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thirty-eight

JOSIE

S imon turns away from me and stands when he faces the guys. Ha, suckers, they don’t get kneeled for. My eyes stay glued to the four men as Simon approaches them. He stops a few feet away and clears his throat a few times before moving forward.

“I owe you three a large apology as well. I’m sorry that I backed out on Josie’s heat when I was part of what started it.

I’m sorry for avoiding Pack discussion and dismissing your thoughts.

I’m sorry that you guys had to pick up the slack when I hurt Josie.

I’m also incredibly sorry that I didn’t trust you all more.

If I had… if I had just been more open with you, this might not have happened.

As much as I want to be back in Josie’s good graces, I also need to be forgiven by you as well.

“My rut threw me into a shame spiral, but right as I was finally listening to Vic, Josie came back around to check on me, and my shame came full circle again. Instead of talking, I shut down. Jesse, I need you to hear how much I appreciate your pep talk earlier this evening. You didn’t say anything new, I know, but what you did say pulled my head out of my ass,” Simon tells them, his voice unwavering but full of emotion.

Vic steps forward first and pulls Simon into him. They speak in soft tones together before Vic pulls back and Simon lands a kiss on him. Smiling, Vic pulls back with a small blush so Henry and Jesse can chime in. Jesse takes a few steps forward before Henry can respond.

“You already know how I feel about doing all this. May as well support each other if everyone else is on board,” Jesse says before holding his hand out.

Simon takes it, shakes it once, then pulls Jesse in for a quick hug. Jesse scratches at his neck as he steps back, a little overwhelmed by the touch. Henry is surprisingly less open than the other two. I think of Henry as my sunshine guy, but right now, he’s all storm clouds as he looks at Simon.

They stare at each other for a moment before Simon breaks eye contact and looks at the ground. I honestly don’t remember what they said to each other on the night of my heat, but based on the tension now, it definitely wasn’t friendly.

“Why are you apologizing?” Henry asks.

I think the question surprises all of us, especially Simon, based on the level of bewilderment I see.

Simon blinks at him, waiting to see if Henry is kidding or not, but when Simon figures out Henry’s not kidding, he stands up a bit straighter and takes a deep breath.

More chocolate finds its way into my mouth, and I make sure I have more ready to eat.

“I’m apologizing because Josie deserves better than I gave her.

I’m apologizing because I let my fears guide my actions instead of working through them.

I’m apologizing because we have a Pack pull, and instead of showing you that I understand how valuable that is, I ran.

Every single person in this room deserves better than what I gave them, so I’m apologizing and hoping for a second chance,” Simon tells him.

I feel Henry soften in the bond before his face relaxes. He puts his hand out there, and Simon grabs it. They don’t hug, but I see Henry nod in acknowledgement of what Simon said.

“You know the end decision is Josie’s, but I believe you want to be better and do better. If she says so, you’re welcome here,” Henry tells Simon.

As they all look toward me, I take a deep breath and let my lips flap together as I exhale.

My head tips back, and I decide that the ceiling is very interesting at the moment.

While I’m thrilled that they’re all being so considerate of how I feel, it suddenly feels like there’s a huge weight on my shoulders.

The future of this Pack is in my hands, and while my Omega is telling me to stop being stupid and accept Simon, things feel more complicated than that.

The only other person in this room who knows and understands Simon on a deeper level is Vic.

Since he happens to also be my best friend for life, I stand up and gesture for him to follow me.

I find the empty den and pull Vic in with me, leaving the door cracked so I can see if anyone tries to eavesdrop.

“What do I do?” I ask him.

Vic just smiles, “I can’t answer that for you, Josie Girl, you know that.”

“It was worth a shot,” I scoff.

“Ask me the question, the real one this time.”

Our eyes meet, and I ask the question that really only Vic can answer.

“Is he capable of actually being here for all of us? Of staying instead of running?”

If Simon isn’t capable of getting over his shit, then that’s the end of things. I don’t have the capacity to deal with him. It wouldn’t be fair to me or the guys. Vic’s face is soft but thoughtful as he considers what to say.

“Yes, I believe he is. He’s a little slow to change, but once his mind is made up, he moves forward.

When he would make changes at his last coffee shop, it took him forever to decide and implement what he was thinking.

When he decided to open a new shop here, though? No hesitation, just determination.”

“You callin’ me a coffee shop?” I tease him.

Vic huffs a laugh, “No, it was just the best example I have. When he finally makes the decision, or when there’s a need to make things happen, he’s all in.

If he hadn’t talked to me at our place before coming here, I would be more skeptical.

Since he did, though, it tells me that he’s in.

He wants this, and he wants to work for it. ”

“Okay,” I nod my head.

“Okay?”

“Okay. Let’s go back.”

Vic reaches out to pull me into his body, hugging me tightly before kissing me silly.

I lose myself to the feel of his mouth on mine, our tongues tangling in their own dance of passion.

My scent rises as I perfume for him, freely letting my scent out with the safety he gives me.

His hand slides down my body and instead of the sensual groping I anticipate, he pinches me and wiggles the skin on my butt.

It tickles, and I push him away, laughing as I run out of the room.

I can hear Vic’s feet chasing me the short distance to the kitchen and dining area as I slide in my socks.

My laughter continues as adrenaline pumps through my body, the high from kissing Vic still thrums through me, anticipation from the chase, and excitement from our conversation all heighten my responses, leaving me giddy.

The three guys in the kitchen watch with amused smiles as I slide past them, using the table to create space between Vic and me.

His steps slow to a stop as he reaches the table, grinning at me and breathing just about as hard as I am.

We grin at each other, taunting as we scuttle back and forth on opposite sides of the table.

There’s movement in my peripheral vision, so I quickly glance in that direction, but don’t let Vic escape my attention.

The three other guys are watching us with a mix of amusement and concern.

“Are you guys just gonna let him chase me around like this?” I tease them.

“Looks like you’re enjoying yourself,” Henry comments.

I gasp in faux outrage, “Are my Alphas abandoning me in my moment of need?”

Vic chuckles low, “Your Alphas can’t save you now, pretty Omega.”

Grinning, I try to dart around the table and escape him, but a hard body blocks my way.

I yelp in surprise and look up to see Simon blocking my way.

He smiles at me, effectively blocking my way out, but not actively trapping me.

There’s space that I could squeeze through, and I doubt he would stop me.

However, in the moment it takes me to stop and figure out Simon is blocking the way, Vic has caught up, and his hands grab me around the middle.

He pulls me in close and starts blowing raspberries on my neck. My squeals start up again, and now all my Alphas are laughing.

“I think that’s the pitch used to call dogs,” Jesse says.

I turn and glare at him playfully, “I will end you!”

“I’m already gone for you.”

Of course, I melt at his words.

“Fine, I accept that. Come kiss me!”

Jesse laughs before ambling over and doing as I’ve demanded.

Even though Jesse isn’t overly dominant, he is an Alpha, so I’m surprised he’s doing as I’ve asked with no backlash.

He gets close to me, hand raising to caress my cheek before his fingers thread through my hair, and he pulls my head back, exposing my throat.

He takes a deep inhale of my scent, causing a rush of slick to escape me, and pulls back to look in my eyes.

Why is it so damn hot when they scent me like that? It drives me crazy every time. Instead of landing a kiss on my lips as I had hoped, Jesse smirks and leaves a barely-there kiss on my temple before backing away.

“Tease,” I accuse him playfully.

Jesse just smiles, completely unrepentant. Nobody moves after the interaction, and the reason for all of us being here slams back into my head. Everything feels so natural and easy, I’ve forgotten that we still have to talk. Vic still holds me around the middle as I look at Simon again.

“You have to work for it. Push me away a second time and we’re done,” I tell him.

He all but collapses at my feet and places one hand on my neck and the other hand on Vic’s neck.

“I promise to do better by both of you,” he swears.

Jesse clears his throat next to us and I turn to see Henry standing closer, but still letting the three of us work shit out. Jesse tells Henry to come closer with a jerk of his head, then looks back at me and Simon.

“Simon, Henry, and I talked while you guys were in the other room. We came up with a few ideas, depending on where your conversation went. Since you’re giving Simon a chance, I’d like to wait to bond until he does.

I don’t want him to feel like an outsider in this Pack.

You’re the Omega, though, so if you want me to be bonded sooner, I’ll do it. ”

My eyes look between Jesse and Simon, trying to figure out if there’s anything they’ve left out.

Neither of them looks overly nervous or concerned, just a normal amount of nerves.

The fact that Jesse is willing to wait for Simon melts my heart, and it’s exactly who I saw Jesse to be before he met the rest of the Pack.

A little anti-social, but a huge heart for the ones in his life.

“Yeah, I think that’s really amazing that you’re willing to wait for him. I feel like you have each other’s backs,” I tell them, trying to hold my happy tears in.

“This is Pack,” Henry comments from the side, “This is what Pack does, we support each other however is needed.”

“Is it cheesy to ask for a group hug?” I ask.

Henry scoffs, “You’re our Omega. Nothing you ask for is cheesy.”

I giggle a bit before opening my arms to bring all of them as close to me as humanly possible.

Simon moves so he can wrap his body around Vic and place his hands on my waist where Vic’s are.

Henry and Jesse happily come in close, not afraid to find a spot to grab me, and not afraid to touch each other in the hug.

“How did I get so lucky?” I ask softly.

“We’re the lucky ones, Josie Girl, and we’re all gonna work to make sure you feel as loved as you are,” Vic answers.