Page 36 of Dream Mates (Into The Parallel Omegaverse #2)

“It was perfect because it was bright and early before classes. That’s where Jett’s favorite cookie recipe came from.” My heart fluttered a little. We’d driven in together and while I missed my special morning time with Evan, it had been nice.

“Wes, whatever you think we did, we didn’t do it.” Margie’s voice went tart.

Wes put his arm around my waist. “I’m here for her. How’s your day going?”

Looking up at him, I beamed. “Wes is my mate. My day’s going great. Yours?”

“Better now that I’m with you.” He grinned.

Tish and Jordie chuckled.

“Congrats, Wes.” Tish raised her can of soda.

“Oh. I see.” Margie looked over at the door, her expression went bland. “Oh my. Look who’s gracing us with his presence. How exactly did Spencer find you, because he found you right? You, or Wes, didn’t put in for this position because it doesn’t exist.”

Ummm…

Spencer was immediately greeted by people.

“The kitchen, I believe,” Wes interjected, giving Margie a hard look. He turned to me. “That’s where you first met, right?”

I thought for a moment and laughed. “You’re right. He did find me in the kitchen. In my pajamas.”

Well, Wes’ clothes.

“The kitchen.” Tish laughed. “That’s a good one. I always forget that you two are packmates.”

Whatever answer Margie was expecting, that wasn’t it.

“Getting the job the hard way. That’s the way to go.” Jordie grinned. “My mate works in accounting. Spencer found me in the cafeteria doing my homework. I wouldn’t have known they had post doc programs otherwise.”

“I tried the easy way once and it didn’t work out so well.” My breath hitched a little.

Wes squeezed me. “You’re here now.”

Spencer joined us. “Hello everyone. Margie, Jordie, Tish, Wes.” He smiled. “Grace. How is everyone doing?”

Something about the way he said my name sent shivers of delight up my spine.

We all chatted for a few moments, finally Spencer excused himself, but not before his hand grazed mine, sending sparks through me.

Wes pulled me to him. “Let’s go get some of that delicious food. I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.”

Wes squeezed my hand as his truck pulled into the driveway of the house. “I love this. I get to drive to and from work with you and we get to eat lunch together. Well, if Tish doesn’t monopolize you. I work with one of her packmates.”

“I like her. Margie doesn’t like me.” I sighed. Though most people seemed nice.

“Margie doesn’t like anyone. Especially me when I tell her that they can’t do things to the firewall.” He rolled his eyes and got out of the truck, coming over to the other side to help me out.

We went into the kitchen where Riley was cooking under the direction of Jett and the assistance of Brennan.

Riley grinned, waving around some tongs, my apron with peaches on it over her outfit. “I’m making dinner, fuckers.”

It smelled delightful. “I can’t wait. Should I set the table?”

“Please,” Brennan said. “Wes, pour drinks. We’re just waiting on Evan and Spencer.”

I put my stuff upstairs and changed, then went back down to the dining room to do my assigned task. As I was setting out plates, arms circled my waist, and the smell of lemonade went straight to my pussy.

“Mmmm, I missed you this morning.” Evan nibbled on my ear, heat searing me.

“Me, too.” I leaned into him, rubbing my ass against him. “But we’ll still get a couple of mornings most weeks.” Which made me so happy. I loved that time with him, too.

“Hello.” Spencer leaned in the doorway, in his suit, holding a bottle of champagne.

“Hi.” I went a little giddy inside.

“Oooh, you got the good stuff.” Evan let go of me and went to the hutch and got out champagne flutes.

“But of course.” Spencer gave me the softest of kisses on the lips. “Hi, Darling. Your first day went well?”

“It did.” I rested my head on his chest, putting my arms around him.

“Dinner time, fuckers,” Riley yelled from the kitchen.

A moment later Riley brought out a platter of something fried, gleaming with sauce, sesame seeds, and green onions. “Looks good, right?”

“It does.” Brennan set a bowl of fried rice and a bowl of sauteed vegetables on the table.

“But these, these will be best because I made them. My aunt’s secret recipe.” Jett placed a plate of eggrolls on the table, along with some sauce.

“Oooh.” I practically drooled at the delicious smells.

Spencer poured the champagne and we all sat down.

“A toast to Grace’s first day of work.” Spencer held up his glass.

We toasted and dug into the delicious dinner.

“So good, Riley. You planned the menu?” I asked.

“Fuck yeah. I apparently need to cook more. Jett and Spence know how to make the good dinners. Don’t worry, we’ll work on dessert,” she told me.

Cook more? That sounded like her sister Sasha talking. Sasha had a whole bunch of opinions on how Riley was being raised here. But Riley should learn to cook. Along with all the other tasks you needed to know when living on your own.

“I’ll teach you whatever you want to know. I can do more than bake,” I said. Did they have smokers here so I could make some real barbecue?

“Grace apparently worked at a bakery. ” Wes took another eggroll.

“I did. I baked cupcakes and cookies mostly. Sometimes I helped with the pastries and cakes. It was fun. Also, it made me popular in classes, since I often brought stuff that had been made the day before and didn’t sell.”

“Your baked goods were a hit at the art club bake sale,” Riley added.

“I’m so glad.” I’d worked hard to make everything.

“So, who got in trouble?” Wes teased.

Riley told us all about who got in trouble at school today.

“Work went well?” Jett asked me.

“Yep. No trouble there. I like it.” I dipped my eggroll in sauce.

“Jett, these are so good. Riley, make sure you get your application in for the internship program, and encourage your friends. Maybe I can reach out to your science and math teachers? There aren’t very many high school applications, and it closes soon. ”

“Hiro and I are going to work on ours,” Riley said.

“Friday night is the Finchley Academy talent show. I’ve got a bunch of clients in it, including Rose. Does anyone want to come with me? They always put on a good show.” Evan took a bite of rice.

“Me. Rose’s routine is fire.” Riley stole Evan’s eggroll.

“Speaking of Finchley…” Brennan rubbed his forehead, grimacing. “My mother has informed me that there will be no funding for scholarships for next year.”

“What?” Evan looked like he was about to cry. Those scholarships were used to get young omegas out of bad situations by sending them to omega boarding schools.

“That bitch. Let me at her.” Riley made a face.

“This is unacceptable. You know why she’s doing this. To punish us,” Jett stated, taking a sip of champagne.

“I know.” Brennan sighed.

“I’ve already found a lawyer that specializes in small family foundations. To start, we won’t need a staff, other than an assistant. The board is right here.” Spencer took another bite.

Jett nodded. “Let’s do it. You’ve been talking about starting our own foundation for years.”

“You’re right, it’s time. Spence, we’ll talk later and figure out how much we’ll need to get started. I need to determine if I’m going to have to demand my share or not,” Brennan told us.

“Do it anyway. Force property sales if you have to. Katie’s gotten her share, so should you.

You got degrees, found mates, started a pack.

There’s no good reason why the Queen Mum should still be holding out on you.

” Jett said. “Seriously, the scholarships? That’s a low blow on her part. They’re kids who need help.”

“Was it because of me?” My shoulders rounded. The guys had left in the middle of Brennan’s mom’s big foundation gala because an encounter with Brennan's ex left me injured.

“No. It’s because Caroline’s a bitch–and so is my mother.” Brennan made a face. “Okay, we’ll do this. Which means that we need to actually decide on a family last name.”

While some people did keep their own last names, especially professionally, it apparently wasn’t uncommon for packs to choose one that everyone then took or had a pack name. I liked the idea of choosing a last name together.

“I have more thoughts,” Riley stated.

“More swear word last names?” Jett laughed.

They were all very creative.

“No. If we truly want to piss off the Queen Mum, let’s take Grace’s last name. It’s pretty,” Riley suggested.

My last name. I tapped my lips with my finger. What was there about my last name?

“I like that,” Jett said.

“That’s an idea, just take someone’s last name here in the pack instead of creating our own.” Brennan nodded. “Grace, you’re frowning hard. What’s wrong?”

I do hope that you’re not using your identity from the other world.

“I have to change my last name,” I blurted, sucking in a breath. “I remember now. I… I forgot. Sorry…”

Spencer patted my shoulder. “It’s all right, Grace. They told you to change your name?”

I nodded. “Because of the whole people trying to kill me thing. Also, the not sure if I’m actually supposed to be on this world thing.”

“That makes sense,” Jett added.

“If you don’t want to create one, we could use mine,” Spencer offered. “I don’t mind. We could pick a pack name, as well. Whatever you wish.”

“Really?” Jett asked. “Oooh, the Queen Mum would be pissed. The Thanukos Pack. It has a nice sound to it.”

“That’s a thought. If we do this, I’d like to stay head alpha.

I’m happy handling the family finances and investments.

But I’m no longer interested in going to events simply for appearance.

Since Spence and Grace like them, they can do most of it, and the rest of us will just go to what we want. How does that sound?” Brennan offered.

“Sold,” Jett said.

“Me, too,” Wes agreed.

“I don’t mind.” Spencer looked at me. “Grace?”

“I’ll go to all the things with you. The science dinner was fun.” I got a little giddy.

“I can’t believe your mom would cut the scholarships. She’s literally saving omega lives.” Evan looked defeated.

“I know, Love,” Brennan soothed. “We’ll work quickly to make sure they’re covered for the next school year. Just try not to hand out new ones without talking to me. At some point we should have actual guidelines, maybe a formal application process.”

Evan nodded. “Yeah, we probably should. As long as my current school babies are covered, I’ll do whatever you need.”

“It’s one thing to demand that we attend events or hire a housekeeper, it’s another to play with people’s livelihoods. These kids are innocent,” Jett said. “We’ll back you.”

“We will,” Wes said.

“Oh, look, Marcos took our pack crest and turned it into a really great tattoo design. Let’s do this.” Riley got out her phone.

“Can Riley get a tattoo?” I asked. The design was really cool.

“A pack tattoo with a guardian present, once she’s sixteen,” Evan said. Her birthday was in November.

Brennan had a pensive look on his face. “Okay. I know what we need to do. It’s just hard.”

“I know, Honey. We’re here.” Jett squeezed his arm.

“Okay, first thing first. All in favor of starting a family foundation to cover the scholarships?” Brennan asked.

We all raised our hands.

“Okay, Spence and I will get started. We should also find a new housekeeper, unless you want to go back to the chore rotation.” Brennan said.

“Let’s just do the chore rotation,” Jett offered.

“We should warn the sister pack. So, they’re aware when your mom makes them take sides,” Wes said. “I’ll do that.”

Brennan nodded. “Also, we’re not there yet, but if we’re doing this, then I’ll also get the paperwork started to add Grace to the pack. Because it’s a process. Grace, do you want a house like Evan?”

What? I just stared at him as so many feelings bombarded me. Did Brennan just ask me to eventually be part of the pack? While I knew it would happen at some point, after everything we’d been through I hadn’t expected him to be the one to say it. Especially so soon.

“Yes. On her own island. And a horse,” Riley said.

Words didn’t form. What the what what?

“Just breathe, Darling, this is a wonderful thing.” Spencer said as Wes squeezed my hand.

“That would be great, Bren,” Wes said for me.

“Oh, you ride?” Spencer asked me.

“Cowboy style,” Riley answered.

That was true. But I still had no words. This was a big deal. I obviously wasn’t going to say no , but for Brennan to mention it like this?

Huge.

Wes hauled me into his lap and held me to him. “Breathe.”

I took a breath. “I’m okay. Surprised. But okay.” My chest shuddered. “Thanks, Bren.”

“It’s just practical,” Brennan brushed off. “I mean you’re here to stay, and you live here in the house, and if we’re altering the charter anyway we might as well…”

I got off Wes’ lap and gave Brennan a hug. His arms wrapped around me, as did his pine scent.

“Don’t we need to vote?” Jett joked. “Also, we never voted on how Evan and Grace are getting married. I still vote for pushing them out of an airplane.”

“Absolutely not .” Evan gave Jett a playful push. “Grace, them deciding how we get married is not a thing.”

“When it’s time , all for adding Grace to the pack?” Brennan asked, my arms still around him.

Everyone’s hands raised. My heart thundered as Evan gave me a kiss. I was going to join the pack. At some point. Wow. So many feelings.

“While we’re voting, ass tattoos or arms?” Riley added. “Design is good?”

Arm won. The design was good. Though Wes wanted to adjust it a little.

“Okay. All we need is a last name and we’ll do this.” Brennan looked at Spencer.

“I’m serious. But I understand if you’d rather make one up,” Spencer said. “It’s also a decision that doesn’t need to be made today.”

“I like it. It works. I’m tired of being a Morris,” Brennan told us.

There was power behind Spencer’s last name. Morris had power too. But Spencer’s last name was more widely known. His family back in Greece was powerful and very rich.

Also, I’m guessing it really would piss off the Queen Mum.

“Let’s vote,” Spencer said.

It was unanimous.

“Final vote. Are we going to war with the Queen Mum if it becomes necessary? Wes and Ri, um, I might need your help to handle fallout,” Brennan looked at them, probably silently asking them to do computer hacker things.

All of us raised our hands.

“It’s settled then.” Brennan’s look went grim. “If it comes to it, the Thanukos pack is declaring war on the Queen Mum. Because it’s one thing to mess with us, it’s another thing to punish kids.”