Page 65

I want this future with them. So badly. More badly than I’ve ever wanted anything in my entire life.

Chase with his unbridled enthusiasm. Madden with his innate understanding. Kane with his steady awareness. Archer with his passionate care.

The bathroom door shuts behind me and I slump against the sink a little bit.

They’ve all shown me parts of themselves that tell me what life would be like with them. And I love what they’ve shown me so far. It’s so much better than anything I ever dreamed for myself.

I’ve had everything taken from me in the past.

My dignity. My body. My soul.

The thought of losing this newfound future is terrifying.

With shaking hands, I take the dress out of the bag. I don’t want to keep them waiting and trying this dress on will help give me something to distract myself from this feeling of dread.

I take off the sweatsuit, my inner omega crying a bit at the loss of the soft fabric before slipping on the dress.

My jaw drops when I take a look in the mirror. The dress is gorgeous, with a square neckline and a flowy skirt. I spin, feeling the fabric swirl around my legs. I’ve never owned a dress before. Or at least not a dress like this.

My dad thought they were pointless when I was a kid and the only thing close to a dress that I got from my parents after I presented as an omega were lingerie-style night dresses I’d be given for my heats.

I lift up my skirt, doing a pretend mini-curtsy in the mirror, laughing at myself. My curtsy technique could use more work. I’m not going to win pretend princess of the year anytime soon.

I know I thought I felt like an omega in the sweatsuit, but I think in this, I’m starting to actually look like an omega. Or at least an omega that I think would be worthy of standing beside the Ward pack.

I step out of the bathroom and walk down the hall to the sitting room.

“Fuuuuuck,” Chase says, melting into the armchair he’s sitting in. “I knew that dress would be fucking perfect on you!”

The try-on haul seems to last forever. While there’re a few clothes that I ask to return because they don’t feel comfortable orI’m not brave enough to ever wear them, the vast majority of things are perfect. It’s actually kind of scary how well Chase seems to know my size. Apparently, he just knows his way around that sort of thing.

And with each of their reactions to all the clothes I try on—the compliments, the smiles, the laughter—the broken pieces of my soul seem to click back into place.

CHAPTER 18

Madden

Luna is upstairs putting away all of the clothes she decided to keep. We all just ate the delicious casserole she made for us. It was awesome watching her expression light up as she saw all of us enjoy her food.

I don’t think I’ll ever forget the feeling I had when the guys genuinely thanked me for helping them with something they couldn’t do themselves for the first time.

As her scent grows a bit fainter, with her upstairs, the first floor starts feeling more and more empty.

Chase jumps down the last few stairs and bee-lined it straight towards us. He was extra eager to help her bring the bags of things she wanted upstairs.

“Alrighty Mr. Serious,” Chase says to Kane, practically buzzing with excitement. “Wanna explain why Luna was carrying your scent? And why your scent was all over her room?”

I’d noticed too. It was the first thing I noticed when I walked into the house. I didn’t think it was my place to ask, though if I’m being completely honest, I could feel my heartbeat picking up at the thought of Luna being open to more.

Part of me was also jealous, but we’ve already established thatpart of my brain is stupid. Luna hasn’t given me any sign at all that she cares where I’m from.

Kane shifts awkwardly. He actually clears his throat like he’s trying to figure out what to say.

“Come on, man, spill the beans. You can’t just keep something this big to yourself.” I nervously tap the kitchen counter I’m standing in front of.

“We kissed last night,” Kane says.

At least he’s getting straight to the point now.