.

I was going to die a happy woman. I was going to come so hard I would just simply ascend. I watched Logan push his tongue into Julian’s mouth, licking my juices off his omega’s lips.

Logan groaned and pulled his head from Julian’s lips to my pussy. He licked between my legs, swirling his tongue around my entrance.

Pleasure shot through me, like I was just a conduit for desire. I keened again, Logan’s tongue licking around me slowly but surely, building up a rhythm. Julian licked around my clit, and Luca sucked my nipple, and pressed wet open-mouthed kisses over my stomach.

They were touching me like I was an omega, to be pampered and pleasured.

The thought as much as the touching brought me to climax, my entire body stiffening as my pussy clenched around Julian’s tongue.

“Oh hell, yes,” Julian groaned, licking me hard. “That’s it babe, come for us.”

I whimpered, the orgasm dragging out, and then everything went limp inside me.

“Did I do okay?” He grinned.

“You did amazing.” I could barely breathe. I looked at Logan. “I don’t know what this ‘I have to make sure I know how to please you’ is about but it’s not a concern.”

“I don’t know, darling.” His voice was husky, and he ran his hands over my hips. “I think I need to try over and over, just to be sure I get the hang of it.”

Shivers of desire raced through me at the heated look on his face, his brown hair disheveled, his herbal scent all over me.

“Are you ready for more?” Luca kissed his way up my body. “Do you need a break?”

I looked between the three men. “No? Do you need a break? Because⁠—"

Julian laughed. “Babe, I’m always ready to go. How about I take Logan and make him fuck me into the bed, and then Luca gets to toy with you, and then we switch? Or I start with Luca.”

“Whatever you…” I bit my lip. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you earlier.”

They’d stopped kissing each other to lick me. They were a lot easier going than Rob and Isaac. I’d never actually touched Mason but still, I didn’t want to make Julian feel bad.

“Interrupt?” Julian laid down on his side to my left. “I wanted to lick you until you screamed. Does it bother you if we stop what we’re doing to pay attention to you?” He brushed his hand over my cheek.

“Just be a little patient with us,” Luca said, shifting to my other side. Logan stayed at my legs, brushing his hands down my thighs softly.

“Of course.” I smiled Luca and then looked at Julian. “I don’t want you to feel weird…sharing.”

“I want to share.” Julian kissed my shoulder. “I’m the happiest omega in the world right now. My nest smells like you. My alphas smell like you.”

Some of my worry eased. “Okay. Good.”

Logan kissed the top of my knee and then shifted so he was lying next to Julian. “Why don’t we pick up where we left off?”

Julian grinned at Logan. “Oh, yes please.”

Luca slid closer to my side. “Sound good, kitten?”

“Yes.” I shivered at his touch.

“Yes, alpha,” he corrected.

“Yes, alpha,” I repeated.

“I hope you like bossy,” Julian said. “Because Luca is bossy as hell.”

Logan pushed at Julian playfully, and he just looked up at his alpha and grinned. “You know I’m right.”

“You are, but you should be more worried about me right now.” Logan growled. “You’ve been perfuming for hours now.”

Julian gave Logan a smirk. “And what are you going to do about it?”

Luca shifted his weight, bringing my attention back to him. He trailed his fingers down my body, taking his time. Soft tendrils of heat followed in the wake of his hand.

“You’re sure you’re ready for more?” He cocked his head, his brown eyes dark with desire.

“Yes,” I whispered, as a shiver of lust coursed through me. “Yes, please.”

“Oh, a please.” Luca smiled at me. “So polite. Julian is much more of a brat.”

The bratty omega in question was getting Logan’s mouth all over his body. Julian’s moans were a sexy soundtrack to Luca’s touch.

Luca trailed his hands further down, teasing his fingers between my legs. “Let’s see how ready you are.”

I whimpered, trying to hold still but failing.

He pushed two fingers inside me, and I gasped as my entire body lit up. Luca groaned, slowly moving his fingers in and out of me.

“Oh, sweet kitten, still so wet.”

I sucked in a breath. “You and Logan keep teasing me.”

“Are we, love?” Luca grinned at Logan.

Logan had moved on to Julian’s cock, sucking him in to the hilt. Julian cried out, bucking against his alpha’s face. “You two are teases. Don’t pretend like you’re not.”

“In that case,” Luca shifted, rolling onto top of me, “I better give my beta what she wants.”

I giggled at suddenly being covered by him, although he was careful to take the majority of his weight on his elbows. As he nuzzled into my neck, he took a deep breath in.

His cock pressed against my stomach, and I shuddered at the feeling, then he slid down, notching his hips against mine. I wrapped my legs around his waist, loving the sensation of being weighted down by him.

Luca nibbled at my shoulder, then lifted my legs up so my knees came up higher. He rubbed his cock along my entrance, then pressed inside me.

I cried out, louder than I meant, as his cock filled me immediately.

Julian huffed a laugh and patted my shoulder. “Get it, girl.”

I laughed myself, and Luca pressed his forehead against mine. “Are you ready, my beta?”

“Yes.” I wrapped my arms around his broad chest, inhaling his scent, while I felt the sweet stretch of him inside me.

He went slowly, pushing in and out of me. I felt every inch. I might have been wet, but he was thick and big. I shuddered against him, my body going taut as his gentle motion created a shock wave of pleasure.

The moans and whimpers from Logan and Julian made everything feel surreal, like it was all just a sexy dream. When I turned my head I saw that Julian was on his back with Logan thrusting in and out of him slowly.

I stretched up against Luca like a cat, following the waves of pleasure, and he began to move faster, driving his hips against me. I stifled another moan, burying my face in his neck.

He stopped and looked down at me. “Kitten, I’m going to stop every time you stifle yourself.”

I pouted. “You’re cruel.”

He looked at me, his brown eyes searing into me. “I am in charge of your pleasure…”

He gave a sharp thrust, and I gasped.

“…your moans, your gasps.”

He thrust again, my body lighting up. I cried out, and he rewarded me by pulling me into a kiss.

When he pulled away, I was breathless. He swiveled his hips, and his cock head caught on a place inside me that had me whimpering.

“It’s all mine. Don’t stifle yourself, little beta.”

“Yes, alpha.”

“You’re learning.” Luca hiked my legs up higher on his body. This time when he slid inside me, the angle caught that deep spot.

He worked his hands over my body, touching and caressing my breasts, that burned with heat and desire in his wake.

He drove into me, over and over, until my entire body was tight like a piano wire, impossibly stretched over the rack of his pleasure. He thrust into me, and I couldn’t help but wail, so close to toppling over the edge of pleasure. Then he just rocked his hips, panting over me, until I was clutching at his arms, his shoulders, trying to rock myself harder around him.

He chuckled, slowing down his rhythm even more. I whined, and he cocked his head. “Tell me what you want, kitten.”

“Make me come,” I begged. With that, he drove into me again, stretching and filling me with a sweet burning ache. “Knot me.”

“Not yet,” he growled. He snaked his hand between where our bodies were joined, pressing his fingers against my pussy, trying to add them alongside his cock.

Pleasure and pain shot through me, and I yelped. He pulled his hand back, circling my clit with his fingers.

“Not yet, kitten. You need to be stretched more.”

I whimpered, out of my mind with pleasure. I wanted him inside me as deep as he could go.

He rocked in and out of me, slowly picking up to the same speed as before, and I grabbed his hips. “Oh, please, Luca, please make me come.”

Luca groaned. “Oh, you beg so pretty.” He thrust harder, and I cried out at feeling him so deep inside my body.

As if that was a sign he’d been waiting for, he gripped my hips, his fingertips digging into my flesh almost hard enough to hurt, and went faster, thrusting inside me over and over with a near-constant growl until I came with a shout.

Luca thrust harder against me, driving his knot against my pussy lips as hard as he could without forcing it inside. I whimpered, and he rocked against me.

Suddenly worried he wasn’t going to come without knotting me, I reached between us and squeezed his knot.

With a garbled shout, he came, digging into me like he would fuse our bodies together.

He collapsed on top of me with a laugh and for a long moment all I could do was try to catch my breath.

He licked my neck with a purr that made my knees turn liquid. “Are you alright?”

I gave him a sleepy smile and sighed. “Amazing.”

And I was. Luca shifted so he wasn’t crushing me with his weight, and I felt absolutely incredible. I never wanted to leave the nest, not with Pack Kahele touching me like I was something rare and precious.

Chapter 20

Logan

Underneath me, my omega whimpered, “Don’t stop, alpha, please.”

I drove into him again, keeping him pinned on the mattress. Julian loved every sex position we tried, but he especially loved it when I entered him from on top, thrusting up against him.

Julian’s pupils were blown, black and glassy, and his perfume coated me, coated the nest, making me harder than diamonds. His legs pressed into my hips like a vice, and I bit his shoulder as I drove my cock into his tight ass.

Right next to me, Sunshine gave a whimper as Luca thrust into her, and I almost came at the sound. Her scent had mingled with Julian’s, and my alpha instincts demanded I pleasure them. Sunshine was in the nest. She wanted us, wanted to date us, and my alpha instincts were going crazy over making sure she was safe and happy.

I reached down to stroke Julian’s weeping cock. He groaned, twisting his hips. “Yes, alpha, please. Please, alpha.”

His perfume was thick and heavy, and I fought not to just give over to a rut. His scent told me that Julian was satisfied, deeply satisfied, with having Sunshine in his nest.

I grunted, biting over the top of my bondmark on Julian’s neck. He shouted, arcing up against me as he came. I followed him over the edge as I drove into him one more time.

Dimly next to me, I heard Sunshine begging to come, her pretty voice making my cock tighter as if she’d stroked me with her hands.

“No knot yet,” Julian panted.

I had planned on holding back, knowing he’d want more time to play, so I just pressed the edge of my knot against Julian’s hole, knowing I could get him to come again. I gripped his cock in my hand, the lube we’d used making him slippery and slick. I squeezed him, working him from stem to root until he was thrusting into my hand, bucking his hips and whining.

He came again, splashing hot liquid between our bodies as he let out a sigh. For long moments I stroked his hair, listening to the sound of his racing heart calm down.

Julian wiggled, and rolled over to his side so he could face Sunshine. I shifted behind him, wrapping my arm around his waist and taking in another deep lungful of his scent. My omega was perfectly happy, and there was nothing better in the world than the scent of his joy.

Next to us, Luca and Sunshine were snuggling. Luca had shifted so he was lying behind Sunshine, dropping sweet kisses on her neck. She looked blissed out, her lips swollen from our kisses, her pretty breasts covered in red marks and hickeys. My eyes traced where the smooth curve of her waist dipped in, and I had a sudden longing to hold here there, tight, as I thrust inside her.

I let out a sigh, trying to calm myself down. She had to be exhausted, what with the time she’d spent with Julian and then with Luca. She wasn’t a prize to be passed back and forth, and I would cut my own arm off before I made her feel like I expected “my turn” with her.

Even if the sight of her sated, naked body in the nest was getting me worked up again.

Julian smirked at me over his shoulder and stole a kiss.

I pulled the condom off and opened the small hatch to the side of the nest that held the garbage bin and then resumed my place behind Julian.

“You look gorgeous.” Julian stroked Sunshine’s arm. “Many orgasms from sexy men agrees with you.”

She gave him a blissful smile. “I quite agree.” She darted a glance at me, and a faint blush stained her cheeks.

“He’s right,” I said, my voice husky. “Do you need some water? Something to eat?”

Julian gently elbowed me. “You’re not allowed to leave the nest yet. I’m basking in the scents.”

“Yes, omega.” I nipped Julian’s neck. “We have water in the storage container.”

I rolled over, hitting the hidden compartment where we kept water and sometimes snacks so we could refuel during the heat without leaving the nest. Sometimes Julian didn’t even like for us to go outside the tent.

I handed everyone a bottle of water. Julian gave me an amused look. “Happy now, alpha? We’re all hydrating.”

“Yes,” I grumbled.

Julian gave me a kiss and then sat up on his elbow. “Switch places with me, Sunshine. I want Luca’s scent to complete the trifecta.”

Sunshine sat up, and Julian put his hand on her arm. “I should have asked. I mean, let me know when you’re ready to rotate.”

Sunshine shook her head, still beaming. “It’s fine, Julian.”

Julian nodded. “You’re allowed to refuse my omega demands.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Sure, but this is simple.”

Julian shifted into Sunshine’s place, giving Luca a kiss, while Sunshine settled next to me.

I watched to see if she seemed uncomfortable, but she just gave me a smile before settling back down. Her linen and sky scent was a soft, refreshing hit of warmth.

Julian wiggled close to her, so he was sandwiched between his alpha and beta.

Things were moving fast, and I prayed Sunshine was ready for a pack. We would take things at her pace, but I didn’t know what I would do if she decided she didn’t want to bond us after all.

Calm down, I told myself. This was still fresh and new. No need to rush her.

Sunshine tucked herself under my arm, and I nuzzled her neck. She smelled like pure heaven.

“Do you need anything?” I tucked myself behind her, holding my hips away from her ass. My cock was still semi hard, and I didn’t want her feeling…obligated.

“Just this,” she sighed, putting her hand on mine.

I purred, and she melted against me. She stiffened when she felt my cock against her, but instead of pulling away, she stayed put.

Luca was slowly touching Julian, soft caresses on his shoulders, arms, legs, hips. Just like our omega liked after he’d already had a few orgasms.

Julian scooted closer to Sunshine. “Can I press against you?” He sounded a little breathless.

I couldn’t see her face, but her breath hitched, and her hips shifted. “Yes.”

“Good.” Luca growled. He pushed Julian forward, so the omega was pressed between him and Sunshine. Sunshine shifted back into me, and suddenly my cock was flush against her ass.

I groaned into her neck, and she arched her back.

“Logan,” she whimpered. I licked her neck, my hand hot on her stomach.

“I thought you might need a break. Or more time. There’s no rush.” I nibbled her neck.

She arched, driving her ass into my cock again. “No break,” she said.

Luca’s hips drove into Julian, and our omega groaned. He rubbed his cock against Sunshine’s stomach with a helpless whimper, and Sunshine put her hands on him, holding him against her.

She lifted her leg up, awkwardly resting it on Julian’s hip.

“Let me help,” I said, my cock already throbbing and hard.

I titled her hips so she had her leg resting more comfortably on Julian. I angled my own hips against her, unable to stop myself from rubbing my cock along her pussy.

She was wet again—so slick—and she moaned. “Logan, please.”

She sounded so desperate. Pulling her into a kiss, I rubbed my cock along her entrance, coating myself in her wetness. She moaned into my mouth, her body responding to Julian’s hands on her breasts. Luca was slowly pumping in Julian and the cinnamon vanilla scent was everywhere.

“Julian,” Sunshine whimpered. “Logan and Julian, I want…” She gasped and arched up as Julian’s cock hit her clit. He started grinding against her in earnest, matching the slow rhythm Luca was setting.

“What do you want?” Luca growled, biting Julian’s neck. “Tell your pack, beta, how should we be pleasuring you?”

“Inside me, both of you,” Sunshine panted out.

The three of us moaned. Julian pulled her into a kiss and then scented along her neck. “Logan first, babe. You can’t tell yet, but you’ve been doing a lot.”

Sunshine whimpered, and I held myself against her.

“Julian’s right.” My voice was raspy. I stroked my hands down her sides, slowly touching her breasts before moving to her hips. “You’re getting a full blast of omega hormones right now.”

“Logan,” she whined, grinding her ass into my hips. “I need you. I haven’t… you haven’t… If you don’t want⁠—”

I thrust inside her, the thought of stopping her fears making me act. Sunshine cried out, and I moved inside her again. She was slick and wet, and I almost came right there.

“Oh, honey, you’re so hot and wet.”

“Like a dream.” Julian gasped.

I slowed down, thrusting inside her heat slowly, feeling her pussy clench around me.

“Logan,” she moaned. I held her against me, driving in and out of her until I forgot everything but the scent of the nest, the press of bodies.

Her pussy clenched me tighter, and she started moving her hips erratically. Julian kept himself pressed against her, and Luca starting to thrust faster into him.

“Oh, yes,” Sunshine said, stroking Julian’s cock. “Oh, god. Yes.”

“You like grinding,” Julian panted. He grinned and pulled Sunshine into a searing kiss.

I mirrored my omega and as soon as she pulled away from Julian, I covered her mouth with mine. She tasted sweet, and I licked into her mouth as I drove into her harder, swallowing her cries.

Cupping her breast with my hand, I teased at her nipple. I found a rhythm that made her mewl as Julian got closer and closer, grinding against her stomach as Luca drove our omega’s hips into her.

She clenched around me until we were both shouting our pleasure, her pussy fluttering and clamping down, milking my orgasm until I had spent every drop inside her. Julian came a second later, spurting over her stomach with a cry.

I pulled Sunshine tightly against me, and Julian leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers. For long moments we panted together. I stroked her hair, her shoulder, her hip.

“You’re perfect,” I said, my voice hoarse. “Pure perfection.”

“You were so good. It’s never felt so good.” She sighed, squeezing my hand, and Julian nuzzled into her neck, hunting for more of her scent. The nest smelled like the four of us now, coated in each other’s scents.

I was glad then we were in the nest. The dark walls provided a haven against the rest of the world. If I could lie here like this forever, I would be perfectly happy. The outside world with all its demands could wait. I had my pack, and I was going to do everything I could to make sure they were all happy.

Especially the pretty beta in my arms who had worked her way into my heart.

She would need time, and healing, but we could give that to her. We weren’t going anywhere, and even if it took ten years for her to see that, I was content to wait.

Chapter 21

Sunshine

Iwoke up sated and happy. It was dark, with only a little bit of light filtering through the dark canvas of the nest.

I was warm, pressed between Logan and Julian. Warm, but stiff and sore.

I’d gone from not having sex for almost a year to having sex almost all day between the time I’d spent with Julian, and then Luca, and then Logan.

Pack Kahele wanted me. They wanted to date me. We’d had a night of amazing, passionate sex and I’d lost track of the number of orgasms they’d given me between them.

I pinched my arm, just to make sure this wasn’t a fever dream. Luca’s hand brushed my hip, like he had to touch me even if it wasn’t physically possible to snuggle three people at once.

I closed my eyes again, basking in the feeling of being safe and comfortable.

Julian mumbled, tightening his arm around me. I tried to remember if I had any early morning meetings, then tried, but failed, to muster up the effort to give a crap if I was late.

Logan shifted behind me. He pressed a kiss to my neck and purred. “Good morning, gorgeous.”

“It is a good morning.” I smiled, patting Logan’s hand on my waist.

Julian grinned at me, his hair mussed. He gave me a kiss and nuzzled my neck. “You’re amazing.”

A flicker of heat went through me. Julian was hard, still pressed against my stomach, and Logan was hard behind me.

Last night had been so hot it felt like a wet dream, a half-baked fantasy. I’d wanted Julian and Logan inside me at the same time, but judging from how stiff my legs were, they were right in thinking we should work up to that.

But we’d fallen asleep without cleaning up, and I had dried body fluids on me. It should have been gross, I never liked having someone come on me before, but with these men, it only made it hotter.

“Are you okay? Not too sore?” Luca propped himself up on his hip so he could pet Julian and look at me at the same time.

“Not too sore,” I said. “I probably need to shower before work though.”

Julian pouted. “Can’t you play hooky today?”

I bit my lip. “I don’t remember which meetings I have today. I’d need to look at my phone.”

“Coffee would be good, too.” Logan added. “Let’s get up, get breakfast and decide on the day.”

“Okay.” Julian perked up. “I won’t ask to shower with you… yet. I’ll behave. For now.”

Judging from the look Julian was giving me, we would be doing more than just shower if we were in there together. A flicker of heat went through me at the thought of early morning sex with Julian, but I squashed it. I needed to focus on checking what I had to do today, or I would be distracted and never get around to it.

We got up, and Julian took me to the master bedroom bathroom so I could clean up. He also brought me my overnight bag, so I could change.

I checked my phone and realized there wasn’t anything I couldn’t do from my laptop. I texted Raina to let her know I was working from home today and took a quick shower.

By the time I made it into the kitchen, all three guys had showered, and Logan was pouring waffle batter into the waffle iron, bacon sizzling on the stove.

“Ooo, yummy.” I walked into the kitchen, and all three men approached me at once.

Julian laughed and gave me a quick kiss. Logan gave me a kiss, and Luca did the same, pulling me into his arms and holding me against him.

“So what’s the status of your work?” Julian stood next to me and Luca, hand on my forearm.

“I have some things to order,” I said. “But yeah, I could stay here if you don’t mind.”

“Mind?” Julian raised an eyebrow. “I’m already plotting how to get you to spend the night again.”

I laughed.

“We need to properly romance you,” Julian grinned. “I know you. You’ll convince yourself this is just great sex.”

I couldn’t keep the guilty look off my face. Darn him for knowing me so well. Last night had been amazing, and I hadn’t missed the fact that Logan had asked me to the Farmer’s Market.

But part of me was still thinking this was way too good to be true.

Julian nodded. “See? I called it.”

Luca cocked his head. “Sunshine, we’re crazy about you.”

I was struggling to wrap my mind around the idea that they wanted to date me. At the same time, I was trying to push away the anxiety that I would somehow mess this up. Everything I wanted was right here, and it was easy.

Luca squeezed me against me. “I see Julian is right, and we have some romancing to do.”

“It’s okay.” I stole a piece of bacon, trying to cover my nerves. I didn’t want them to know I was basically a bundle of anxious raccoons in a trench coat. “I thought you guys would flirt or give me a signal if you wanted more.”

Logan raised his eyebrow as he flipped more bacon. “And Julian practically humping your leg every time you were in the room didn’t give you a clue?”

“I thought he was just a flirt,” I said, grinning as the omega in question kissed my cheek.

“A flirt with you,” he said.

Luca caressed the back of my hand, his voice going silky. “I’ve been dying to take you to dinner. A new restaurant called Heartbeat has opened up and I think you’d love it.”

“I want to make you dinner,” Logan said, opening the waffle iron.

“Take you to the beach,” Julian said, then picked up his phone. “Add you to the group chat. Watch movies. Play video games. Have lots of sex.”

“That sounds wonderful,” I said, my breath catching as I thought about the sex.

While we ate breakfast together, Julian asked me about work. Luca added in about his cases, and Logan talked about catering.

It was nice. Cozy. We spent the day together. Luca and I worked on our laptops while Julian played video games. Logan cooked and then sat on the couch with us.

No matter where I was, one of them was touching me. They rotated who was sitting on either side of me, but they stole touches and kisses all day.

We talked, laughed, ate so much food I thought I would explode, and this time it was Luca who asked me to spend the night.

Even though I told myself not to expect to have mind-blowing sex again, all that touching and kissing meant I was already half-aroused by the time evening rolled around.

Lucky for me, Julian’s high sex drive meant it wasn’t long before he was kissing me with intent and dragging me back to the nest. The four of us shared amazing sex again. As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn’t help but wonder what I’d done to get so lucky.

Chapter 22

Sunshine

The next few days fell into a lovely routine where every morning I went to work and every evening, instead of going back to my cottage, I stayed with Pack Kahele.

Before I knew it, it was the end of the week. Julian had a shift on Saturday, which was the day that Talia and I had set aside to catch up. I had family dinner on Sunday, so I decided that it made sense for me to spend Saturday night at my own place.

When I got to Cupcake My Day, the doorbell jingled as I pushed through the door. Talia was behind the counter talking with Aine, a petite raven-haired beta. Aine was around our age and was one of the other bakers who’d decided to share the space while they built up experience alongside their client base.

Talia waved at me to join them. “Sunshine, you’re here.”

Aine waved one flour-covered hand. “Nice to see you again.”

“You too.”

“You can chitchat later,” Talia said as she grabbed my arm, nearly bouncing. “I want to show you my latest creation.”

When she dragged into the kitchen, my senses were hit with the scent of cocoa and citrus and… alcohol?

Talia spread her hands out with a manic gleam. “I’ve been baking for days. We’re going to start offering bachelorette packages.”

I scanned the cupcakes. The flavors were all some sort of combo with alcohol. Black Cherry Kirsch, Mimosa with champagne and orange, and Pina Colada cupcake that smelled so much like Julian I expected him to be in the room with me. Maybe I could get Logan to make us Pina Colada torte and then we could eat it off Julian’s stomach.

A flash of heat went through me before I forced my focus back to Talia’s creations.

Talia cut pieces of each one for me to sample. The Salted Caramel Rum flavor was delicious, but there were a few flavors I didn’t get, particularly the Mint Julep. It was too minty, and yet also somehow too sweet.

“These are fantastic.” I smiled at Talia.

“I know, right?” She gestured at the stainless-steel counter covered in chocolate and mint leaves. “It’s going to be a big hit. Let me know if you have any wedding events coming up soon, and I’ll add some boxes of cupcakes for free, as a friend perk.”

Unease fluttered through me. Once again, Talia was trying to connect her business with Cosmic Bonds. Plus, I didn’t have the power or authority to officially sponsor her cupcakes.

“What?” Talia’s face fell. I must have shown my dismay…and now I felt guilty. “What’s wrong?”

I shook my head, taking the coward’s way out. “I just have a headache. I’ve been slammed the last few days.”

Slammed at work and also by Pack Kahele, the dirty voice in my mind whispered.

“Awww.” Talia offered me a chair. “Sit down. I’ll get you some water, and something to eat.”

“Thanks,” I said, now feeling like a jerk.

Talia made us some bagels and sat down with me. “Did you get Mrs. Cullen’s account? I know you’ve been stressed about that.”

“I did,” I smiled, joy bubbling over again. “I was so scared she wasn’t going to understand what I was trying to do.”

Talia bumped my shoulder. “Give yourself more credit, Sunshine. You’re brilliant. You take boring, everyday charity events and find something special to focus on.”

I sighed. “I keep feeling like I have to do better each time.”

“You don’t,” Talia said. “You’re trying to give each client an amazing party that matches their vision. That doesn’t always mean something huge and over the top.”

“True.” I licked some cream cheese off my finger. “It just feels like it’s all going to come crashing down. Everything is perfect right now, but…” I shook my head

“Everything is perfect, but it can also get better.” Talia nudged me. “If you’re feeling this on top of the world, you should make a move on Julian. No time like the present.”

“Yeah…” I felt my cheeks warm up. “About that…”

“You didn’t!” Talia squealed.

“I didn’t,” I said, grinning. “Julian did though. I’m officially dating Pack Kahele.”

Talia squealed louder as she jumped up and down, clapping her hands together. “I told you they like you.”

“Yes, yes, you’re always right.” I laughed. “They were trying to wait for me to be ready for dating.”

“And?” Talia waggled her eyebrows as she sat back down. “What changed?”

I shrugged. “Julian and I were uhhh, snuggling on the couch, and then we kissed.”

Talia beamed, bouncing in her chair. “That’s it, go for the omega first this time.”

“This time?” I shook my head. “I wasn’t hunting a pack. I just…developed a crush on all of them.”

“Because they’re competent and sexy.” Talia shoved my shoulder gently. “You’re too insecure, so you never notice when guys actually like you.”

I’d thought I had a healthy appreciation of myself. I liked myself and I knew I was awesome, but I’d had a lot more crushes go unrequited than not. I also hadn’t been hit on like Talia and Becca had.

None of that mattered now, because, somehow, Julian, Luca, and Logan wanted to date me. I let out a happy sigh. “I’ve got a family dinner tomorrow and then we’re going to hang out again.”

“‘Hang out’?” Talia shook her head. “Make them take you somewhere nice. Make them show you how much they want you, instead of just settling for what you have now. Video games on the couch are nice, but this is romance.”

“First of all, they already said they were going to do all that.” I looked down at my bagel. “I like fancy dinners and dates on the beach, but it’s more important to me that we feel comfortable in our day-to-day lives.”

And I already felt more comfortable with them on that score. Asking for a sweeping, whirlwind romance seemed like reaching for the moon when I already had the pack of my dreams.

Talia raised an eyebrow. “That might be okay for a little while, but make sure they work for it. Just because you’re not an omega doesn’t mean they don’t have to woo you.”

“They’ve said they’re going to woo me,” I replied quickly. “Everything’s happened fast, and we’ve all just been enjoying each other’s company. You know how I like snuggles on the couch.”

“Yes.” Talia handed me another bagel. “Just don’t let it stop there. You deserve a pack that loves you to death, one that doesn’t treat you like you should be glad they’re paying you attention.”

“They don’t treat me like that,” I said, with certainty. They all acted like I hung the moon. “But… thank you.”

“So, you’ve all been busy staying indoors then?” Talia grinned. “I hope they’re good in bed!”

My mind flashed to the three of them tag-teaming me until I came so hard I’d blacked out for a few seconds. “Oh, yeah. They’re amazing.”

“Good. Now that you’re dating them, you can go on double dates with me. I’ve been flirting hot and heavy with this alpha that comes into the shop.”

My stomach dropped. Double dating wasn’t on my top list of fun events, but especially not when things were so new.

“Sure,” I said. “Give me some time though. Luca wants to take me to Heartbeat, and Logan and I are hitting up the Farmer’s Market.”

Talia wrinkled her nose. “The Farmer’s Market is all you. No, thanks, I want more romance than random vegetables.”

I bit my lip because I knew she wouldn’t get it. Logan was so focused and intentional about everything to do with his menus. She didn’t understand that, for me, talking ingredients with Logan like getting to see another piece of who he was.

I couldn’t explain that to Talia, so I let the conversation shift gears.

I spent the rest of the day helping test out cupcake flavors and giving feedback. After a few false attempts, Talia managed to get the Mint Julep cupcake to taste like mint and not sugar-flavored toothpaste, and I was able to go home happy.

When I walked through the door to my cottage, I looked around and realized that things just didn’t smell right anymore. It had seemed smarter to stay the night at my place, but I was already missing them.

At least I could still connect with them through the group chat. Julian texted all about his day. I told them about Talia’s cupcakes, Luca talked about a big case he was working on, and Logan mentioned that rhubarb might be in season.

The next day, I drove over to the resort. It was a normal family meeting, but the reality was that I always found it hard not to worry that something would be wrong. Maybe clients were complaining about me. Maybe Mrs. Cullen had gone directly to Raina to tell her how horrible I’d been.

I knew the chance of that happening wasn’t likely, so I managed to talk myself down off the ledge. Work was fine. I was dating the pack of my dreams. And as far as I could tell, none of my family members were acting any differently to how they did usually.

Instead of going to the lodge, I followed Terran to where the others were sitting at the picnic table in the big field. Wildflowers had sprung up amongst the meadow grass, adding their purples, blues, and pinks. Raina and Zephyr had already brought out snacks, and I set the plates and napkins I brought on the picnic table.

I looked at my sisters. Stella was glowing, but Luna was still looking pale. She had bags under her eyes and kept glancing around like she was waiting for someone to jump out of the bushes. Before I could ask my baby sister how she was feeling, Luna turned and asked Stella how her pack was.

Stella beamed. “Awesome. We’re getting Tony’s later on and having a little beach date.”

While I was happy that Stella was so happy, I couldn’t take it any longer. “What’s wrong?” I asked Luna, tucking some hair out of my face. “You’ve been off for weeks. We don’t want to pry⁠—”

“I want to pry,” Raina interrupted, crossing her arms over her chest.

Luna sighed and looked down at the table. “I’m pregnant.”

I stared at my little sister, looking at her stomach. She was still thin, so she wasn’t very far along. Suddenly, the fact that she’d been leaving work early and had been more overstimulated than usual made sense.

“You and Halos haven’t…” Raina frowned.

I hid my smirk. Luna had a massive crush on Halos, one of the gardeners at Half Moon Nursery.

Luna grimaced. “No. But he knows. When I was in Vegas…”

Ember whooped and jumped up and down. “Oh my gosh, you had a wild weekend in Vegas.”

Luna didn’t look happy about these events. “Yes.”

Ember kept jumping up and down, her red hair escaping its ponytail. “Oh we’re gonna be aunties and uncles, yes.”

Zephyr frowned. “You weren’t in heat…”

“It’s not impossible,” Raina huffed. “Just unlikely.”

“Oooooh, we need to do a tarot reading, stat.” Ember bounced over to her bag.

“We don’t have to.” Luna crossed her arms over her stomach.

“Oh, but we do,” Ember said.

“I told the fathers,” Luna added firmly. “There’s an alpha-beta bonded pair, Colton and Quinn, coming into town tomorrow.”

Luna seemed happy about that, but sad at the same time. I looked at her a little harder. “That sounds like there’s more than just the bonded pair.”

Sure enough, my little sister shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Raina growled. “Don’t forget, I still have his number.”

I glanced between my sister and cousin. Raina knew more than she was telling the rest of us. I would have to corner her later and make her tell me. Why hadn’t Raina told me something was wrong with Luna?

“I don’t need him.” Luna looked surprisingly defiant. “I have you all, I have Halos, and apparently Colton and Quinn want to make this work.”

“You’re absolutely right you have us.” Terran put his hand on Luna’s shoulder. Some of his calm beta-ness seeped through to her. She let out a sigh, and the tension left her shoulders. “We’re here for diaper duty and beyond.”

We all sat talking together, surrounding Luna with family for the next couple of hours. In the back of my mind, I thought about being an aunt.

Luna was having a baby, without a pack. I didn’t want to look up the statistics about an omega having a baby unbonded, but that was a problem for later. She wasn’t going to be on her own, because she was dating Halos, and two of the dads were coming to work things out with her.

It was on the tip of my tongue to ask how it’d all happened. She must have decided to throw caution to the wind and have a fling while she was at her Garden Show in Vegas. It had been about two months ago, so the timing seemed right.

After Luna left, I dragged Raina off to the side.

She held up her hands. “Before you bite my head off, I didn’t know she was pregnant.”

Some of the hurt and anger dissipated. So Luna and Raina hadn’t been keeping a huge secret from me. Just a small one.

It was selfish of me to be upset that Raina knew before I did. Maybe if I hadn’t been so wrapped up in my own events, I would have noticed that Luna was sad and exhausted.

“I knew Luna was seeming overstimulated,” I said, unable to hide the defensiveness in my voice.

“I went over to her cottage a few times. I thought she had the flu.” Raina shrugged, picking up the plates. The rest of our cousins and siblings were talking about three or four events coming up, giving us time to have a “Mom Talk” as they called it.

“What guy were you talking about when you said you have his phone number?”

“She said she met some guys in Vegas.” Raina glanced at me. “Asked me to get their contact info. I thought she was pining, maybe going into heat early.”

“Are they nice?” My proverbial hackles raised. “They could be jerks.”

“We’re going to make sure they aren’t,” Raina said, her voice promising murder. “And she’s been growing closer to Halos too. He’ll be around to help her manage the baby daddies.”

“Ooof.”

I thought my life was complicated. Luna was pregnant through a one-night stand. “Did she talk about bonding?”

Raina shook her head. “Not yet.”

“That’s…uhhh…an interesting turn of events.” I bit my lip. My sister’s predicament put my own complicated life into focus, and I felt a rush of relief.

Raina nudged my shoulder. “How are you?”

“Me?” I blinked, up at her. “You heard I landed Mrs. Cullen’s event?”

“I did.” Raina beamed, and for a minute I let myself feel proud of my accomplishments. “But I was more talking about how you smell just like Pack Kahele.”

I blushed, my face getting hot. “Yeah, that’s going really great too.”

“We told you they liked you.”

Raina looked so pleased with herself, I laughed. “Yes, you were right. What every alpha wants to hear.”

Raina gave me a hug. “Good for you.”

I said goodbye, then drove back to my cottage, and ended up just curling up into bed.

My skin was buzzing, and I kept shifting positions, unable to get comfortable. My brain wouldn’t shut down with so much to occupy it. Luna was pregnant, and she didn’t really have a pack. Pack Kahele liked me, but it didn’t seem real yet. Workwise, my events were going well and just getting better and better as time went on.

My mind tried to pick out all the ways each different aspect of my life could fail horribly, but I pushed each thought aside. I didn’t intentionally decide to dwell on negative things, the thoughts were just there. Ignoring them only ever made me feel vaguely worried throughout the next day, and I’d finally worked out it was better to address each thought as unlikely and move on.

Life really was great, and I deserved happiness. It was okay to feel happy. Even though it felt like a trick, a trap for the next big, horrible thing to catch me off-guard.

By the time I’d gone round and round in my mind, I was tired of my own thoughts and slept poorly the rest of the night.

Chapter 23

Sunshine

The next day Logan was scheduled to pick me up so we could go to the Farmer’s Market. Technically we were going to go over the menu for Mrs. Cullen’s gala, but the way Luca and Julian had talked about our ‘date’, they made it sound like an illicit affair.

When Logan pulled up at my cottage, I was already standing outside waiting. He strode over to me, then proceeded to hand me a cup of coffee before pulling me into a hug. As he pressed his face into my neck, he breathed in my scent before planting a kiss along my jawline then stepping back to look down at me. “We missed you.”

I hefted my cup of cofee. “I missed you too.”

“‘Course.” He looked at me like he was waiting for some sort of reaction before nodding and heading for the car to open the door for me.

“What?” I followed him to his car, taking my time to make sure I could enjoy the view. He wore a faded T-shirt and jeans, his brown hair pulled back, and he looked delicious.

“Just making sure that’s okay with you. The kissing,” he said gruffly.

My cheeks grew warm. “Uhh, that’s very okay. You’ve been…” I almost said knot-deep, but of course, I wasn’t able to handle his knot or Luca’s.

Someday though. Someday.

Logan flashed me a smile as he rounded the car and slid into the driver’s seat. He brushed his hand over my knee, and I immediately regretted wearing pants. “I mean, randomly,” he added.

I refrained from fanning myself. “Yes, casual touches and kisses are more than okay.”

“Good.” He put his hand on my thigh and pulled out onto the road. We headed to the Farmer’s Market, and I asked him about the menu and what he was especially looking for today. After that, we digressed to some other events his company was catering for. By the time we arrived my nerves had mostly gone away.

I knew how to be myself around Logan, and we spent a very relaxed, pleasant morning looking around at the variety of food. He showed me all sorts of different food vendors, and we sampled local honey, some mangoes, and fresh banana bread.

The morning shifted to afternoon, and after stashing our groceries in the car, Logan took me to a hole-in-the-wall restaurant around the corner from the Farmer’s Market. The walls were painted pale green, with wrought iron awnings in the front entrance.

“This is the best sandwich spot around,” Logan said as he held the door open for me.

A youngish looking man with short black hair and dimples walked up to greet us. He nodded at Logan. “Ahh, the hot-shot chef joins us lowly people.”

“Shut up, Danny.” Logan rolled his eyes.

“Who’s the lovely lady?” Danny smiled at me. “Logan usually doesn’t bring people to his safe haven.”

Logan put his arm around my waist. “She’s mine. Don’t get any ideas.”

“Okay, okay. Can’t blame a guy for trying.” Danny winked at me.

I didn’t think he was trying to flirt, but I didn’t mind Logan claiming me in front of him either.

“Danny and I went to culinary school together,” Logan told me. “He’s got a great place here.”

“I’m excited.” I bumped Logan’s shoulder. “Even though Logan keeps me well fed.”

“I bet he does,” Danny muttered, and led us to a table with a beautiful view.

I looked at the menu. There was nothing super fancy but it all sounded amazing.

“This okay?” Logan looked around. “We’ll go out somewhere nicer later, but I figured you’d love the sandwiches here.”

“I love it.” I beamed at him.

Logan rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not good with words. But, uh, we can talk about whatever you want.”

I looked at Logan’s face, really looked at him. He shifted in his chair, glancing at me before looking down at his plate.

“Are you nervous?” I frowned. “Why?”

“I was trying to show you I cared, but instead I spent the entire morning talking about work.”

“Oh, Logan.” I took his hand. A warm feeling rippled through me. “I like talking about food with you. I know it’s part of our work, but I like hearing your thoughts on how you would plate something, and what ingredients could work better together in a dish.”

Logan eyed me doubtfully. “Did Julian tell you that he basically jumped into my lap? And you know what Luca’s like. They both find it so easy to just talk about what matters to them. I don’t know how to…”

“How to get people to open up?” I cocked my head.

“You do—just by being you. You’re quiet, but I like that I can talk to you while you’re cooking, and I know you’re listening. You’re not just waiting for me to finish what I was saying so it can be your turn to talk.”

I was starting to realize that maybe I wasn’t the only one who was nervous because they really wanted this pack thing to work.

“I’m not great at romance,” Logan scowled at his plate. “I might be able to make you come so many times you can’t walk straight, but you need more than just that.”

I cleared my throat, my body tingling at the memories of those orgasms. “I mean, I won’t say no to those too.”

Logan sent me a heated look. “Good. Because I’ve barely scratched the surface of what I want to do with you. But I want you, Sunshine. We haven’t ever dated anyone else since it’s been the three of us.”

“Wait. What?” I had assumed they occasionally dated another person.

“Nope.” Logan shook his head. “We’re picky. But you’re special.”

His words filled me up with happiness until I felt light as a feather. The waiter came over and took our order, and I was glad because it gave me time to soak up his words.

“You’re special, too,” I said lamely. “I’m really happy that we’re dating.”

Logan grunted again before looking at me intently. “Why do you look so tired?”

I laughed. “You’re not supposed to tell me I look tired.”

Logan looked baffled, running a hand through his hair. “What? Why? I’m worried about you.”

“Thank you.” I couldn’t help but tease him. “But ‘you look tired’ is usually code for ‘you’re pale, and your makeup isn’t covering the bags under your eyes’.”

Logan stared at me like he was waiting for the punchline, then grimaced. “This is why I suck at talking to people.”

“Glad I’m not people.” I fiddled with my menu. “I’m just teasing. You’re right. I am tired.”

“What’s wrong?”

The waiter brought our food, giving me a moment to debate with myself whether I should tell him all my neurotic thoughts or try to keep playing it cool.

But this was Logan. He’d catered so many events with me, and he’d seen all my freak outs. I wasn’t going to shock him, and that was actually very comforting.

“Luna’s pregnant—without a pack.” I held up a finger. “Stuff with my best friend is complicated, because she still talks to my ex-best friend. And I’ve just started dating the pack of my dreams, but I’m wondering if I’m going to somehow screw it all up.”

Logan nodded like this was a perfectly reasonable infodump.

“Your sister will be fine.” He looked at his plate thoughtfully, studying his turkey melt like it would unlock the secrets to the universe. “Your family will be there, and there’ll be no end of people lining up to kick the baby daddies’ asses if they turn out to be assholes.”

“This is true.” I bit into my sandwich—tangy marinara with delicious peppers, onions, and meatballs. “This is a great lunch spot.”

“It is.” Once he saw that I was starting to eat, Logan started on his own sandwich.

I focused on eating my food and trying not to get sauce on my face but failing.

“The situation with your friend is a tough one.” Logan shrugged. “She’s not going to change her behavior. So that means it’s up to you when you decide it’s too much.”

I sighed. “I know.”

“It’s easy to know, but harder to do.” Logan shook his head. “Look at Danny and me. When we went to school together, we competed in everything, right up until we graduated. And then, suddenly, that competitive relationship changed. Instead, we both had someone who knew what culinary school was like, how hard being a professional chef was.”

“Talia was there for me through some of the worst moments of life.”

Logan gave me a pained look. “Just because she was there for you then doesn’t mean she’ll always be there for you. It’s easier to be friends when you’re younger. But as you get older, the priorities shift.”

“For someone not good with words, you sure are hitting the nail on the head.” I picked up a fry. They were perfectly thin but not too thin, with a slightly rough texture.

Logan shrugged. “I’ve gone my separate way from friends before. For some, it was the pressure of me being in a pack when they weren’t that got to be too much. Then there’s the fact that I became successful and some of them hadn’t, and they started trying to use me.”

I thought about how Talia had started trying to align herself with Cosmic Bonds. “Did you feel guilty telling them no?”

“I did at first.” Logan looked at me with such a soft expression my heart melted. “I went into business with Roger, my best friend from culinary school. We put in long hours and put a menu together that blended our styles.

“Then Roger’s mom got sick, and, just like that, he left. Left the restaurant, signed over his shares, his rights, everything. Left me with the lease on the place a week before opening day.”

I sucked in a breath. “Oh, my god. I mean, I get it that his mom was sick, but…hot damn.”

“She had a kidney infection. I felt like a jerk at the time, but she wasn’t dying.” Logan shook his head.

“It was hard going. Julian was pissed. We worked our asses off, Alejandro stepped in to help and we managed to keep the restaurant from sinking.”

“Was that North Shore Grill?” I asked, naming the first restaurant he’d opened in Honolulu.

Logan looked surprised. “Yeah. Most people don’t know that’s my restaurant too.”

“I may or may not have lightly stalked you.” I shrugged, licked my fingers. “You know, research. For Cosmic Bonds.”

“Right.” Logan chuckled. “Anyway, two years later, we got our Michelin star, and Roger wanted to come back. He was ready to work, he said, and wanted to come in and overhaul the menu.”

I made a face. “What an idiot.”

“I told him no. He’d bailed when we needed him, and then he wanted to come back when we’d put all the hard work in and were successful. So he sued me.”

I gasped, almost choking on a meatball.

“You okay?” Logan looked amused, heat crackling in his warm brown eyes. “You need mouth to mouth?”

“Later.” I took a sip of water. “He sued you?”

“Said I stole his menu, and that I owed him money.” Logan stretched his hand, brushing it over the back of mine resting on the table. “But because of that, I met Luca. He was a junior lawyer on the case. We won, and Julian and I found our other alpha.”

“Why isn’t this common knowledge?” I frowned, rubbing my thumb against Logan’s wrist. I was slowly getting used to being touched every time I was around them. “Not that I want your dirty laundry everywhere, but I’m shocked this isn’t well known.”

“I made Roger sign a nondisclosure agreement. Luca said I was being too nice, but I didn’t want infamy around my restaurants. I just wanted them to be known for their food.”

“I get that.” I sighed. “At least you got Luca out of the deal. Is this when you tell me everything happens for a reason?”

Logan looked down at his hand holding mine, lightly grazing his thumb over the back of it. It was comforting and erotic, and also one of the most intimate things anyone had ever done.

I was speechless, watching his calloused thumb touch my skin.

“No, Sunshine.” He looked up at me. “I think we make the best of bad situations. I don’t think I was meant to have my friend betray me just so I could meet Luca. I could have done that on my own. But how I handled the situation puts me on a better path. Instead of letting it destroy me, I tried to learn what I could and move on.”

“Oh.” Tension eased out of my shoulders. I didn’t realize I’d been holding so much inside until I let it slowly drain out of me.

“And as for that last thing on your list?” Logan turned my hand over, pressing a kiss to my palm. “You can’t ruin things with me, Sunshine. I’m yours for as long as you want me.”

All coherent thought left my mind. I stared into his eyes, and saw he was absolutely serious.

“Julian and Luca too, but I’ll let them tell you with their own actions. I know it’s hard to trust again, but I promise you, Sunshine, we’re not going anywhere.”

Tears bit the corners of my eyes. “It’s not that I don’t trust you…” My voice came out hoarse. “I just want you guys so badly and it seems too easy. Too good to be true.”

“It’s not,” Logan said with a small smile. “You’re everything that’s good and pure, and you deserve every scrap of happiness you get. It can’t be too good to be true, because you deserve us, Sunshine.”

All the air left my lungs. Logan squeezed my hand, patiently waiting for me to gather my scattered thoughts.

My mind circled his statements, looking for the catch, the surprise, or for the other shoe to drop. He just kept looking at me, and staring into the intensity of his eyes was like trying to look into the sun.

And just like that, my mind started backtracking. He couldn’t be looking at me like he loved me. It was too soon. We were still getting to know each other. It’s not that I thought any of them would betray me, but I knew from experience that all good things came to an end.

Parents died suddenly, best friends betrayed you, lovers dumped you.

“Thank you.” My voice only wobbled a little bit. “I, uhh, apparently need to work on my expectations in life.”

“You have time.” Logan smiled again, looking perfectly content. “We’re gonna get to know each other better. Heaven knows we’re going to mess up. I keep thinking I need to say more things to you, so you don’t think I’m not interested.”

I shook my head. “Julian talks enough for both of you. It’s not that you’re quiet, I just need to adjust to the idea that we’re dating.”

“Take your time.” Logan brought my hand up to his mouth and kissed the back of it.

The rest of the day was perfect enough that I started to think maybe Logan was right.

Chapter 24

Sunshine

My stomach fluttered with nerves, and I pushed them away. It was Friday, time for my date with Luca. I’d gone to my cottage after work at Cosmic Bonds so I could get dressed up.

Luca said he’d arrive at my cottage at six o’clock and I had ten whole minutes to pace.

I adjusted my dress. Julian said Luca usually went somewhere fancy when it was his turn to pick, so I’d put on a pink sparkly dress that hit my knee with a sweetheart neckline. I’d searched through my underwear drawer for over an hour, sure I had a matching set of bra and panties, but the closest I came was a blue strapless bra and darker blue pair of panties.

At five after six, my pacing reached frantic levels. Then my phone chimed.

Julian:

Idiot is on his way now, always running late.

I laughed at that and replied.

Sunshine:

It’s fine.

Before long, the silver sports car pulled into my driveway, and my nerves ratcheted up as I met him at the door.

Luca stepped out with a wide smile, and a bouquet of flowers in his hand. He strode over and handed me a dozen purple roses. “Sorry I’m late. Punctuality isn’t one of my many good qualities.”

I took the roses with a laugh, inhaling their perfume. “Thank you. They’re stunning. Come in while I put them in water.”

When we got to the kitchen, I grabbed a vase from the top shelf. “Why purple?”.

Luca grinned, his brown eyes twinkling, and it made my knees weak. “I wanted you to have something unique. Special. Like you.”

I blushed. “Oh. Well. I accept the compliment. And thank you, again.”

Luca leaned his forearms on the countertop, watching me intently as I arranged the roses in the vase my grandma had given me.

“What?” I cocked my head.

“I’m a gift giver,” he said, still watching me like he was a lion and I was a zebra. “Just planning out what to do next time, and what would be too much, too soon.”

I waved my hand at the flowers. “These are thoughtful, and beautiful. I don’t need you to give me things, though.”

“I know.” Luca tugged at the cuffs of his light gray dress shirt. “But when I see things that make me think about you…” He finished with a shrug. “Hopefully I won’t get on your nerves.”

“Hardly.” I grabbed my purse. “Though, if you keep looking at me like that I don’t know if we’re going to make it to dinner.”

“Mmmm.” He prowled around the countertop and closed the distance between us. “Would that be such a bad thing?”

This close, I could smell his spicy-sweet scent. I looked up at him, appreciating how his curly black hair was tamed for tonight.

Then I ran my hands up his chest, remembering how good it felt to have him inside me. “It wouldn’t be.”

Luca kissed me, sliding his mouth over mine. He moved his hands over my waist, skating them up to barely brush his thumbs over the exposed skin above my breasts. He lifted them to cradle my face with both hands then kissed me like we’d been parted for years, not hours.

He pulled away, looking as dazed as I felt. “Later. I really want to show you the restaurant.”

I pouted. “Mean. Get me all worked up just to leave me wanting more.”

Luca winked and it went straight to my panties. “Always, kitten. Always.”

He ushered me out of the cottage, and we got into his car. It was a gorgeous evening, with the sun starting to set over the ocean. As he drove, we talked about everything and nothing.

It was so easy to talk to Luca, and once again I had that feeling that I almost couldn’t trust it. Everything with this pack was easy, and it was hard not to brace myself for an inevitable end.

When I realized the way my thoughts were going, I told myself that I wasn’t going to think like that. I would enjoy my time with this pack—who already had more of my heart than I was comfortable with—and instead of over-analyzing everything, I would just let the chips fall where they might.

I had no reason to sulk in doom and gloom feelings with Pack Kahele.

We drove downtown, the lights of the restaurant district already twinkling in the early evening. On the outskirts of Half Moon Bay, several new places dotted the strip.

On the corner of a little group of buildings was a brand new restaurant. A sign with the name Heartbeat sat over the glass and wood doors. It almost looked like a pub in Boston, minus the wrought iron fence to the sideway and the potted plants in the windows.

“I’ve heard good things, and Chef Kincaid had a meeting with Logan a few weeks ago to talk about local business.” Luca ushered me into the restaurant, one hand on the small of my back.

The gesture was more comforting than I knew how to process. It had felt wonderful having Luca by my side at the last event. How much more confident would I feel as I spent more time with the pack?

The interior was cozy, with warm twinkling lights recessed into the brown wooden walls. Round tables were covered with crisp white tablecloths, and squat candles in clear glass bowls at the center of each one created an inviting atmosphere. The maître d’ stepped up to us and nodded respectfully to Luca. “Mr. Kahele. Welcome back to Heartbeat.”

Luca nodded. “Nice to see you again, Wilson.”

“Your table is ready.” Wilson led us to the side of the restaurant where I discovered we had a window seat overlooking the ocean.

Luca stood behind me to carefully push my chair in for me, and I smiled to myself, secretly thrilled at the five-star treatment. I’d told Talia that I didn’t plan to be a high maintenance princess, but I loved how it felt to come to a beautiful place for dinner, and to be treated as someone special.

“You like?” Luca gestured around us. “I find it charming.”

I smoothed my hands over the silky-smooth texture of the tablecloth, resisting the insane urge to steal it for Julian’s nest. Maybe Logan could find out where Chef Kincaid ordered his tablecloths from. “It’s very cozy. Upscale without feeling off-putting. I’m not stressed out trying to remember which fork to use.”

“Exactly.”

The waiter came over and we ordered wine.

“So.” Luca sat back in his chair. “I realize we’ve all only just started dating, but I wanted to ask if there’s anything you need. Or want. I want you to be as happy as you make us.”

I grinned, despite feeling a little bit nervous at the intensity of his attention. “I love spending time with you three.”

Luca looked me over. “You’re sure? We’re sort of set in our ways, and I can imagine it would be easy to feel like it’s hitting a wall.”

“I’m absolutely sure.” I sipped my wine. It was a sweet white wine, nice on my palate without the bitter tang of a red. The waiter returned, and I ordered a seafood sampler plate. Luca got a porterhouse, and he went back to looking at me as if I held the universe’s secrets.

“Our schedules can be a challenge,” he said with a frown. “Julian’s shifts at work require us to be creative, and I want you included in that. Even if we’re used to working late on nights he’s away, you’re important to us.”

“Thank you.” I shifted in my seat. “But I promise, I’m happy.”

More than happy. Happier than I should be during the early days of dating.

“You seem a bit reserved.” Luca fiddled with a napkin, the only tell that he might be nervous. “I wasn’t sure if we could do anything to reassure you or…”

I shook my head. “I’m still getting used to the idea that we’re all…an item. I don’t mean to push you away. It just seems too good to be true.”

“You deserve every good thing,” Luca cocked his head. “You deserve to be pampered and spoiled.”

“You barely know me,” I said with a laugh to hide my tension.

“I’ve known you for years. Seen you be kind and considerate to Logan and Julian. You ask me about my cases, you help people around you. You feel things deeply.” Luca took my hand in his. “Now that we’re ready for more, I want to make sure I remove every obstacle, even single barrier, that might keep you from feeling safe and secure.”

“You’re acting like I’m an omega you’re trying to pursue,” I said, forcing my voice to sound lighthearted.

“Shouldn’t I?” He arched an eyebrow, the candlelight throwing golden light on his skin. He looked like a sexy dark god, and it took my breath away. “You’re beautiful, smart, funny, and running your family business with knowledge beyond your years. Why wouldn’t I fall head over heels for a woman like you?”

I wasn’t sure how to reply without sounding like an insecure mess. Apparently, knowing I was awesome, and expecting other people to treat me like I was awesome were two separate skills I’d have to work on.

“Thank you.” I swallowed hard. “I just haven’t…” I thought about all the times I’d tried, and failed, to make Rob and Isaac happy. All the rearranged dated, all the schedule changes, the snide comments about my work.

Luca cocked his head again. “They were idiots. They wanted someone they could control, that they could keep down so they would feel better about themselves. Logan and Julian are already calmer. I know you think betas are secondary in a pack, but they’re vital for our wellbeing.”

I glanced down, shifting in my seat. I had expected flirting and dining, not this…single minded focus on me.

“I’m coming on too strong,” Luca said softly. “I’m sorry. I wanted to be very clear about my feelings since we jumped into our physical relationship so quickly.”

I shook my head. “I’m glad you’re being direct and honest. I feel like I don’t know you as well as I should, so it’s helping.”

“I would love to remedy that,” Luca’s voice dropped to a purr. “Logan got the excuse to work with you, and Julian effortlessly made friends with you, so it was easier for them to be a part of your life.”

“That’s true.” I tried not to fiddle with the silky tablecloth. “It was easier to think we were just friends.”

“I, however, knew if I was allowed to court you in the least, I would give everything away.”

“Everything?”

Luca gestured around us, still talking to me like no one else existed. “You are a singular woman. If it’s in my power to give you something, you’ll have it. Logan and Julian joked about my courting them like being pulled into my orbit, and they’re not wrong. I feel things deeply or not at all.”

I could relate to that. I was already feeling things deeply and we had just started dating.

Maybe it would be okay. Luca wasn’t acting like we were all casually dating. Neither were Logan or Julian.

“Oh my goodness. Sunshine?”

Someone squealed nearby and the moment shattered. I looked around and there was Talia with two stunning men in tow.

Her blonde hair was pulled into a messy bun and she wore a little red dress that showed off her long legs. The two men looked perfect, almost too perfect, like they were cold and lifeless models there to grace us with their presence.

I knew better than to compare myself to my friend, but part of me still wished I could pull off effortless glamour the way Talia did.

“Talia, hi,” I said, trying to sound excited to see her. “I didn’t know you would be here too.”

Talia dragged the dark-haired man over with her, the blond following them.

“Sunshine, these are my boyfriends, Stephen, and Jones.” The man with dark-brown hair was Stephen, and Jones was the blond. Both were alphas, and both barely registered interest in me and Luca.

“Nice to meet you,” I said. “This is my boyfriend, Luca.” I almost stumbled on the word “boyfriend”.

“Luca Kahele,” Talia said with a wink. “Sunshine is still a Sullivan, but she’s working on that right now, isn’t she?”

I blushed. Damn it. I’d told her so many times that I wanted to be more subtle.

“We should double date,” Talia said, pulling a chair out.

“Whatever you’d like,” Stephen said with a shrug. His brown hair was effortlessly tousled, and even though both men only wore nice pants and a button up shirt, they still exuded wealth.

I looked at Luca, wishing in vain I could develop telepathy in the next five seconds and tell him how disappointed I was about our first date being ruined. Instead, I gave up my chair, choosing to sit next to him rather than be parted.

Luca put on his charming face, the one he wore to events that made him look handsome and aloof. “Nice to meet you.” He put his arm around my waist, and I suppressed a happy sigh.

Talia sat across from me, looking so happy a bit of my annoyance left. She sat between Stephen and Jones, waving down the waiter. “Stephen is a stockbroker, and he heard about this exciting new restaurant.”

The waiter came over, looking at the increase in our party without batting an eye. He took their drink orders and then cleared his throat. “Mr. Kahele, your food is set to come out first.”

“That’s alright.” Luca gestured at Talia and her dates. “Can we get an appetizer while they wait for their food?”

“Of course. We have excellent seafood cocktails.”

Talia and her men ordered, and the waiter left.

“How’s work?” Talia wrapped her arm around Stephen, who still had the same vaguely too cool for school look on his face.

“Excellent. We’re finishing up events this week,” I beamed, trying to inject cheer into the atmosphere. It wouldn’t have been so weird, but the two alphas looked bored, and Talia couldn’t decide if she wanted to put her arms around both of them or just one.

“The bakery is taking off. Jones is a real estate agent and brought my cupcakes to the office. The agents loved them and are now serving them during their open houses.”

“Great,” I said. Before I could ask about flavors, Talia talked about Stephen bringing her cookies to work and how the brokerage was talking about a partnership.

“Maybe I could give you baked goods as well,” Talia said to Luca with a wink. “I’m sure the lawyers would love delicious food to brighten their day.”

“That’s very kind of you.” Luca smiled. “But Logan’s been experimenting with new recipes and we’re full right now.”

“Of course.” Talia’s face fell. “How is Julian, by the way? Wasn’t there a huge house fire a couple of days ago?”

“He’s fine,” Luca said. “It wasn’t his company that answered that call, but all of the first responders are okay.”

“Julian is your omega?” Jones flicked his floppy blond hair out of his face. I itched to give him a haircut. Luca’s curly hair didn’t look so…styled all the time. “You let him be a firefighter?”

The small muscles in Luca’s jaw clenched. I grabbed his hand under the table and squeezed.

“It is the twenty-first century,” I said brightly. “Omegas are allowed to hold whatever job they want.”

Jones looked at me like the family dog decided to start talking. “You’re a beta. It’s not your place to make decisions about the pack omega.”

Luca shot him an icy look. “Sunshine’s place is wherever she wants it to be. And yes, Julian is an adult and allowed to do whatever makes him happy.”

“Okay, okay.” Talia held up her hands with a laugh. “We were just worried about Julian, that’s all.”

Our food came, along with some appetizers. It was delicious but hard to enjoy with Talia sighing about their entrées not arriving yet.

Talia talked about their plans to go on vacation to Europe and a beach house they were hoping to purchase. She directed most of her comments at me, in between rubbing Stephen’s or Jones’ arm suggestively.

Luca took it all in stride, letting my friend take the reins of the conversation. I asked Talia about her bakery, because it was a safe topic and something she would talk about at length, but she just rolled her eyes.

“It’s doing well now that Stephen and Jones are supporting me.” Talia took a sip of wine. “I know you have your family business, and you’re hooked up with Logan’s catering company, but you’d think your best friend would get some consideration too.”

I swallowed hard. Talia was in one of those moods. Occasionally her happy moods shifted to something harsher. She’d told me during an argument that sometimes she felt like she was giving all of herself to other people without anything in return.

Becca and I had learned to read these moods and fend them off as best we could. Mostly by reminding her of all the great times we had, all the ways we had supported her.

Talia usually apologized afterward. And it wasn’t like I minded helping my friend through her own insecurities, since heaven knew I had my own.

But of all the awkward places for Talia to throw herself a pity party, this was the worst.

“You do. I asked you three years ago⁠—”

“That’s not what I mean.” Talia shook her head. “It’s not important. I just saw you with your new alpha and thought a double date would be fun.”

“It is,” I said, lying through my teeth. “We should do this with Logan and Julian too.”

Mostly because I wanted poor Luca to have back up. Luca picked up my hand and kissed the back of it. “What a lovely idea. Logan could do a private party at Talk of the Town.”

“Oh, Chef Kahele is Logan?” Stephen perked up. “The restaurant is getting excellent reviews.”

“He’s worked really hard to get there,” Luca said, nodding. “We’re proud of him.”

“You could bring Pack Beneventi,” Jones said, nodding at Talia. “Rob is looking for more investors, and Chef Kahele could use the exposure.”

Talia’s eyes widened, and my stomach sank. For the love of muffins, please don’t make me be the one to dish out the dirty laundry.

Talia looked at me, almost hopeful. “We might be able to⁠—”

“Thank you for your thoughts, but Chef Kahele has his hands full with the Michelin star people, as well as Cosmic Bonds, and some other projects.” Luca winked. “Very hush-hush, but there’s talk of people coming up from L.A, and filming.”

Stephan and Jones looked impressed.

“I’m sure we could do a date?” Luca looked at the two men. “But I’d prefer to keep it smaller.”

The tone of his voice made it sound like he was doing them a favor. Even Stephen stopped looking bored and nodded. “Of course, of course. Sometimes a more intimate setting is preferable.”

I wanted to give Luca a standing ovation. I wasn’t good with words, but Luca managed to make them thank him for not including other people.

The rest of dinner went smoothly enough, although Talia and Jones kept touching each other under the table and that was just awkward. I barely tasted the dessert course, and by the time we left with promises to get together at Talk of the Town, I was numb.

As soon as Luca settled into the driver’s seat, I sighed. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Luca looked surprised.

“Talia crashed our date. She’d suggested a double date before but I thought I’d have time to plan it out.”

Luca slid the key into the ignition, but instead of turning on the car, he turned to look at me. “You have nothing to be sorry about.”

“I should have told her no. Tonight was our time to get to know each other better. Instead, she made it weird.”

I looked out into the night, counting the stars. I should have stood up for what I wanted and told her that we couldn’t do it tonight. It would’ve hurt her feelings, but now I was worried that Luca would think he wasn’t as important to me.

Luca brushed his hand over mine. “Sunshine. Sweetheart. It’s fine. I’m not upset.”

“I am,” I said, unable to keep the snap out of my voice. “We’re finally on a romantic candlelit dinner, and then Talia shows up. I should have told her not tonight, but I know she would’ve been upset, and I’m so tired of fighting with her.”

Luca made a noise in his throat, taking my hand into both of his. “It’s hard when you’re not on the same page as a friend anymore.”

“It’s so hard,” I said, my frustration leeching through into my voice. I turned to look at him. “But I’m sure you’re tired of my stupid friend drama. I know I am.”

“But I do want to hear about it.” Luca brought my hand up to his mouth and kissed the back of it. “I want to hear about everything, Sunshine. The good and the bad.”

“She’s not perfect,” I said. “Talia does things that annoy and bother me, but so does everyone else.”

“Hmph.” Luca’s hand stayed holding mine and the gesture was so comforting I could have stayed like that forever. “Do you want me to talk or just listen?”

It was a great question. I closed my other hand over his. “Talk, please. Whatever advice or ideas you can give me. I have a sinking suspicion she’s going to be more easily upset as I get closer with all of you.”

“I think she will.” Luca sighed. “Her wanting to double date tonight was her wanting you to see she has a pack too. But I don’t know that they’re very committed, so that’s not actually going to make her happier. The result is that she lashes out at you, tries to make you feel smaller, like the comments about how you didn’t choose her business.”

“She gets that way sometimes.”

“Sure. I’m terrible at task management, but I’m also an adult who has to manage my own flaws. I don’t lash out at Logan for not reminding me to set the meeting times.”

I ran my fingers over the back of his hand as I considered his words. He was right. I was terrible at managing my own tasks, but I didn’t make that Talia’s fault.

“I’m not saying there’s an easy solution, love.” He brought my hand to his mouth again, dropping another kiss on it before letting it go to start the car. After we had turned out of the restaurant car park, he looked at me again. “Just trying to help you see this isn’t all on you. Some of this is on your friend, who should be trying to work past her own issues.”

“You’re right.” I frowned. “Where are we going?”

“A surprise.” Luca grinned, his eyes twinkling. “I decided I’m going to steal you for a little while longer.”

“Oooh, steal me?” Heat zipped through me. “Like a barbarian in a cave?”

“Just like.” He purred. “Don’t let my suave good looks fool you, kitten. I’m an alpha and I take what’s mine.”

My whole body shivered. “And I’m yours?”

“Yes.” His voice was firm. “You’re mine. That lousy last pack of yours was stupid enough to make you feel lesser, like you weren’t something to be treasured. I won’t be making the same mistake.”

“I like the sound of that.” I shifted so I could sit closer. “Thank you, for putting up with my silly friend stuff.”

“Whatever else is an alpha for?” Luca picked up my hand and kissed it again.

“I mean, you have done a good job of showing me other ways you can be useful,” I said, my breath catching.

“Patience, kitten. Patience.”

We drove down the highway, the stars glittering above us, and I let the tension go. Excited for whatever else Luca had planned.

Chapter 25

Sunshine

The road gently curved around the rolling hills. It was getting dark now, and the water had turned a beautiful slate color.

“Am I allowed to know where we’re going?” I leaned closer to the glass, catching sight of small white breaks in the waves. I loved driving along the highway at night. It felt magical, like anything could happen.

“Nope.” Luca relaxed behind the wheel.

I smiled. For once, I wasn’t worried about what we were going to do or where we were going. This was Luca. We would have fun, and he didn’t seem to expect me to be more than who I was.

It was refreshing.

We drew closer to San Francisco, the city lighting up like a jewel. “I love the city at night.”

“It’s the perfect city. Old world charm meets new technology.”

I hummed my agreement, my attention captured by the cityscape as Luca drove through the streets. He finally stopped at a swanky hotel.

An honest to goodness valet stepped up, as Luca got out of the car.

I tried, but failed, not to drop my jaw at the sight of the clean shaved beta man dressed in a red uniform. Luca handed him the keys, and opened my door before I could recover.

“After you, my dear.”

I blinked, came back to reality, and got out of the car. The valet slid into the seat and drove the sportscar away as Luca led me toward the entrance. The hotel was from another era, with glass doors, and a brick façade.

We walked, and the interior spoke of quiet elegance. I felt like a modern-day princess, whisked away to a fantasy world.

“Will you take my arm?” Luca crooked his elbow toward me, and I almost swooned.

“Of course.”

“There’s an excellent jazz band playing in the lounge tonight.” He gestured ahead of us to an intimate area to the side of the main entrance.

Suddenly I wanted nothing more than to sit and sip some wine and listen to music with this sexy, self-assured alpha next to me.

“I hope you’re still up for more?” Luca led me to a booth near the back of the lounge.

“With you?” I sat down. “Always.”

He slid in next to me, purring in response. My core pulsed at the sound, and heat fluttered through me.

The lounge was made up of plush green booths, all facing toward a small stage where a band played smooth jazz.

For an hour we listened to the band and talked about all sorts of music. Luca kept me close, one arm around my waist, the other hand playing with the hem of my dress. Over the course of the hour, his hand slowly skated up the inside of my thigh.

I ignored it at first, because his fingertips were just feathering over the sensitive skin on the inside of my knee. But he shifted his hand up higher as time went on, and I let my legs fall open a little more in response.

The club was dark, and the booth was secluded but, still, the thought of being in public was heating my core.

His fingers continued making small circles up the inside of my thigh. I had to hold my breath so I wouldn’t moan, until I thought I might faint. Liquid need pooled inside me until his fingers reached damp gusset of my panties.

I pressed my face into the cinnamon vanilla scent of him, wondering how long this would go on.

“Shall we get a room?” he murmured in my ear.

“Yes, please,” I said quickly.

“So polite.” Luca nuzzled my neck before nipping. He slid out of the booth and pulled a keycard out of his pocket.

“You planned on…” I stared at the room key.

“I was hoping.” He wrapped an arm around my waist. “I thought you might enjoy a chance to get away for a night.”

We made our way to the elevators, my heart beating in my chest. An aching need was building inside me, until I was desperate to feel him pushing inside me.

When the elevator doors closed, I threw myself at him. I caught his surprised expression before I covered my mouth with his. I couldn’t get enough of how he tasted of cinnamon and vanilla.

As I licked my tongue inside Luca’s mouth, he widened his stance then gripped my legs, kneading the overheated skin. I plastered myself against him, fitting my pelvis between his legs with a groan.

It was bad enough that he was suave and sexy, as well as considerate of my feelings. He took my friend crashing our date with grace and concern. That would have already panting. But the relentless attention to detail was proving to be my undoing.

The elevator dinged, and Luca stepped out of the small space, pulling me behind him. “This is our floor.”

I let out a laugh as he picked me up. He wrapped my legs around his waist and I was free to nuzzle the soft skin of his neck as he walked us down the hallway.

He pressed me against the door while he fumbled with the keycard to open it. I sucked in another lungful of his scent, and my heart started hammering against my chest.

When the door clicked, we both almost fell into the room. I laughed, holding on to his shoulders.

He grinned and kicked the door shut behind him. I glanced behind me to see where the bed was, and then I gasped.

Dozens of rose petals were strewn over the white comforter. Brightly wrapped presents were grouped together on the edge of the bed, and in a crystal vase on the nightstand were another dozen roses with a shiny gold box of what looked like chocolate.

I looked around the huge room in stunned amazement. One wall was made up entirely of floor to ceiling windows. It was dark outside, and we were high enough up I could see the lights of the buildings making a beautiful skyline.

“Oh my god.” I froze. “What did…how did…”

“I popped down here earlier.” Luca gave me a quick peck on the cheek. “I wanted everything perfect for you.”

“It’s beautiful.” I unhooked my legs from his waist and stood up, staring at the elaborate set up.

“There’s room service if you’re still hungry.” He led me over to the massive bed. “And I bought a few gifts for my beautiful beta.”

I blinked, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. “You did all this for me? It’s not an anniversary I forgot about?”

“No, kitten.” He laughed. “You’ve been working really hard, and I thought you needed a little getaway. We’ll go somewhere with the rest of the pack when you have more time off.”

“Thank you.” I threw my arms around him and squeezed. It was more than Rob and Isaac had done for me when we were dating, even on anniversaries. I’d been lucky to get grocery store flowers and a card.

“Of course.” He held me against him like I was precious. “Do you want to open the presents, or should I ravish you first?”

Despite the warm syrupy heat curled through me at the thought of being ravished, I wanted to see what was in those foil boxes first.

“Presents first.” I grinned.

“I was hoping you’d say that.” He tugged me onto the bed, and I sat on the edge. “So… I tried to find the right balance between practical and fun.”

“You could wrap up a stapler and give it to me, and I’d be happy.”

It was true, too. I didn’t want to be a greedy person, but I loved getting presents. It didn’t matter whether it was expensive or not, I loved seeing another person’s ideas of what I would like. It really was the thought that counted.

Luca took one of the boxes and set it to the side. “That one has to be last, but the other ones you can open in any order.”

I picked up a medium-sized box and ran my fingers over the gold wrapping paper, before popping it open and sliding out a slim white box.

It was a new laptop. An expensive, top of the line laptop.

I squeaked. I’d been thinking that maybe he’d got me a new phone cover or perhaps a book. Not this.

“I noticed your laptop is slower, and you’ve complained about the updates,” Luca said quickly. “If it’s not the right model, we can get a different one, but when I talked to the computer person they suggested this for all the software you have to run for your event planning and also gaming.”

“It’s amazing.” I pulled him into a hug. “You didn’t have to get me a whole new laptop. I would have been happy with a notebook.”

“I know it’s not the most romantic gift.” Luca squeezed me back. “But this will make your work so much easier.”

“Romantic?” I laughed. “Nothing is more romantic than you seeing I needed help with something and wanting to fix it.”

Luca grinned, his eyes lighting up. “I see you and I are going to be on the same page then. Logan and Julian are fine with practical gifts, but it hasn’t always gone over well.”

“Well, they were wrong.” I reached for another present. “It takes more care and concern to know what someone needs rather than just grabbing some flowers and chocolates.”

I looked over my shoulder at the flowers and chocolate on the table. “Not that I don’t love that too.”

“I knew what you meant,” Luca chuckled.

I opened the next present to find a box of planner supplies. The paper was high quality, and he’d bought me new highlighters and stickers to decorate, as well as some felt tipped pens.

“Ooooo,” I squealed. “This is gorgeous. I suck at using my planner though.”

“I know.” Luca leaned over, tucking some hair behind my ear. “Think of this as creativity and getting your thoughts down. It’s fine if you miss some days, just have fun with it.”

“I love that idea.” I set aside the planner supplies and picked up the next box.

Inside was a necklace. A heart shaped pendant shaped from a blue stone strung with a chain of smaller diamonds. It was simple, elegant, and breathtaking. I touched the heart shaped pendant gingerly. “It’s stunning.”

“Couldn’t resist.” Luca looked mischievous. “I saw it and thought of you.”

“Thank you.” I touched the cold jewels. “It’s perfect for events, or dates.”

Luca beamed, looking so pleased with himself. Part of me worried that I had somehow guilted him into this, but when I saw he was so clearly happy, the worry evaporated.

I shifted closer to him. “Will you put it on me?”

“I would love to,” he purred. Heat shivered through me in response.

I shifted so my back was to the alpha, and he gently brushed some hair off the nape of my neck.

Quivers cascaded over my skin. He pressed a soft kiss to my shoulder, before pulling the necklace around my neck. The pendant sat in the hollow of my throat, and the weight was comforting.

“One more to go.” Luca kissed my shoulder again.

I shivered, anticipating pooling in my stomach.

One more present and then he said he would ravish me. I pressed my knees together, a pulse between my legs making me feel achy.

I twisted so I could face him as he handed me the last present.

“This present is a little more for me, and the rest of the pack, but hopefully you will enjoy it too.” His heated gazed drifted over my body.

“Really?”

I opened the box to find the most delicate pink lingerie made from the softest lace I’d ever touched. There was a bra made up of completely see-through lace with a big pink bow in the middle, and panties that were more of a suggestion of cloth than something that would cover me. There was another big pink bow at the top of the panties.

“The bow is because you’re a present.” Luca eyed me, his gaze traveling over my body like he’d never touched me before.

“Mmmm.” I picked up the bra. “I think I should change, don’t you?”

“I was hoping you’d offer.”

I slipped off the bed and into the bathroom. It was just as luxurious as the rest of the room, with an enormous tub, and soft plush towels I was tempted to steal.

I slipped out of my dress and pulled the bra on.

“Let me know if you need help,” Luca called.

I laughed as I slid the matching panties on, catching sight of myself in the mirror.

Heat flooded my cheeks. It seemed more intimate than just being naked, the pink lace covering my skin but showing my light pink nipples. The panties were no better, with the dark blonde hair that covered my sex showing through the delicate lace.

My body was on display, and I couldn’t help but notice the little bit of soft pudge around my stomach. I’d meant to start doing Pilates or something but never got around to it. My thighs were on the thicker side, and my hips curved out more than my breasts, giving me a pear shape.

The bra fit me well, but I couldn’t help think it would be a lot sexier if my breasts were bigger.

“Sunshine…?” Luca called, sounding a little uncertain. That snapped me out of it.

“Coming.” I called, folding my dress onto the counter.

Forcing my nerves down, I stepped out of the bathroom and took a couple of slow steps forward, but that was as far as I got.

Luca had taken off his suit jacket and tie, and his shirt was open enough for me to see a scattering of chest hair. The moment he saw me, he leapt to his feet and strode toward me, purring loudly.

The sound went straight to my core, and I shivered.

He growled, prowling around me like a panther stalking his prey.

“You like?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Luca growled again, crowding me. He put his hand on my shoulders and walked me back against the wall.

“Trying to decide what to do to you first.” His voice was rough. He bent his head and nipped my neck.

“Do to me?”

He pressed his body into mine, his hips grinding into me. I moaned and his hands caressed my hips, playing with the tiny strings at the sides of the panties.

He worked his lips down my neck, teasing his tongue along the swell of my breast before pulling my lace-covered nipple into his mouth. I gasped, digging my hands into his shoulders. The wet heat of his mouth rasping the fabric against me sent an electric current pulsing from my breast to between my legs.

I whimpered, hooking a leg onto his waist and rocking my core against him. He banished every insecure thought from my mind as his hands roamed over my body, his feverish sucking driving everything but need from me.

Luca drew away, only to kiss over to my other breast, licking around the tight bud, teasing with the tip of his tongue, before lifting his head to look deep into my eyes.

“I want to devour you,” he growled, smoothing his hands down my hips again, then digging in with his fingertips to pull me closer still. He pulled my nipple back into his mouth, sucking fiercely.

I cried out, my hips bucking up as he sucked and licked. Heated frenzy stole my every thought but for Luca’s mouth on me, working my body like an expert, unlocking secret responses I didn’t even know I could have.

He groaned, pulling off my nipple with a wet pop. He dropped to his knees to lick down my stomach, moving his hands down to my thighs, and spreading them open.

He buried his face between my legs, hunting for my core and my knees buckled at the sudden onslaught. I held onto his shoulders for dear life as he forced the wet crotch of my panties aside with his tongue. He licked and then thrust into my core, making my inner walls clenched hard. I was close, so close, as he was devouring me like the finest meal. I panted, holding onto him for dear life.

Finally, he dragged his tongue up, circling round and round my clit before moving back to thrust his tongue inside me as if in imitation of what he planned to do with his cock.

“Oh Luca,” I moaned. “Please.”

He twisted his tongue deeper inside me and I yelled again, bucking my hips against him.

He groaned into me, moving his fingers across from my hip to work my clit over until the orgasm crashed over me. He didn’t stop, didn’t slow down the pressure on my clit, milking the flutter and pulse of my orgasm until it finally stopped.

My knees gave out and I collapsed against the wall with a laugh.

Luca stood up, holding me upright. “I have more to do to you, kitten.”

His voice was pure gravel, and the pupils of his eyes were blown black. He looked at me like he was a starving man in the desert, and another thrill of desire heated my blood.

He picked me up like I weighed nothing and carried me over to the floor to ceiling windows. “I want to claim you against the window for everyone to see.”

“Oh my god,” I groaned, my voice hoarse. The alpha set me down then turned me to face the glass.

He pressed his hips against mine, grinding his hard cock into my ass, and his hand snaked up to tweak a nipple and then lightly collar my throat as he adjusted my body to his liking.

“Do you want me to fuck you against this window? Show the entire world you’re mine? Claim you?”

“Oh, god. Yes.” I was going to die right there. I was sure of it. I would combust from the heat generated by just his words. Just the thought of what he suggested made my core clench around nothing, and I was soaking wet again.

Luca grunted, driving his hips against me again.

I cried out. “Luca, yes, please. Make me yours, alpha.”

“Spread your pretty legs, beta.” He growled, one hand on his zipper, the other still resting lightly on my throat.

I shifted, widening my stance. Luca canted my hips, so I was leaning forward slightly, my face pressed against the cold glass. Outside it was dark and the twinkling lights of the city greeted me. We were twenty floors up, but the idea of being watched made this naughtier and more delicious.

Luca pressed his cock against my entrance, rubbing himself against my wetness. “Good girl… so wet.”

I moaned again, pressing my hips back against him. “Please, alpha.” In that moment, I needed him inside me more than I needed air to breathe.

“Do you want me to fuck you, beta? Fuck you for everyone to see?” He dragged his cock along my wetness, brushing the tip against my clit.

“Yes,” I gasped, louder than I meant to. I tensed for a minute, worried I’d made too much noise.

Luca moved his hand to my waist and gripped me tight as he snapped his hips against me. “I told you, your pleasure is mine. Every sigh, gasp, whimper. They’re all mine.”

“Yes, alpha,” I groaned.

And then he pushed inside me, the angle making his already-thick cock a tighter stretch. I cried out, slapping my hands against the window for purchase. It was too much and not enough, as though I was dying and being reborn.

He thrust inside me at a punishing pace, fucking me with such primal intensity that my brain fizzed out. There was nothing but the drive of his cock inside me, over and over. And I could do nothing more than respond, bucking my hips back against him.

Luca shifted the hand that was around my throat to my shoulder. His fingers dug into my skin as he held me still and commenced fucking me even harder and faster. All I could do was submit to the onslaught of pleasure. I dropped my head forward, dazedly aware of cars moving on the streets far below.

“You’re mine,” he growled, as he pulled my body upright and bit my neck. “My beta. Mine.”

I screamed. The rhythm unraveled me, made me a creature of pleasure and need. I cried out again, shouting, gasping, begging.

And then the orgasm hit me like a truck. My body seized up. Blackness hit my vision, and it felt like I was outside of myself. Ecstasy, like liquid gold, rolled through me as if I was just a conduit.

Luca grunted, driving his cock into me as hard as he could, and his knot caught at my entrance.

“Knot me.” I begged. “Please, alpha.”

He pushed his cock harder, slowing his pace to a grind, stretching me until the pleasure was switched out for pain. I gasped, trying to shift my hips away, but I was already pressed right up against the glass.

Luca reached around to circle my clit and the burning pain stopped. When I moaned in response to his touch, he pulled almost all the way out of me, only to thrust back inside me, in a driving rhythm that wrenched another orgasm out of me.

As he came, Luca bit me hard on the shoulder and his fingers dug into me, just on this side of pain.

I kept my cheek against the cold glass, cooling my fevered skin as I tried to remember how to breathe. Once he’d caught his breath, Luca lifted me in his arms and carried me back to the bed. He carefully set me down before climbing on beside me and pulling me close.

“Okay?” He huffed out a breath, both of us still panting like we’d run a marathon.

I grinned at him. “Amazing.”

It was true. He’d called me beta in the same tone I’d heard him say omega. He’d claimed me against the window, out of his mind with the need to make me his.

“I wasn’t too hard?” A look of concern crossed his face. “I tried to stay in control, but…seeing you in that outfit made me lose my mind.”

“I loved what we just did.” I looked into Luca’s warm brown eyes so he could see I meant it. “It made me…so hot but also feel so loved. Cherished.”

What I didn’t say out loud was that the way he’d claimed me made me feel like I was an omega. A woman that alphas craved, would do insane things just to be inside them.

Luca gave me a slow smile, and his purr started up again. The sound was pure heaven, helping me calm down and breathe more steadily. “Good. Because I loved ravishing you against the window, making you scream my name.”

I rubbed my cheek against his chest, contentment making my whole body feel light.

Warmth curled inside me. I made him insane.

I made all three of them insane. Julian begging me to come into the nest. Logan following me around and offering me food all the time.

Hope blossomed inside me. Maybe this wasn’t going to end with my heart on the floor.

Chapter 26

Julian

Istood outside the fire station, craning my neck around the parking lot, wondering if I’d missed seeing Sunshine’s little blue sedan coming along the highway.

Logan had asked her to bring me over some leftovers from Taste of the Town, since she was free, and he was swamped.

It had been three weeks since she had started dating my pack and I’d never been happier.

Instincts clawed at my skin, the urge to take my entire pack up to my nest and disappear from the world. I let out a slow breath. I wasn’t going into heat for another three weeks. It was too early to start feeling agoraphobic and needy.

I swallowed a whine, nerves jumping under my skin. I needed to formally ask Sunshine if she was okay coming to my heat. It would be rude to assume she was okay with it and then put her on the spot if she wasn’t.

But I didn’t know how I would get through it without her. Rather than dwell on the worst-case scenario, I told myself that it was a problem for the future.

Sunshine’s car appeared, and I waved like an idiot.

Directing my arms like an air traffic controller, I showed her to the parking lot beside the living area so she wouldn’t accidentally block the garage in front of the fire trucks.

By the time she opened her door, I was at her side, pulling her into a hug.

She laughed, hugging me back. Clean air and linen hit me like a battering ram, and I inhaled her for long seconds.

“Nice to see you too. It’s been…five whole hours since we’ve seen each other.”

I pulled away, and Sunshine beamed. Her honey blonde hair was pulled into a bun, and she wore loose fitting slacks and a blouse. She’d had a lot of meetings this morning, so was all dressed up.

“You got time?” I asked even though she was off the rest of the day. “I could show you around.”

Her eyes lit up. “Yes please.”

I didn’t miss the heat in her gaze as she looked at me, her eyes bouncing around my face to my arms to my legs and back up again. I always had amazing sex with Sunshine and our alphas in the morning, but sometimes Sunshine would pull me back into bed after I’d gotten dressed.

She’d never said so, but I had the feeling she thought me being a firefighter was hot.

I grinned. Maybe it would be easier to convince her to be part of my heat than I thought.

I helped my beta carry the stacks of tin foil trays into the fire house. Usually, when Logan said he had leftovers it meant someone had canceled on a catering job, or he was experimenting in the kitchen.

He’d been working on Mrs. Cullen’s menu recently, which meant the rest of us got the benefits of leftover food.

As we walked inside, Sunshine moved closer to me, looking around with interest.

“Hey, Sunshine!” Chloe waved as we passed the living room area. “And you’re here with food!”

“Logan made it.” She lifted the trays slightly. “I’m just the delivery girl.”

Chloe got off the couch and helped us carry the trays into the kitchen.

Once she put her load down, Sunshine kept looking around with thinly disguised curiosity.

“You like?” I put my arm around her waist. “This is our new station. The old one was falling apart.”

“Literally.” Chloe snorted. “And we could only fit a ladder truck and an engine. Now we can hold up to six apparatus.”

I laughed at the blank look on Sunshine’s face. “Six different types of fire trucks. You know, some have ladders, some carry water.”

“Oh! That makes sense.”

Chloe started pulling out plates, then gestured at the living room. “Why don’t you give your beta the tour? Everyone else is either catching some Zs, in the exercise room, or at that CPR cert course.”

“Great.” I waved a hand around the kitchen. It was sleek and state of the art, with a kitchen island, linoleum floors, and a long table at the other end. There was an enormous stainless steel fridge with double doors, and lots of cabinets.

“This is the kitchen, obviously. We have a duty roster for cooking, and everyone takes turns.”

Chloe laughed. “And by ‘turns’, he means that when his name comes up on the roster, Logan cooks enough food for an army.”

“Hey, I can make grilled cheese or loco moco.” I pretended to be offended as I walked Sunshine away into the lounge. It was true though, everyone loved when I brought food.

“This is where I kick your butt in Race to Win.” I gestured at the living room.

Sunshine tucked some loose tendrils of hair behind her ear. “That reminds me, you need to water my flowers on my island. To make up for that stunning defeat.”

The space was made up of a huge sectional couch in the shape of an L and with more couches to the side. A big TV stretched across one wall, and there were several gaming systems set up. The couches were covered in a cozy blue flannel fabric, and the same hardwood linoleum continued out from the kitchen.

The whole effect was surprisingly homey, even with all the ventilation that was included both to make sure the harmful smoke never made its way from the apparatus bay and laundry room, and also to make sure no one got too squirrely from other people’s scents. One of the many duties we had when we weren’t on a call was making sure everything stayed clean.

“This looks like a college dorm,” Sunshine said, tucking the same stray hair. She seemed a bit nervous, and I wondered if it was the unfamiliar environment or if there was something else on her mind.

“You’re right. And you’ll think it even more true when you check out the bedrooms.” I led her further down the hallway, to the bedrooms. Most of the doors were closed, which I explained meant that crew members were catching some sleep. I showed her into one with an open door. It was set up in a classic dorm style with two beds one on either side of a light wooden dresser, using the same blue flannel pattern.

“Just like sleep away camp,” Sunshine laughed. “This is so cozy.”

“Very much,” I said, even if it was only half true. I didn’t mind sleeping at the fire station, but it wasn’t the same as in my own bed, with my alphas and beta.

Sunshine insisted she was interested in every part of the station, so I showed her the personal laundry room, and then back outside to the small building we housed our equipment, heavy turnout gear, and the laundry room attached for use after attending a fire.

There had been multiple studies about the long-term effects of breathing in the residue smoke on our protective equipment, so when the fire department decided they had to build a new station, they’d made it as state of the art as they could.

“And last, but not least…” I walked to the back of the living quarters. I almost didn’t want to go in, because Chloe had said the rest of the crew were in there, and they’d want to stop and talk to Sunshine. They were like a second family, but I wanted to be selfish and spend all my time with Sunshine while she was here.

I opened the door and walked inside. Chuck and Bill were lifting weights and Roger was on the exercise bike.

“Food’s here,” I announced.

Bill nodded. “Thanks, man.”

Chuck gave me the stink eye. “I see you brought your beta.”

“I did.”

Bill rolled his eyes at Chuck. “And what was the name of the firebunny you had here last week, when you were trying to score brownie points with her?”

Chuck huffed, and I left the gym before we could get pulled into a pointless conversation.

“What’s a ‘firebunny’?” Sunshine asked as we walked back inside.

At her question, heat zipped through me at the thought of having my beta here. I could show her what a firebunny was, just by letting her strip me out of my uniform. I could make my bed smell like her, so tonight I’d sleep with her scent all over me.

I shot that down as a bad idea. There was no guaranteeing I wouldn’t get a call between now and sleeping time, and it was rude to scent mark beds.

I could still steal some of her scent. I pressed her against the wall. “Someone who finds this whole firefighting thing sexy. A turn on.”

“Oh.” She sighed against me, her whole body melting into mine. I wasn’t trying to start anything serious, but she was making it tempting. Other people had had sex in the beds, careful to clear the space out of scent after they were done, but I’d never been tempted. I had to be extra careful with my omega pheromones and I’d never be able to risk that.

I nuzzled into her neck and she whimpered. “Does that sound familiar at all?”

“You know it does,” she breathed. “You’re so sexy in your uniform.”

My skin prickled, feeling too tight, while my instincts were screaming to drag her back to my bed. If I did, I could be inside her in minutes, coating myself with her scent.

I dragged my mouth over hers, kissing her hard like I could seal our bodies together. She tasted sweet, like honey and citrus, and the freshness of her scent rose up to mingle with mine, the aroma reminiscent of a day at the beach.

I ran my hands down her sides, and I could feel her hips flex against me as I ground my pelvis into her. I wanted her. More than that, I craved her. Every fiber, every cell called out for her.

It had only been three weeks since we’d started dating, but I wanted this beta to be mine. Mine mine mine, the voice in my head chanted. I wanted my alphas to bite her, right now.

The outside door opened, and I jumped. I gave Sunshine a sheepish look. Her eyes were glazed over and her lips were swollen.

“Jeez, Kahele, your perfume is all over the place.” Chuck snapped. “We just cleaned this morning.”

“It’s fine,” Bill said, walking past me and Sunshine to the hallway leading to the kitchen. “No worse than the last time Chloe brought her alpha around.”

Shame doused some of my desire. I tried so hard not to perfume around my coworkers, so hard to keep my instincts in check.

Bill winked at me and Sunshine. “See you two later.”

Chuck followed Bill down the hall, still grumbling, and I waited until I heard the door to the kitchen and living room close behind them.

I sighed, keeping an inch of space between me and my beta. “Sorry. I got carried away.”

“I’m not sorry.” Sunshine’s cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright. “You’re hot.”

“Actually…” I sighed. Time to ask her and put myself out of my misery. Dragging it out longer would only make me feel more unsettled. “I wanted to ask you…”

“What?” Sunshine took both my hands in hers, giving them a squeeze. “You can ask me anything.”

In that case, I would just ask her to bond into the pack. I shook my head. “My heat’s three weeks away.”

At most, I added mentally.

“Oh!” Sunshine perked up. “I was going to ask you if I could take you shopping. For whatever stuff you need.”

Her reaction immediately made me feel lighter. “That’s really sweet.”

“It will be fun. We can make a whole day of it.”

I nodded, already picturing spending the entire day with her. We could go to the nest store, and then hit the beach.

“So does that mean you’ve decided if you’re okay being a part of my heat?” I tried not to look too hopeful. “It’s okay if you’re not. It’s intense and I would never want to do anything to make you feel like you’re in a situation you can’t get out of.”

Sunshine bit her lip, one of her nervous tells. “I’m okay…if you’re okay? I didn’t assume…”

I pulled her against me, squeezing tightly. “Thank heavens. I don’t know what I would do without you there, but I didn’t want to put you on the spot.”

“Oh, honey.” Sunshine wrapped her arms around me. She felt right. Like everything in my life had clicked into place. Like the high of going for a good run and having ten orgasms all rolled together.

She was mine. I had to be patient and let her see that herself.

“Thank you,” Sunshine said. “I’ve never been part of anyone’s heat before, but I would love to be there.”

Her scent grew more intense, and I chuckled. She was getting aroused again, probably picturing us together during my heat. I tilted my head and captured her mouth with mine.

She made needy sounds in my mouth, and I pressed my body against her.

“Room for three, Kahele?”

Chuck stood in the doorway, leering. He must have turned around and came back while we were talking.

Sunshine gave him a glare, and I stiffened. I really shouldn’t have let myself get hot and bothered at work.

“No,” Sunshine said, firmly. “We’ll be there for dinner in just a second. Thanks for checking on us.”

She was using her client voice, the firm tone that suggested the person rethink their current life choices.

Too bad Chuck wasn’t smart enough to figure that out.

Instead, he took a couple of steps down the hall, and tensing his muscles as he did, in an attempt to look menacing.

I wasn’t afraid of him hurting me physically. Or of him hurting Sunshine. I could take him in a fight if I had to, at least long enough for someone else to come along.

I was more worried about disturbing the fragile peace at work.

Chuck’s eyes roamed over me. His pupils were dilated, and I kicked myself for perfuming. I knew better than to let myself get this worked up while I was on duty.

“You sure?” His voice was husky. “Now that Kahele’s letting a beta into his pack, he might need another alpha to take care of him.”

“I have plenty of alphas.” I kept my arm around Sunshine’s waist and moved her with me as I took a step back.

Sunshine slipped out of my hold and stepped in front of me. “Are you propositioning your coworker?”

My stomach sank, and I gave Chuck a hard look. “He’s not. He’s going back to the dining room.”

Chuck looked between me and Sunshine, like he was actively debating his next words. He looked at Sunshine, but his gaze kept dragging back to me.

Stupid pheromones.

“No,” Chuck snorted, finally answering Sunshine directly. “Better shower off, Kahele. There’s rules about omegas and their perfume.”

He said the last like it was a dirty word, like he’d caught me snorting cocaine in the hallway instead of making out with my girlfriend.

“There’s rules about sexual harassment too,” Sunshine said, putting her hands on her hips.

Chuck just turned and stomped back down the hallway, slamming the door behind him.

Sunshine’s protectiveness was a turn on, making me want to drag her off to a bed even more than before. I took a deep breath and reined in my hormones. Once Chuck had gone, I smoothed my expression into something lighter than I felt.

“That asshole,” Sunshine hissed. Her eyes were narrowed into slits, and she looked ready for war. “I will tear off his balls if he touches you.”

“Oooh, so protective.” I grinned. “I like.”

“He’s not allowed to talk to you like that.” She scanned my face. “I can go with you to talk to your chief, if you want?”

My stomach dropped at the idea of all the fuss that would ensue, simply because Chuck said some things to me. I quickly shook my head. “I should have known better than to perfume at work.”

Sunshine did not look reassured. She glared. “And you’re in control of perfuming?”

“I shouldn’t have made out with you.” I opened up the door to the outside, trying to get some air into the space.

“Chuck has had a special friend over here, hasn’t he?” Sunshine crossed her arms over her chest. It did really nice things for her breasts, and I was momentarily transfixed.

“Yes,” I admitted, fanning the door back and forth. Man, it sure did smell like my perfume. Coconuts and pineapples saturated the air, until it smelled like someone spilled a pina colada.

“And other coworkers have, too?”

“Yes. It’s okay, though. I’m used to it.”

“It’s not okay,” she said. “That’s my point. Everyone else is allowed to get hot and bothered except for you?”

“But my perfume—” I started.

Sunshine shook her head. “Chuck is a grown-ass adult. It’s not your job to manage his urges. It’s his.”

Sunshine was right. I knew she was. But it had been hard enough for me to get a job as a firefighter as an omega, even in the twenty-first century. I didn’t want to play into every stereotype there was about making all my coworkers lust after me.

Sunshine sighed. “We can talk more later. I see you’re not comfortable. But this isn’t settled.”

I nodded. “Thank you.”

“Luca and Logan would feed his ass to the wolves if they found out he’d propositioned you.”

I grinned at that pleasant thought. I didn’t want it to actually happen, but overprotective growly alphas were always a delicious thought. “They would.”

I followed Sunshine back into the living room, and ducked into my room for a quick change. We had a pleasant dinner with my company, and I forced myself to focus on the current evening.

Not the thought of Sunshine in my arms during the heat. Not her writhing beneath me.

Chapter 27

Sunshine

Only a few days after I’d dropped by Julian’s firehouse, we were driving into San Francisco to go shopping for his heat. Julian had wanted to drive, so I got to stare at him out of the corner of my eye the whole time. It had taken a little bit for our schedules to line up, and now that we were out I felt so much more alive.

It was early May, and the coastal breeze was something out of a fairytale, bringing with it the scent of citrus and eucalyptus. And car exhaust, but I was going to ignore that scent.

Julian seemed excited to go shopping, and I hoped I’d had the right idea in suggesting it. Having three omegas in the family meant I’d gone shopping for a heat more times than I could count. Sometimes it wasn’t even because they needed something, so much as it was the process of going out and gathering supplies that satisfied their instincts.

Thinking about heats made me realized I’ve been dating Pack Kahele for almost a month.

I didn’t trust it. I hated that I was still waiting for the other shoe to drop—for something terrible to happen—but I couldn’t help it. Pretty much everything else in my life had taught me that good things came to an end.

“Hey.” Julian poked my side. “You’re thinking too hard. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I smiled at him. He looked so effortlessly handsome in a t-shirt and shorts. I couldn’t stop looking at him. The effect was almost overpowering and I considered asking him to pull over and climb into the back seat with me. His tattoos were peeking out from below his shirt sleeves, teasing me and making me want to trace the lines with my tongue.

I was turning into a sex addict. I’d been having sex almost every day, sometimes more than once in the same day, but I still felt the pulse of desire every time I saw them. I pulled my thoughts back to the focus of the day.

“I’m plotting where we should stop first.” I told him instead.

“I don’t care where we go, so long as I’m with you.”

My heart melted and I squeezed his hand. Then I started worrying that he might think that the places I planned to visit were stupid.

At least I was confident that my first idea was sure to make him happy. I gave him directions through San Francisco, and he pulled into a gaming store parking lot.

He grinned. “Seriously? This is the first stop? I thought we were going to hit up a nest store.”

“We will.” I slipped my purse strap over my shoulder. “But we need some new games for during our downtime.”

“Who says I’m gonna let you have downtime?” he muttered as he got out of the car.

Julian wrapped his arm around my waist, and we strolled through the gaming store. We picked up games and discussed the pros and cons.

An alpha with a scraggly beard and a shirt with the logo from the popular online video game kept looking over at us. Then I heard him snorting about casual gamers.

Before I thought about it, I stepped forward, the urge to punch him in the face so strong that I had to physically check myself.

“So violent.” Julian hooked his arm around me again, dragging me down the merchandise aisle. “Love to see it.”

I was normally extra-protective of my sisters when they were getting ready for their heats. I always felt an increased need to make sure they were okay, that they had everything they needed.

The urge was stronger around Julian, fueled by something more aggressive. I’d wanted to grab Chuck and throw him off a cliff.

I rolled my eyes at Julian’s comment, and we headed over to the merchandise aisle.

“Now this is something Luca hasn’t thought about yet,” Julian said with a laugh. “As far as games and consoles go? Yes, he’s all over that.”

I held up a plushie of Tom Nook, our furry overlord on Animal Crossing. “Has he got you any plushies of the games you play?”

“Not yet.”

“Good. I claim victory.”

Joy bubbled up inside me. We strolled through the aisles, adding more games to our stash until we agreed we had enough, and headed to the checkout.

Julian tried to pull out his wallet, but I gave him a look. “Let me.”

“You don’t have to.” Julian kissed my cheek. “I loved coming here with you.”

“I want to.” I paid for our loot, and we toted the bags back to the car. Julian was beaming. The amount of joy I felt, knowing I made him that happy, was ridiculous.

I directed him Twine and Egg, a special goods store that catered to omegas. The name was a little pretentious and some of the stuff they carried was ridiculously overpriced, but it had a wide range of linens, clothing, and other supplies. My family like Twine and Egg’s selection much better than Bedding Best, which ended up feeling like a supermarket every time we walked inside.

Twine and Egg was big, but felt homey with comfortable nooks of bedding, furniture, clothing, and odds and ends. There were bright colors, neutrals, and electric patterns. I liked bringing Stella, Luna, and Ember here because they loved the variety of stuff to look at, and it always felt like a flea market. A really high-end flea market, but one nonetheless. Maybe they just loved the hunt through the textures and colors of the textiles section of the store.

Julian wrapped his arm around my waist again once we got inside the store, and I loved that he seemed incapable of not touching me.

“Babe, not that I don’t love being here, but I have more sheets, pillows, blankets, and clothes made from omega-friendly fabric than I know what to do with.”

“That’s fine.” I gave him a kiss on the cheek. “What about me? Should I get some sleep shirts or something?”

Julian leaned over and whispered. “Who says I’m gonna let you wear clothes?”

I blushed. “I’ll need clothes at some point.”

“You can borrow mine.” He nuzzled my neck, and warmth crept down my neck. I was never going to survive Julian’s heat if this was how he responded before it even got here.

Maybe this place wasn’t such a good idea. I should have realized that, with Luca around, Julian would have the best nesting supplies an alpha could buy. “Right, we can go.”

Julian straightened up. “No, we just got here.”

He looked confused, and his tone had become a little bit plaintive.

I raised an eyebrow. “You just told me you were good and didn’t need anything.”

“But…” Julian looked around again at all the different colors and fabrics. “Fine, fine. I do want to look and touch the stuff, even if I already have plenty.”

“Exactly.” I tucked his arm in mine, and we browsed the aisles. Most of the shoppers were omegas, with only the occasional alpha. All the other omegas were women and they gave me and Julian a double take before they figured out who was which designation.

The omegas relaxed, and Julian fell easily into conversations with a few of them about his favorite brands of sheets. I loved how he was able to talk to anyone, and the omega girls left happier with his help.

I let him set the pace, while I pictured coming back in another three months, and another three months after that.

For the rest of our lives.

It was too easy to imagine. I shoved the thought away. I wouldn’t ask too much, or plan too far. I was already at the point where it would shatter me if something happened. I would never get over losing Julian. Not if I lived a thousand years.

Julian nuzzled my neck, rubbing his chin on my shoulder. “More candles?”

“Always.” I picked up some lavender and rosemary for when we wanted to establish a calming mood, and also some ylang ylang and jasmine for when the mood was sexier.

“Better get, like, three of those.” Julian pointed at the sexual energy candles. I laughed and added more to our little cart. I added some throw pillows just because I liked them, and a super soft blanket.

While I was deciding on them, Julian found several pretty nightgowns and brought them over to the cart with a broad smile. “I figure you should have some nice stuff, too. Even if I’ll just rip it off you in two seconds.”

“How considerate.”

We checked out and, again, I refused to let him pay. Maybe it was just my principles, but I wanted to take care of him. Not just because he was an omega, but because of who he was to me.

The next place I directed Julian to was Ms. May’s Tea Room, and as we parked, my stomach gave a little twist of nerves. This place was the most questionable of all the stops on my schedule. All my omega family members loved it, but maybe Julian would think it was dumb.

I opened the door, and the little bells hung over the threshold jingled. I walked up to the hostess stand and said hello to Maeve, an adorable beta with blue tips in her hair, who greeted us both.

“Who’s you’re new friend?” Maeve beamed at me and Julian.

“Julian Kahele.” I linked my arm in his. “He’s my boyfriend.”

A thrill of pleasure raced through me at the word. It never got old, being able to claim Julian in some way. Maeve’s eyes widened and her smile got even bigger.

“We’ve got your usual table ready, so please follow me.” Maeve picked up menus, and we followed her through the tearoom. It was only half filled, almost totally by women from across a range of ages.

The place was decorated like a classic 18th century British tearoom, with wallpaper covered in small flowers and small, round tables made of dark wood, covered in white cloths.

Maeve showed us to a table against the far wall, next to a series of portraits of English ladies. Whenever I came here with Ember, she liked to make up stories about the wild and crazy lives of omegas in historic times.

Sitting the fabric menus down on the table, Maeve smiled and gave us a little wave. “Delia is going to be your server. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thanks.” I sat down, carefully watching Julian’s face for any sign of annoyance.

Maybe this was too girly for him. It must be weird being an omega and a dude, when the rest of the world assumed you were going to be a woman and catered to what they thought was feminine.

“This is really cool.” Julian was looking around, craning his neck to scan the other rooms. I tried to see it from his view, remembering the pure joy and wonder I’d felt the first time I had come here.

The air carried the aroma of sugar and tea, but the scent diffusers meant it wasn’t overpowering. Fresh flowers decorated the tables and shelves, everything from full, blowsy pink roses to dainty violets.

“It’s a private tearoom,” I said, fiddling with the menu. “You have to make an appointment, and only omegas with their designated attendants are allowed in.”

Julian opened the menu. “Oooo, what kind of food do they have? Dainty little cucumber sandwiches?”

“Of course. We can choose between a la carte, brunch, afternoon tea or high tea.”

Julian flipped through the menu. His brown eyes were warm, and he kept smiling. “High tea has the sandwiches, scones, and desserts? That is the clear winner then.”

I loved that he had such an open face.

“Is this okay?” I decided to ask. He was honest with me, and I was sure he would tell me if he wasn’t feeling it. “We could go somewhere else if this is too…girly.”

“What? Why?” He frowned. “The vibes here are top notch. I’m all relaxed and I need to carb up.”

I grinned. “You’re sure?”

“Positive.” He propped his hands up on the table and rested his chin on his fingers. “I want nothing more than to spend an afternoon here, with you, eating dainty little sandwiches.”

“Hello, Sunshine. It’s good to see you again.” Delia smiled at me. She was a tall, lanky omega, built like a volleyball player. My family and I had been coming here for years, so I knew most of the staff. She turned to Julian and raised her eyebrows. “And who’s this?”

Julian grinned. “I’m the boyfriend.”

“Good for you.” Delia’s smile grew wider as she bumped my shoulder. “Have you decided what sort of tea I can start you off with?”

“I haven’t really drunk many different types outside of regular black tea or, like, the cold, sweet peach or lemon tea at restaurants.” Julian scanned the menu.

“Ah! A newbie.” Delia brightened up and tapped the two pages of tea and fruit infusion options. “We have a wide range of green, black, white, and rooibos teas along with fruit infusions.”

As Julian scanned the menu, his nose scrunched in the most adorable way.

“How about we have the Around the World tea sampler?” I cocked my head. “I like a wide variety of tea, and that way you can try a bunch of different ones.”

“Perfect.” My omega pointed at the high tea option on the menu, looking at me for confirmation. “And this sounds amazing.”

I was already nodding. Cute sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, and then dessert? Sign me up.

“Great! I’ll bring your tea out in a few minutes.” Delia took our menus with a smile and left.

“You come here with your family?” Julian rested his chin on his hands again. The soft bustle of the tearoom helped focus me somehow, more effectively than if we’d been in a completely quiet room.

“A lot.” I grinned. “They all love it. Sometimes we come as a group and sometimes pairs.”

“I’ve been an omega so long, I feel like I already have my routine down.” Julian glanced around the room. “But I like this. It’s nice. Different.”

“Good.” I smiled in relief. Maybe this wasn’t such a crazy idea after all.

It didn’t take long before Delia came back carrying a tray with a pot of hot tea and beautiful cups and saucers. They were porcelain, with a gold rim and a flower pattern, and I always felt like a duchess from a period drama when I drank out of them.

“Ohhh fancy.” Julian leaned back and let Delia set his cup and saucer down.

“Our first tea is Eternal Spring. It’s a white tea with rose petals and strawberries. It will wake up your palate without overriding the flavors.”

Delia poured us both a cup of the fragrant tea and left us to our conversation.

“We’ve been coming here as long as Stella’s been an omega.” I sipped my tea. It was soft and fruity with a hint of floral tones. “It wasn’t a shock when Stella’s designation flipped. She had been moody for weeks, and she’d never really liked people in her space, anyway.”

“Luna, too?” Julian sipped his tea, and his face relaxed with pleasure. “Mmm. This is good.”

“She was always really shy, and being the baby of the family probably didn’t help. She flipped designations as a teenager, just like Stella.” I cocked my head. “You did too, didn’t you?”

“Yeah.” He grinned. “I wasn’t surprised. For years I’d felt weird cycles of not wanting to be around anyone but also wanted to be cuddled and touched. No sexual frenzy of course, that doesn’t kick in until later. But the signs were there.”

It was nice that biology decided to let omegas ease into the hormone overload. I didn’t want to know what going into a heat would be like if you were sixteen. If it worked like that, there’d be too many omegas who would bond too early and be miserable later in life.

“What about Ember?” Julian took another sip of tea and swallowed. “That’s really nice tea. Did she flip early?”

My throat closed up and I swallowed around the lump. “Yeah. When she was thirteen.” I pushed away the sudden cocktail of grief and panic. It was in the past and gone now.

Julian frowned, picking up on the tightness in my voice. I was terrible at hiding my feelings.

“What’s wrong?”

I tried to smile and settled for a shrug. “Ember’s designation flipped because of a stressor. She was, uhh, in the plane crash that killed our parents. She was hospitalized.”

Julian’s face fell. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

I shook my head. “I know. It’s okay.”

Delia arrived with a three-tiered cake stand. On the bottom were sandwiches cut into triangles, egg salad, and roast beef with horseradish, bacon and spinach quiche slices, and sausage rolls.

The middle level was filled with scones served with strawberry and blackberry jam and clotted cream. The top tier was covered in a range of mini desserts: chocolate eclairs, madeleines, chocolate ganache slices, and fruit tarts.

She also brought our second tea, a light black tea with peach pieces in it.

Julian’s entire face lit up at the sight of the food, and I smiled, some of my sorrow lifting. Of course I missed my parents. I always would. But that didn’t mean I wouldn’t find other people to fill my life with joy and happiness.

After Delia left, he took my hand, and his expression sobered. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you sad.”

I squeezed his fingers. “It’s okay. It happens. I don’t mind talking about heavy things with you.”

I’d cried on his shoulder more than a few times in the past. One of the best things about dating a man who was already my friend was him knowing so much about me.

“Speaking of…” He looked at me a little nervously before letting go of my hand to serve us both sandwiches on the beautiful fine bone China plates that were the same floral pattern as our cups.

“What’s wrong?” My stomach dropped, and I immediately thought he’s breaking up with me.

Of course, the logic that he just asked me to be part of his heat only a few days ago didn’t sink in, no that was too easy for my brain. I immediately jumped to thinking that I had done something wrong, some unforgivable sin.

“When you said you’d never been part of a heat before…” Julian cleared his throat. “What did you mean? I know I’m your first omega, but…weren’t you there during the Pack Beneventi omega’s heat?”

He didn’t want me to be part of his heat. That had to be it. He had thought about it and realized I wouldn’t be able to help. I regretted the bite I’d just taken of the roast beef sandwich.

“I uhhh… No.” I cleared my throat and took a sip of black tea, the leaves a little bitter on my tongue. “Mason wasn’t comfortable with me there at all.”

Julian’s face pulled into a frown. “At all? That’s weird. I mean, his alphas had to have smelled like you.”

Heat crawled up my neck, and I resisted the urge to rub my forearms.

“Oh, babe, I’m not trying to make you feel bad.” Julian’s expression went stormy. “They were all assholes for treating you so badly.”

“I know.” I swallowed hard. “But I get it. Heats are a big deal. I’m not going to be mad if you’re not comfortable with me there.”

“Comfortable?” He blinked. “I don’t know what I would do without you. That’s why I’m asking. I’m worried I’ve pressured you.”

My brain skipped tracks. “Pressured me?”

“Yeah.” Julian nodded, and then inhaled an entire sandwich, buying me time to tell my brain to calm the heck down.

He picked up his cup and drank some tea. “Pressured you into being there. It’s a lot…I’m a lot.”

He paused and searched my face. “I don’t want to hurt you or make you uncomfortable. During my heat I’m clingy and needy. And I don’t want anyone to leave the nest, ever.”

I managed a smile. “That sounds like every heat I’ve read about.”

“Yeah, but when you’re with us it’s different. It’s basically sleep, sex, and snuggles.” He grinned. “The three s’s.”

“What about snacks?” I gestured at his sandwiches.

“I’m not much interested in eating. It drives Logan nuts.” He grinned, not looking sorry at all. “And heaven help him if he leaves the nest because he thinks he has to get something.”

“Well, I’m gonna add snacks to that equation,” I said firmly. He hadn’t been telling me no. He’d been worried about me.

He fiddled with his sandwich. “I just want to make sure you’re not going to hate sex afterward. Or be upset that I made you so sore. You can tell me no, it’s okay.”

I blinked. “I need more elaboration.”

Julian sighed. “In the heat of the moment, you’re going to be riding high on my pheromones. But I don’t want to…wear you out or for you to end up feeling so sore that you get upset with me.”

“Me?” I frowned. “Isn’t that what you have your alphas for? To wear you out?”

Julian cocked his head. “I do. And they will. But I want you, too, Sunshine. I’m going to be demanding you touch me. I’m going to be demanding to be inside you all the time, the same for Logan and Luca. You’re a beta, and your stamina is different.” He looked at me, very seriously. “Betas have come out of heats needing to be hospitalized because no one knew when to say stop.”

“Oh.” I grabbed Julian’s hand. “I’ll take a break if I need to.”

I seriously doubted I would really want to take a break, if our previous sexual marathons were any indication. Julian still looked worried, so I tried to reassure him some more.

“And those stories about hospitalization are usually because there was a combination of other health factors too.”

“Still.” I was happy to see he’d relaxed, some of the worry going away from his face. “I just want you to be as comfortable as possible. If there’s anything I can do—anything you need—tell me.”

I dropped my gaze to where my hand held his and rubbed the soft skin between his pointer finger and his thumb. “It’s not a need, but I’m curious.”

“You can ask me anything, I hope you know that by now.” He grabbed another sandwich with his free hand. “Also, you’re going to have to carb up with me.”

Julian was right. I maneuvered my own sandwich with my other hand. We would probably lose weight during the heat, and it would be easier for all of us if we were eating highly nutritious meals beforehand, to prepare. I’d done a lot of research on betas and heats, and I had a fair idea of what to expect.

Sometimes betas did great. Like Julian said, omega pheromones were potent, and we could ride the waves of lust and need like the alphas. But, biologically, we were built differently and couldn’t always ignore the needs of our bodies in the same way as alphas in a rut could, or like an omega in heat did.

Theoretically, betas should be part of every heat, to balance things out and make sure everyone was eating and hydrating properly. It made sense from a biology standpoint, but it had always seemed like nature made us destined to be helpers. Standing on the sidelines, not the actual reason for the event.

“What’s wrong?” Julian squeezed my hand. When I looked up, I could see he was starting to get worried again.

“Nothing.” I licked my lips. “I’ve been wondering…I know every omega is different. I was wondering how lucid you are.”

Some omegas stayed lucid through most of their heat, only going into a semi-feral state of need when their hormones peaked. On the other end of the spectrum, some omegas basically operated on needs-based instincts and didn’t do much but have sex, sleep, and eat.

“I don’t care either way,” I added quickly. “I’m just curious.”

Julian perked up. “That’s a good question. I would say I’m semi-lucid most of the time. Sort of like when I’m about to fall asleep. I can carry on a simple conversation, but more complicated thinking is harder.”

I nodded, gently withdrawing my hand so I could start loading up our plates again.

“I’m usually in heat around a week, including the day or so of warming up and a day or so after to make sure I’m not going to have a hormone spike again.”

“Sounds good.” The thought of Julian, in heat and needy, sent a flush of yearning coursing through me.

He grinned. “Only good?”

“Sounds great.” I put a scone on his plate. “You better fill up if you’re a brat about eating during your heat.”

“Yes ma’am.” Julian smirked. “Also—don’t answer now—think about if there’s anything sexual you don’t want to do. Heats have a way of making everything feel intense and exciting.”

“I can’t think of anything.” I eyed the blueberry and lemon scone, wondering if Logan could make us some more.

Julian raised an eyebrow. “Bondage? Breath play? Double or triple penetration?”

“Oh.” More of that syrupy desire spread through me at the thought of all those exciting possibilities. “Oh, I should look at a list or something.”

“That’s right, babe.” Julian grabbed two more scones, handing me the blueberry and lemon. “Your sister, cousin—whatever Holly is—has two omegas in her pack right?”

“Oh, duh.” I shook my head. “I should ask her for tips.”

Julian grinned. “Didn’t she deal with two omegas without an alpha during their first heat with her? Before they packed up?”

“She did.” I laughed. “I’ll ask her for advice.”

“Good.” He patted my hand, looking calmer. “I don’t want to break you the first heat.”

It was really sweet, knowing he was worrying about me as much as I worried about him.

We talked about video games and movies the rest of the time, eating our way through all of the tiers of the cake stand. Well, Julian did most of the eating, but I still managed to eat more than usual.

Now that we’d had the chance to talk, I was equal parts excited and nervous. Maybe Holly wouldn’t mind if I asked her prying questions.

We drove back to Julian’s house. I spent the evening making some appointments and carrying out research, and by the end of the night I was exhausted.

It was like my brain had already checked out and had gone straight into ‘waiting-for-heat’ mode. I needed it to get back online long enough for me to update Holly on all my events, so she could handle things while I was gone.

I could ask her about Noah’s heat then.

Chapter 28

Sunshine

Under the shade of the pavilion in the middle of the North Meadow, I sat down and set out my notes, laptop, and planner on the table in front of me, ready for my meeting with Holly. I also had some random sticky notes, and some napkins.

I was not organized. Lucky for me, Holly knew what sort of person I was.

Holly reached the pavilion shortly after I did, pulling her dark brown hair into a braid. She wore soft-looking jeans and a peasant blouse, managing to make it all look dressy and casual.

I stood up and we hugged for a moment before sitting down. Holly had been a fixture at the resort during our teen years. Holly’s parents were wealthy but self-focused, and they’d spent all their time traveling, forgetting she existed, unless they wanted to trot her out during fundraisers to show what wonderful parents they were and encourage donors to give more.

As a result, Holly had practically lived at my house, running around with Stella and me, and everyone in the family had treated her as an extra member of the Sullivan clan. When Holly’s parents had tried to buy her off to force her to attend the school of their choice but also never see us again, Holly had refused.

So they’d kicked her out. Raina had always acted like Holly was a surrogate younger sister, so the beta went from spending most of her time at our place to living with us. We’d started the event planning part of Cosmic Bonds partially because of Holly’s expertise, and the rest was history.

I secretly enjoyed having another beta in the family. Before Holly, the only one I’d been able to commiserate with had been my cousin Terran. And my younger cousin was a hunky bit of beefcake for a beta guy, so commiserating only went so far since he had to pry ladies off with a stick.

“Okay, spill. How’s it going with the pack?” Holly wasted no time at all before starting the interrogation.

I sighed, pulling out the cooler of food Logan had sent with me. We’d spend a sexy afternoon working on the menu and then having earth shattering sex on the kitchen island. “They’re amazing.”

“So you’re worried it will all end horribly.” Holly snatched up the Tupperware bins. “Oooh, look at all this food.”

“I’m going to get fat, dating Logan.”

“Hardly.” Holly snorted, picking up a pain au chocolat. “You need all the calories you can get between two alphas and an omega.”

“Especially during the heat?” I asked, figuring I would start with my selfish personal life before moving on to business, the actual reason for the meeting.

“Yes.” She sighed, chewing the chocolate croissant. “When’s Julian’s heat?”

“A week or so.” I coughed, taking my own croissant. There was also Croque Madam, aka a very fancy French ham and cheese sandwich, and mini quiches.

“Oh, girl. You better be exercising, and carbing up now.” Holly picked up her shiny pink phone and started tapping on it. “I’m going to send you some links. I should have sent these to you as soon as the dating became official.”

“I’ve already read a ton of stuff on the Internet.” ‘Betas preparing for a heat’ was a common topic, with advice that seemed akin to preparing for a marathon. Eating a diet high in protein and complex carbs, adding more stretching and cardio into the exercise routine, along with stranger and contradictory suggestions like ‘don’t have sex at all’ to ‘make sure you have sex with everyone in the pack’. No one could agree which was better for a beta’s hormones levels.

“What I’m sending are better articles with more practical advice.” Holly gave me the stink eye. “I know you forget to eat, and you probably aren’t doing any stretching.”

“Guilty.” I tried not to roll my eyes. When did I have time for that stuff? Never, that’s when. If I wasn’t doing a million things for Cosmic Bonds, then I was spending time with my guys.

“Seriously though.” I pulled out the Croque Madams, setting out paper plates. There was a cheesy white sauce poured over the toasted ham and cheese sandwich so we needed actual utensils to eat it. “Anything I should know? You handled Noah’s heat with just Aiden.”

Holly grinned, helping herself to the plates and sandwiches. “It sounds really impressive, but it was honestly just a marathon of sex.”

“Now who’s being modest?” I took a bite and melted cheesy ham goodness flooded my mouth. Logan was a genius.

“Aiden and Noah had tried having their heats alone before, since, you know, they’re not in heat at the same time.” Holly’s eyes lit up with mirth. “Aiden really likes kinky stuff like bondage and edging, so it was easier to manage Noah in the beginning. Then we all got swept away by Noah’s hormones and forgot to pace ourselves.”

She pointed at me. “Which is why I’m telling you. You have to prepare for it. You’re going to think you can have sex all the time for days on end, but if you haven’t got your fitness up, you’ll get to the point where you can’t move anymore.”

I frowned. “That sounds bad.”

“I was exhausted.” She shook her head. “Lucky for me, Aiden had enough presence of mind to come out of the hormone soup and we started taking breaks and tag teaming him instead of both of us at the same time. Also, we started eating and drinking more.”

I was glaring at my surrogate sister-cousin in exasperation before she finished speaking. “You could have texted us for help. We would have brought you food.”

“I know.” Holly held up her hands. “That’s what I’m telling you. You’re not thinking about food. Or sleep. It’s like being drugged almost, just nonstop need to be with your omega.”

“Hmmm, so how do alphas and omegas handle it?”

“They have more stamina than we do.” Holly smirked, and I figured she was remembering the benefits of that stamina. “The second heat was better. I prepared better, we knew what to look out for, and we paced ourselves.”

“Did your alphas help with that?” I tried to remember when Holly had brought Cole and Rafe, their alpha, into the pack, but I couldn’t remember.

“No.” Holly laughed, still looking exuberant. She acted like she was talking about Christmas morning. “Oh, they were there, but Rafe went into a rut almost immediately, and Cole wasn’t much better. I was more clear-headed and made sure my idiots didn’t starve to death.”

My heart sank. “So you were the helper.”

Holly nodded. “I was. But I felt so smug, being the one who made sure they didn’t die of starvation. Aiden said it was the best heat he’d ever had, because he wasn’t hanging on the edge of exhaustion as badly.”

I gave a weak smile, trying to seem positive. But I had hoped to feel more…needed during the heat, rather than like the designated driver who didn’t get to join in while everyone else is getting drunk and having a good time.

“It’s not like that.” Holly shook her head. “I can see by the look on your face that you’re stewing on ‘just’ being a helper. If Logan’s sick and you bring him soup, do you feel like a maid? A servant? Or are you pleased you can help him?”

“I’m pleased, of course.” I thought for a moment about the pleasure I’d felt buying Julian stuff for his heat even though he didn’t actually need anything.

“You’re most definitely still part of the heat, and you’re still needed as much as the alpha. More, in some ways. You’re not in a rut and you’re not in heat, even though you will be heavily affected by both. You’re there for the fun. On top of that, you get to care for your pack by being the person who makes sure everyone eats and takes care of themselves.”

I pictured interacting like that with the Kahele pack. I’d like that, to be there with them. For them.

Holly was rifling around in the things she’d put down when she arrived. Looking over at me with a little smile, she pulled out a stylish gift box and set it on the table. There was no brand name or label, so I looked at her expectantly.

“I went online and bought you some sex toys.”

“Um, thanks. But, Julian has a lot…” I started, before Holly lifted up a finger.

“Not like these. I bought you locks.”

I blinked. “Oh.”

“I was guessing you haven’t used them before.” Holly’s smile grew playful as she leaned in. “Julian will lose his mind. I’ve tried several and these three are the best ones for your comfort and his pleasure.”

After throwing a quick glance around, I lifted the lid with one finger. An alpha female had a lock instead of a knot. Effectively, her vaginal walls would clench tight to keep a male omega inside her. Again, all for the sake of breeding.

People could buy different sorts of alpha locks at sex shops or online. Most of them either flexed inside the woman or sat outside the vagina and triggered once the omega was inside her.

“Try them out. You might find you have preferences.” Holly gave me a wicked grin, and my cheeks felt like they were on fire.

“Thanks,” I muttered. I’d wanted to look at them, but I’d been too nervous to order them online without knowing enough about the different types. “Does it…hurt, having it inside you?”

That was what I was most confused about. My pleasure came from Julian’s cock inside me. If I had a lock inserted instead, wouldn’t that feel less pleasurable?

“Nope. Well…” Holly paused, tilting her head to the side. She took a massive bite of her sandwich, chewed it thoughtfully, and swallowed before talking again. “One brand I didn’t care for. But, it’s like having a hollow dildo inserted that’s designed to hold him in place once you decide it’s time.”

That made more sense.

“If I were you, I would play with inserting them before the actual heat.”

I pouted. “I wanted to…uhhh…surprise him.”

Holly laughed. “Sure, surprise him. But make sure you’ve had time to figure out how use them beforehand so you’re more comfortable.”

I let out a breath. This was better information than I’d hoped for. “Thank you. This is…this is perfect.”

As much as I loved the rest of my family, there were certain experiences they could only talk about as outsiders.

While I ate my sandwich, Holly walked me through the specifics of each of the different locks. Even though she was basically my sister, it was embarrassing, but I needed to know rather than be in the dark.

When she was done, she put them back into the box and slid it over to my side of the table. I rolled my eyes at her and tossed a note pad over the top, and then our conversation shifted to work.

I told Holly not to judge me then I launched into my workload and all the random and various tasks I was behind on. It was embarrassing in a whole different way, but Holly knew me well enough to understand that this was my normal operating procedure. I walked her through all of my clients, their special preferences, then the vendors and their intricacies.

Holly made notes in her scheduling software, updating everything with a cool efficiency I couldn’t help but envy. Every New Year’s resolution I made that this would be my year to get organized, I’d start off well, but by March everything would be going off the rails. It was now May, so I was fully in the raccoon-in-a-garbage-can mode of organizing.

Holly and I went through all my clients’ paperwork, then I updated my own scheduling software to synch with Holly’s, so that whenever she made notes on what she did, I would be able to access it quickly.

It was a productive afternoon, in more ways than one. We hugged each other goodbye, and I drove back to the pack’s house feeling like I was as ready as I would ever be for Julian’s heat.

If I was really going to try to be part of his pack, being with them through a heat would be a good test for me to see how I did. We had only been dating for a month, and planning a future seemed too much like hubris.

But I could dream, at least, about how we could learn from this first heat and use it to make Julian’s next heat in August better.

August felt like it was right around the corner, but also impossibly far away. I couldn’t help but wonder whether I would even still be dating Julian, Luca, and Logan or whether something might have happened by then.

I pushed the thought away, because it made my heart freeze in my chest at the thought of their loss. Better to focus on the here and now.

Chapter 29

Julian

My entire body ached.

I was at work, and even though it was only mid-morning, I felt like I had gone ten rounds with a sledgehammer. The sledgehammer had, of course, won.

It was only a few days after Sunshine had taken me on the best heat date ever. Yesterday, I’d started feeling the need for extra cuddles. According to the calendar, I wouldn’t officially be in heat for another day or two, but the days leading up to it could be just as bad. No crazy sex drive, not yet, but my skin itched, the world was too loud, and I was cranky. Today, I couldn’t decide if I wanted to be cuddled or left alone.

I hated being out of sorts, but there was nothing for it.

It had been slow around the station house all morning. I finished the herbal tea I’d made to try to balance out my mood and stacked the dishwasher. When I came back out into the living room, I wrinkled my nose.

It smelled weird. I was used to the scent of the chemicals they used to clean the apparatus bay, the turnout gear and other places to make sure the carcinogens weren’t building up, but it was more than that. The station house smelled like the scent-canceling laundry detergent that the fire department bought in bulk. It had a musty after-smell and wasn’t my favorite brand, but it was cheaper than most others.

I decided it was time to clean. I started with the laundry, and stripped the couch of its throw blankets, took all of the sheets off the beds, and grabbed all the used towels, even the hand towels in the kitchen.

When I passed any of the guys I was on duty with, they took one look at my face and the armful of laundry and gave me a wide berth. Good. I didn’t want their weird scents around me anyway.

Logan and Luca had both asked me if I’d wanted to stay home today. I’d told them no, and had snuggled harder against Sunshine, marking her shoulder with my scent.

I wasn’t in heat yet. I was just close. I could suck it up a bit longer.

Besides, the nasty bathroom here wouldn’t clean itself. I knew we deep-cleaned the station house once a week and each shift also spot-cleaned. But there was nothing like kneeling and scrubbing the ever-loving hell out of the tile to make sure it was actually, properly clean.

Once I had the washing machines going, I moved to the bathroom, working until the shower grout, the tile, and sinks were all gleaming. I reorganized the bathroom supplies by color and then moved on to the bedrooms.

No one was asleep, thank heavens, because my instincts were screaming at me to make sure everything was clean, and I wasn’t sure what I would’ve done if I’d had to skip any rooms. I remade all the beds, swept and mopped, and even pulled the bed frames out to get between the wall and the legs of the bed.

The living room was next. My back ached and my hands were pruny from the rubber gloves and cleaning supplies, but I’d already been aching all over, so the new problems just seemed like a distant complaint from my body.

Chloe wandered over to my corner of the living room where I was wiping down the baseboards. “How’s things?”

“Fine.” I muttered. “I’m cleaning this filthy fire station. It’s disgusting.”

“I see.” She paused, then went on. “Do you want to leave early?”

“No,” I snapped, immediately regretting it. I sat back on my heels and looked up at her. “I’m okay.”

The door swung open, and we both looked over to see Chuck appear. He took a moment to look around the sparkling clean living room, then a shit-eating grin appeared on his face. “The nice thing about having an omega around is things stay clean. Almost makes the mood swings worth it.”

My temper popped. I threw my cleaning towel down and leapt to my feet. “I’m going to punch you in your freaking face.”

Chloe looped her arm around my waist long enough to keep me from taking more than a step forward, then let go. “He’s not worth it. He’s a whiny little piece of garbage.”

“Right.” Chuck snarled. “I’m just one of your crew that has to cover your shifts while you get to lay around and get fucked. Wish I was an omega and I got to skip off of work every couple of months for a fuck fest.”

I growled, all the hairs standing up on the back of my neck. Chloe hovered beside me, her hand outstretched near my arm, but she didn’t touch me, something I was grateful for. My skin crawled at the thought of any skin-on-skin contact that didn’t come from my pack. Then the stand-off was interrupted as another voice boomed through the living area.

“Do you, now?” Jackson, the battalion chief, stood on the other side of the room, arms crossed. I wondered where he’d been to be so close by. Maybe the kitchen or laundry room.

Chuck’s face turned white, and I didn’t bother hiding my glee. Chuck was usually careful not to be so obvious around other people.

I could always tell Jackson or any of the other two rotating BCs that Chuck was harassing me. But the thought of essentially saying ‘he said mean things’ made me stubborn, because I was determined not to appear weak as an omega in any way. I was a big boy. I could deal with heckling and lewd comments.

Chuck cleared his throat. “Sir. I didn’t mean anything by it. Kahele and I were joking around.”

“Right.” Beside me, Chloe crossed her arms over her chest and raised her eyebrows. “Just like the other day, when his beta was visiting, and you asked Kahele if his pack was open to another alpha?”

“Well, now.” Chief Jackson cocked his head. The chief was an older alpha, with neatly trimmed salt and pepper hair. He was probably in better shape than me, and exuded calm authority. All of the battalion chiefs in our company were competent, but Jackson was the best of them. He kept every single emergency moving efficiently with as little stress as possible.

The chief looked at me. “Is that true?” It was a simple, seemingly innocent question.

But my skin had started to feel uncomfortable and prickly, and I wanted to snarl at the lot of them. I didn’t like dealing with this sort of thing on a good day, much less the day before I went into heat.

I huffed. “He did. But if I’d really been offended, I would have come to you.”

“Sounds like Kahele is being pretty reasonable, consider the level of harassment that’s been going on…and for some time, apparently.” The chief leveled a steely glare at Chuck. “When you rotated into this company, I told you we don’t tolerate harassment. Not to any designation, or gender. There is enough stress to deal with on the job. No one needs to be worrying whether everyone on your crew has your back.”

Chuck rolled his eyes. “Kahele’s used to it. He’s an omega firefighter; he knew what he was signing up for.”

Hackles raised, I glared at the alpha. “But that doesn’t mean it’s okay. What year do you think this is— 1890?”

“Here’s what we’re going to do.” Chief Jackson stabbed a finger at Chuck. “You aren’t going to say anything to Kahele that you wouldn’t say to me. If I hear that you’ve said one thing out of line, you’re suspended without pay.”

I blinked, shocked the chief would take it that far. I tried to hide my embarrassment and concern. If Chuck got suspended because of me, wouldn’t there be some sort of backlash?

Chuck glared. “Oh, come on, we were just kidding around.”

Chief Jackson gave him a steely look that had me and Chloe straightening up.

“Yeah?” Chuck crossed his arms over his chest. “If we’re suddenly enforcing rules around here, then why don’t you suspend Kahele, too? He’s perfuming all over the place while he’s at work. How am I supposed to concentrate?”

“Make up your mind, Chuck,” I snapped. “Either I shouldn’t be here because my heat’s an inconvenience to you, or I shouldn’t be taking heat leave because that puts you out.”

Holding up his hand, Chief Jackson walked over to stand right in front of Chuck and gave him a direct command. “Meet me in my office.”

Chuck opened his mouth to say more, but the chief just gave him a look, and he changed his mind. Then he stomped away like a whiny toddler.

The chief looked at me. “You’re not in heat, obviously. Would you like to finish your shift, or would you like to go home?”

I stood up to my full height. “I’m okay. I did a hormone panel this morning before I came in to make sure.”

“We appreciate the deep clean.” Chief Jackson nodded. “Is there anything else you would like to add? Anyone else bothering you?”

I shook my head. “You don’t have to suspend Chuck. I can deal with it.”

“I will be suspending him—for breaking protocol multiple times. That’s my job. We don’t tolerate harassment.”

I swallowed, grateful he actually cared enough to follow through on policy.

“We don’t need Chuck’s behavior turning into a bigger issue in the field. Based on Chuck’s anger, I don’t think it would be safe to pair you two together in the field.”

I couldn’t help but feel guilty, even though it wasn’t my fault. It was hard to undo the years of social conditioning telling me I was a sex bomb and that alphas literally couldn’t help themselves around me. It had only been fifty years ago that the law had changed to make it a crime to rape an omega.

“Yes, sir,” I said, still feeling like this was my fault.

Chloe flicked at my shirtsleeve. “Chuck is an asshole to everyone, Julian. Especially you, but he has a chip on his shoulder. We all see it. The chief’s decision will make calls less tense.”

“Which is why this is the right decision.” Chief Jackson nodded. “Finish cleaning the living room and then head home. You’re going to need to save some energy to clean your own house.”

My instincts twitched. Chief was right of course. Ohmygod, I would need to clean from top to bottom. It was filthy.

“Your heat leave starts tomorrow.” He nodded at Chloe. “We already have the schedule worked out. You’ve got a new beta, and that alone is going to throw the dynamics off a little.”

“Sorry, Chief…” I started an apology, but he smiled.

“Don’t worry about it, Kahele. It’s the best reason for your pack dynamics to be shifting.”

I almost told him we hadn’t bonded Sunshine—yet—but it didn’t seem to matter that she wasn’t bonded into the pack.

I went back to scrubbing the living room and finished with the kitchen. Thoughts swirled in my head, but I didn’t give voice to anything. Chloe stuck around to see if I was okay. Once I resumed my manic scrubbing, she told me to let her know if I needed anything and fled for the weight room.

Finished, I told Chloe I was going home and left early. I arrived at the house sore and annoyed.

I opened the door, the familiar scents of pack and home rushing over me, soothing all my frazzled nerves.

It was dead quiet. For once I had the house to myself. It was sort of nice. I plopped down on the couch, wishing I’d thought to get food out of the fridge before sitting down.

I texted the pack group message, telling everyone I’d come home early, that I was fine, and there was no need for anyone else to leave work.

The replies started a few moments later.

Luca:

I can leave now, pick up some food on the way home.

I grinned.

Julian:

No. I’m going to clean our filthy house, and I don’t need your sexy alpha scent around distracting me.

Sunshine:

Are you sure?

I only have one more meeting. I can help.

Luca:

Yeah, we can help. ;) ;) ;) ;)

Through our bonds, I felt his arousal and amusement. I knew he would love nothing better than to come home and fuck me. On the floor. On the couch. In our bed. In the nest.

I shivered at the thought, my cock getting hard. But my skin still felt too tight, and the itch in my brain saw every speck of dust.

Julian:

Tomorrow.

I’m taking heat leave starting tomorrow.

Let me have my OCD meltdown in peace.

Thankfully, they both agreed, and I was free to start my deep-clean of the house. I knew it was actually already clean, since Logan was the neat freak of the pack. But the itchy part of my brain that was all omega instinct insisted everything be scrubbed and washed and wiped down.

An hour later, I looked around, satisfied that I’d made progress. I was also annoyed that I was alone.

Where was my pack?

Oh, right. I’d told them to stay away. I grumbled at my own contrary impulses and resumed scrubbing the kitchen floor. I’d put rubber pads on my knees and had my favorite scrub brush that made the most satisfying scritch scritch sound.

When the door opened unexpectedly, I reared back, automatically lifting the brush to pitching position, ready to throw it at the intruder. Logan’s and Luca’s bond had gone back to the reassuring steady hum that meant they were focused on work, so I knew it wasn’t them.

It was Sunshine, looked adorably rumpled, in flared jeans and a dressy blouse, with her hair up in a simple ponytail. She had two big bags of what smelled like Thai food in her arms.

I perked up. “You brought food.”

“I did.” She took the bags to the kitchen table. After setting out plates and silverware, she unpacked the food. The whole time, she didn’t even bat an eye at what I was doing, even though I had to look unhinged in my rattiest t-shirt, old shorts, and rubber knee pads. I’d casually put the scrubbing brush back down, so at least I didn’t look like I had totally lost my grip on reality.

“I’m on a cleaning spree,” I warned. I got up and washed my hands, because I was starving. I’d been too focused on cleaning to think about eating.

“I can stay and help.” Sunshine beamed like I’d offered her an afternoon of lazing about on the couch.

As she straightened up and smiled at me, my gaze dropped to her breasts, and the nice things the blouse was doing for them. Perhaps she’d be interested in an afternoon getting sweaty for better reasons.

But the house, my instincts scream-whispered at me. We have to clean all the things. I lifted my eyes back up to hers and gave a wry smile.

“I’m grumpy. And demanding. And I’ll probably tell you that you’re not scrubbing hard enough.”

Sunshine nodded like this made perfect sense, then focused on a container of Pad Thai. She always got all the toppings on the side, because Luca was allergic to peanuts but loved Thai food.

My heart thumped, and I closed the distance between us, pulling her into a fierce hug as I took in her scent, all fresh linen and sky.

I needed her. As much as I needed Luca and Logan. But I had to be so very careful with her, and not push. She needed time and space to heal, and to build trust that the alphas and I wouldn’t hurt her.

But, oh, I was not a patient person.

“That’s fine.” She twirled a plastic fork in the container then lifted them up to my lips. I took a bite. The soft chewy noodles and creamy, brown sauce filled my senses and I was suddenly ravenous. I pulled her to sit beside me in the bench seat.

“You say that now,” I said through a mouthful of basil roll.

Sunshine nodded again, filling both of our plates. “I know what an omega going into heat is like. Ember is worse. She would have rearranged the house at least twice by now. Stella and Luna go on manic cleaning sprees before their heats. I’m a good little worker bee. I do what I’m told.”

Heat flared through me, and I nipped at her shoulder. “I bet you are.” Then I stopped myself. “Wait no.” I scooted away. “We can’t have sex yet. The house needs to be scrubbed.”

I stood up to get back to the kitchen, but Sunshine grabbed my arm. “Food first. And while you eat, you can tell me how you want things done and in what order.”

Music to my ears.

My beta listened carefully as I walked her through my cleaning schedule, and she made sure to ask questions about the steps that would keep me happy. It was a damned useful thing that her sisters and cousin were omegas, if it meant that the way I was right now wasn’t freaking her out.

While we finished up our meal, Sunshine showed me some really cool cleaning hack videos that made me way too happy, and then we got to work. She changed into some of my old shorts and t-shirt, and I direct her to the living room where she dusted, polished, and wiped down.

“Loud music?” Sunshine pointed at the music player. “Ember makes these epic playlists. She has one for cleaning that makes it feel like fun.”

The idea of Sunshine, me, a scrub brush, and loud music made me feel good. Usually I cleaned in grumpy silence, uncomfortable in my own skin. “You know what? Yes.”

We danced while cleaning the entire house. My funky mood lifted, and I settled into the pure satisfaction of cleaning the hell out of the house.

We might have only been dating a month, but I was already head over heels for her. I had to be patient, or I would push her away. But my instincts were pushing me, and it was all I could do not to beg Logan and Luca to give her a bondmark each.

Then she would be mine forever.

I would never take her choice away like that, but my instincts didn’t agree with my logic.

She was mine.

Chapter 30

Sunshine

The afternoon flew by. We got the house scrubbed down and by the time Logan and Luca came home, everything was spic and span.

Luca had gone shopping and bought more blankets, some games and a range of ready-to-eat healthy snacks. Logan had bags full of fresh produce and started cooking up a storm. I convinced Julian to play Animal Crossing with me. He’d started dragging his heels during the last phase of cleaning, going from bouncy to lethargic, and looking a little flushed. But when Luca asked if he wanted to go to the nest, he said no.

So we bundled down on the couch. Julian plastered himself between me and Luca and watched me play Animal Crossing. He made suggestions on how to redecorate my island, and what things to craft. It was a nice way to spend the night, and before too long he'd bounced back enough to want to redecorate his own island.

I was relieved to see he was getting to sate his nesting instincts through the game instead of exhausting himself. I put down my controller and started to slide out of the blankets.

Julian whimpered. “Babe, don’t leave.”

“I’m stealing us some food.” I put my finger to his lips. “Be right back.”

I headed into the kitchen, to where Logan was stirring a pot. I peeked around him, not wanting to get in the way, and saw he was making béchamel sauce,. Rows and rows of meatballs were sitting out on paper towels, and a big pot of water was almost at boiling point.

He smiled. “You okay? You need anything?”

“Yes. Food to steal.”

Even though my arms were sore from cleaning, I felt lighter. Giddy. When I’d left work today, I’d told Holly and Raina that Julian’s heat was about to start. I had the next two weeks off, and I was going to spend it with the men I wanted to be my pack.

Maybe it was tempting fate—after all, I was just a beta—but I was excited. They never treated me like I was just a beta after all.

Logan pulled me into a hug with one arm, kissing the top of my head. “You did good today. He never lets us help. Doesn’t want our scent to kick him off early.”

I smiled up at him, and his blue eyes were filled with such warmth that it took my breath away. I had to pause for a moment before I could speak. “I have three omegas in the family. I’ve been well trained.”

Logan leaned down, stealing a quick kiss while continuing to stir the sauce. “I’ll send you out there with some meatballs. I also made some fruit tarts and chocolate mousse.”

“Hell, yes.” I took in a deep inhale of Logan’s herbal scent. This close to Julian’s heat, I could smell bay, thyme, rosemary, and even a faint whiff of lavender. “Dessert is my favorite.”

I moved to the side to let him cook and I could see the two other meals he had going. “Do you always cook and freeze a million meals?”

“Doesn’t hurt to have some easy leftovers. And if we don’t use all the frozen meals, Julian’s fire company won’t say no to them.”

“So, before his heat, Julian cleans, and Logan cooks.” I turned my head and called out to the inhabitants of the couch. “And what does Luca do before Julian’s heat?”

“Luca rests, like a smart person.” He sent me a devastating wink from where he was still sprawled next to Julian, reading a book.

“That’s smart.” I kissed Logan on the cheek, stealing some meatballs.

Logan brushed his hand over mine. “You’re sure you don’t need anything? This is your heat, too. You can ask for anything.”

I surveyed the mountains of food and looked at Julian and Luca curled up on the couch. “I’m great, thanks.”

“Alright.”

I stole another kiss before loading up a plate of meatballs and taking it out to the living room. Julian wrinkled his nose. “I’m still full from dinner.”

“Fine.” I slid back onto the sofa, next to Julian. “More for me and Luca.”

Once I was settled, I passed a meatball over to Luca, right in front of Julian. After ignoring it the first time or two, he decided to steal every second or third one. We managed dessert that way, too. Once Logan finished cooking, he traipsed up and down the stairs, taking food up to the nest, like we were preparing for a siege. Finally, he settled down on the couch with us.

My eyelids drooped even though it was early. The extra heat Julian was radiating beside me, combined with my pleasantly tired muscles made me sleepy. Next thing I knew, I’d started to make simple mistakes while moving the controls.

I set the controller down. “I’m exhausted. Can we go night night?”

Julian looked more tired than me, but he’d decided to rearrange his entire island, which was an extremely time-consuming process. “Let me move two more houses.”

I pouted. “That’s at least another hour.”

Julian looked at me, and I could tell he really wanted to keep going with the game. But even as he opened his mouth to reply, a jaw-cracking yawn escaped him. After that, he just mumbled, “Okay.”

“Nest?” Logan asked.

Julian shrugged. “Might as well. I don’t know if it’s going to be tomorrow. I feel normal, just tired.”

I looked over at Luca, and then Logan, and I knew we were all thinking the same thing.

Julian was definitely going into heat tomorrow. He was boiling hot, moody, lethargic, and his scent was overpowering.

We headed up to the nest, and I changed into my new nightgown from Twine and Egg, the soft texture like butter against my skin.

After we were all ready for bed, we crawled into the inner nest. Julian arranged a mountain of pillows and blankets around us, until I became a little alarmed that if they fell weight of them might crush me. But I found I liked the effect of being surrounded, as the darkness softly pressed around us.

Once he was satisfied with his arrangement, Julian pulled me towards him in the middle of the nest and plastered himself against my side. Logan curled up next to me and Luca took Julian’s other side. Their scents mingling together in the nest until I let out a breathy sigh of happiness.

Julian giggled. “Smells great in here, doesn’t.”

“It sure fucking does,” Logan growled.

“Yes.” I leaned my head against Julian. He was like a furnace, radiating heat, but for some reason I didn’t feel too hot.

Luca patted Julian’s shoulder. “You want to sleep?”

Or have sex was what was left unspoken.

Julian grumbled. “I’m tired.”

I kissed the top of his forehead. “Good, because I’m exhausted. Someone was a drill sergeant all afternoon about the baseboards.”

“You liked it.” Julian wriggled next to me, shifting his weight like he was trying to wear me like a second skin.

“I did.”

Exhaustion greyed the edges of my vision.

I slipped into sleep, the comforting weight of the pack around me.

When I woke up, I couldn’t tell what time it was, and the nest was pitch black. I’d flipped around while I was asleep, so that now I was facing Logan, with Julian snuggled up right behind me. Disoriented, I lifted my head to look for a window but of course there wasn’t one.

The scent of the nest was overwhelming. The sharp hit of rosemary from Logan, the warm cinnamon vanilla from Luca, and the overwhelming citrus of pineapple and coconuts. I sucked in another breathe, wanting to taste their scents on my tongue.

My slight movements partially roused Julian, and he made a little whimper from behind me, his arm curling tighter around my waist. He dragged me closer, arching against me, his mouth on my neck.

Concentrated desire raked across my skin, like a brand. My pussy pulsed, getting wet, and I stifled a whimper. Julian’s hands roamed down my sides, while his breath teased the sensitive area at the base of my neck.

He whined, and Logan stiffened next to me. Rosemary and vanilla grew stronger, and I could smell my own linen scent. I arched back against Julian, the walls of my pussy clenching around nothing.

I was desperate for him. I wanted him to saturate every fiber of my being.

Licking up the side of my neck, Julian stopped to nibble my ear. I gasped, arching further back into him. He shoved his hips against me, grinding his hard cock against my ass.

Heat fluttered through me at the agonizing sensation of having him so close to being inside me, when he felt so far away.

“I think it’s started,” Julian panted.

“You think?” Logan snorted. The alpha propped up on one elbow, then leaned forward across me to give Julian a scorching kiss.

I shuddered, electricity zipping through me as Logan moved his hands over my body while he continued to kiss Julian. In gentle exploration, he touched my breasts, stroking and kneading. Then he scooted his hips closer to me, so I was pressed between him and Julian.

I lifted my leg up, throwing it over Logan’s waist. Julian immediately slotted in behind me, feverishly rubbing himself against me. We were still clothed, and he started making whimpering sounds of frustration, as desperate as I was to feel skin on skin.

In response, Luca moaned from behind Julian, moving his hands in between me and Julian to grab his cock and give him a squeeze.

Julian gasped, breaking from the kiss, and bucked into Luca’s grip.

“Good omega,” Luca growled. Logan purred in response and heat fluttered through me. My heart pounded enough that it felt like I could feel the blood rushing in my head, in my veins. I wriggled back and forth against them both needing more. More touching, more friction.

Logan pulled me into a kiss, taking control of my mouth. He pushed my nightgown up, breaking from the kiss long enough to pull it over my head.

“Yes,” I panted. Luca helped Julian wriggle out of his pants and before I knew it, we were all naked again. Thank goodness. Why the hell did we were clothes in the nest? Clothes were stupid.

Julian put his hand on my hips, rubbing his cock against me.

Molten fire burned through me. I shifted forward to lie on my side. Julian followed my motion, rubbing against my entrance from behind.

I moaned, the delicious friction of him against my swollen lips enough to make tension spiral inside me. “Please.”

“Mmmm, you’re already so wet.” Julian nipped my neck. “Oh, yes, babe.”

The familiar nickname settled me. He was semi-lucid, like he’d said he would be, but this was still Julian.

“Take me,” I begged, pushing my hips back.

He slid inside me without any more hesitation, and we both groaned. Julian wrapped an arm around my waist, holding me tightly against him like I was going to leave. His cock was bliss inside me, the angle deep enough to hit that special spot without hurting. He moaned, and buried his face in my neck, huffing in my scent.

“Alpha,” Julian whined. “Please.”

“Please what,” Luca purred, his hand curling over Julian’s shoulder.

“I need you.” Julian set a quick deep pace, holding onto my hip and thrusting over and over until I thought I would scream from the intensity. It was too much and not enough.

Luca shifted, opening a compartment, and I heard the now-familiar sound of a bottle of lube opening. Luca poured some on Julian’s ass, which only made him thrust deeper into me.

Logan shifted down my body, pulling a nipple into his mouth. I gasped in shock, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Oh, god.”

Tension ricocheted inside me, connected from Logan’s mouth sucking on my nipple to my clit, setting it throbbing between my legs. As though he read my mind, Logan’s hands smoothed down my body, then between my legs to brush against the tender nub.

I jerked forward, but Julian held me in place.

Luca thrust against Julian, and his cock got harder inside me. He whined, his pace taking on a frantic level. I moaned, ecstasy rising inside me.

There was nothing but the nest—Julian’s thrusts inside me, the feeling of Luca’s hips snapping against Julian hard enough to drive the omega into me, Logan’s hands all over my body, running over Julian’s shoulders, leaning over to steal kisses. I lost track of hands and mouths, the tension driving me higher and higher until I shattered at the top.

“You’re squeezing me.” Julian gasped. His fingers bit into my skin, almost hard enough to hurt. “I’m going to come inside you. Fill you up.”

Heat blasted me as he came, carrying through on his promise. He didn’t stop fucking me, he kept going, and he stayed hard. My own arousal went from satiated to needy in two seconds.

“Oh, yes,” I panted, unable to get anything more intelligent out.

“Logan, fuck her.” Julian’s breath came in harsh pants, fingers still digging into my skin like he was in physical pain. “Come inside her.”

He pulled out, and I whined at the loss.

Logan groaned, and his desire made the nest smell like an herb garden. I locked stares with him, nodding. “Please,” I whimpered. “Please, please.”

I needed. I needed the things Julian was panting about breeding me. My body was on fire, and they were the only ones who could quench it.

Logan slid inside me and I arched up at the sudden intrusion. He was so much thicker than Julian, and this angle made him feel bigger.

“Holy hell, Julian.” Luca bit Julian’s neck, driving back inside him. Julian cried out, rutting his semi-hard cock against me.

I curled against Logan, feeling so safe, but so turned on I couldn’t think. He moved in and out of me, his pace not as frantic as Julian’s, and he took the time to cup my breasts, and then reached between us to gently circle my clit again.

Julian growled, moving his hands between me and Logan to help his alpha with my clit. The extra stimulation almost sent me over the edge. I was overstimulated, not sure what was up or down, if I was about to come or not close enough.

“We’re going to fill you up with our come.” Julian bit my neck. “You’re ours, we’re going to have a million babies.” He whined, dragging his cock against me again, in a gesture that was becoming wonderfully familiar.

“Fuck, Sunshine, I need you.” His omega whine bounced off the walls of the nest, and my body melted.

“Wait your turn,” Logan growled. “You want me to come inside her or not?”

Julian licked my neck again, at the place where my neck and shoulder met. “You want that, don’t you babe?”

“Yes,” I panted. Logan lifted one of my legs up higher and pushed inside me, hitting deeper. I buried my face in his throat, taking in a deep lungful of his herbal scent. “Fuck me, alpha.”

“That’s it,” he said, sounding strained. “Come on baby, you’re almost there.”

I was shocked to realize I was teetering on the brink of another orgasm.

“I’m going to fuck your ass, okay?” Julian pressed his cock between my ass cheeks. “I need you.”

“Wait,” Luca growled. He shifted above us, grabbed a box. “Put a condom on first.”

I shivered with anticipation, not sure how I would handle it. We’d taken turns, but I hadn’t managed double penetration.

Julian fumbled with a condom, rubbing his cock against me, and then fiddling with the rubber and lube.

Luca took pity on him and helped sheath him, stroking his cock a few times. “You want your beta?”

“I can’t live without her.” Julian pressed a kiss on my shoulder. “I need you so much Sunshine.”

His voice was raw, utterly undone. I wiggled against him. “Take me. Please, while our alpha is fucking me.”

Julian’s scent ramped up and blasted the nest, and he rubbed against my tight ring.

“Go slow,” Luca commanded. Logan stroked his hand down my arm, reducing the pace of his own thrusts until I whimpered.

“Patience, Sunshine.” He pulled me into a kiss as Julian slowly worked his way into my ass. As he pressed inside, I whined, grabbing at Logan’s shoulder.

I was pressed between them, and full. So full.

“Fuckfuckfuckfuck,” Julian whimpered. “Oh, I can feel Logan. Fuck, I’m gonna come.”

Desire twisted like a knife inside me, the sensitive skin stretched and pulled. I was so full. I rocked my hips, on the edge of bliss, but needing more.

Julian groaned. “Can I move?”

“Yes,” I said, my voice sounding strangled. “Oh, god—I’m so close.”

Logan and Julian worked themselves in and out of me, each finding his own rhythm. Logan’s cock filled me, his thick knot stretching outside me as he slid almost all the way out and Julian pressed inside. Luca matched Julian’s motions, his hand on his omega’s hip keeping him to a slower pace.

“More,” I whimpered. They were holding me on the edge of pleasure and pain, and my skin tingled and shivered.

Logan was the first to break, thrusting back inside me at the same time as Julian, and impaling me with his cock. I cried out, wiggling my hips, not sure if I was trying to angle away or towards my alpha and omega.

Julian buried himself to the hilt pulsing into me as he came, then picking up speed to matching Logan’s rhythm.

I shattered into a million pieces, coming so hard that black spots speckled the edge of my vision. They didn’t take mercy on me, instead they kept their pace up, alternating their thrusts until they didn’t, thrusting inside me at the same time, filling me up over and over—their hands roaming my body, Julian’s whimpered gasps about coming inside me, the sound of their grunts and moans as erotic as their scent surrounding me.

I came again and again, finally going limp as Logan came once more, and Julian followed. I could feel Luca shuddering as he clasped our omega’s hips, letting out a sigh as he came as well.

I blinked, and then giggled, euphoria breaking over me like the sun on a cloudy day.

Julian smiled, his hair plastered around his face, and holding me close. “You okay?”

“I’m great.” I knew I had a sappy grin plastered on my face but I didn’t care. Logan kissed me, his scent following him like a cloud.

We lay pressed together, Julian, Logan, and Luca all caressing me and each other. Luca told Julian he was a good omega, and Logan leaned over me to steal kisses. It was nice. I didn’t feel left out, nor like anyone else was getting left out.

My stomach rumbled and I wondered what time it was. The nest was still dark, and I wasn’t sure what time we’d woken up, nor how long we’d been at it.

Julian’s stomach rumbled loud enough for us all to hear it and Logan sat up. “That’s it. Food time.” He leaned over and slowly undimmed the lighting just enough that we could see each other.

“No, alpha.” Julian reached for Logan. “You can’t leave the nest.”

Logan kissed Julian, stroking his hand through his shiny black hair. “You need to eat, omega.” His voice was rumbly, laced with a thread of command. Shivers danced over my skin at the tone in his voice.

Logan smirked at me, before looking at Luca. “You can handle them?”

“Of course.” Luca purred, like a cat with the cream. “Hurry back.”

“What do you want?” Logan looked at Julian.

“Protein bars and some coffee. And sports drinks.”

“A hot meal.”

Julian wrinkled his nose. I tugged him against me. “I’m starving. You need to feed me if you’re going to be able to fuck me some more.”

Julian sighed. “Fine. Pancakes, bacon.”

Pancakes sounded like bliss. Julian snuggled down next to me, pulling a heavy blanket over the three of us.

“I don’t like it when he leaves the nest,” Julian pouted.

“He’ll be right back. With food.” I kissed Julian’s forehead. My body was still tingling from the aftershocks.

“Are you okay?” His voice was slurred, like he was having to make an effort to talk. “Did my previously undiscovered breeding kink scare you?”

I laughed. “Not at all. It was hot.”

Julian licked the tender place behind my ear. “Mmm.”

“You did wonderfully, darling.” Luca leaned over Julian to kiss me. His scent covered me, the cinnamon vanilla making me hungry for him, as his tongue licking over my lips. Julian whimpered next to me, his scent getting thicker.

Just when I started thinking we would have time for another round before Logan got back, the flap to the canvas opened, and the alpha returned.

“Hey now.” He grinned at us, looking disheveled. His eyes were dark brown, the pupils blown black just like Luca’s. “Food first.”

“Luca started it,” Julian said, looking pleased.

“Tattletale.” Luca nipped the omega’s shoulder. “I’ll get you for that later.”

“I hope so,” Julian purred.

We all sat up and scooted over to the opening of the nest. Luca pulled down one of the sides of the nest, and it converted into a small table.

Logan set plates of pancakes down and we scarfed down the small fluffy bits of heaven. Julian stared off into space, so we took turns feeding him.

I had a wicked thought. “I have a surprise for you if you eat all your food.” I nodded at his half full plate of scrambled eggs, pancakes, and bacon.

He perked up. “A surprise?”

I nodded, stuffing another bite of bacon into my mouth. I was ravenous, but already my pussy was tingling at my brilliant idea. Between Luca and Logan feeding me sports drinks and coffee, I felt more alert, some of the fuzzy surrealness of the hormones receding.

Julian ate his plate of food, allowing the three of us to feed him. He perked up after the meal, and I felt good about making him eat.

I didn’t expect to feel so pleased with myself for making Julian eat but just seeing him bounce back after downing three sports drinks made me curl with satisfaction. No wonder Logan had a thing about feeding people.

Logan cleared our plates out of the nest so it wouldn’t smell like food, and Julian dragged me back to the center of the pile of blankets and pillows.

“Luca, get behind our beta.” Julian brushed his mouth softly over mine. “Did I do good enough for my surprise?”

“You did,” I said, wrapping my arms around him. Coconuts and pineapple surrounded me, and for a moment I had to rest my forehead on Julian’s shoulder.

This was Julian, my best friend, my boyfriend, and now the man who was making me crave him more than food, sleep, or caffeine.

“Okay babe?” Julian kissed the side of my head. “We can slow down. Luca would love to edge me.”

“That’s true.” Luca curled an arm around my waist, his fingers lightly brushing the soft skin on my stomach.

“I’m great. Just adjusting to feeling so much all the time.”

Julian chuckled. “Take your time.”

Logan came back into the nest, and Julian let out a whine. “Come press against me. It’s been too long.”

Logan crawled over to us, pressing against Julian’s back.

I laid back against Luca. He was sitting up, and I felt wonderfully enclosed with Luca behind me and Julian snuggled up against my front. Logan pressed against Julian’s back and we were back to being the best sandwich in the world.

Luca peppered soft kisses along my back and shoulders and Julian stroked his hands down my sides. I shifted into a more comfortable position, spreading my legs so Julian could slide forward. He was hard and pressed our hips together.

Pleasure zipped through me. I put Luca’s hands on my breasts and his breath caught. He gave them a gentle squeeze and the electric shock of desire pinged through me.

Logan grabbed Julian’s hair, gathering it so it fit in his hand, and pulled the omega’s neck to the side. He nibbled, leaving Julian to squirm against me. I pulled Julian into a shuddering kiss, our mouths fitting perfectly together. We went deep, stroking our tongues together, like we could eat each other whole. My world ended and began at the taste of his mouth on me, the feel of Luca’s hands stroking my nipples, at Logan’s groans, the sight of him pleasuring Julian so thoroughly.

I wanted more, more closeness, more of whatever the pack had to give.

Julian broke from the kiss, his eyes glazed over, his lips swollen from our kisses. “We’re going to take you over and over.” Julian nipped my shoulder, and I shuddered.

“Let me get the surprise set up first.” I glanced back at Luca.

“Right.” Julian grinned at me sheepishly. “I got distracted by your hotness.”

“You want your bag, kitten?” Luca pressed a soft kiss to my shoulder.

“Yes,” I sighed, Julian rubbing his cock between my legs.

“Got it,” Logan said.

Julian whined, but Logan was quick to bring me the bag I’d stashed in here along with more condoms for him and Luca.

While Luca and Logan were putting condoms on and lubing up, I pulled a lock out of the bag. I’d tried all three at Holly’s suggestion, but the thin flexible one was my favorite. It didn’t impede sensation inside my pussy since it just sat right inside me, and the flared base to keep it from disappearing inside me.

“Sex toys,” Julian clapped his hands. “What’s that one do?”

I grinned at him. “Since you’ve been a good omega, getting me all hot and bothered, I can show you.”

I shifted my hips and pressed the lock inside me. The scent of the two alphas and omega went up three notches and the three of them were staring at me.

“It’s a lock. I thought it would be fun to try.” I looked at Julian. “If you don’t like⁠—”

Julian covered my mouth with a kiss, hungry and needy. He pulled away and pressed the head of his cock against my entrance. “I like. Tell me if this hurts.”

His words were slow and slurred, and I appreciated the mental effort it must have taken him to actually use words. I nodded, shifting my hips so I could take him better.

He slid inside with a moan, the stretched feeling inside me even tighter with the lock. Like I’d hoped, it didn’t take away from the pure bliss of having him inside me.

“Yes?” Luca asked, breathing in my scent. “You’re okay?”

“Very okay.” I wiggled. “Don’t stop, Julian.”

He groaned and pulled out only to push back in faster this time. The sharp burst of pleasure sent me reeling and I cried out, grabbing onto his shoulders. I pulled him against me, as he moved in and out of me.

“Alphas, please, we need you,” I gasped, wanting to feel more, seeking that oblivion.

Luca pressed against my ass, rubbing back and forth. He timed himself against Julian, so someone was always pushing against me. The pressure as much as the pure sensation ratcheted up the tension spiraling inside me. Logan positioned himself over Julian, holding onto the omega’s hips before thrusting inside. It sent Julian harder inside me, and I cried out at the sudden friction. Luca pressed inside me, quicker than Julian had, working my ass over like he was a pro.

He angled himself deep inside, my nerve endings firing at the pressure and squeezed feeling. He went slow, so very slowly, but it still made me feel so full. I sucked in a breath, breathing in Julian’s scent until it was all I knew.

Julian whined loudly, building up an unsteady rhythm. Both Luca and Logan worked us, thrusting in tandem and then off kilter until we didn’t know what to expect, helpless to the pleasure they gave us.

“Sunshine, Sunshine,” Julian gasped, gripping my forearms tight enough to almost hurt. “Oh please I need you.”

“Take me,” I panted. Edgy need filled me, desire pounding in my body until it felt like they broke me down and filled me back up with their own body.

“I’m gonna come inside you,” Julian drove inside me, over and over now, his insistent need driving us both higher.

He bit my shoulder hard, and I yelped, the hard edge of pain adding to the sweet sharp pleasure we were chasing.

“Yes, come and I’ll lock you,” I panted.

“Yes, and Logan knot me.” Julian drove inside me, over and over.

“I love you,” Julian panted. “Sunshine I love you so much.”

Tears bit the corners of my eyes. “I love you to.”

Luca purred, snaking his hand between me and Julian to rub my clit as he pushed his cock in and out of me, the rocking motion pure bliss.

I couldn’t think, all I could feel was the pleasure and love tangling over me, Julian’s pure need, his cries. I shattered into a million pieces, coming with a shout.

Julian cried out, coming inside me as he thrust himself over and over like a jack hammer, Logan’s hips driving him forward. Luca pressed into me two more times, until he came with a grunt. Julian thrust inside me, not stopping until he’d come again, and I wrapped my legs around him, doing a Kegel and squeezing my pussy walls shut.

Julian yelped again, but the soft silicon held him inside me. Logan grunted and gave one more thrust before knotting Julian. Our omega came again, mewling into me like he was dying.

Rapture sank into my bones. For long moments I forgot where I was, who I was. The hot sticky press of the men who loved me anchored me to this world, because otherwise I would have floated away on bliss.

I kept my eyes closed, sinking into joy. Julian loved me. Even my most anxious moments I couldn’t deny that he couldn’t lie, couldn’t mistake his feelings for anything than what they were.

Julian shifted so he wasn’t laying all his weight against me.

“You okay?” My voice was a croak.

He nodded, his face flushed and his pupils still blown black. “Okay?”

“Amazing.” I smiled at him, pressing a kiss to his mouth. “Sleep?”

We shifted, Julian pulling out of me reluctantly and curling on our sides. Logan shifted him to the side, still knotted inside him. I curled up to Julian’s other side, and Luca helped me get cleaned up before curling to my back.

Luca stroked his hand through my hair, long soft movements that made drowsiness pour through me.

“You’re amazing.” Luca kissed my shoulder, licking where he’d bitten me.

Julian settled against me, shifting closer, without opening his eyes. He was out, and so was Logan. It was semi-dark and I didn’t know what time it was.

“I love you.” Luca pulled me into a kiss, and I sank into him.

They loved me back. Joy bounced around me until it felt like I would burst. He pulled away with a soft smile. “You’re everything we ever needed, and we’re lucky to have you.”

I rolled over to press my face against Luca’s chest, making sure I was pressed against Julian. “I love you too. It felt too soon but…”

“Never too soon.” Luca kissed the top of my head, his voice thick with sleep. “Not when you know it’s right.”

I sighed, rubbing my face into his chest, loving the hard planes of his muscles, the slight tickle of chest hair.

“Get some sleep. We’re going to ravish you again in a little while.”

I started to pout, but exhaustion weighted me down. I slipped into sleep, weightless and free with security of the pack around me.

Chapter 31

Sunshine

Time passed in moments marked by being touched, by touching. By lips and hands and hips and fingers and cocks and the shattering crash of orgasm after orgasm. Our bodies entwined together over and over, doing the ancient dance of lovemaking. Moments punched by Luca or Logan coaxing us into eating protein bars and drinking sports drinks until we fell back into loving each other.

We tried each lock I’d brought, but Julian agreed with me on the one I liked the best. He also took me without the lock, from behind, in every position we could come up with. Luca pinned him down and fucked him hard and fast while he swallowed Logan’s cock and then I rode him. Luca and Logan fucked me at the same time, dragging it out until I was a helpless mess, and then making me come three times in succession.

I woke up more coherent than I had in a while and felt…sore. Ecstatic, but so very sore. I tried to move my arms and legs, but my body was no longer taking orders from me.

My lips were cracked and my throat raw from screaming in pleasure. I tried to move but couldn’t do more than wiggle.

I lay against Julian’s chest. He was flat on his back, sleeping deeply with Logan curled up on his other side. Luca curled against me and shifted when I twitched.

“’s’okay?” Luca’s voice was deep and husky, and a trickle of desire worked its way through me.

“Can’t move.” My mouth was thick and dry.

Luca sat up quickly, moving from sleeping to awake.

“I’m okay.” I said quickly, keeping my voice low. If Julian was sleeping, he needed it. “Let’s go back to sleep.”

Luca rolled me over, so I faced him. It was slow going because my muscles didn’t want to move at all, and I couldn’t hide my winces.

“We haven’t been doing a good job of pacing you.” Luca wrinkled his nose.

“I’m fine.” I breathed in his cinnamon vanilla scent and suddenly wanted Snickerdoodles.

“You’re going to rest.” Luca slid away from me, replacing his weight with a pillow. “I’m getting you food and water.”

I didn’t have the energy to argue. I cuddled the pillow, huffing in Julian’s scent and drifted back to sleep until Luca returned with a sports drink and plate of bite sized food.

He looked tired himself, his black hair disheveled beyond repair. He had bags under his eyes, and there were bite marks all over his neck and shoulders from where the three of us had bitten him.

He fed me bites of broccoli, eggs, and cheese, quiche and mini fruit tarts in between helping me drink from the bottle. My arms and hands still didn’t want to move or grasp anything.

“Sorry,” I said after the second time I failed to grab the bottle.

“No sorry.” He kissed my forehead. “I should have made you eat more and take more breaks.”

“Pretty sure that was my fault.” I grinned. They had tried to let me rest by tag teaming Julian. It didn’t go so well and soon I’d joined in. “The sight of the two of you tag teaming Julian is too much for me to bear.”

Luca purred, eating some food for himself.

Logan stirred, lifting his head up to survey the nest. He didn’t seem awake at all, but in the primal instincts of scanning for threats.

Logan ate, and we managed to rouse Julian enough to get him to eat and drink again.

Luca gave me some painkillers and rubbed my shoulders gently. I felt straight back to sleep at the pure relaxation of Luca working out the stiffness of my limbs.

I woke again, snuggled by Julian’s side. He was still baking hot, but the intensity of his scent had calmed down. Luca was breathing heavily on shoulder and Logan’s arm was thrown over Julian’s chest, breathing with his mouth open.

It was adorable.

Julian said he loved me. Warmth curled through me at the idea, the precious gift of his love. Of Luca’s love. I looked at Logan, knowing he loved me too.

I loved them so much it hurt. It sat behind my breastbone, a soft weight of pressure and understanding.

And they loved me back. My mind immediately tried to shut it down, to minimize it. But the look of pure love and devotion on Julian’s face as he thrust inside me over and over, gasping he loved me was irrefutable. He was too raw, too open. Like I was seeing straight into his soul.

Julian yawned and opened his eyes. He gave me a smile that was equal parts sleepy and sexy. “How you doing, babe?”

I smiled. I was still sore and stiff, but I could move my arms. “Wonderful. Do you want some water or—" I started to move, but he hooked his arm around my waist.

“Stay.”

“We need food.”

“In a bit.” Julian pulled me against him. “I’m more lucid and I promise we’ll eat before I ravish you again.”

I giggled, rubbing my cheek against his chest. I used my pointer finger to trace his dragon tattoo, loving the soft bump of his skin where the ink was laid.

He stroked his hands down my shoulders, and for a long time we cuddled.

“Did I freak you out?”

I glanced up at him, and he was frowning.

“I know I’m intense during my heat…” He bit his lip. “I know you need time and space, and I told you I loved you.”

I frowned.

“I do love you,” he said quickly. “I couldn’t lie about that even if I wanted but all the thoughts about letting you slowly get comfortable were far, far away.”

“I know.” I caressed his cheek. “It’s okay. I love you too.”

His face lit up and he grinned. “I am lovable.”

I shifted up and stole a kiss. “You are. So lovable.”

“And the new breeding kink?” He gave me an innocent look. “I mean, I do want kids at some point but not right now.”

“That was really hot.” My face flushed. “But uhh, let’s take the kids thing slow?”

“Agreed.” Julian kissed my forehead. “I haven’t even convinced you to move in with us.”

A shiver of ice ran down my spine. That was more relevant and, somehow, more scary.

“Hey.” He patted my shoulder. “If you’re not ready it’s okay. But you basically sleep over every night anyway.”

“I know.” I licked my lips, my mouth suddenly dry. “It’s stupid after you saying you love me, but it feels really sudden.”

I pictured moving in and falling even deeper for this pack. At least when Rob and Isaac dumped me, I still had my own place. I didn’t have to worry about packing my stuff and leaving.

“Just think about.” Julian ran his hands through my hair, the blond strands hopelessly messed up. “I’m patient. Mostly.”

I laughed and forced myself to relax.

The nasty part of my mind wanted to think Julian didn’t mean any of this. He would regret me moving in after the heat haze wore off, would regret saying “I love you” so soon.

But the memory of how open and raw he was, panting that he loved me, like he would die without me, refused to be ignored. I’d never seen anyone but my family so vulnerable. Luca and Logan too, like they were completely undone.

A memory popped into my head. Rob and I, making out in the couch at their house, Mason coming in from his art class. Rob dropped nibbles down my neck, as Mason made a beeline for their bedroom.

“Hey Mason, what you do think? Sunshine at your next heat?”

Mason actually wrinkled his nose. It cut me deep. I didn’t want to care so much, I wouldn’t push if Mason wasn’t interested. But for him to actively wrinkle his nose? Like it was disgusting to him?

It hurt. Rob had laughed it off, but things were never the same.

Now I knew why.

“What’s wrong?” Julian tapped my shoulder. “Your forehead is doing the wrinkle thing. It’s seriously okay to wait for you to move in if you want more time.”

“It’s not that.” I kissed the scale on the dragon tattoo.

“Tell me.” He asked sweetly, giving me puppy eyes.

“Not during your heat.” I kissed his mouth. “Later.”

He pouted. “Tell me now.”

“It was about Mason.” I watched his face for any signs of distress. He looked concerned, but not mad.

“He didn’t want me at his heat. I thought it was because I was just a beta.”

“Aww honey.” He pressed his forehead against mine. “He was an idiot.”

“It wasn’t that.” I laid my arms on his chest. “I saw you completely undone. You couldn’t be in heat around just anybody.”

“Ewww no.” He made such a cute face. I touched his nose.

“Exactly. It wasn’t me, a useless beta. He wasn’t comfortable with me during his heat, his most vulnerable moment.”

Julian hugged me against him. “That’s true. He was an idiot for not wanting you, but no. You are plenty useful during a heat.”

He angled his mouth over mine, taking a slow drowsy kiss. “You locked me.” His voice got husky. “Made me scream your name, over and over. Made me eat food.” He looked between us, at our sleeping alphas. “Wore out the alphas.”

I sighed, pleasure curling through me. Something that was broken inside me felt…better. I wasn’t a useless beta.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if I moved in. I thought about it, turning the thought over. But exhaustion made it hard to think so I pushed it aside as a problem for the future.

Luca and Logan woke up, and insisted we eat again. I was ravenous but wanted a bath more than food. Julian whined about the scent getting washed off, so I made him soak with me. Logan washed off and then hurried away to cook with a manic gleam in his eye.

I took my time, soaking and leisurely washing Julian’s hair. He was still running hot, which meant the heat might not be over.

We climbed out, wrapped in fluffy towels while Luca insisted he dry us off. The drying turned into touching until Logan hollered for us to come and get food.

We padded back into the mini kitchen, the scent of cheeseburgers, homemade French fries, and a fruit salad filling the air. There was a small breakfast nook next to the kitchen with a round, booth style table. We packed into the booth, cuddling while eating.

We fell on the food like a pack of ravenous wolves. The cheeseburger was juicy and rich, and I had mine with lettuce, tomato, and pickles. I ate three burgers, a whole plate of fries, and fruit.

“And for dessert.” Logan kissed my cheek before sliding out of the booth. He went into the fridge and pulled out a key lime pie with a flourish.

He plated up four big slices and handed me the first one. “For our beta. We couldn’t have gotten through that without you.”

Joy rose up inside me, sharp and fierce. I looked up at Logan with tears in my eyes and smiled. “Thank you.”

I looked at the meal, remembering vaguely about asking for cheeseburgers during one of our marathon sex sessions. Logan had to have planned ahead enough to get key limes and put it in the nest kitchen.

Warmth bubbled up inside me, light and airy as sunlight. “I love you too.”

Logan slid into the booth next to me. “I love you. I don’t say it as much as I should.”

“You don’t have to.” I hugged him, his herbal scent comforting.

I hadn’t expected to be so pampered during Julian’s heat. They were treating me…like I was another omega. Like I was precious and valued.

“I should more often.” Logan kissed my temple. “But I love you.”

“I asked her to move in with us,” Julian said like he was sharing a secret. “It freaked her out, so I told her it was an open invitation.”

Luca rolled his eyes. “Way to give her space.”

Julian grinned, not looking sorry at all. “I also made sure I didn’t flip her out with my new breeding kink.”

Logan gave a rough purr that sent shiver racing down my spine. “Yeah?”

“Breeding kink is a yes, babies in the someday far future.”

I nodded. “Far future.”

The carbs and protein hit me like a ton of bricks, and I didn’t resist when Julian pulled me back into the nest. He arranged the blankets around us again, fluffing the pillows just so.

I laughed. “Still in heat?”

He gave me an innocent look. “You think so?”

“Nah.” Luca smirked. “He’s all good.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Julian settled in between me and Logan. “But we’re gonna have a nap and then I need new scent marks.”

I curled against him and sighed. “Sounds good.” I was still so sore, but the food and rest helped revive me.

I dropped off to sleep, waking up when Luca purred in my ear, his body hot and hard behind me.

The scent of cinnamon and vanilla mingled with Julian and Logan. Desire poured through me, and I rocked my hips against Julian.

We devoured each other again and spent the rest of the day tangled in each other’s bodies. But I could see a difference, and we dropped off to sleep almost at a normal hour.

When I woke up the next morning, I crawled out of the nest myself for coffee. Despite the meal yesterday, I was famished. Julian wandered out and we cuddled on the breakfast nook until Logan woke up and made us food while Luca cleaned up. Julian’s body temperature seemed normal, and his scent was strong, but not the alluring siren’s call it had been.

We spent the day lounging around, eating and watching movies on the laptop Luca had produced. We stayed in the nest, and it was nice to cuddle. Each of my guys, even Julian, took turns forcing me to eat and drink. Julian was outpacing me in the food department, joking about getting back up to fighting weight.

The heat was over, but we stayed in the nest for another day or so, enjoying each other’s scents and pretending the rest of the world didn’t exist. I held out as long as I could, but I finally checked my phone to let my family know I was okay.

I had many messages from Talia, and a few from my family. We’d been secluded for a week and a half.

I snuggled against Julian’s side, pulling up the soft comfy blanket. “Was that a long heat?”

“Yes.” He squeezed me against him. “You made me extra horny and breedable.”

“I’ll say.” Luca stole a kiss from Julian. “You were a very good omega.”

Luca’s purr sent shivers through me and Julian. I didn’t think I had the energy for sex again, but they proved me wrong. Post heat sex turned out to be just as good as heat sex.

Chapter 32

Sunshine

Going back to the real world after Julian’s heat was a rude awakening. Holly had gotten me caught up on my tasks, but it only took two weeks for everything to fall apart again. It didn’t help it felt like I was recovering from the flu. I was tired and drained for days after I went back to work, even though I tried to act like it was fine.

Neither the alphas nor Julian were acting worn out from the heat, and I wanted to make sure they didn’t baby me next time. Despite me pretending I wasn’t still tired, Logan plied me with food and drink every time I was nearby. It was easier to pretend it was his need to feed people rather than my body being too slow to catch up to the rest of the pack.

I turned over the idea of moving in with them, but every time I did, I felt raw panic. I knew they loved me. And I loved them. But it felt big and irreversible.

Part of me worried that they would see me, all of me, and realize I was too weird for them to want to be with long term. I was spending the night most nights, but there were times when I went back to my cottage to work.

And by work, it was having a freak out over juggling a million tasks. I had three events close together, and the time right before things kicked off was always nuts. I didn’t sleep well, tossing and turning, thinking about the things still left to do.

Anxiety simmered inside me, like I was slowly boiling myself alive. No matter how many times I did deep breathing, walked myself through the different outcomes of my tasks, and told myself to get my shit together, it always snapped back.

It made me feel ashamed, and the more I thought about living with them, the more it felt like a good goal to work toward. If I got myself more organized, then I could move in with Pack Kahele without worrying that I would be a nervous wreck at some point and ruin everything.

It was good goal. Too bad I was so far away from it.

I shook my head, trying to blink some of the dryness out of my eyes.

I went over to the pack’s house after work because I missed them, but I still had so much work to do it felt pointless. I should have gone to my cottage, but Julian made puppy eyes about missing me another night in a row.

Logan had come home from work early and made us a delicious dinner. Julian was off work and assured me he would let me work. He sat next to me and played Race to Win with Luca.

My head hurt, my temples pounding.

I was so, so behind. It was ridiculous how behind I let myself get considering I’d been mostly caught up two weeks ago.

I thought I had budgeted myself enough time to get things scheduled, but the last couple days at work were a never-ending series of stuff popping up.

Ember needed help with a client intake because the alpha set her omega hormones off in a bad way. Luna was taking some sick days, so I offered to schedule some of the deliveries for her gardening supplies, which took almost half a day. Raina circled me every five minutes to ask about a new client, new event, or something else.

I was ready to scream. I wasn’t sleeping well, my mind was racing at night.

Next to me, Julian jerked the controller, bumping against my leg.

I ignored it. It was fine. He was excited. Even though the beep-beep-beep from the car game was grating my nerves. I refocused on my spreadsheets, the green and white boxes blurring in my vision.

“Right, Sunshine?” Julian elbowed me.

“What?” I frowned. I was supposed to be checking on a date for Mrs. Cleary’s flowers, but the thought of flowers made me remember I had to get the white napkins to the embroidery shop.

“I’m gonna put Luca into the dust with this new blue corvette you helped me unlock.”

“Yes.” I searched my tabs. I had made a long list of all the weird and strange things Mrs. Cleary wanted for her garden bonanza, but I couldn’t find it anywhere.

The beep of the starting race intruded on my thoughts, and in the kitchen, Logan was moving pots and pans around.

Biting my lip, I opened three more spreadsheets. I was also working on Carsen’s bonding ceremony the same day, so maybe I jotted the list down in there so I wouldn’t forget.

Haha, the biggest joke. Writing it down so I won’t forget. If only I could remember where I wrote it down, I’d be great.

Julian shouted, half jumping in his seat. “Got you with a banana!”

Annoyed, I opened three more worksheets. He was adorably energetic, but I didn’t have the mental space for Julian’s bouncy energy.

If I wasn’t so hideously behind on everything, I would have put my laptop away for the night.

Dread coiled in my stomach. If I just focused really hard the next few days, I could catch up. It would be fine. I was adult, this was my job. I should be able to handle this.

And next time, I would budget my time better. It was my own fault, for forgetting about these random tasks. I’d had client meeting after client meeting, event space conversations, and several fires to put out with the wrong food being ordered, the embroidered napkins coming in wrong.

I loved being calm in a crisis like that, but it also meant I pushed off ordering two dozen white napkins to be folded into an origami shape until the last freaking minute.

Oh, maybe the list was under my event planning document. I clicked on the folder to open it, and Julian squealed, jumping up again.

“For the love of cookies,” I snapped. “Scoot over if you’re going to bump into me every five seconds.”

Julian froze, and I sucked in a breath. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Guilt flooded me until I felt like I was about to cry. Julian wiped the hurt look off his face. “It’s okay.”

I shook my head. “I shouldn’t have snapped. I’m stressed about work, but that’s not your fault.”

Luca and Logan both looked at me like I was a wild animal that was about to go feral.

“I’m sorry,” I said again, holding my laptop in my lap, not sure what to do with my hands. “Julian, I’m so sorry.”

Julian put his controller down and snuggled into my side. “Sunshine, it’s okay. It’s not a big deal.”

“I snapped at you.”

He shrugged. “You also said sorry right away. It’s fine, no one expects you to be perfect all the time.”

I let out a breath. And then another. My insides twisted, sure that this was going to be the last straw. I snapped at Julian when he didn’t do anything wrong. That was it, we were going to break up. Panic beat in my chest, making blood rush in my ears.

My omega cocked his head and touched my arm. “Are you okay?”

“It’s just work. I’m almost done.” I gestured at my laptop. My stomach rolled like I was going to be sick. I kept waiting for the fight. For him to be mad at me for snapping at him.

“Do you want to use the office?” Luca looked worried. “Julian is adorable, but I couldn’t focus on anything important in the middle of the living room with all this noise and commotion either.”

Julian batted his eyelashes at me. “I am pretty distracting.”

“You are,” I said, still too afraid to hope that this was it. I’d snapped, apologized, and now Julian was moving on. I glanced at Logan, but he just looked at me with a worried expression.

If I had snapped at Mason, the entire pack would have torn me a new one. If I had lost my temper with Talia, we would have talked about why it wasn’t okay for the next three hours.

Julian seemed fine.

I touched his arm carefully. “You’re not mad? It’s okay if you’re mad.”

“Why would I be mad?” He put his arm around my waist. “It hurt my feelings for about five seconds, mostly because I was surprised. But you apologized, and you look so guilty. Like you accidentally ran me over or something.”

“I didn’t mean to take my bad mood out on you,” I said again, wishing the guilt would go away.

“I know that.” Julian carefully moved my laptop off my lap and pulled me onto his lap.

I let out a shaky breath. Maybe wasn’t going to come crashing down. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.” He kissed the side of my head. “I should have been more considerate or offered you the office when you got here. I’m used to Luca leaving the room if he’s trying to focus on something super important.”

“I just wanted to be able to spend time with you while working.” My voice was muffled. I kept my face in the crook of his neck, his coconut and pineapple scent calming me down better than a whole bottle of wine could.

This was not a big deal, and yet my heart kept racing like we’d had a major blowout fight.

Logan and Luca sat down on either side of us, rubbing my back.

“Not that I want you to leave,” Luca said. “But you’re welcome to use the office. It’s set up nicely, and it’s quiet. If I have a really big case, I use the office because I get too overstimulated otherwise.”

“Is that the word for feeling like the entire world is too loud, too bright, and too much?” I grumbled. Stupid brain. Stupid body. If I could finish up my work I wouldn’t be so stressed out.

Julian laughed. “Yes, babe. I get overstimulated right before my heat. Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll snap at you, and then we’ll be even.”

“It’s not about even.” Logan patted my shoulder. “We’re gonna drop the ball, bicker about something, and disagree. It doesn’t mean we don’t still love you.”

I let out another shuddery breath.

“Oh, honey.” Julian said softly, squeezing me. It still felt like I was about to cry, like the entire world hung in the balance. Luca and Logan both sat on either side of me and Julian pressed as close as they could get.

I snuggled against Julian, letting the warmth and scent of them calm me down.

“Did Luca ever tell you about the peanut thing?” Julian ran his hand through my hair. My scalp tingled pleasantly, and I let out a sigh. I didn’t realize how tense I was until the muscles in my scalp relaxed.

“Oh my God, Julian.” Logan rolled his eyes. “You had to bring that up.”

“It’s hilarious.” Julian sounded pleased with himself.

Luca grinned at Logan. “It was one of the deadliest, sweetest things anyone has ever done for me.”

I looked between the three of them, my body still clammy with sweat.

“So the peanut thing.” Julian started. “Luca was one of the lawyers at the firm Logan used when he was being sued. When the court case was over, and the client relationship is over with, and I’m like finally we can ask Luca on a date.”

“Here we go,” Logan grumbled. But the corners of his eyes were crinkled, so he looked more amused than anything.

“Only for you, Sunshine.” Logan kissed my cheek, some of his stubble pleasantly scratchy. “This story is for your benefit.”

I took his hand in mine, tracing some of the callouses.

“Logan finds out that Luca loves Thai food. As is his way, Logan sets about making all the best Thai recipes in the world.”

I frowned, something tickling the back of my mind. “But Luca is allergic to peanuts?”

Luca smirked. “I am.”

“But Logan doesn’t know it at the time.” Julian grinned ear to ear. “He invites Luca over to the house, in his adorable yet clueless way to woo this alpha. Luca comes over, looking dashing. We have pleasant flirting, lovely conversation, and we sit down to dinner.”

Logan grumbled.

“There’s green curry, pad Thai, spring rolls, and chicken satay with a lovely peanut sauce.”

I couldn’t help but grin at the amusement between the three of them. The tension melted.

“Luca sits down, looks at the food. At the peanut sauce and asks if the green curry has peanuts in it.”

I glanced at Logan, who muttered. “Of course it had peanuts in it.”

Julian chortled. “Luca tells us he’s allergic to peanuts. And then my alpha goes pale and realizes everything he’s cooked has peanuts.”

“Awwww.” I squeezed Logan’s hand. “You must have been crushed.”

“Him?” Luca touched his chest with mock outrage. “What about me? I couldn’t decide if he was flirting or sending a death threat.”

I laughed. “So what happened?”

“I politely thanked him for the effort,” Luca said with dignity. “And ate the spring rolls and the rice.”

“I offered to make him something else.” Logan slid an arm around my waist. “But he didn’t want me to go to the trouble.”

“I had delicious Thai leftovers for days.” Julian sounded smug. “And we got to invite Luca over again for a do-over.”

I looked at Logan. “What did you cook that time?”

“I called his coworkers and found out what he ordered.” Logan grumbled but pushed some hair out of my face.

“Shrimp alfredo?” I guessed. It was usually what Luca ordered when we went out to eat.

“That’s the one.” Julian beamed. “See, you already know his favorite food. Logan made the pasta by hand, got wild caught shrimp the same day, and made the garlic bread from scratch. We would not risk a repeat of the first time.”

“It was pure heaven.” Luca smiled. “I was ready to bond both of them on the spot.”

“We expect you to be human.” Julian squeezed my hand. “We’d prefer it, actually, otherwise we’d have to be perfect all the time.”

“Who wants that?” Logan brushed more of my hair off my shoulder.

“Thank you.” I put my head on Julian’s shoulder, weary from the highs and lows of the day. I had to work, but it would have to wait for tomorrow. “Can we just go to sleep now? I’m exhausted.”

Luca kissed my temple. “Of course we can.”

“I’m beat anyway.” Logan helped us stand up.

We got ready for bed, and I marveled at my luck. I’d messed up, but they were fine. We were fine.

I curled into bed between Julian and Luca, with Logan’s hand stretched over Julian to touch my waist. They whispered they loved me and slipped off to sleep.

Blurry exhaustion pulled me into sleep quickly, but I had strange dreams about falling down cliffs and running without making it anywhere. My dreams shifted to something darker.

A family member was dead, and my heart was breaking. Someone was chasing me, wanted to hurt me and I couldn’t escape them.

I woke up in the middle of the night with my heart in my throat. Adrenaline pounded in my veins, and I almost jumped straight out of bed. Julian grunted and patted my shoulder.

I froze, afraid to wake him all the way up. I breathed in the scent of the pack around me. Coconuts, with vanilla, and herbs.

Logan’s hand was still on my hip. Julian had rolled over to face me. He looked younger in his sleep, his glossy black hair spread over his shoulder like a curtain, and I could almost picture him as a hell raising teenager, playing pranks and getting up to mischief.

Luca was warm behind me, a solid wall of muscle.

Despite the comfort, my body refused to calm down. I was too hot. So hot, I almost felt sick. I shifted in bed, trying to get comfortable, but my foot was asleep, and I wanted to roll over.

Go back to sleep. It was just a dream.

I sucked in a breath, my mind racing. I had so, so much work to do in the morning. Four different reports, invoices, scheduling five different floral arrangements, booking three different event spots—oh no.

Dread washed over me, and my stomach clenched. I’d completely forgotten to book the event for the Snyder bonding ceremony.

They wanted a beautiful service overlooking the cliffs, but that venue was booked months in advance.

Was it too late? I shifted in bed again, and Luca murmured in his sleep. My mouth tasted like copper, and I willed myself to calm the fuck down.

Even if it felt like a bear was chasing me, I was actually fine…screwing things up at work, but I could fix it.

I hoped. The Snyder’s were a sweet pack, and they deserved to have their ceremony at the place of their dreams.

Slowly, I shifted out of bed. I would crawl out of my skin laying down like this.

I’d had to get up in the middle of the night for some panic work, and I didn’t want to wake anyone else up. They’d ask questions. Offer comfort. I wanted to get it done so I could go back to bed.

I padded into the living room, my skin both cold and hot, clammy with sweat. I opened my laptop, my heart racing, as I clicked through some websites. I would just book that ceremony. And order the flowers. I had to remember to call Janice tomorrow as well. I kept forgetting and I wouldn’t be able to order the right glasses.

I opened three different tabs, typed in the website addresses, and clicked into a new tab before the page finished loading.

Objectively, I needed to focus on one task at a time, but my brain was in panic mode. Waiting felt like a small death. I was also terrified I would forget which was the most important. It was like being in a tunnel, and all I could do was to keep racing ahead.

“Sunshine?” Luca appeared in the living room, his curly hair ruffled from sleep. He was shirtless, wearing only a pair of soft sweatpants, his tanned skin glowing in the lamplight. “What’s wrong?”

I looked back at the screen. “Let me click three buttons and I’m coming back to bed.”

Julian and Logan appeared next to him, wearing identical looks of worry.

“I’m sorry.” I waved my hand. “I’m coming right back, I swear. I just remembered some stuff.”

Julian plopped on the couch next to me. “Babe, what’s wrong?”

“I have to work,” I said, my voice sharper than I meant. “There’s a lot of balls in the air right now, and I keep forgetting to do important tasks. If I don’t do it right now, I’m not sure it will be done in time, and I don’t want to forget again.”

Julian exchanged a look with the two alphas.

The nausea rolled over me again. Now they would see what a hot mess I was and lecture me on work habits.

Luca sat on my other side, and Logan sat on the coffee table in front of us. I braced myself.

“Sunshine, my beautiful beta.” Luca’s voice sounded hesitant. That cut through the mental static.

“What?” My heart dropped. “You said four hours ago you weren’t going to break up with me because I’m a hot mess sometimes.”

“Emphasis on the hot,” Julian said softly.

“We’re not breaking up with you.” Luca looked at me, his hands folded in his lap. “We love you. But you’re working yourself really hard, and I think it’s time for help.”

“My sisters would help if they could,” I said. “I’m busier than normal right now.”

I knew it was a lie the second I said it. It wasn’t that I was busy. I just really, really sucked at managing tasks.

“Have you ever been tested for ADHD?” Luca’s voice was still soft.

I frowned. “I’m not hyperactive.”

“That’s not exactly what ADHD means,” Luca said carefully. “I’m not a doctor, I could be wrong, but from my understanding the core issue is the inability to prioritize tasks. You either push things off and do it all in a rush, or you do other things that feel important at the time, but turns out not to be.”

Julian rubbed his chin on my shoulder, absently scent marking me. His scent calmed down some of my racing heart. “Luca has ADHD.”

“I was struggling really hard when I met Logan and Julian. I thought I could do it all. But I could not file briefs on time. I would focus on bits of research and ignore deadlines until I was up for two days finishing things on time. I couldn’t force myself to do anything that I didn’t want to do, no matter how much it matters.”

I winced, looking at the tell-tale laptop in my lap. “I’ve tried every planner system known to mankind. My sisters remind me. Even Julian helps me do things that are stupid and boring.”

Luca raked his hand through his curly black hair and I resisted the urge to touch his hair myself. “Most people don’t have to properly motivate themselves to fill out forms. It feels like death to me.”

“I would rather claw my eyes out.” I gestured at my laptop. “Or I completely space out on something and now I’m in a panic.”

My eyes burned with tears. What a horrible mess. This was such a good look for me, trying to impress these wonderful guys but instead I had a mini nervous breakdown.

“Why not hire an assistant?” Logan’s voice was gruff from sleep. “Logan has like four paralegals right now doing the stupid boring stuff for him.”

I loved how the three of them accepted that I had stupid and boring work tasks. Rob would have lectured me by now on how real adults get their work done, no matter how stupid and boring I thought it was.

Instead, they were trying to help me solve the problem.

“I wouldn’t be able to do half the cases I’m doing if I didn’t have paralegals,” Luca added. “I would be bogged down in research and filing. This way I can focus on the things that I am really good.”

I stared at the neon brightness of my laptop. “I don’t really have enough work for a whole assistant.”

Shame filled me. I didn’t want to think about hiring an assistant. “No one else needs an assistant to make appointments for them.”

Julian pulled a blanket off the back of the couch and wrapped us in it. I loved his instinct to always be snuggling. “Is that true though? Who does all the intake forms?”

“Ember and Stella do most of it, but we all help.”

“And the matching?” Logan asked.

“Raina. She’s got the psychology degree. But she’s so organized.”

“More like a control freak,” Julian said. “Your sister is great, but she’s also got issues with letting go. That doesn’t mean she’s more organized than you.”

“But she is. And she reminds me to do stuff, and I try to do it, but something comes up.” I gestured at the laptop. “I have to order yellow roses from Estelle’s. But I have to call on Tuesday mornings because that’s when they take orders. The last two Tuesdays there was either an emergency, or I forgot until it was two and past the cutoff date. When I did remember, I needed the number of flowers, the pickup time, and other info I hadn’t gotten from the pack yet because they didn’t decide.”

I flopped back into Julian in a huff. “There’s times I do remember things, but there’s this stupid series of steps that have to happen first, so I’m always in a state of checking on where we’re at and trying to keep up my end of things.”

“Which is why being an event planner is hard,” Julian said. “No thank you. I’d rather put out literal fires.”

I laughed. “It’s not dangerous.”

“I love dangerous.” He kissed the side of my face.

“How many more events could you work if you weren’t spending your time chasing these essential, yet small impact tasks?” Logan asked, grabbing a notepad off the side table.

“I don’t know.” I set my head on Julian’s shoulder. Luca and Logan took up positions on either side of us. It was becoming routine, but each time we cuddled together it felt as exciting as the first time.

“First step.” Logan held up a pen. “Tell us all the things you have to do that’re stressing you out.”

“Yes, that’s a great idea.” Luca rubbed my back in slow circles.

I frowned. “Don’t we have to sleep?”

“Are you going to be able to sleep like this?” Luca cocked his head. “I never could when I was really worried about work.”

“That doesn’t mean you guys need to lose sleep.” I grumbled. “Julian, you have to work in the morning.”

“I can nap if I need it.” Julian squeezed me. He was contented, and no matter how hard I looked for annoyance and resentment, none of the pack showed it.

Logan was perky with a notepad, and Luca was looking thoughtful, but relaxed.

They were all looking delightfully rumpled and sexy in their sweatpants and messy hair. I resisted the urge to start kissing them and picked up my laptop. I scrolled through the lists of stuff to do. Shame ate a hole inside me at all of the items left unfinished.

I cleared my throat when I was done. “I’m normally more on the ball.”

Luca arched an eyebrow. “I was almost a year behind on filing before I decided to ask for help. This is nothing.”

“And by ‘ask for help’, he means had a nervous breakdown,” Julian added cheerfully.

Luca sighed. “Yeah. The only thing saving me was my hyperfocus on bits of cases allowed me to pull out clauses and other information that kept us winning big cases.”

Logan frowned at the notepad. “This is all perfectly doable. I can call Estelle tomorrow and ask about the flowers.”

“You don’t have to keep doing me favors,” I grumbled. “I’m a big girl.”

“You’re my beta,” Logan said. “I love you, and I’m going to help. This is easy.”

Luca gestured at my laptop. “Can I look at your lists? Sometimes having another set of eyes helps.”

I leaned back into Julian. My skin still felt clammy and twitchy. Julian was helping, like he was a walking, talking cuddle machine that would keep me from the worst of the panic.

“We got this,” Julian ran his hands through my hair again.

“I’m going down the list, and you tell me anything that has to be done by you and you alone.” Logan added, patting my knee.

“That helped me a lot,” Luca grinned. “Logan’s very good at priorities.”

Logan shrugged like it wasn’t a superpower. “Being a chef helps me learn how to focus on one thing until it’s time for the next thing.”

“I still freak out about work sometimes,” Luca said, tucking a long leg underneath himself. “I’d come home, have a little tantrum, and then Logan makes me go through my list like this.”

“I’m ready,” I said feeling cautiously optimistic.

One by one, Logan went through every single task on the list. He grouped them by action items like “appointment booking”, “in person event space”, and other things.

We also talked about when each thing was due. Luca helped with that, pulling dates out of my spreadsheets.

I was shocked that almost half of the things on my list, and most of the ones that were stressing me out, was stuff someone else could do.

“You need an assistant.” Logan tapped the pen against the notepad.

I shook my head no. “I can ask Holly to help me with appointments. She was great during Julian’s heat. I just need to be better organized.”

Luca arched an eyebrow. “Just because your siblings don’t need an assistant doesn’t mean you don’t. Luna does an amazing job with the landscaping, but she’s not juggling four or five events at any given time. Anyone would need help.”

“But you think I have ADHD.”

Luca held up his hands. “I might be wrong. It might be stress. Either way, you need help and it’s not weak to ask for it.”

I frowned, thinking about how I was supposed to tell my family I couldn’t do my own job.

“Don’t give me that look.” Luca said, mock-stern.

“Think of it as a sous chef if you want,” Logan said with a smile. “Your time is worth a lot more than spending most of it scheduling flowers.”

“If I explain everything to Ember, Stella or Terran, I have to go through this long list of why they can’t let the McClellan’s book through Seiver’s Services, and to make sure the napkins are folded right.”

“Because you’re the executive chef,” Logan replied. “You’re doing quality control.”

“You don’t need one of your family to pitch in occasionally. You need one person who’s familiar with the business.” Luca added. “My paralegals only work with me. It’s too complicated to get anyone else up to speed on my cases, especially since they drag out for months.”

“I have someone in mind.” Logan looked thoughtful. “She’s young, and she hasn’t been doing events very long, but I think you’d prefer to train someone the way you wanted them to handle things rather than butt heads with someone who’s been doing it for years.”

“Shouldn’t she have someone with experience?” Julian piped up.

“I like the idea of someone less experienced.” I rubbed my face on Julian’s bare chest. If I could bottle his coconut-pineapple scent, I could just huff it any time I got stressed. I would just have to steal one of his sweatshirts to take with me to work.

“You can interview her, see if she’s a good fit.” Logan added quickly. “I’m not trying to step on your toes. She’s sweet, easy going, and very organized. Find someone who compliments your strengths and covers your weaknesses.”

“That’s what she has us for.” Julian nuzzled into my neck.

“I do, don’t I?” I laid against my omega. “You guys are amazing.”

“We are,” Julian said happily.

Slowly some of the doom and dread left. Exhaustion followed in its wake, and I closed my eyes. My omega ran his hand through my hair, and for a moment the living room was quiet.

“Let’s go to sleep,” Logan said softly. “We’ve got a plan.”

“I’ll talk to Raina tomorrow,” I said even though the thought made me tired. “Show her the list.”

We headed back into bed, and when I curled up between Julian and Logan, I finally relaxed.

I wasn’t sure what more I could do that would make them not want me. I was a hot mess this entire week and instead of being disgusted, condescending, and annoyed, they were helpful. Supportive. Offering solutions and comfort instead of telling me I was an adult, and I should know better.

They didn’t seem to love me any less than before, even though I kept waiting to make the final mistake.

The thought made me feel lighter, like I could fly. It was almost a relief for them to see me at my most anxious three-raccoons-in-a-trench-coat state.

I fell asleep tucked in their arms and didn’t dream about bears chasing me.

Chapter 33

Sunshine

Iwoke up not exactly rested, but still better than I had been. It was like a strange hangover, but at least there was bacon.

Logan fed us a nice hearty breakfast, we gave Julian kisses before he had to go to work and promised to keep him updated about the assistant situation.

Logan walked me to my car, and I gave him an extra squeeze. “When can I meet this person? I want to talk to Raina first but…”

But I wanted to get everything set up so I could stop feeling doomed.

He handed me a lunch box. “Her name’s Ginny. Sweet kid. Call me after you talk to Raina and we’ll arrange a time to meet up.”

In the meantime, I had my work cut out for me. Logan took half of the random stupid phone call stuff, but there were plenty of things left for me to do.

Luca pulled me into a deep kiss that left me breathless before releasing me for work.

It was a beautiful spring day, and the temperature was climbing. It was hard to believe May was almost over and summer about to begin. I walked into the Welcome Center through the back door with an extra spring in my step.

I met Ember in the reception area before we opened for business.

My cousin handed me a donut. “Carb up. You’ve got that “good sex with a pack” spring in your step.”

I rolled my eyes. “Actually, the spring is coming from having three incredibly sweet and supportive men to help me troubleshoot all my problems.”

Ember blinked. “Whoa. That’s actually sexier than good sex.”

“Right?”

“I don’t want to know.” Zephyr came into the reception area wearing slacks and a polo shirt. “We’re totally booked today. What can I do?”

Ember happily took over bossing around her older brother.

“Where’s your sister?” I asked before they could get too far.

“Her office.” They both said at the same time.

“You need help?” Ember looked worried. “I could spare an hour or two later this afternoon.”

“I have a solution,” I grinned with only partially fake cheer. I waved the piece of paper Logan had color coded for me. “I’ll let you know how it goes.”

Steeling myself, I headed into my cousin’s office. She was frowning at her computer. I paused to really look at her. She looked tired, and there was a massive cup of coffee on her desk.

“What’s wrong?” I sat down in one of her plush chairs in front of her desk. Her sparkly pink planner was open but covered in post it notes and three different pens.

Raina shook her head. “We’re taking in more clients than normal, and several of the matches are borderline.”

I groaned. I hated the borderline matches. The computer software we used based its algorithm on personality traits, job, hobbies, and all sorts of other things I didn’t understand. Could be witchcraft for all I knew about computers. Sometimes Stella liked to rub rose quartz on the computers before running the software “for good luck.”

Ember and Terran had built the program when we were teens, with West’s help, and told Stella that rose quartz couldn’t hurt anything.

But Raina was a bit of a control freak and made sure she vetted every match before letting anyone meet up. Sometimes it was really obvious who would be a good match. Anything above eighty-five percent was considered extremely compatible.

But sometimes a person had a bunch of decent matches, in the range of the seventies, with no obvious choice of yes, this person seems like a great fit.

It usually ended with the person finding their match, but sometimes they had to date a few people to make it work.

Raina hated that. For some reason she thought people shouldn’t have to date three different people or packs before finding their true love.

I thought that was unreasonable expectation and told her. Often.

I waved my piece of paper. Here went nothing. “I need an assistant.”

Raina preferred the direct approach, and I was still too drained to beat around the bush. I sipped my cup of chai latte Logan had made for me, the taste of cinnamon and spice on my tongue reminding me of Luca.

Raina sat up. “Are you okay?”

It was sweet, her first concern was for me. I tended to dread anything that could be considered a conflict, and I’d probably been unfair in assuming Raina would laugh in my face for asking for help.

I handed her the color-coded list. “I had a mini panic attack last night. I’m behind.”

I walked her through the last two weeks of random things popping up and taking time away from when I was supposed to be scheduling things, but I was also honest about forgetting or putting off stuff that I hated doing.

I told her about getting up last night, and about the pack helping me.

Raina touched her chest. “That’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”

I grinned. “Right? It’s like there’s nothing I can do to horrify them into leaving me.”

“Almost like they accept you for who you are, warts and all.” Raina arched an eyebrow. “No wonder you’re struggling with them. Derision you can handle, but love and acceptance? The horror.”

I rolled my eyes. “Look who’s talking. Brat. Anyway, Logan said half those things on my list are things an assistant can perform. Having one dedicated person to perform those tasks will free me up to do what I do best.”

“Which is plan events.” Raina tapped her pen on her sparkling pink planner. I gave myself a mental note to order Raina some more colorful pens. She deserved a little pick me up. “I bet if Holly made a similar list she would have the same issue.”

“She’s handling it, but how many more fundraisers or events could she be working?”

“Why not ask one of us?” Raina shrugged. “Ember and Terran are both very good at task-oriented lists.”

I felt only a little guilty for barreling on, remembering how Luca explained it to me. I gestured at the computer. “What if Ember and Terran occasionally pitched in on matching? How helpful is it for you to have to explain each case and person you’re trying to match?”

Raina’s face went sour. “Easier to do it myself.”

I gestured at the list in my cousin’s hand. “Hence that list. It’s just so much easier for me to knock that stuff out one by one instead of spending twenty minutes walking someone through why they can’t ask Mrs. Brewer for pink carnations.”

“Why not?”

I shook my head. “Don’t ask.”

“How is an assistant going to be any different?” Raina chewed on the tip of her pen. She sounded thoughtful, not annoyed, her hair in it’s usual bun with a purple pen stuck inside.

“Because I’ll walk her through each event, and each item that needs to be done. Once that’s done, I can release her to do the do.” I finished by wiggling my hands.

“Oh.” Raina bit her lip. She had a little line in between her eyes that meant she was thinking. “You could train her on how we like things done.”

“I could share her with Holly. Let her tackle both areas of the events business.”

“No.” Raina sounded thoughtful. Now her wheels were turning. I suppressed a great sigh of relief. She was on board with this plan, and I would have very little guilt to deal with. “She needs her own. It would be much easier to have two assistants than you trying to cross over each other.”

I could have asked Raina earlier, but the conversation was less stressful when I could easily form my thoughts because my guys had helped me.

I beamed. “Thank you. I’ve felt really lazy and guilty about dropping all these tasks.”

“Don’t be.” Raina frowned. “I need to check in with everyone else, see if maybe we need more support staff. I should have thought of this sooner.

“Nope.” I held up my hand. “Don’t do that to yourself. I should have talked to you sooner. The event planning portion of our business grew a lot quicker than we thought it would.”

Raina got a far away look on her face. “Think of your profit margins when you can really let yourself sink into the work.”

I laughed. Trust my mercenary cousin to be running the numbers.

“You said Logan had a candidate in mind?”

I nodded. “I wanted to talk to you first, but I’m going to meet up with her soon if that’s okay.”

“It is. Let me crunch some numbers, and I’ll let you know what we can offer her in terms of a salary.”

I beamed, unable to keep my joy down. I wanted to do a little dance. I was no longer doomed. There was light at the end of the tunnel, and it wasn’t a train coming to run me over.

Thanks to Pack Kahele. I was going to show them how thankful I was.

Raina looked at the list again. “The check marks are what you’ve taken care of?”

“Yes,” I shifted in my seat. Remembering the day of phone calls I had ahead of me. “I’ve got a lot of work still, but it’s getting handled.”

My cousin pulled her favorite black felt pen out. “I can do this half. Let me know if there’s anything special.”

I was already shaking my head. “I can take care of it.”

Raina pulled a piece of paper out. “I want to. Give me something small and easy to do today. Go wander around the grounds or be creative.”

Relief washed over me in a wave. “Thank you.”

Raina smiled. “Maybe go surprise your pack.”

What an excellent idea.

“Before I forget, I’m going to ask Talia about the bachelorette party.” I pulled out my phone. The party was one of the new events that popped up. It was easy to do, but I sucked at juggling tasks. “She had some really good mocktail flavored cupcakes. It’s a tight turn around, but I figured I’d ask her first.”

Raina scribbled notes to herself. “Sounds great. Do you need some backup bakeries if she can’t do it?”

I wished I was that organized. Life would be so much easier if I could just work a to-do list.

“I do.” I typed out a quick message to Talia.

I’d tried to keep up with her, but between my work and Talia’s work, we’d barely been able to hang out. We exchanged text messages, mostly Talia upset that her boyfriends weren’t treating her right and me making sympathetic noises in turn.

Sunshine:

Hey lady! Let me know when you’re free so we can hang out. Also, I have a bachelorette party coming up this Saturday.

Can you make forty cupcakes using the mocktail flavors by Saturday morning? It’s okay if that’s too tight of a turnaround time. I just wanted to offer to you first since you’re awesome. :D

I hit send.

I left Raina’s office and went into my own.

For ten whole seconds I debated just doing the call list anyway. Raina said she would help, but that was my work to do. Even though we all used to pitch in where the business needed help, before we grew so big that we had to have one person in charge of specific areas.

But if I didn’t have the task list of doom today, I could keep working on the four bonding ceremonies I had coming up. I’d actually have the space to do research into some cool locations and present the packs with something that didn’t feel rushed.

Before I got sucked down the research rabbit hole, I called Logan.

“Hey, Sunshine.” His voice was soft when he said my name and I went gooey inside.

“Hey, Logan.” I couldn’t keep my smile off my face. “I’ve got an assistant position open. And Raina was so moved by my argument, she’s going to get Holly one too.”

“That’s excellent.” The clatter of pots and pans sounded in the background.

“Are you busy?”

“No, darling. Just our normal prep.” More pots and pans clattered in the background. “When would you like to schedule the interview?”

I bit my lip. “Is tomorrow too soon?”

Logan chuckled. “Nope. I’ll let her know. Should I send her over to the Welcome Center?”

I cocked my head, fiddling with the paperwork on my desk. “Hmph.”

“Doesn’t feel right?”

“No.” I looked around my office, which had returned to it’s default state of “looks like we were robbed”. “She’ll need to work here at some point, but I’d rather somewhere more neutral.”

“You could use the banquet room?” Logan suggested like I might scoff at the idea. “It’ll give you some privacy after I introduce you two?”

“Yes.” I perked up. “That’s perfect. You already know her.”

“Alright.” He sounded relieved.

“You’re not meddling, Logan.” It was hard to put my emotions to words. I was touched that he cared so much that he would go to the trouble of trying to solve any issues in my life, however minor.

Luca and Julian acted the same way. I knew I loved them, but somehow seeing their love in action, through their words and deeds, was still a lot to handle.

How could I not fall in love with the pack that saw to my every need? Who supported me, took care of me, and made me feel just as needed and special in their lives?

“Just making sure,” he said. “You’re a hell of a businesswoman. I’m just here to offer support.”

“I know.” My voice was thick with emotion. “I can’t thank you or the others enough for helping me through this.”

“That’s what we do,” Logan said. “We’re…”

He paused for a minute, like he was going to say something else. Like they were my pack.

“We’re here for you,” he finally finished. “You’re not going to scare us off.”

It was wonderful they realized how hard it was for me to open up to them. That they actually appreciated that. “I feel like you guys are doing all the support and I’m just being selfish.”

Logan huffed a laugh. “Not that it’s a tit for a tat, but you talk me through all my menus, you work next to Luca and keep him company, and you spoil Julian within an inch of his life. Video games, blankets, cuddles, whatever. Your special date before his heat. You give us plenty, Sunshine.”

When he said it like that, I realized I was providing for the pack. I wasn’t just having my little meltdowns.

“I like helping you with menus. I like working next to Luca, it helps me focus too. And I love spending every single moment of the day with Julian. Hardly a big ask.”

“Exactly.” Someone shouted in the background, and Logan grumbled. “Giving you everything your heart’s desires is hardly a tall ask.”

“I know you’re busy, I’ll let you get back to work.”

Logan grumbled again.

“I’ll see you tonight?”

“You will,” Logan said. “I’ll bring some of the flan home.”

“Ooooo.” My mouth watered at the idea of a fancy dessert.

We said goodbye, and I hung up, fuzzy warmth building inside me.

Everything…was going to be okay. I moved some papers around my desk to feel like I was doing something, but my mind raced. No matter how weird I was, Pack Kahele just took it in stride. They helped me, rather than making me feel broken.

A part of my mind whispered that I was just a beta. At some point there wouldn’t be any use for me.

I shook my head, sipping my chai tea. That wasn’t true, no matter what I was afraid of. Julian wanted me to move in with them. Logan and Luca too.

They loved me.

They hadn’t asked me to bond them yet, but I doubt they would before I was comfortable moving in. I kept them at arm’s length at times. If Julian hadn’t kissed me, who knew how long it would take for them to feel like I was ready for more? They were reading all my cues.

My phone chirped.

Talia:

Yes I’ll do the cupcakes sounds good

Sunshine:

Okay great! I’ll see you Saturday morning around nine

Cupcakes sorted, I crossed it off my to-do list with a flourish.

The rest of the morning passed like I was floating on a cloud, and Holly poked her head into the office around lunchtime.

I grinned. “Hey stranger.”

Holly rolled her eyes. “Sorry, wedding season is nuts.” Her dark brown hair was pulled into a bun today, and she wore a navy blazer with cream-colored pants. Her green eyes sparkled with mirth as she sat down. “I heard you managed to get us some assistants.”

I pulled out the color-coded list. I told her about my late-night panic, and how wonderful the pack had been.

“Logan did this. It was shocking to see how much of my time is being used on something that can get delegated out.”

Holly frowned at the list. “I don’t want to know how much time I spend doing the same thing.”

“Exactly.” I pulled my lunch box out of the fridge. “How many more events could we manage if we weren’t bogged down in simple tasks?”

Holly grinned. “Which is what made Raina agree.”

I laughed. “She did get excited at the idea of more revenue.”

I gestured at my pesto chicken flatbread sandwich. “You want some? Logan’s been experimenting.”

“I just had a massive steak and baked potato with Aiden and Noah.” Holly put her hand on her stomach. “If I had known you would offer me food I would have waited.”

“I’ll get you a to-go bag tomorrow. I’m interviewing a candidate at Talk of the Town.” I took a bite, and pesto-chicken goodness flooded my mouth. Logan was a genius when it came to food. And my body. And making me feel better.

“That was fast.” Holly smirked. “I see things are going okay with Pack Kahele?”

“When does the feeling of “I’m just a beta” go away?” I picked up a chip. “I keep waiting for them to decide they don’t need me anymore.”

Holly made a face, grabbing a stack of papers off my desk. “Are they making you feel like ‘just a beta’?”

“It feels like they’re treating me like another omega. Logan makes us all lunch. Luca sends me flowers, brings me home chocolate and presents, and Julian is attached at my hip.”

Pure happiness bubbled up inside me. “It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect. They asked me to move in with them.”

“Ah, so that’s terrifying.” Holly started sorting the papers out by invoices. I would be offended if I didn’t want her to sort things out for me. “If it’s your own insecurities, you’re just going to have to tell yourself that you’re a vital part of the pack. Just like an omega or alpha.”

“Yeah yeah, we balance the pack out.” It was a struggle not to roll my eyes. “You hated hearing that as much as I did growing up.”

“I did.” Holly shifted more papers around. “It wasn’t until I was in a pack that I saw it work firsthand. I’m their anchor point. They all come to me for comfort and reassurance. Biology puts alphas and omegas into each other’s orbits all the time, the push-pull of nesting, being taken care of, and sexual desire. But betas don’t make those “demands”.”

Holly used air quotes. “We’re just there, a place to relax and chill. Aiden and Noah said they’re much more relaxed now that I’m around. They don’t feel the sharp spikes of hormones as much.”

I took a bite of my sandwich. All three of the guys had said something similar to me at some point. And despite my fears, I had been helpful during the heat.

“You should move in,” Holly said. “You know you want to.”

I chewed my sandwich, nodding. “Julian’s right. I basically live there now.”

“Stop waiting for the other shoe to drop and do it.” Holly grabbed another stack of papers and sorted them into a pile.

“If they were going to be disgusted by my less admirable traits, it would have been last night.”

“Exactly. Instead, they swooped in to help.”

They did.

I should move in. My heart thumped at the idea. I could pack up most of my stuff this afternoon. I wouldn’t have to give up my cottage, but I could get the rest of my clothes that hadn’t already migrated over. My books, some of my photos.

I grinned at the thought of Julian’s face when he came home from work to find most of my stuff in his house.

Our house. I did a little dance in my chair and grinned like an idiot. “You’re right. I’ll get my stuff together.”

The door opened, and Ember swooped in like a pterodactyl. “It’s lunchtime.”

She was unreasonably excited. I pulled a second lunch box out of the mini fridge. “Chef Alejandro was experimenting in the kitchen yesterday. He sends his regards.”

She looked at the box suspiciously. “He hasn’t even met me. He doesn’t know I’m hot.”

Many, many, many alphas had tried to date Ember and West. The combination of Ember’s energy and West’s dark brooding was too much for most single alphas to resist.

None of them made it out of round one. Ember muttered about alphas trying to come between her and West and dumped them without ceremony.

Holly laughed. “You’re an omega. He’s a chef. He wants to feed you, sight unseen.”

“Hmmm.” Ember opened the container. It was done up like a bento box, with a fried pork cutlet sliced very fine and a plum dipping sauce with tempura vegetables, and a seaweed salad. “This looks amazing. I accept the food.”

Ember swung out of my office, and I couldn’t help but grin. “Logan suggested he pack Ember some of Alejandro’s food.”

Holly laughed. “So your alpha’s playing matchmaker.”

“He’s not my alpha.”

Holly arched an eyebrow.

“We’re not bonded.” I shifted in my seat. “Okay, okay. I’ll work on not feeling like the fourth wheel and accept their love and support for what it is. I’m moving in. Happy?”

Holly beamed. “Yes. Yes I am.”

I considered leaving early to start packing, but just as Holly was getting up to leave, my door opened again, and Talia stormed inside.

Her face was red, and her eyes were puffy.

“What’s wrong?”

Talia looked at Holly and then me. “Stephen and Jones broke up with me.”

“I’m sorry.” Holly said, putting a hand on Talia’s arm. “I’ll give you some space.”

I sat down on the couch next to Talia, secretly glad I had a light day today. Some of my tasks were put off this last week because Talia had been fighting with her boyfriends and I needed to talk to her on the phone about the situation. “What happened?”

“Everything was going great.” She sniffled. “I don’t know what went wrong.”

I handed her a bottle of water.

“They said they didn’t need me.” Her voice cracked. “That I was too high maintenance, and I acted like I was an omega.”

“Those bastards,” I hissed.

“Right?” Talia was outraged. “I spent hours helping them with their sales pitch, I brought them cookies and cupcakes for their offices. I worked late and got up early to go to their events. And now this.” She gestured with her hands, her voice shaking.

“I’m so sorry,” I said, wishing there was something I could do.

“Alphas are all the same,” she snapped. “Absolute selfish jerks. Making you jump through hoops just for a scrap of attention.”

I patted her back. “Honey, that’s horrible. You don’t deserve to be treated like that.”

“Don’t let those alphas of yours do the same thing.” She held up a hand. “Don’t make my mistake. Just because we’re betas doesn’t mean we’re not important.”

“They don’t,” I said softly. “Thank you for looking out for me.”

“Two alphas who already have their omega? How are they not treating you like a fling?” Talia frowned. “Don’t let them treat you like you’re just there for the ride.”

“I won’t,” I said again, shifting my weight. I didn’t get around to telling Talia that me and the pack had said we loved each other. I guess now was the time. “They said they loved me. I’m going to move in.”

“Okay.” Talia paused, her anger momentarily derailed. “You’re sure about that?”

“Yes,” I replied, and I was. Moving it was the right next step. It was time to stop worrying that something would go terribly wrong and take them for their word.

“Good. Because betas are awesome.”

“We are,” I agreed. “Super awesome. If your boyfriends didn’t see that, they weren’t the right ones for you.”

Talia sniffled again, her eyes welling up with tears. “I don’t know what else I could have done to show them I was perfect for them.”

“Let them show you,” I said. “Next time, let them prove to you why you should join their pack.”

“It doesn’t work like that,” Talia said bitterly. "Not with any of the packs I’ve dated.”

I held my tongue. Telling my friend that was exactly how it worked for me, and Holly, wasn’t helpful. I listened to her rant and soothed her as best as I could.

I texted the guys to tell them I would be staying at my cottage, so I could be there for Talia. I felt guilty for being disappointed I wasn’t spending the night with my pack, but Talia had begged me to stay with her, have one more girls’ night out before I became an old lady.

I agreed, and we went back to my cottage and ate ice cream and popcorn and watched horror movies. Our favorite way to get over a breakup. I also figured I could start packing my stuff up once my friend left. She stayed late, and the next morning I headed over to Talk of the Town with boxes of clothes in my trunk. Almost time to spring the surprise on the pack.

Chapter 34

Sunshine

When I walked into the kitchen, Logan came around the countertop and pulled me into a tight hug. I buried my face into his chest, his rosemary and thyme scent enveloping me.

“We missed you last night.” His voice was a rumble.

“I missed you too.”

“How’s Talia?”

I frowned. “Heartbroken. She always dates these aloof, asshole alphas who treat her like crap for being a beta, and then they dump her and she’s sad.”

Logan frowned. I pulled him into a kiss, searing my mouth against his. Behind us, some of the line chefs whooped.

Logan looked breathless when I pulled away. “I’m glad I don’t have that problem.”

“I’m glad we’ve managed to not make you feel that way.” Logan cupped my face in his hands. “We love you.”

My heart leapt into my throat, and I almost told him I had packed half my cottage last night and it was in my trunk.

I could wait. It would be a nice surprise tonight. “You’re my entire world. All three of you.”

Logan gave me a rare grin. “Good.”

A server opened the door to the kitchen. “Miss Ginny Larson is here for an interview?”

Logan stepped back. “Show her into the banquet room. Ask her what she wants to drink.”

I smoothed my hands down dress. It was a poplin material that was structured but flowed around my waist. “That’s my cue.”

“You can have a lunch meeting.” Logan casually gestured at the kitchen, like there weren’t seven chefs running around with quick efficiency, and he had all the time in the world to cook for us. “I’ll walk you over.”

I followed Logan, a little sorry I couldn’t drag him into his office and have my way with him.

In the empty banquet room, a petite blond omega stood to the side. She wore a white button-down shirt, a gray blazer, and matching slacks paired with sensible pumps. She held a shiny black purse in front of her like a shield, and had a sweet, round face with big blue eyes.

“Chef Kahele, hi.” She nodded at Logan and looked at me. She reminded me of a bunny, scared and skittish. “Ms. Kahele, hi, nice to me you. I’m Ginny Larson.”

She stepped forward, with her hand outstretched.

I hid my wince, shaking her hand. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Larson. But it’s still Ms. Sullivan.”

Her face fell. “I’m so sorry. The way Chef Kahele talks about you, I just assumed.”

I grinned, elbowing Logan lightly. “That’s nice to hear.”

“Nice save, Ginny.” Logan chuckled, shaking his head. “I’m getting back to work. I’ll bring some lunch out in a little bit.”

“Thank you.” Ginny watched Logan leave.

I didn’t sense a hint of attraction between either of them. I waited to feel insecure, to feel jealous. But Logan treated her like his kid sister if anything, and Ginny kept stealing glances at me.

She was nervous. She wanted the job, and she wanted to impress me. I straightened up and sat down at the table. The banquet room was wallpapered a deep red with oak wood accents. The tables were covered with white linen and sparking glasses. It felt fancy but also relaxed.

I almost pinched myself, feeling like the adult in the room. I’d had professional meetings with clients before, that was part of the job, but I’d never felt like an adult before. Like, a real adult. Who presumably had their ducks in a row.

I did not have my ducks in a row. I didn’t even know where half of them were, and the other ducks were doing laps on the pond.

“It’s nice to meet you on short notice,” I said, sitting down. “Logan speaks highly of you.”

“Thank you.” Ginny sat down opposite me, smoothing her hands over her slacks. “He’s highly sought after to cater at Azalea Acres.”

“Is that where you work?” I smiled. “I’m sorry, I haven’t even looked at your resume.”

Ginny blushed. “Yes, I help coordinate the events at the club.”

I picked up her resume and scanned it. “That’s a good place to start. Why not tell me about your current job, and why you’d want to make the transition to being a full-time assistant?”

There, that sounded professional. I’d stolen the “make the transition” phrase from Raina and it sounded right.

The waiter brought us bread while I listened to the young omega talk about her job. She was barely twenty, so only six years younger than me. But despite her shy personality, she opened up as she talked about her work.

She called and scheduled service providers like caterers, flowers, and décor. She double checked on the orders, made sure things were delivered properly, and oversaw during the event.

In short, she did everything I did except the actual planning piece.

“Do the owners ever take your suggestions?” I asked. Logan had brought us some chef salads, and it was hard not to squeal at how yummy the vinaigrette was.

Ginny’s eyes widened. She’d sounded surer of herself as she talked about her job, but some of her shyness returned. “Oh, no. I’ve suggested ideas before, but they said it wasn’t my job to have opinions.”

“I like suggestions,” I said. “You don’t have to make them, but I like bouncing ideas off people so I wouldn’t mind.”

Ginny looked relieved. “Whatever you’d like.”

“I have to warn you, I’ve never had an assistant before.” I buttered a piece of bread. “It was Logan’s suggestion. I keep trying to do everything myself and I’m realizing I can’t.”

“You have a standard of quality,” Ginny said, sounding a little awed. “I was at the last two events Cosmic Bonds organized. I loved how you tied the botanical theme to the menu and the outdoor garden.”

I smiled, remembering the bright outdoor party. “I loved doing that garden show.”

“Whatever sort of help you need, I’m your girl,” Ginny said firmly. “I want to plan events like you do.”

“In a panic and at the last minute?” I laughed. “I have really great ideas, but I’m honestly struggling to prioritize.”

The pretty young omega was looking at me like I’d hung the moon, and it made me feel like an imposter. I was not this rock star planner like she thought. I was three raccoons in a trench coat barely holding on.

“That’s why you need an assistant.” Ginny still sounded firm, like when Ember talked about her computer program. “I can help you get things scheduled, check on orders, walk the space with you, whatever else you need. I’m very organized.”

“Good.” I swirled my salad around, just as Logan walked in with the entree. Salmon in a lemon butter dill sauce, and rice pilaf. “Oooooo.”

“Ladies.” He nodded at us and left.

Logan was bringing us our food himself, and it made warmth sparkle inside me.

“I’ll work very hard,” Ginny said. “Even during my heat, I was able to schedule some things from home. I promise, it won’t be a problem.”

She said the last bit like she was facing a firing squad.

I frowned. “You worked during your heat?”

I flashed back to Julian’s heat, thinking about the brief moments of being lucid only to swing back to insatiable need.

“Yes.” She nodded for emphasis. “It won’t get in the way of me assisting you.”

I cocked my head. “Ginny, you know both of my sisters are omegas. And one of my cousins.”

“I do.” Ginny’s cheeks turned a little red. “I filled out the free online questionnaire last year.”

“Did you get matched? I’m sorry I don’t remember you, I usually don’t handle intake.” Guilt speared me. I should have double checked the system.

“No.” Ginny shook her head. “My mom is really…old fashioned, and I didn’t have the money for the rest of the profile. The free questionnaire was really helpful though.”

I frowned. We all wanted to make sure the community had what they needed. In addition to paid services, we offered a lot of free resources.

Maybe it was time to look into scholarships. “Do you have a pack?”

Ginny flinched. “Not yet, Ms. Ka—Sullivan. But I swear, my heats won’t be a problem.”

“Okay, so first of all, being forced to work during your heat is cruel. And illegal.” I added.

“Oh, they didn’t make me. I had the time off,” Ginny said quickly.

“Right. Of course.” I almost rolled my eyes. Her bosses probably made a big stink about the time they would lose to her heat. Ember had had people act like her being out of commission for a week or two every three or four months was too much.

“You get paid heat leave. Completely off. If your heat comes early, no big deal.”

Ginny watched me like a deer in the highlights. “Okay.”

“I’m a beta, obviously, but I grew up around omegas and Julian’s an omega. You need that time for yourself.” I took a bite out of the salmon and sighed. “I think we’d work really well together, but I’d like for us to have a trial run. Like say a month?” I cocked my head. “After that we can talk about how we feel it’s working out and if there’s anything we need to iron out.”

Her entire face lit up. “Yes, Ms. Sullivan. I promise I won’t disappoint you.”

“You’ll be paid an hourly wage, health benefits, and you’ll be able to enter the matching program for free.”

“Really?” She squeaked. “I wouldn’t expect you⁠—”

“You’re an employee. We want you to be able to speak about the process with comfort.”

My family would love her. I already wanted to wrap her up in blankets and give her some hot cocoa. They would take her under their wing and even if for some reason she didn’t work as an assistant, which was unlikely based on what she was already doing, we’d find a spot for her.

“Do you have any questions for me?”

Ginny shook her head.

I shifted the conversation to safe topics like music and TV shows. She came out of her shell again, and I smiled. This would work out. Logan was a genius.

Lunch finished, and we stood up.

“When do you want me to start?” Ginny asked. “I’ll put in my two weeks’ notice, but I’d like to start helping you right away.”

“That’s a lot of work,” I shook my head. “Two weeks is fine.”

Ginny fiddled with her purse. “Ms. Sullivan, I think I should at least get familiar with the accounts and tasks.”

“You can call me Sunshine.” I smiled. “How about this? On your day off, you come over and I’ll start showing you the ropes. This way you’re familiar with the space.”

Ginny beamed, probably relieved I didn’t bite her head off when she contradicted me. Good. She had a backbone, and I wanted her to feel comfortable enough to disagree with me.

We exchanged phone numbers, and I saw her to the door and went back into the kitchen. “Logan, you’re brilliant.”

Logan looked up from his station. “Isn’t she a doll?”

“Yes.” I came around the side of the counter.

“Not that I’m interested in her,” Logan said quickly. “She’s like a sister, sort of. Little cousin.”

“I know.” Logan stepped away from the cutting board, and I took the chance to lean against him. “She’s adorable, like a little puppy.”

Logan kissed my temple. “Exactly.”

“We’re going to match her at Cosmic Bonds. She’s going to come over and get acquainted with the business.”

“Good.” Logan captured my mouth with his. I sighed against him, the warm scent of herbs surrounding me. Time spun out, his lips soft and sure against mine. I forgot the crowded kitchen, the steamy smells, all in favor of Logan’s hands on my waist.

Desire curled through me, and I licked into Logan’s mouth. I’d wanted them last night, and the longing had turned into a downright craving.

Logan growled and pulled away from the kiss. He grabbed my hand and dragged me into his office, shutting the door, and pressing me up against it.

Like gas to the flames, heat flared up. “Aren’t you working?”

“Prep can wait.” Logan growled, nibbling down my neck. “Unless you’re not comfortable…”

He paused, and I shivered. “Don’t stop. I need you.”

Logan growled again, hitching me up so I wrapped my legs around his waist. He walked us over to his desk and set me on top of the smooth surface.

Yes, sexy desk sex. I ran my hands up the sides of his body. He kissed down my chest, before traveling on to my shoulders. He pushed the straps of my dress down, baring my shoulder.

“So glad I wore a dress today.”

“Me too.” His voice was pure gravel, sending heat licking up my spine. I arched my back, pressing into him. He canted his hips down, his erection in line with my pussy.

Electric pleasure pulsed through me. If not for clothes he could be inside me. My pussy clenched, getting wet quicker than I thought possible. I’d never been so horny, but being around Pack Kahele was making my sex drive ramp up.

I pulled on the drawstring of his pants. Logan kept kissing down my body, his hands cupping my breasts and squeezing gently. Logan pulled the top of my dress down, baring my breasts. He wasted no time fastening his mouth to my nipple, sucking through the soft cotton of my bra. These men could not get enough of my breasts, and I for one was happy about that.

“Logan please,” I gasped, squeezing my legs against his waist. “I need you.”

His mouth on my breast was pure heaven, and I didn’t want it to end. He shifted his weight, pulling his trousers down. I hitched my dress up, some of my skirt pinned between our legs. He pushed my panties out of the way and pressed the head of his cock at my entrance.

I saw stars. I gasped in air, the sensation of the blunt head of his cock rubbing at my entrance erotic and sensual and so good it felt like he was inside already. He rubbed himself along my folds, dragging his cockhead over my clit before moving down.

I squirmed against him. Everything went hazy. “I need you to fill me.”

“Yes, darling.” Logan pressed inside me, slowly, moving inch by inch.

I moaned, pulling him tight against me until he was seated all the way inside. He was still so big, the stretch was exquisite.

He shifted his weight, letting me get used to him, until I rocked my hips. “I’m ready.”

“You are.” Logan sounded pained. “I don’t know what I did to get such a gorgeous beta who is always dripping wet for me, but I’m a lucky man.”

I shuddered as he pulled out and pushed back inside me. “It feels so good when you touch me. Hold me. Kiss me.”

“You’re mine. Mine, mine, mine.” Logan thrust inside me harder still.

I squealed, trying and failing utterly to be quiet.

Logan covered my mouth with his hand, and the possessiveness scorched heat into my veins.

I clutched myself against him, letting him set the pace and the angle. I couldn’t do anything but breathe and moan. He moved slowly, sensually, filling me completely until the orgasm shattered over me, spiraling around me like a wave.

But he didn’t stop, he didn’t even slow down. He just kept moving inside until the orgasm dragged out, pleasure coursing through me. Like we were one person, connected together. Joined at our most intimate places.

“More, more, more,” I pulled him tighter against me even though he was pressed against me. I needed something, a deep yearning opened up inside me, and even his cock buried inside me couldn’t fill it.

He pressed his face into my neck, taking a deep breath, and biting down hard.

If I hadn’t had his hand on my mouth, I would have begged him to bond me. The thought had been there, in the back of my mind for so long I was aching for it. But he retreated at the last moment, licking the swollen skin, and I could have cried from the loss.

The orgasm shattered over me, and I shuddered against him. He dropped his hand, pulling me tight. We panted together, my heart pounding an unsteady rhythm.

I was moving too fast. I’d just decided to move in. Surely bonding was out of the question. They hadn’t even asked me.

Because I’d told them I wasn’t ready to move in, duh. I almost rolled my eyes at myself. Of course they hadn’t ask to bond me yet.

Logan shifted us, sitting down in the chair, and pulling me into his lap. “You’re okay?”

“I’m amazing.” I nuzzled against his neck. “I’ve decided I would like to move in.”

He froze and then broke out into a grin. “No shit, really?”

I nodded, feeling sated and happy. “Yep. Got stuff in the back of my car and everything.”

Logan stole a kiss and pulled away. “Gonna have to give you more earthshaking office sex if that’s the result.”

I laughed and we got cleaned up. We did the walk of shame back out to the kitchen, and I helped with prep until Logan’s shift was over.

We drove back to the house in our separate cars, but Logan got out and helped me carry my boxes inside.

“You can have whatever space you want.” Logan opened the door for me, putting my box on one hip. “We have a spare room we can convert to your space.”

“I don’t need my own room.” I kept walking to the bedroom, carrying two of my suitcases. “I will however need closet space.”

“Of course.” Logan hurried over to their big walk-in closet and started shifting clothes around.

“You don’t have to move clothes right now.”

He was so eager, it stole any last bit of hesitation.

Luca came home as we finished stacking some of my boxes in the living room, his arms full of shiny paper bags.

“Did you tell them?” I grinned at Logan.

“No, this is just a Tuesday for Luca.” Logan shook his head, looking amused.

Luca’s gaze bouncing between me and the boxes. “Does this mean…”

“That I’m moving in? Yes.”

“Really?” Luca closed the distance between us, smashing me into a hug. “You’re not toying with us?”

“Really.” I inhaled his cinnamon vanilla scent.

“I brought you some presents.” Luca lifted up a shiny foil bag. “Logan and Julian too.”

I sat down on the couch, and Logan and I opened our presents. Julian being at work was harshing my happy vibes, but he would be here tomorrow.

My presents were some really sexy lingerie, a sparkly charm bracelet, and a music box. I loved how his presents ranged from thoughtful to sexy.

Luca paced around the living room. “We can clear out the spare room this weekend.”

“You don’t have to. I just need some closet space.” I held up the lingerie. “Looking for a sexy night?”

“You’re getting more than closet space,” Logan grumbled. “If you’re moving in, you should put up photos, knickknacks, whatever. Maybe we should have spent more time at your cottage.”

He looked remorseful, and even Luca pouted. “You’re right, we should have⁠—"

I shook my head. “My bed is way too small for all four of us. It’s fine.”

“Okay, but we’re going to give you all the space you want for your things in the spare bedroom.” Luca said, curling up on my other side. “I don’t want you feeling like you’re living with us. If you’re moving in, this space is just as much yours as ours.”

“Tomorrow after work I can swing by and help you bring more stuff over.” Logan rubbed his chin. “We can⁠—”

Luca and Logan both jumped like a ghost had goosed them. They got identical far away looks, frowning.

“What’s wrong?” I glanced between them.

“Julian’s on a call.” Logan shook his head like he was trying to ground himself.

“You can feel that?” I was instantly jealous they could feel Julian’s emotions to that level.

“Yeah.” Luca leaned against me. “He’s usually really focused on a call, but he’s extra…focused. I don’t know how to explain it. Like he’s diving underwater. It must be a big one.”

I bit my lip, reaching for my phone. I wanted to text him, tell him I loved him, but it wouldn’t matter. He wouldn’t see that until after the call.

I shifted in my seat, Logan and Luca taking up position next to me.

“Sorry kitten.” Luca sighed and kissed my hand. “I’m overjoyed you’re moving in.”

“Don’t be sorry.” I shook my head. “I’m distracted and I can’t feel his feelings.”

“It’s usually like ambient noise or reading someone’s body language.” Logan pulled a blanket off the back of the couch. “But he’s so focused on calls we sense it.”

I wished then with all my heart I’d had the courage to tell them to bond me during Julian’s heat. Or after.

I would be able to be there physically for Julian too. He was on a call for who knew how long.

The need to be there for Julian, connected to him during a horrible time, completely eclipsed my worry that it would all fall apart, and they would be stuck with me.

We turned on a mindless movie, but none of us could focus. We crawled into bed but didn’t sleep. I texted Holly some details and said I’d work from home the next day so I wouldn’t have to worry about when Julian was coming home.

I drifted off only to come fully awake. Logan and Luca had me pressed between them, and I took a long slow breath in.

Was Julian okay? They would know if something terrible had happened, right? Raw panic set all my nerves on fire, and I twitched.

“He’s okay?” I whispered to Logan, knowing he was still awake.

“Still on a call. But okay.”

His tone said as okay as he could ever be. I sighed, Luca pressed me closer between them. We cuddled the rest of the night. I tried and failed horribly not to watch the clock. Julian got off his shift around seven, and was home around eight, but if his call went long, he wouldn’t be able to leave until the site was deemed clear and they could pass everything off to the next crew.

Eight in the morning came and went. I shifted and wiggled until I couldn’t take to be in bed anymore. I let out a breath and checked my phone.

“I think they’re off the call.” Luca kissed my cheek, looking to Logan.

The other alpha nodded. “Probably will be another hour or two.

Julian had been on a few late calls since I’d been with them, and he always came home and crashed. Otherwise, I would have suggested breakfast.

“I’m going to work from home.” I rolled my shoulders, glad I’d worn the soft omega fabric nightgown.

“Me too,” Luca said, rolling out of bed. He wore his boxers and nothing else, and I took a moment to admire the shift of his muscles.

“Let me see what I can do.” Logan shifted out of bed.

I wrinkled my nose. “Poor honey. You didn’t sleep either.”

“It happens.”

I felt like a zombie pulling on some sweatpants and shuffling out to the kitchen. I pulled some eggs out, although with flour, milk, and other ingredients for waffles. I wasn’t really hungry, but breakfast gave me something to focus on.

Logan came into the kitchen and pulled me against him. I sighed against his chest, his tart herbal smell enveloping me. I relaxed, feeling safe in his arms.

“I know he won’t be hungry, but I wanted something to do.”

“It’s a good idea.” Logan kissed the top of my head. “I’ve shifted shifts around, so I’m off today and working the weekend.”

Part of me wondered if Logan wasn’t a full-time chef in his own restaurant and catering business so he could work around Julian’s schedule better. The answer was probably yes.

Julian came home and I immediately went to the door, pulling him against me.

He hugged me. “Hey babe.”

His scent was burnt, even under the blankness that was scent canceling products.

I squeezed him, my heart pounding so hard. It felt like he’d come back from death.

I burst into tears.

“Hey, I’m okay. It’s okay.” Julian stroked his hand through my hair.

“I’m sorry,” I sobbed. “You need comfort, not me.”

Julian angled us to the couch, where he pulled me down and wrapped a blanket around us. “We can comfort each other.” He gave me a ghost of a smile. He looked tired, but calm.

I couldn’t stop crying, my heart pounding heavier in my chest.

Logan and Luca gave him apologetic looks. “It was a long night.”

Luca sat down next to me, and Logan sat down next to Julian. I tried to get myself under control, but relief that he was here, he was alive, he was okay coursed through me.

I held my omega fiercely. “I was worried you would die.”

“Babe.” Julian curled his hand through my hair.

I kept running my hands over him, touching his dragon tattoo peeking out of his t-shirt, playing with his silky black hair. He was alive and he was here. I couldn’t put words to my nameless dread all night until I saw him, relieved he came home to me.

“I didn’t mean to freak you out.” He held me against him, Luca’s hard body warm against me. I let out a breath and then another one.

He was okay. He wouldn’t be taken away from me.

“It’s okay.” I huffed in his burnt coconut and pineapple scent. “I’m sorry I’m freaking out.”

“I love you too.” He squeezed me against him. “I’m sorry it’s hard when I’m on a bad call.”

“It’s fine.” I rubbed my cheek against his shirt, annoyed that it was a work uniform shirt, and not the softer fabric he usually wore. “I’ll get used to it.”

Julian looked at Logan and Luca. “I’m okay.”

Logan nodded, rubbing Julian’s shoulders. “Good.” He kissed Julian’s shoulder, right where the bondmark was hidden by his shirt.

“What’s those boxes?” Julian sounded more like himself. “Are we moving out?”

“No, I’m moving in.” I grinned at him.

“Really?” His entire face lit up and his scent bloomed around us, softening the burnt edges. “Even after I made you worry about me all night?”

“Especially after.” I pressed my mouth against his plush lips. “I love you guys so much. I have to stop letting fear make decisions for me.”

Julian cupped my face. “I’m sorry I made you worry.”

“It’s not you.” I sighed into his touch. “I keep thinking I’m going to do something to make you not love me anymore.”

All three of them made soft “aww” noises in their throats.

“Aww, babe.” Julian locked eyes with me. It was like his brown eyes saw directly into my soul. “You’re my beta. You’re it for me. If it takes you ten years to realize we love you and we’re not going anywhere, so be it.”

“You’re mine. Ours.” Luca growled, digging his fingers into my hip. “We’re not letting you go.”

Logan nodded. “You’re stuck with us.”

“What if I break some priceless heirloom?” I asked, looking around the house. “Or kill someone?”

“We’ll help you hide the body,” Julian said immediately. “I know a lot of good places.”

I laughed. “Julian.”

He gave me an innocent look. “What? If you ever committed murder, they had it coming.”

“You already saw me be an anxious mess the other night,” I said, trying to put words to the twisting fear inside me of not being enough. Of not measuring up. “But what if two years from now, you’re tired of dealing with it?”

Julian cocked his head. “Are you going to get tired of having bad nights because I’m on a call?”

“No.”

He frowned, concern leaking through his expression. His scent dipped. “Are you sure? I freaked you out last night, and I know it.”

“I’m sure.” I knew in my heart it wouldn’t make me love him less.

Nothing could.

“That’s how I know.” Julian’s tone was firm. “I wanted you the moment I saw you, and now that you’re mine, I’m not letting go.”

“I love you,” Logan said, squeezing my shoulder. “I don’t know what I’d do without you in my life.”

“These two are acting like you have a choice, but now that you’re ours I’m not letting you leave.” Luca’s voice took on a rasp. “I will hunt you to the ends of the earth, send you a thousand love letters and roses if that’s what it takes.”

Julian snorted. “Caveman.”

“You like it.” Luca nipped Julian’s bottom lip.

“I do.” Julian’s scent was still burnt, but the edges were smoothing out.

I rubbed my face against Julian’s chest again, reassuring myself he was safe. He was here with me. They weren’t going anyway.

“You take all the time you want,” Logan said. “We’ll move at your pace.”

“And if you aren’t comfortable bonding for years, that’s okay.” Luca nuzzled my neck.

“But when you’re ready.” Julian ran his hands through my hair. “When you’re bonded, that worry will go away because you’ll feel how much we love you, all the time.”

Tears prickled the corners of my eyes, and I buried my face in his shirt. We sat quietly, Julian stroking his hands through my hair.

Could it be that easy? I say yes and we bond, and they were mine forever?

My heart lurched at the thought. I wanted to believe Julian, that nothing would happen to make them stop loving me.

But if I didn’t know that now, would three years really change anything? I took Julian’s hand in mine and squeezed. Even when we were friends, he made me feel seen and heard. Logan was always there for me, and Luca flirted despite worries that it would push me away.

Could I really keep myself from bonding them, knowing I loved them with my entire body? What good was loving them, having the pack of my dreams, if I was too scared to let myself fully love them?

I had to let go and let them love me. It was that simple. Simple, but not easy.

I looked up at Julian and studied his face. His eyes were closed, his scent closer to normal. His thick eyelashes sat heavily on his cheek. He was pale and there were dark circles under his eyes, but he seemed perfectly at peace. His black hair was out of its ponytail thanks to me and Logan and swept over his shoulder.

Logan was looking at both of us, his eyes half open. His brown hair was sticking up in weird places from not sleeping and then cuddling, and he had a five o’clock shadow. He was pale too, but he seemed content. I looked over my shoulder at Luca. His wavy black hair was mused too and curling around his ears. His tanned skin contrasted against mine. He gave me a soft smile that warmed me to the core.

I loved them with every fiber of my being. I wanted to be as close as I could to them. Bonding almost seemed secondary after feeling the weight and comfort of their love.

It didn’t matter that I’d been hurt before, because they never treated me like I was secondary. I wasn’t an omega, and for once it didn’t seem to matter. They loved me and didn’t wish I was different. It wasn’t an obstacle for them to get around so much as part of me they loved.

“Okay,” I said.

Julian opened his eyes and gave me a soft smile. “Okay what? I’m the greatest omega in the world?”

“I’m ready for bonding.” I looked between the two alphas. “When we decided we want to.”

Julian blinked. “Am I dreaming? Are you serious?”

“I am.” I smiled. “I have to stop letting my worry for the future keep me from accepting love.”

“So wise.” Luca murmured into my neck.

“For real?” Julian broke out into a huge grin. “Let’s do it now, right now.”

“You haven’t slept,” I laughed. “Also, we were making waffles and forgot all about them.”

“Screw the waffles.” Julian looked at me like he was afraid I would disappear. “You’re sure? I didn’t pressure you?”

“No, you reassured me.” I corrected.

“I don’t need sleep, I need you.” Julian pulled me into a kiss. His mouth was soft and light, feathery kisses that relaxed all the tension from my body.

I breathed in his tropical scent, as Luca shifted behind me.

He purred, dragging his cheek over my shoulder. “I want to be the first to bond you.” He glanced up at Logan, who gave him a nod.

Luca’s spicy sweet scent rose around me as he dragged his mouth over my skin. Logan shifted to my side, so I had my pack around me. Touching me, kissing my bare skin.

I let out a shuddery sigh, blissful tension coiling through me.

Julian lifting my t-shirt over my head. I giggled, pulling his own shirt off. I paused, indulging in the feel of his lean torso. I ran my hands from his pecs down to his stomach with a sigh.

“I love it when you look at me like that.” Julian purred, his perfume getting stronger.

“I love touching you.” I ran my hands down his stomach, his abs flexing.

Julian shifted to face me, and I climbed onto his lap, wanting to feel all of him. Wetness seeped out of my core, and I tried to pace myself. But Luca’s mouth on my neck made me arch into Julian, made me crave the nip and bit of his mouth.

“Slowly, kitten, slowly.” Luca whispered, licking the shell of my ear. “We’re going to take our time with you.”

I moaned, craving turning into need. I ground my hips down onto Julian’s lap, and we cried out together. Logan moved his hands between us, shifting our hips so he could take off my pants and Julian’s shorts without us moving too much.

Logan turned it into a tease, cupping Julian’s balls as my omega arched underneath me. I gasped, and Logan slipped his hands between my legs.

His fingers took sinful little nudges between my lips, and I yelped, trying to ride his hand. He grinned, pressing a quick kiss to my shoulder before removing his hands from both of us.

“Looks like it’s up to us,” Julian said breathlessly, hand on my hips. I angled myself over him, helpless to resist the urge to rub myself on his length. He groaned, pushing up into me as I pushed down, and for a moment we just rocked against each other.

“Oh, please take me.” Julian whimpered. “Please Sunshine, I need you, I’ve needed you so long.”

“Yes.” I panted, positioning myself over him. I was definitely wet enough, and I slid down onto him easily. We both groaned at the same time, our bodies starting to move in unison. The stretch of him was delicious on top, with none of the soreness that usually came from being this full.

Logan leaned over and trailed kisses down Julian’s chest. I skimmed my hand over Logan’s back, tugging on his shirt. “Get naked.”

“Yes ma’am.” Logan pulled his shirt over his head, and Luca helped him shimmy out of his pants, “accidentally” touching his hard cock.

The three of us looked at Luca, who grinned. “As my pack wishes.”

We helped Luca out of his clothes, touching and kissing and licking before I turned back to Julian, resuming lifting myself all the way up to slide back down. I did it over and over, Luca sliding up behind me to press his hot body against mine, and I squealed.

Luca’s hand snaked around me, finger covering my clit. I jerked up, before squeezing onto Julian. My omega bucked under me with a groan and Logan put his hands on my breasts, squeezing gently.

This is what I wanted, loving these men, forever. For the rest of time.

Luca growled, nipping my shoulder. “You’re mine. Ours.”

“Yes alpha,” I panted. Luca positioned himself between my legs, and the next time I slid off of Julian’s cock, he worked himself inside me.

Julian and Logan groaned at the same time. “Let’s work her over at the same time,” Julian panted, his eyes glazed over. “Fuck our beta, alpha.”

My body ignited, Luca sliding his thick length inside me, stretching me. Logan’s hands on my breasts and clit tweaked my nerves, making a tug between my pussy and my breasts, my body filled with sensation. Luca pulled out, and pushed me back onto Julian, and they went back and forth, taking turns inside me until we were all panting. Their scent around me was coaxing and alluring, making pleasure coil tighter inside me.

I pulled Logan into a searing kiss, wanting to feel him, and he thrust his tongue into my mouth, fucking me like Julian and Luca. He devoured me and as Julian thrust harder and harder inside me, I rocked into my omega until he came with a shout.

I was so close, but Luca pulled me off him. I whined but he spread my legs over Julian and buried himself inside me. His knot ground at my entrance as he thrust inside me over and over, my back bowing out.

Logan groaned, raking his hands over my breasts, my hips as Luca pushed me higher and higher. Julian moaned underneath me, holding my hips in place for his alpha.

“Mine,” Luca growled, digging his fingers into the nape of my neck. “Ours.”

He pulled my head back, baring my throat to the other two like I was an offering, and bit down on my shoulder.

The bond snapped into place with a force like it had been waiting for the slightest chance. I cried out, coming around him, filling the rush of the deepest love I’d ever, passion and pleasure and joy.

I shuddered, my body twisting around the orgasm as pleasure came in waves. “Sunshine,” Julian gasped, sitting up to cover my mouth with a kiss. Luca kept moving inside me, sliding in and out with a slow but steady rhythm.

Luca’s love followed over me, sensual passion and fierce possessiveness, coursing with Julian’s bouncy energy and desire, winding around Logan’s deep sea of tenderness, so sweet and pure.

They loved me with every part of their being. Any doubt that I loved them more, that they would someday decide I was somehow both too much and not enough was gone in the tsunami of feeling from the bond. I gasped, coming again, twisting around Luca’s cock.

He came, the earth-shattering peak crashing over me, and I lost the ability to hold myself upright. I collapsed against Julian, Luca following me.

I didn’t know where I ended anymore, where my pack started. I just knew I was safe and warm. Tears leaked out of my eyes, the sensation of my own love and awe bouncing back at me. Luca licked the bondmark on my shoulder, sending a fresh wave of sensation through me.

Logan purred, and Julian held me tight against him. I hoped I wasn’t squashing him, but all I could do was lay there and get used to the sensation of feeling love through the bond. Like being dropped in an ocean of pure bliss.

“I love you.” Luca whispered, licking the bondmark again. “You’ll always have a place with us, kitten.”

I gave a happy sigh. “I can feel that.”

“Bonding’s great, isn’t it?” Julian grinned, looking a little punch drunk. He leaned up and kissed my nose.

“It is.” I sighed. “I’m so happy those assholes broke up with me.”

Julian laughed. “Right? Sorry for your heartache but you belonged with us.”

Luca growled. “Damned straight.”

Pure possessiveness, like a steel core wrapped around love shot through me from Luca, and I giggled. I shifted so I could face my alpha, rubbing my cheek against his. His cinnamon and vanilla scent was heady around me, and it felt like Julian was in heat again, hormones flying.

Luca stroked his hand through my hair. “Your ours. Forever.”

I nodded, emotions choking inside. Julian’s pure bliss kept washing over me, like waves on the water and threaded with that, his desire.

I grinned at my omega. “So you’re thirsty all the time.”

“I am,” he grinned. “Not even sorry. I keep thinking about how Logan’s going to bond you too and getting hot and bothered.”

“We can pace ourselves.” Calm patience came from Logan’s part of the bond, and it took me a minute to figure out it was Logan and not my own acceptance.

“I want you.” I looked at Logan. “I want my both of my alphas to bond me.”

Logan growled and claimed my mouth. He licked inside me the way he had when Julian and Luca were taking turns, like he could sear himself onto my soul.

Desire raced over me, magnified by Luca’s and Julian’s own arousal.

I gasped when Logan pulled away from my mouth. “Dear heavens, how do you get anything done if you feel each other’s desire all the time?”

“That’s why bonding leave exists.” Julian shifted his hips, grinding his hard cock against me. “You have a lot of sex, especially in the beginning.”

Logan gave me a smoldering look. “Do you want me to take you the same way Luca took you? So Julian can help me prepare you?”

“Yes,” I whined, my core clenching at the thought of them taking turns again. All of my sexy dreams were coming true.

Luca stayed lying on his side, kissing Julian’s neck while Logan shifted behind me, his herbal scent blasting the room. I took a deep breath, sliding back onto Julian. He moaned, and I gasped as his feelings rocketed into me—love, desire, and affection.

I whimpered, and Julian beamed up at me. “It’s a lot at first. Are you okay?”

I nodded, trying to ground myself enough to keep going. I wanted to make love to him, knowing I could feel his love and he could feel mine. Knowing that Luca’s heartbeat was pulsing love into me and Julian, and Logan was next.

Logan helped me, wrapping a thick arm around my body and holding my hip with his other hand. Slowly I sank onto Julian, revealing in the stretch and push of him. I whined, and arched back, looking at Logan. I wanted him inside me too, wanted his herbal scent to cover me like I’d been rolling around in the garden.

“Come on darling, spread your legs a little bit.” Logan angled his hips against my ass, his cock pressing against my pussy.

I whimpered, leaning forward. Luca helped, hands on my hips as I spread out for Logan.

Logan groaned and pushed inside me the second Julian pulled out. He kept a slow, rocking rhythm, his knot grinding against my clit. I was breathless, overwhelmed in the best way.

“It’s okay babe, it’s okay.” Julian panted, pulling me into a kiss. He worked himself back inside me, keeping to Logan’s pace, and the grinding rhythm unraveled me.

I whimpered. The orgasm built inside me, gathering in my fingertips and racing through my limbs. My scalp prickled, and my toes curled as Logan sank inside me again.

I whined, a needy whimpered, and arched my back against him. “Knot me.”

Logan growled. “It’s going to hurt.”

I whined again, sure I could take his knot in this position. Julian panted, cupping my breasts. “We’ll get her wet enough.”

“We know how to make her scream.” Luca leaned over and licked our bondmark. Love and passion fired off inside me, and I gasped. Luca focused on my body, kissing and touching my breasts, my shoulders, my arms, my clit, every place he could reach along with Julian’s roaming hands.

My omega alternated slow grinding thrusts with Logan and then pulled out to rub his cock against me as Logan worked himself back inside me.

They drove me to the brink of orgasm, only to pull back, over and over, until I was a quivering mess.

“Please.” I begged, not sure if I was begging for an orgasm, knot, or bondmark. Maybe all of the above.

Logan slid inside me, groaning. “You’re so wet. You sure you want to try getting knotted outside of a heat?”

“Yes,” I panted. Luca licked his bondmark, and it sent heat straight to my core. I twisted, the walls of my pussy squeezing around Logan.

“AI can’t deny you.” Logan licked my neck. “I’ve known you were ours the moment I saw you. You’ve always been our pack.”

“Mine,” Luca purred, fastening his mouth on our bondmark.

I gasped, trying to buck up but unable to move between Logan and Julian.

“Come on, babe.” His breathing was erratic as his hips jerked up, faster and faster until he came, burying his face into my neck. Julian pulled me into a kiss, and Logan sank his teeth into my shoulder, the bond forming between us immediately.

I cried out, the orgasm exploding inside me. My walls clenched and wave after wave of heated pleasure coursed through me. Logan gave another thrust and knotted me, coming with a shout. I came again, helplessly twisting around him. It was a big stretch, but the line of pleasure and pain was perfect.

For long moments I gasped and panted, floating on pure bliss. The afterglow of the orgasm was magnified three times between the pack. Logan shifted us so he cuddled behind me, his knot firmly lodged inside me. He stroked my hair, whispered soft nothings in my ear and licked the new bondmark.

Julian shifted so Luca could lay on my other side and lick his own bondmark. I whined at Julian’s loss, and he curled up behind Luca, angling himself a little above us. “You need aftercare,” he said, reaching over Luca’s body to hold my hand. “We can cuddle later.” He pulled a blanket over us, rubbing his face into Logan’s neck.

I closed my eyes and floated on happiness. I’d found my pack. Any echoes of doubt or insecurity was gone in the face of so much love coming from their bonds.

It was like finally coming home.

Chapter 35

Sunshine

Irolled over in bed, perfect bliss seeping into my bones.

We’d taken a nap on the couch and then moved to the nest, where we made love all night.

I lost track of my own body, focused on touching and kissing and loving. Being bonded was the best thing of my entire life. They loved me, and I was more certain of that love than the pull of the Moon on the ocean.

Julian rolled over, tucking me against his waist. He was starting to wake up, and his sleepy contentment seeped into me. I breathed in his pineapple and coconut scent, perfectly happy to lay in bed. Forever.

He opened his eyes and kissed my forehead. “Good morning. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

I looked into his brown eyes. “It’s amazing that I can feel it.”

Julian gave me a sleep smile. “Bonding is pretty great, isn’t it?”

“It is.”

He kissed me, and I gave a happy sigh. Before heading into the nest last night, we’d all texted our people to let them know we had bonded and would be off work the next few days.

Timing wasn’t great on my part, but it could have been worse. I’d covered for Holly a few months ago, it was only fair they cover for me.

Logan and Luca stirred on either side of us. Logan patted my hip, and Luca tightened his arm around me.

“I hope you’re okay with this bond the next time I flip out about something.” I frowned, remembering the downside of them being able to know what I was feeling.

“Of course we are.” Logan rolled over. “I’m going to make us some food.”

“It won’t be any worse than when I’m on a call.” Julian pushed some hair out of my face. “And the intensity of the emotion gets easier to block out when you need to, like how you’re not constantly thinking about how bright the sunlight is.”

We got out of bed, dressed, and stumbled into the kitchen. The waffle batter was beyond help, so we decided on a massive breakfast of bacon, toast, eggs, hashbrowns, and a fruit salad.

I kept wanting to pinch myself, I was so happy. So deliriously happy. Julian kept himself glued by my side, and I loved feeling how much joy and comfort he took from touching me.

Any doubts I had about being “just a beta” were gone.

After we finished breakfast, we settled onto the couch.

“Chill time?” Julian looked at me. “We could watch cooking shows and let Logan judge the contestants.”

“That sounds perfect.” I was exhausted, but in a good way, and I was sure Julian felt the same. He pulled the blanket off the side of the couch, and the scent of our sexy times from the day before rose around me, potent.

I shivered, telling myself we needed a break. I was a little bit sore from taking Logan’s knot, but it was so deeply satisfying I didn’t care.

I picked up my phone, decided to text my family more details, and my stomach sank.

I had twenty missed text messages from Talia, and four missed calls.

Julian looked over my shoulder. “Whoa.”

Dread deflated some of my joy as I scrolled through the messages. She texted me late in the afternoon after I’d told Holly I’d been bonded, asking if we could hang out again after work. She mentioned bringing baking supplies over and we could experiment with cupcake flavors. An hour after that, another text about bringing food over. By the third and fourth one, it was a long rant about how she really needed me.

It devolved from there. She kept texting me, saying I was obviously ignoring her, and she was sorry about being friends with Becca, but that didn’t mean it was okay to ignore her now.

Julian was shamelessly reading over my shoulder, and I let him. Logan and Luca had gone silent.

I felt guilty for being upset so early into the bond, but all I got them was concern and support. They weren’t secretly upset, or disgusted. They wanted me to be happy and didn’t like it when I was upset.

I sighed and put my phone down. The end of the text message string was Talia telling me she stopped by my cottage, and when she saw I wasn’t home, she assumed I was at Pack Kahele’s house, and she hoped I was having a good time. Since I was clearly busy, I could call her whenever.

I put my head on Julian’s shoulder. This was going to be a Thing.

“Somehow,” Julian said quietly, “I doubt she’s gonna calm down if you tell her the reason why you were out of contact for eight whole hours is because you were bonding your new pack.”

I made a noise and rubbed my face against Julian’s chest. He was ridiculously comforting. Luca sat down on my other side, and Logan hovered.

“You’re not wrong,” I said.

It didn’t happen often, but there had been a few times over the years Talia was extremely upset about something and if I couldn’t drop everything to console her, she was very hurt.

“She’s going to be really happy for me, but also still hurt I wasn’t there.”

“Is she though?” Logan frowned. “She’s going be even more hurt that you’ve got a pack now and she doesn’t.”

I winced. I wanted to say for sure, yes, she would be happy for me, but lately things had been confusing between us.

“Is it bad of me to want to pretend that I didn’t check my phone?” I groaned. “I’m so perfectly happy right now.”

“That’s not bad.” Luca kissed my cheek. “I’ve kidnapped you back to my lair, and I’m not letting you go.”

“Talia will probably stop by my job. I might as well tell her why I’m going to be home all day.”

Getting the best sex of my life, I silently added.

Julian grinned like he knew exactly what I was thinking. “Very busy.”

I picked up the phone and called her. It rang four times and went to voicemail.

As I was debating text messages, my phone rang again. Talia.

“Hey, I’m sorry I missed your texts last night,” I said.

“Oh my god, are you okay?” Talia’s voice was thick with tears. “I was worried about you. I checked your house and everything, but I guess you were with Pack Kahele.”

“I was,” I started, trying to figure out where in this conversation I should add in the bonded part.

“I didn’t realize you didn’t check your phone at all when you were with them,” Talia said. “Or in the afternoon.”

She managed to sound wounded and accusatory at the same time.

“I usually do but…” I paused. I didn’t want to add in the part about Julian’s work so I kept it simple. “Yesterday I bonded with Pack Kahele.”

Deafening silence at the other end.

“You bonded? You mean like, you were hanging out?” She sounded confused.

“No.” Julian squeezed me, some of his bubbly warmth taking away my apprehension. Luca took my hand, steely determination trickling through our bond.

Some of my happiness returned.

I was bonded. Julian, Luca, and Logan were mine.

“I mean, I’m going to be introducing myself as Ms. Kahele from now on.” I couldn’t keep the sappy grin off my face.

“That’s my girl,” Julian whispered.

“Oh my god!” Talia squealed, her pitch ultrasonic. “Oh my god, congratulations.”

My pack relaxed.

I couldn’t stop grinning. “I know, I know. It was the right.”

“How did your family react?” Talia asked. “Raina didn’t seem excited when I stopped by this morning.”

“You’re the first to know,” I said. It was only a little lie, I hadn’t told my entire family. “I literally just checked my phone.”

“Omgosh.” Talia squealed again. “After you’ve had such a crush on them for so long.”

I blushed, even though they already knew that. “It’s perfect.”

“You’re okay? It seems sort of rushed after you dated Pack Beneventi for almost a year.”

I bristled but calmed my nerves. Some of my annoyance was Julian’s leaking through our bond. He gave my phone the stink eye.

“When it’s right, it’s right,” I said, patting Julian’s hand.

“I’m super happy for you,” Talia said. “I’ll send you a gift basket now that you’re an old, bonded lady.”

“Thanks, Talia.” I snuggled against Luca even though he was glued to my side. “It’s amazing.”

“I’m going to let you get back to all that sex you’re having.” Talia laughed. “We can talk when you surface for air.”

“Tomorrow night?” I asked. “We can go get that Indian food you were talking about, and you can tell me about your new cupcake flavors?”

“That sounds good,” Talia said. “I’ve got a ton of orders, and I’m experimenting with more risqué decorations for that bachelorette party.”

“Oooo sounds spicy.” I said goodbye and breathed a sigh of relief. “She wasn’t too upset.”

Luca patted my shoulder. “She should be happy for you.”

“She’s still hurt from the breakup.” I grabbed a muffin off the platter Logan set down on the coffee table. I needed to carb up. I was already wondering when the next time the four of us could be inside each other.

“Too soon?” Julian sniffed. “We’ve known each other for years. We dated for three entire months.”

“But I dated the other pack for almost a year.”

“That’s because they’re morons, but no matter.” Julian pressed his mouth against my neck. “They weren’t right for you. You’re ours.”

Shivers danced down my spine. “I am.”

“I’m going show you.” Julian brushed his hand over my arm and the shivers ignited. “Over and over.”

We spent the day in each other’s arms, and happiness hit me like a freight train.

I’d been worried about doing something wrong, about not being enough. But Holly was right. They loved me completely. We would bicker and fight, but it wouldn’t stop them from caring about me.

They were my pack and they weren’t going anywhere.

Chapter 36

Sunshine

The next week passed in a blur. I spent more time naked with my pack than I did wearing clothes, but we did eventually have to get back to our respective jobs.

Talia canceled our plans for Indian food, and over the course of the week we tried and failed to find a time to get together.

Ginny came over to Cosmic Bonds and went through the intake process. I showed her my office and even set her up her own desk and chair.

I walked her through the current projects, where I was with each one, and any special notes. She wrote everything down, asked intelligent questions, and by the end of the day she had my entire office organized in a filing system I could actually remember.

We talked about what she needed to accomplish in the next couple of days, and with the relief of not having to focus on stupid, annoying tasks, I was able to make progress with the big accounts that required me to be creative.

I considered looking into getting tested for ADHD but decided that was a problem for me in the future. Maybe I would, maybe I wouldn’t, but either way, my pack had my back. I felt better just knowing they would be there for me.

I researched and booked experiences for Mrs. Cullen, researched three bonding ceremonies, and daydreamed about going home. To my pack.

Finished with the morning’s work, I headed over to Talia’s bakery to pick up the cupcakes for the bachelorette party.

It was a beautiful early summer day with a soft breeze blowing off from the ocean. Tourists were already driving from San Fransico to get ahead of the summer crowd, but that was a joke, there was a summer crowd from May until September.

The bright breezy day matched my effervescent mood, and I swung into Cupcake My Day with an extra spring in my step.

The kitchen was in full swing event mode. Aine and some other bakers were running around like crazy.

Talia was in the middle of the kitchen, flour on her apron and her hair pulled back into a braid, shouting at Aine. “Just put the extra cookies over there.”

I paused in the doorway. “Whoa.”

Talia’s gaze zeroed in on my shoulders where Logan and Luca’s bondmarks were barely healed. I’d checked them in the mirror this morning, the bright red crescents on the top of my shoulders making quite a statement.

“I’m busy,” she huffed. “I told you that three days ago. We’ve had four clients dump emergencies into our lap.”

Both Aine and the other baker looked at Talia out of the corner of their eyes, too busy with furiously decorating to look up.

“Okay,” I held my hands up. “I’ll just pick up my order and get out of your hair.”

Talia frowned. “What order?”

A chill swept over me. “The bachelorette party. The mocktail cupcakes.”

“I never said I could do that,” Talia snapped, her mouth set in a thin line. “Honestly, I thought we were better friends than this.”

“What?” Shivery coldness rushed over me again, like I’d dropped into the ocean.

From the bond, Luca, Logan, and Julian all thrummed through with love. It was almost as good as having them next to me in person, giving me a hug.

It gave me strength. Peace. I took in a slow, shuddery breath.

Talia crossed her arms over her chest, tears brimming in her eyes. “You should have known when I canceled our plans for the third time. You dump an order on me and then rub it in my face that you got bonded before me.”

My brain felt stupid and slow. That was…not what happened. At all. I swore Talia said she’d do the cupcake order, no problem.

“Hang on just a second.” I pulled out my phone. My brain went staticky, and my hands felt clammy. What if she hadn’t actually said she could do it, I just assumed? It was hard to remember.

I scrolled through our text messages. “You said you were fine to do the cupcake order. At no point in time did you say you were hurting or upset.”

“I have to spell it out?” Talia sniffed. “Typical selfish Sunshine. Only focused on your problems. But that’s fine because you can whine to your family. Instead of forcing you to own up to your mistakes, they hire you an assistant.”

I blinked at the sudden change of subject. Arguing with Talia was always like trying to catch a fish in my hands.

Talia gestured around her. “Some of us aren’t lucky enough to have a family like that.”

“I am totally confused.” I tried to make any of this make sense. “You said you were fine to make the order. Right here, in the text message, you said it was fine. And now you’re twisting everything around.”

“I thought you were a better friend,” Talia continued, looking like I’d just kicked her puppy. “I told you a hundred times I was busy. You didn’t offer to help, you didn’t sweep in with your family to “fix it”. You kept talking about your pack and rubbing it in my face.”

“How was I supposed to know you were that busy?” I hated how shrill and defensive I sounded. If I could have two seconds to figure out what the hell was going on maybe I could have a reasonable conversation.

“I told you,” Talia snapped. “Three times this week since you want to pull your phone out, like I’m a liar.”

I held my hands up. “You’re constantly complaining I don’t use your bakery enough, and when I do, it’s suddenly this big imposition.”

“Ha.” Talia shook her head. “Leave it to you to twist my words like that.”

I rubbed my temples. Talia was mad at me for…being bonded and asking her to make cupcakes? Usually, it was Becca and Talia that got into these sorts of fights.

Talia stalked over to the stainless-steel countertop, grabbing a mixing bowl. Aine and the other baker looked like they were praying for a hole in the ground to open up. Frankly I wasn’t sure I wasn’t praying for the same thing. “I thought we put everything behind us. I really thought we were trying to be better friends.”

“I thought that too,” I said desperately. “I asked you to make cupcakes, we hung out and got Thai, and I postponed several dates with the pack so we could spend time together.”

“But you’re holding the thing with Becca over my head.” She kept talking like I hadn’t said anything. “I have to rethink what sort of friend you actually are. You really hurt me.”

I went numb at that. She knew the soft places to twist the knife when she wanted to hurt me. All the insecurities I’d tried to fix, all my secret worries, and she wielded our friendship like a finely honed blade.

Instead of with love, like my pack. Like a fluffy pillow I could land on, a safe place to catch me when I fell.

I swallowed hard, my hands clammy with cold sweat. “If I’ve been ignoring you or making you feel bad, I’m sorry.”

Her shoulders relaxed. She was getting her way, I was apologizing. My phone buzzed in my purse.

I sucked in a breath. If I’d accidentally hurt my friend’s feelings, I didn’t mind apologizing, but I didn’t do anything wrong. That was a hill I was willing to die on. I would own up when I made mistakes. Heavens knew, I made lots of them.

But I didn’t make this entire mess. Concern and love poured through the packbonds, momentarily disorienting me. It was a soft, but strong weight I could lean on. I could do this. I could stand up for myself.

I squared my shoulders. “You agreed to make the cupcakes. You said you were experimenting with flavors. I asked you Wednesday if you needed help and you said you got it.” I paused, my voice sounding calm. “And if I hadn’t told you I had bonded Pack Kahele you’d be mad I didn’t let you know. I told you first, and instead of disappearing for two weeks like you did when you first started dating Pack Donovan, I made time for you.”

Anger flashed in Talia’s eyes. I wasn’t following the script of saying I was sorry and moving on. But damn it, I was tired of being in trouble for everything outside of my control.

“You’re an adult, Talia.” I kept going. Why stop when she was already furious? It felt good in a way, like releasing old wounds. All the hurt and confusion I’d kept bottle up inside came pouring out. “At some point you’re going to have to realize it’s not only the other person’s fault when you’re hurt and upset. Expecting someone to read your mind isn’t going to work.”

“Happy now that you said your piece? That you go to martyr yourself?” Talia snapped, rounding on me. Her mouth twisted into a sneer. “I knew, by the way. Becca was sleeping with Rob. She asked me not to tell, said she wasn’t sure if she wanted something serious with them.”

I froze. Everything inside me hung on a precipice, like I was toppling over the edge, about to break.

“Becca said you were too self-centered and insecure to notice when Rob smelled like someone else.”

I sucked in a breath. The room swam in front of me, and for a crystal-clear moment I thought I’d slap her. All the hurt, rage, and anger boiled over.

I let it pass. I wouldn’t break my own morals. Not for her.

I shook my head. “The sad thing is you think telling me those things is how you’re going to “win” this argument.”

I turned around.

“Go ahead, leave,” Talia snapped. “I hope that pack makes you happy because you can’t unbond someone. Bonds are forever.”

“I thank all the cosmic energy of the universe for them every day,” I said. “Goodbye, Talia.”

Tears bit the corners of my eyes, and I hurried out to the parking lot. I got into my car and just sat there for a moment, replaying the argument over and over.

My phone buzzed again. I checked it, hoping it would help center me. Tears threatened to fall, and the world grayed around the edges. I couldn’t catch my breath.

I had three missed calls each from Logan, Luca, and Julian.

Logan:

Sunshine, what’s wrong?

Luca:

Do you need us?

Julian:

Babe, what’s going on?

I can steal the firetruck and be there in five minutes or less

If you don’t check in soon I’ll GPS your phone and find you

I let out a watery laugh and dialed Julian.

“What’s wrong?” He answered before it the first ring finished.

Tears spilled out of my eyes and my hands shook. “Talia…” My throat closed up.

Calm down. I told myself. You’re overreacting.

“Is she hurt?” I heard the sound of keys jingling. “I’ll be right there.”

“We had a fight.” I let out a sob. My heart hurt, like it was bruised and broken. Like someone had shoved their hands inside my chest and ripped it out.

“Oh, honey.” Julian’s voice went soft. “Drive over to the station.”

“You’re working.” I sniffled. I couldn’t stop the flow of tears, couldn’t force the pain back inside my body.

“Are you in your car?” His voice was soothing but took on a tone of authority.”

“Yes.” I hiccupped. I couldn’t figure out how it went so wrong. Maybe I shouldn’t have argued back, I should have waited for her to calm down.

“Are you okay to drive? I can come get you.”

“I can drive,” I managed. I put the keys in the ignition and turned it on. My hands shook. I put my earbud in, so I could talk on the phone hands free.

“Oh my god,” I squeaked, my shoulders freezing. Tears started falling again. “The cupcakes. I can’t. She didn’t make them. Said she never agreed to do it.”

“If only we knew a really sexy chef who would cut off his own arm for us,” Julian said with a laugh. “I’m texting our alphas now.”

Some of the panic died down at the mention of our alphas.

Our alphas. And my omega.

“It’s not his job to pick up my messes,” I said, feeling a burst of guilt. Maybe Talia was right, and I was selfish.

“It’s not. But he would love nothing more than to swoop in and save the day,” Julian said. “Take Front Street. I’ll wait for you outside.”

“The Bachelorette Party,” I said. “They’re expecting mocktail cupcakes.”

“Logan will get the details from Ginny. Aren’t you glad you hired an assistant now? Those cupcakes will be ten times better than anything that thankless harpy could come up with.”

I focused on the road, driving in a daze, going way under the speed limit. It felt like it took five years, but I finally pulled in front of the fire station.

As promised, Julian was waiting outside for me. He looked dashing in his blue uniform, and his hair pulled back into a ponytail.

I parked in the front, and by the time I got out of the car, Julian was there, pulling me into a fierce hug.

I started crying again. I couldn’t stop it, couldn’t hold back. Letting out my hurts and fears had felt like lancing a boil, but now it wouldn’t go back into its box. Julian led me into the station, and I was ashamed to see his company standing around, looking worried.

I waved my hand, trying to tell them I was fine, just overreacting. It came out in a watery gurgle, and Julian me into the living room. It smelled fresh and clean, and the same blue flannel blanket sat on the back of the couch.

Julian pulled me into his lap, and I stopped trying to get myself under control.

Instead, I cried like my heart was breaking.

In a way, it was. This was the last big fight with Talia. In my heart, I knew there was no fixing this, no patching this up. I couldn’t keep doing this dance with her, and frankly, I deserved better.

It was over.

I cried harder. Talia had helped me make my own dress for prom when we were too poor to buy one. She’d sat up with me all night when I had panic attacks about my parents’ death. She’d helped me cram for tests and bought me cute necklaces just because.

It was so, so hard to reconcile that with the other side of her. The mean and petty side. How self-centered she could be, how either she was focused on making you feel like the center of the universe or needed you to make her feel like the center of the universe. How mean she got when she felt like you deserved it.

How did I decide what was too much?

I cried until I ran out of tears, and then I settled for sniffling into Julian’s uniform. He cuddled me against him, and it was the most soothing feeling in the entire world. I could see why omegas wanted to cuddle all the time.

Chloe hovered nearby, bringing us both mugs of tea, and then retreating. He passed me the tea. I sipped it, the warm sweetness soothing my throat.

Julian kissed my temple, and I sighed. Despite the misery, I felt at peace. Having bonds in place to steady me helped take the edge off the feeling that I was spiraling inside my own thoughts.

“There you go,” Julian said. “It’s okay. We’ve got you.”

“I’m sorry for the trouble.” Shame flashed through me. I was bothering Julian, at work with my stupid friend squabbles.

“It’s no trouble.” Julian kissed my temple again. “You are always welcome to come here, especially when something terrible happens.”

“I overreacted.” I sighed.

“I doubt that.” Julian frowned. “You’re probably underreacting if anything.”

I shook my head. “Do I need to do anything?” I wanted to reach for my phone, but my purse was on the other side of the couch and it felt too far away.

“Logan and Ginny have it handled.” Julian rubbed my hand. He was extra affectionate and touching him made his love and concern pulse through the bond like a second heartbeat. “Do you want to talk about it, or do you want me to distract you?”

I sighed. Might as well get it all out. I told him about the fight and even showed him the text messages that Talia and I had exchanged. I worried that I’d missed something, some important bit of information that would make this situation finally make sense.

Julian smoothed some hair out of my face. “Babe, no. First of all, even if you did ignore her passive aggressive cry for help, which you didn’t, she’s been nagging you for months to use her bakery. She said she could do it, and you even went through the formal booking process.”

Some of the shame eating away at my chest released. There was a hard ball lodged where my heart was supposed to be, but it was getting smaller.

“I don’t understand why she would go off the rails like that.”

“Because she was jealous.”

I rolled my eyes. “Not every fight is girl jealousy.”

“Not every fight, but this one is.” Julian kissed my cheek. “She compares herself to you all the time. Your business versus her business. You got an assistant, and she doesn’t have one. You knew she would be upset that you were bonded before her. She feels like she deserves everything you have, and if she doesn’t have it yet it makes her feel bad.”

I bit my lip. Talia had always reacted with sadness if anything good happened to me or Becca. She would be happy for us, but always made sure to mention how much she wished the same thing would happen to her. If I got an A on my tests, and she got a B, she would be upset that she didn’t do better. Never mind that she got lots of As on other subjects, or that I had studied hard.

“I thought we were past that. When we all got real jobs and became adults, some of that got better.”

“Until you were in a serious relationship.” Julian tucked a blanket around us.

“Yeah.” I sighed.

“Talia does a good job of making you feel valued when she wants to. But that doesn’t mean it’s okay for her to lash out at you whenever she feels insecure.”

I’d thought about the last few months. Crashing my date with Luca. Being mad I didn’t text back right away and brushing off me being bonded. Wanting her cupcakes at our tent at the First Responders’ Festival and being mad when I couldn’t say yes.

“It feels like she’s setting me up for failure. Or making everything about our relationship. If I said no, I didn’t love her anymore, and didn’t care about our friendship.”

“If you behaved in a similar fashion, she would be upset.” Julian added in.

I let out another sigh and rubbed my face on Julian’s shoulder. He smelled like pineapple and coconut, like home. “You’re right.”

“It’s up to you,” Julian said. “You can let her apologize or not.”

“I don’t know if she’s even going to do that.” I muttered. “She probably expects me to.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong. It hurts, but maybe this is the break you needed. To show you how she really feels.” Julian patted my back. “You’ve got an amazing new pack. We’re going to go on vacations, maybe get a different house, and start a family someday.”

I liked the sound of all that.

“Your family will settle down with packs of their own and have their own babies. Your business will only grow now that you have time and space for it.” Julian dragged his palm over my cheek in such a soft gesture it broke me a little bit. “The entire time, you’re going to have to walk on eggshells around her. Especially since she seems to prefer to torpedo people around her instead of figuring out what’s holding her back.”

“That sounds like her.” I took another long swallow of tea. The mint soothed my throat, and despite my head pounding, I was starting to feel better.

Julian sounded angry. “She’s supposed to be your friend, not making you feel like you have to make yourself smaller around her.”

All of a sudden, I was exhausted. Of all feelings. I focused on the comfort and love coming from being bonded to men who loved me.

Unconditionally.

It made me feel safer than I’d felt since my parents died, knowing they would be there for me no matter what I did. “She used to be my best friend. She didn’t used to be this…petty on a regular basis. It popped up here and there, but never this much. I think that’s why this outburst shocked me so much.”

“Things get harder when you get older. Your old ways of handling things stop working and you’re forced to find something new or become stagnant.” Julian kissed my temple again, sweet affection pouring through the bond. He didn’t seem able to stop himself from loving on me. “I’m happy that she was there for you when you needed her. Becca too. But that doesn’t change that both she and Becca betrayed you in all the ways that matter.”

I mentally rubbed the wound. “That’s true.”

I thought about the last year. How it felt like Talia had changed, but assumed it was just a rough patch. We could overcome it, work through our problems.

But that required both of us to be actively trying to work through our feelings. And when push came to shove, Talia preferred to blame me or other people than own up to her failures.

It was time to let go.

I petted his hand around my waist. “You don’t know what a relief it is to know that you love me.”

“You’re stuck with me forever.” Julian squeezed me against him. “I was trying to give you space, but once I found out like you had a crush on me you were a goner.”

I laughed.

“You had no hope of escaping our love.”

“Good.” I cuddled against my omega. “Maybe some of it was my own ego. Wanting to make it work and not be a bad friend.”

Julian pulled me tightly against him. “Nothing wrong with that. But you’re not a bad friend. It’s okay to let go of relationships that aren’t working anymore.”

I spent the rest of the afternoon cuddled against Julian. We played Race to Win with the rest of the company, and thankfully none of them acted like it was strange I was there, hanging out. Chloe had two of her packmates stop by and I stopped feeling so weird.

That night, I thanked Logan for helping me in a bind, and Luca for being so supportive. I told them what happened, and they cuddled me on the couch until I was floating on the bliss of their love.

Maybe I held on so hard and long because I was afraid of losing people. But if this friendship was truly over, I needed to let it go and make room in my life for better things.

I had my pack now, my career was taking off, and I had my family. If my friends didn’t want to be part of that, that was their loss.

Chapter 37

Sunshine

Almost a week later I was buried in work. Ginny was running errands, shopping for some new venues.

Ember poked her head into my office. “Checking to make sure you’re good for Mrs. Cullen’s event?”

“Everything is going to be great.” I grinned. Now that Ginny took the time-consuming events off my plate, I’d been able to spend time and energy making it perfect. It was only a couple of weeks away and I was getting excited and nervous in equal measure.

“Good, that means you have time to check out a sexy beta dude in the waiting room.”

“I’m all packed up now.” I couldn’t help but feel smug. I had men who loved me despite my occasional descent into being a hot mess.

“Doesn’t mean you can’t help me look.”

“Fine.” I laughed. “I doubt I will find him as sexy as you, but I’m game.”

My phone chimed.

It was Talia.

Talia:

I don’t know what I was thinking, but I’m sorry

I didn’t mean to go off on you like that

I was just really hurt when it felt like you were pushing me out of your life and stressed out about work

I stared at the text for a minute.

“What’s wrong?” Ember barreled over to me like a one omega wrecking ball.

I showed her the text.

“No.” Ember shook her head. “She does not get to jerk you around like you’re her personal punching bag. She’s only sorry because you haven’t texted her or called her. If you let her apologize, she’ll make you feel like she was doing you a favor and you shared in the blame.”

I huffed. “You’re right.”

“Love’s not a pie, Sunshine.” Ember frowned. “It’s not a limited resource and when someone has it all it’s gone.”

I pulled my cousin into a fierce hug. “I love you.” I touched the bonds from my pack. “I can feel my pack’s love, but you and the rest of the family have shown me that my entire life.”

“Good.” Ember gave me a look. The look she had been giving me since we were kids, even though I was older. “Don’t let her make you feel guilty.”

“Yes, Ember,” I said and rolled my eyes. “Let’s go check out this hunky beta of yours.”

“Oh he’s not mine,” Ember said. “But I thought you could use the pick me up.”

I followed my cousin down the hall, trying to decide if I was going to reply to Talia or just ghost her. It would be easier to never talk to her again, but maybe I should give some sort of explanation. Even though it would more than likely lead to another argument.

I made the right noises about the hunky beta guy, but he held no interest for me. I had my pack, and other men didn’t register anymore.

I went home and cuddled in between my alphas and omega. I showed Luca the text I’d received, and he shook his head. “Just say something like ‘our last fight really put things into perspective for me. I feel like our friendship is over, and I don’t see a way to fix this’.”

Julian made a face. “She’s just going to argue with you. Just tell her to stop texting you. She made her feelings clear.”

I looked at Logan. He shrugged. “Whatever you want, darling. I’m just here to make you dinner.”

I laughed and swatted him with a pillow.

I texted Talia back, repeating most of what Luca said. I wanted to be done with this part of my life. I’d tried to make it work with her, and now that I didn’t have to constantly worry about her feelings, I was happier.

I hit send, my stomach clenching up a little bit.

“Time for a movie.” Julian pulled me against him. “You’re stressed. Let’s enjoy the Holiday Baking Show.”

Holiday Baking Show sounded nice and relaxing. Talia texted me through most of the night, ranging from accusing me of being selfish and acting like a martyr to apologizing for how she’d acted.

I ignored her, pulling myself into the middle of my new pack, still feeling soft wonder at the idea that these amazing men were mine.

Forever.

Chapter 38

Sunshine

Icouldn’t have asked for a better night for Mrs. Cullen’s event.

Luca drove us over to the event early. I’d dressed in the fancy gown he’d bought me and gorgeous jewelry. I didn’t want to admit it, but I felt better knowing I looked amazing.

The evening was crisp and clear, only a few scattered puffy clouds in the sky. The sun was setting over the ocean, making everything feel magical.

Mrs. Cullen arrived in a limo, her sparkly silver dress twinkling like the sun. “Goodness.”

The Italian Villa was transformed. I’d worked for hours to get the right amount of rustic Old World charm to accent rather than cover the ancient masonry.

Twinkling lights lit the grounds along with standing sculptures. Guests began arriving, and Mrs. Cullen stood at the entryway, greeting everyone like old friends.

I did another circuit of the estate, checking all of my stations. Logan had really outdone himself and the food perfectly matched the décor of the experience.

In addition to light finger foods, Logan had cooked paella, steamed clams, and other foods that made you think of the Mediterranean coast. Another experience gave you the feeling of being lost in the forest, and he’s made venison, served on a slab of hardwood and dusted with cranberries.

There was a section of the ballroom dedicated to the circus, and we even had rope dancers along with a man doing balloon animals for whimsy. Another experience had a nightclub vibe, with a man on stage playing acoustic guitar. Out back, on the edge of the cliff overlooking the ocean, guests could paraglide down to a landing pad.

For a few hours, I lost myself through the rooms. Everywhere I looked there were smiling faces. Not just the bored “night on the town” smiles, but some of the guests looked like children tasting ice cream for the first time.

Buzzing with energy, I found Julian and Luca wandering around and greeting the guests. Luca looked every bit the corporate lawyer in his immaculate suit, and with permission, Julian had worn his turn out gear.

He’d skipped the helmet, hood, and air pack so he wouldn’t have to spend hours walking around in gear that could weigh more than seventy-five pounds, but wore the black and yellow jacket, pants, and boots.

Julian kissed me on the cheek. I pulled him close so I could whisper in his ear. “Wear that home so I can jump you in it.”

“Sure thing, babe.” He looked smug.

“Thank you for coming.” I should have set up a dark room I could drag him and my alphas into. No that wasn’t professional, I told myself. Behave until we got back to the house.

“No problem. I’ve already had a few people offer to donate to the local station so win-win.” Julian gave me the thumbs up.

Luca kissed my cheek, his thumb lightly brushing his bondmark. The skin was still mostly pink, and extra sensitive. “You look ravishing.”

“My alpha who loves me very much bought me this necklace.” I touched the heart shaped diamond, the stone warm from my body heat.

“He does.” Luca purred, stepping into my personal space. “Only the best for my beta.”

Warmth spiraled through me, and I wondered if Logan had a space in the kitchen where the four of us could have some alone time.

“There she is.” Mrs. Cullen beamed and crossed the ballroom floor. In her wake were two elderly gentlemen and an elderly woman. “Meet my pack. Alfonso, Eric, and Mariella.”

“So wonderful to meet you,” I said, shaking hands with them.

“Is that a new bondmark?” Mrs. Cullen smiled, her face looking ten years younger.

“It is.” Luca put an arm around my waist. “It’s Sunshine Kahele now.”

“You have excellent taste, my dear.” Mrs. Cullen shook hands with me again. “When you told me about your concept for this event, I thought for sure you were overreaching.”

“But she wasn’t, was she?” Another woman entered our space, wearing an expensive blue tweed jacket and skirt combo. “It was pure inspiration.”

I vaguely recognized her from the Financial Times. Mrs. Cullen introduced me to a small group of people, all of whom were the who’s who of the area.

Every one of them praised my ingenuity and creative vision. I was vaguely embarrassed, but every time I talked about the collaboration I’d had with Logan and even Ginny, Julian pinched me.

“Just accept the compliments,” Julian whispered. “You worked hard and deserve the praise.”

After that I just smiled and nodded. Julian was right. I should take the compliments. I had worked hard, and it was paying off.

The evening was in full swing, with happy people wandering around the Villa with smiles on their faces.

Across the room, I spotted Becca. I forced myself to keep smiling, even though the paella sat like lead in my stomach.

I turned to the side, as though I could hide myself. I didn’t have time or energy for Becca’s crap anymore. I was done.

Luca and Julian both looked puzzled, no doubt sensing my reaction through the bonds. I nodded at Mrs. Jennings, who was asking me to fit her into my schedule.

I handed her my card and told her to contact Ginny, and we could set up a time and place. I kept Becca in my peripheral vision, but the crowd shifted, and I lost sight of her.

We’d set the event up like a maze, each experiment leading to three or four more so there wouldn’t be weird jams of people waiting to get into the next room.

“Sunshine is the mastermind here.” Mrs. Cullen beamed. I looked over at who she was talking to, and it was an older man, his hair salt and pepper, in an expensive suit.

“You’re simply brilliant. The Underwater Experience took my breath away.” He smiled, lighting his whole face up. “I was a dive instructor off the coast of Italy for years. It’s brought back many pleasant memories.”

“I’m so glad.” I smiled, shaking his hand. “It was one of my favorite exhibits to put together.”

“Sunshine, there you are,” a loud, superficially happy voice said.

My entire body froze. I turned to see Becca standing next to Rob.

On the other side of Rob was Talia.

The air whooshed out of my lungs. Luca and Julian both flanked me, Luca’s face never changing expression but his steely resolve came through the bond.

Becca smiled brightly. “We’ve been looking everywhere for the premier event designer.”

I still didn’t know what to say. Becca smiled, but there was a hint of malice on her face, like a cat who had cornered a canary. Cold sweat gathered at the small of my back and I prayed they wouldn’t make a scene.

“Hello, Rob.” Mrs. Cullen nodded at my former lover. “I didn’t know you were acquainted with Sunshine Kahele.”

Becca’s eyes went wide, and Talia only looked grimmer.

“She’s finally found herself a pack.” Becca offered me a poisonous smile.

“She has.” Julian pulled me closer. “I’ve never met a more enchanting beta.”

“She swept us off our feet,” Luca smiled.

“I just bet she did,” Becca giggled, and looked at Rob. “She does love inserting herself into packs.”

People around us shifted uncomfortably.

Julian cocked his head. I squeezed his waist, willing him not to make a scene.

“That’s funny coming from you, considering you were sleeping with Rob and his pack while they were still dating Sunshine.” Julian smiled, like he was just confused.

Everyone stiffened, and my cheeks got hot. My actual worst nightmare, unfolding before me.

“You can’t help a scent match,” Talia said hotly. “And then she dropped our friendship because she thought she was too good for me.”

My throat closed up and I thought I would cry. All of my hard work to be seen as a professional, wasted. Becca and Talia couldn’t just move on, they had to ruin it.

“You mean the cupcakes you agreed to make and then refused to deliver on the morning of?” Logan asked, appearing from the crowd like a sexy ninja. He nodded at one of the elderly ladies. “Bennie says hi, by the way.”

He looked at Talia. “They loved the Hawaiian flavors I created for them.”

Talia looked at one of the richest women in the room and swallowed hard. “She didn’t give me enough notice⁠—”

“Cupcake My Day did not handle that professionally,” Logan shook his head, looking grim. “I’m glad I had the time.” He kissed my temple.

“But she…she dropped it in my lap.” Talia looked around at the small crowd.

Everyone looked stony faced, glaring at Becca and Talia.

I swallowed hard. “I hope you enjoy the event. But this is not the time nor place for this.”

“Of course not. Wouldn’t want to ruin your perfect image.” Becca sniffed, grabbed Rob’s forearm. “You’ll just⁠—”

“My dear,” Mrs. Cullen’s sharp voice cut in. “Stop before you embarrass yourself even more than you already have. You’ve brought up personal trials that you were the culprit in.”

Becca’s eyes widened, like she’d been slapped.

“This is a private event. If you will not use the good manners your parents saw fit to give you, we will ask you to leave.”

Talia went pale. “But we…but she’s been ignoring me for two weeks.”

I gritted my teeth, but before I could say a word, Mrs. Cullen turned her hawk-like gaze to Talia.

“As for you, if you want any business at all, I suggest you take the same advice. It is horribly inappropriate to bring these squabbles up at a party, where Ms. Kahele is working.”

Becca and Talia both looked like they wanted to protest, but Rob’s face had turned red. “Of course, Mrs. Cullen. Sorry to trouble you.”

“She doesn’t get to win—” Becca hissed.

Rob pulled both of them away, muttering under his breath.

I turned to Mrs. Cullen, and her guests. “I am so sorry that happened. I wasn’t aware they were on the guest list, or I would have steered past such a scene.”

“They came with the Baylor Firm,” Mrs. Cullen said. “You have nothing to be sorry for, dear. They are clearly experiencing sour grapes and thought their petty display would impact your event.”

“But it’s too grand,” the elderly man added. “Who among us hasn’t experienced the same thing from our rivals? Let us speak no more of it.”

And like that, they went back to talking about the event. Since Logan was there, I mentioned his vision for the menu, and we shifted the conversation to food.

I let out a breath. It was too much to hope this wouldn’t blow back on me, but no one was giving me shifty looks. They really meant it.

Becca and Talia tried their high school mean girl stunt, but it didn’t work. We weren’t teenagers anymore.

I relaxed and threw myself into the rest of the event.

We stayed until the small hours of the night, talking, dancing, and experiencing the rooms over and over. I met up with more guests, and we talked about the joy of trying experiences in certain orders, like the underwater room giving contrast to the desert vista. Or the mountain cabin after the guitar bar room.

My pack brought me home, leaving the take down for the cleaning staff we’d hired. I was exhausted, but peace settled over me.

Julian pulled me against him, and Luca and Logan cuddled either side of us.

“Thank you,” I said into the quiet dark of the room. Love pulsed inside me like a second heart. “For sticking up for me.”

“Always,” Luca said. “We will never let someone attack you like that.”

It was true. They had been there for me over and over, in every way that mattered.

“I got so lucky.”

“Luck had nothing to do with it.” Logan kissed my cheek. “You love with all of your heart. You throw yourself into everything you do. How could we not fall in love with you?”

“And we’re pretty amazing,” Julian said. “Of course we’d bring you into our pack.”

“We should go on a trip.” Luca nuzzled into my ear. “Just the four of us, now that the crazy events are done with.”

“But I still have three bonding ceremonies.”

“We’d leave a few months from now.” Luca sounded certain. “Somewhere beautiful, with a good food scene.”

“Italy,” Logan said. “The coast is beautiful. And I wanted to check out some of the new restaurants in Naples.”

I couldn’t hide the zip of excitement at spontaneously leaving the country on a whim.

“Naples it is,” Julian said with a laugh.

“We can’t just leave.” I struggled to think of all the responsibilities we had. “Your schedule, Julian.”

“That’s what time off is for,” he said. “I’ll put in my request.”

“Easy.” Luca grinned. “I’ll get my cases finished up, and that will give you time to finish breaking in your new assistant.”

I blinked. It couldn’t be that easy. “So we’re just gonna leave the country in…”

“Three months,” Julian said. “That will give me enough notice.”

“Three months.” I blinked, and then laughed. “Sure, why not. We’ll be back before Luna is due to have her baby.”

It seemed too easy, but everything with this pack was easy. Love was supposed to be easy, I thought. Not a series of hoops to jump through.

I snuggled my pack, my forever love.

Sunshine

The coast of Italy was beautiful. We walked around the beach, Logan talking about the restaurant we had just finished eating at.

Life was good. I looked out at the ocean, and pulled Julian against me, linking hands while we walked.

“I’m really glad you asked to snuggle with me,” I grinned up at him. “You’re the best friend and packmate ever.”

Luca and Logan were both beaming.

“And you two are the best alphas. My friends, my support, my loves.” Happiness filled me. It hurt to lose some old friends, but the future was bright. I had my pack and I had my family.

“Funny you should say that.” Julian paused and stopped in front of me. “I want to ask you to snuggle with me. Forever.”

“Of course.”

Julian shifted his weight and pulled a small black box out of his pocket. “I mean…Sunshine, will you marry me? Marry all of us? I know you’re bonded into the pack,” he said quickly. “I thought we could have a bonding ceremony and a wedding at the same time.”

“Yes!” I squealed. I jumped into his arms, while Luca and Logan clapped.

“When?” I looked into Julian’s brown eyes, loving him so much it almost hurt. As soon as he put the idea into my head, I couldn’t stop thinking about being his wife.

“Now?” Julian gave me his best grin, the grin that made my heart skip a beat, and I fell in love with him all over again. Down the beach he pointed to a big white awning with white gauze. “We could have a small ceremony here, and then a big party back home?”

“Yes.” I laughed, pulling Julian into a fierce hug. Logan and Luca bracketed my sides, and universe felt perfectly in sync.

This was love was about. Unconditional support and devotion. I linked hands with Julian and Logan, Luca holding Julian’s hand, and we walked down the beach to our bonding ceremony.

To our future of being together.

Sunshine has her pack, but you want to see Stella get her pack, check out Stella!

For more omegaverse with a fantasy twist, check out Omega Sanctuary!

Acknowledgments

This book wouldn’t be here without my readers.

When I released Omega Sanctuary, I expected a small handful of people to read it. When readers poured in from all over the world, I was humbled and grateful for their support. This has been a dream since I was five, and I cannot tell you how honored and grateful I am to have found my readers. Thank you, each and every one of you.

To my family. My husband and son are very supportive of when I have to go make the words. Especially when it’s time to go out to eat to celebrate a book release.

To Meliss Barbee, one of my best friends who has believed in me since high school and beyond. Thank you for letting me dump random plot problems on you at all hours of the night.

To my alpha readers, thank you so much for helping me crowd source awesome. Your input was so helpful.

To Kaara Newell thank you for cheering me on and listening to me talk about how hard writing is. We’re going to take over the world together, one book at a time.

To the omegaverse writing community, you are an amazing group of authors to share a genre with.

To Liz and the Other Liz, thank you for always being there for me.

To Anna who has always been there to cheer me on and send me emotional support yarn pictures.

Also by Mira Kane

OMEGA SANCTUARY SERIES:

Omega Sanctuary

Omega Court

Shrine of Fire

COSMIC BONDS:

Stella

Luna

Follow Mira Online

www.mirakane.com

Twitter: @mirakane6

Facebook: Mira Kane’s Readers

Newsletter: Sign up here!

Bookbub: Mira Kane

Instagram: Mira Kane