Page 45

Chapter forty-five

VIOLET

Sofie has that restless energy, the kind that makes it impossible for her to stay still more than a few minutes. She slept—barely—maybe an hour before she started flopping around like a fish, twisting her limbs in frustration. At first, it was funny, her sighs and huffs exaggerated. But then she got irritable, and when Sofie gets irritable, everyone feels it.

“Okay, okay, enough,” she mutters, shoving the blankets off. “I’m getting up.”

Gray barely cracks an eye open before I’m already moving, watching her stomp off toward the kitchen. She’s still worn out from the last few days, but her mind is clearly racing. She perches on the one armchair that faces the foyer, draping her arms over the back, eyes locked on the front door like staring at it long enough will make them walk through.

I rub my hands over my face and follow her. “Baby, they’ll be back soon.”

Sofie huffs, looking up at me with those big, pouty eyes. “I don’t like not knowing.”

Gray chuckles, stepping behind me and resting his chin on my head. “She’s not going to move, princess. She’s just as stubborn as you are.”

“Yeah, no shit,” I mutter, watching her drum her fingers on the couch.

Time drags, half an hour creeping by, and she never looks away from the door. Her attention doesn’t waver, her ears straining for any hint of sound that might mean they’re back. I step toward her but she just shoots me a glare, pinning me in that spot. I can’t imagine what’s going on in her head but I’m also not going to coddle her. And then finally, the front door creaks open. Before I can even move, Sofie bolts, flinging herself at the twins the second they step inside.

Lance catches her first, but Hawk is right there too, both of them wrapping her up as she clings to them, her body vibrating with relief.

“Jesus, sweetheart, let us breathe,” Lance teases, laughing as he holds her tight.

But Sofie isn’t in a joking mood. “I don’t want to wait any longer,” she says, pulling back enough to look at both of them. “I want to be bonded. I need bites. Stat.” Her gaze moves to Puma and then Gray, her tone softening as she adds, “Violet too.”

Gray stiffens behind me as the entire room goes still. Sofie’s expression doesn’t falter—she isn’t embarrassed, isn’t flustered. She’s completely serious. I should have known an incident like this would drive that reaction.

“I didn’t like not knowing anything or where you were,” she continues, quieter this time. “It felt wrong.”

The Alphas exchange glances, surprise flickering across their faces. Lance is the first to break the silence, rubbing the back of his neck. His brows draw together in something close to amusement. “Isn’t that usually something an Alpha says to their Omega?”

Sofie just shrugs, unconcerned. “Maybe. But I’m an Omega and I want to be bonded.” She turns to me next, her eyes softening as they meet mine. “Vi?” She struggles to slip out of the twins grasp, walking up to me and cupping my face in her delicate hands. “I need this so goddamn much. I can feel you but I can’t feel them and I need it.” Tears gather in her eyes as she sniffles. “I just… I didn’t know. This is the part I hate. The Omega part that needs, that craves, that demands. If I was a Beta…”

I stop her there, softly drawing her into a kiss. “Baby, I might be a Beta but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t—I’m not terrified. Had a whole meltdown while you were sleeping.” I manage a small smile. “You are allowed to need, crave, and demand whatever the fuck you want. Besides, I think bonds are an excellent idea.” For a moment, it’s just the two of us, my Omega and I holding each other.

Then Puma clears his throat, reminding us that we have an audience. Sofie grumbles something before turning around. “Great. It’s settled. Let’s go.” She marches back over to the twins, reaching for their hands.

Gray snorts, shaking his head. “Wait—” His voice is edged with something confused. “Oh, she meant now?”

Silence hangs for half a second. Then the laughter starts as Sofie drags the twins toward the bedroom, Gray eagerly following them. I watch, knowing that everything after today will change. It hasn’t been me and Sofie against the world for a little while but now it’ll be permanent. I’m so fucking ready.

I let out a heavy sigh, waiting for Puma to join by the door. I reach for him, my fingers curling into the sleeve of his jacket. “Everything okay?” I murmur.

Puma nods, the gesture slow, measured. “It might get a little dicey until we figure out everything,” he admits, voice low enough that only I can hear. “But right now? It’s okay.”

I snort, tilting my head at him. “Liar.”

A smirk tugs at the corner of his lips before he leans in, pressing a lingering kiss to my temple. “Right now,” he repeats, pulling back just enough to meet my eyes, “there’s nothing we can do. So, let’s focus on this. Right now, in this moment, just the six of us.”

Before I can argue, a soft, breathy moan echoes from the room. Gray steps back into the hallway, his hands on me before I can react, his arms wrapping around my waist as he hauls me off the ground like I weigh nothing. I gasp, hands flying to his shoulders as he grins up at me, eyes gleaming like he’s been waiting for an excuse to manhandle me all damn day.

“Come on, princess,” he purrs. “It’s starting!”

I barely get a chance to yelp before Gray spins us, laughter tumbling from my lips as he finally sets me down. The warmth of his chest lingers against my back as I steady myself, taking in the scene before me.

Sofie’s practically vibrating, buzzing with excitement as she flits around the nest, fluffing pillows and arranging blankets with the precision of a master architect. It’s been moved from the bed to the back corner and I’m pretty sure no one is getting any of the clothing items back that have been woven into the edges.

She spins around, hands on her hips, chest rising and falling as she surveys her work before beaming at me, wide-eyed and bright. “Now we’ll all fit!” she announces.

I blink at her, my heart stuttering in my chest as she runs at me, hands reaching for mine, fingers threading together with a kind of familiarity that feels like coming home. She looks up at me, eyes shining, voice filled with an almost childlike excitement.

“Isn’t it beautiful?”

I can’t help the smile that stretches across my face. “It’s gorgeous, baby.”

Sofie grins, tipping up onto her toes as she presses her lips against mine. I melt into her, one hand sliding to cup her cheek, the other still locked with hers, unwilling to let go. The kiss is sweet but electric, a slow burn that I could drown in, that I want to drown in. A playful voice cuts through the moment.

“Hey!” Lance drawls from somewhere behind us. “You two are already bonded! Save some for the rest of us.”

I pull back, rolling my eyes even as Sofie giggles, burying her face in my neck. “Jealous?” I tease.

Lance smirks. “Nah. Just making sure you two don’t get a head start.”

Hawk snorts. “I don’t think that’s possible.”

Gray, still pressed against my back, hums. “Well, now I feel left out.”

Puma chuckles, stepping up beside me. “This is our women’s show. Be patient. Let them lead.” I love the way he’s included me in as if my feelings on the matter mean just as much as Sofie’s. He cups the back of my head, gently running his thumb along the back of my ear. “Ready, Dove? Because god, I’ve been thinking about this moment for weeks.”