Page 32
Chapter 32
Harlow
One Week later
I stand in front of the mirror, smoothing down my new navy pencil skirt. The fabric hugs my curves, that I’ve finally stopped trying to hide. How can I hide them when my alphas love them?
“Got everything?” Parker peers around the bedroom door, coffee mug in hand.
“Almost.” I grab my briefcase, triple-checking I have everything for my first day at the new firm. “I’ll see you downstairs.”
In the kitchen, Oliver slides a plate of eggs across the counter. “Eat. You’ll need your strength.”
“I’m not joining the marines?” I arch an eyebrow, but sit down anyway.
“Here.” Carver places a small canister next to my plate. “Pepper spray. Remember that wrist lock I taught you?”
I nearly choke on my eggs, laughing. “I’m working with Gerard Hoskins. He’s pushing sixty and wears bow ties.”
Parker growls, pulling my back against his chest. His lips find my neck. He lowers his mouth until he licks over my claiming mark. I squeeze my thighs together.
Not now. I have a job to do.
“Stop!” I squirm away, giggling. “You’ll wrinkle my suit!”
“Don’t worry about these overprotective fools.” Asher leans against the doorframe. A piece of toast in his hand. He takes a bite. “I’ll drive you to work, and then I’ll take you to lunch, and bring you home.”
“Look who’s talking about being overprotective,” Oliver snorts.
Asher grins. “Well, lunch might involve eating more than food...”
“Naughty boy.” I toss a napkin at him. “Didn’t you get enough this morning?”
“Never,” all four alphas chorus in perfect unison.
I’m still laughing when a small hand taps my arm. Jagger looks up at me with those enormous eyes. “Good luck today, Mom.”
My heart melts as I wrap my arms around him as I shoot a pointed look at my alphas. “At least someone here has impeccable manners.”
“Good luck,” they all mumble, looking properly chastised but really I’m feeling more loved and protected than I ever did pretending to be something I wasn’t.
“Oh, and remember my mom and my sisters Grace and Bardot are coming for dinner tomorrow evening.”
“Wonderful.” Parker grabs a piece of bacon. “My parents are looking forward to meeting them. “
“And mine,” Oliver adds .
“Mine have confirmed too,” Asher adds as I look at Carver. I know since we’ve been together, Carver’s family has practically disowned him.
“My mom is traveling over with your mom,” Carver tells me.
“Really?” I don’t ask about his dads.
He smiles. “Apparently, your mom had a chat with her.”
I roll my eyes skyward. “I should’ve known she’d get involved.”
“Are you ready, gorgeous?” Asher’s warm breath ghosts over my neck. “Or do you want to stay home and have me look after you today?”
I laugh. “Are you feeling needy?”
“Always,” he whispers in my ear.
Ten minutes later, I linger at the front door, stealing one last kiss from each of my alphas. They stand and wave as I walk with Asher to his car.
I love that they are so different.
Parker’s firm and commanding.
Oliver’s playful and teasing.
Carver’s deep and possessive.
I always thought Asher would be the dominating one, but he’s turned into more of a pussy cat than the others.
But each one is unique, each one perfect.
“Text when you get there,” Parker calls out as Asher opens my car door.
“Will do!” he shouts as he strides to the driver’s side and gets in the car.
Before starting the engine, Asher turns to me. “I cleared my schedule today. ”
“What? Why?”
“Just in case.” He shrugs, but I catch the concern in his eyes. “I want to be around if you need me.”
My heart swells. “You’re perfect, you know that?” I lean over and kiss him on his lips. “I love you so much.”
“And I’m so lucky to hear that. But I love you more.”
“Not possible.”
He laughs as he fires the engine.
The drive passes quickly, and when we arrive at my new office building, Asher pulls me close before I can exit the car. His sweet scent wraps around me.
“I never thought I could love someone this much,” he confesses, his green eyes intense. “It scared me at first.”
“Really?”
“I never thought it could be real.”
“Especially with Parker’s resistance to finding our omega...”
I sit and listen. I feel he needs to tell me.
“I almost left the pack.” His admission stuns me. “I couldn’t take it anymore. But it was Oliver who convinced me to stay. He said you were coming into our lives soon, and Parker won’t know what hit him.”
“How did Oliver know?”
“Will you be upset if I told you he set Colton up with the omega, not Carver?”
I shake my head. "Carver admitted it was him."
"He didn't he just let Colton think it."
I smile. “Did Oliver and Carver plan everything?"
Asher laughs. "It wouldn't surprise me if there was some off-ice rivalry."
I shake my head. "But how did Oliver know I’d come to Los Angeles? ”
He clears his throat. “He just knew. Fated mates can’t keep away from each other.”
“Does he know Holly by any chance?”
“Holly Ramsay did work for the Raiders.”
“My friend helped Oliver?” My voice lifts an octave. “Wait until–”
“You love it really,” Asher says, laughing. “Though I have to admit, I’m not sure Oliver expected Carver to move to LA.”
“Me neither.” I thread my fingers through his.
“And it’s okay. I’m not upset with anyone. How could I be when it led to us?” I squeeze his hand tighter. “I’m glad you never left. I know this pack wouldn’t be complete without you. I would have felt that.”
“If I’d left...” He shakes his head. “I would’ve spent my life pining for you after seeing you with this pack.”
“Well, you didn’t leave.” I squeeze his hand once more before releasing it from his. “And now you’re stuck with me forever. But I need to get to work.”
He lands a playful smack on my ass as I climb out of his car. “Go get ‘em, omega.”
I snap into a mock salute. “Yes, sir!”
He wiggles his eyebrows.
I lean back in my garden chair, taking in the twinkling lights strung across our backyard. The evening air is warm—perfect—with just enough breeze to carry the mingled scents of my pack across the gathering .
“So, how’s the new job?” Bardot leans forward, wine glass dangling between her fingers.
“Just finished day one, but Gerard’s fantastic.” I watch as Grace nods approvingly. “He actually listens to my ideas about expanding the sports division.”
“Better than your last boss then,” Grace adds with a knowing smile.
The garden gate swings open and Freya bustles in, balancing an enormous cake. “Special delivery!”
“You didn’t have to—” I start, but she cuts me off.
“Oh honey, this was a special order from your four hunks.” She sets it down with a flourish. “Coconut, pineapple, vanilla, and just a hint of rum. Your perfect scent combination.”
“It’s beautiful,” I breathe, admiring the intricate design.
Freya wrinkles her nose. “Personally, I would’ve gone with strawberry, lime, and tequila.”
“Yuck!” I stick out my tongue.
“Well, no wonder I can’t find an alpha.” She dramatically surveys my four mates scattered around the garden. “Or four.”
Mom joins us, settling into the chair beside me. “How was the first day, sweetheart?”
“Fantastic.” I squeeze her hand. “Gerard’s brilliant to work for and kind. You should meet him. He’s single.”
“Thank you, but no thank you,” she says, tilting her head to one side. "Now the investigation is over, I want to relax."
"I'm glad they understood your reasons, but maybe you should have blamed grandma like Bardot suggested."
She smiles and shakes her head. "I couldn't do that to her. Even if she's not around. "
I squeeze her hand as movement catches my eye and I watch as Carver embraces his mother at the poolside. There are tears in both their eyes as they hold each other. My heart swells seeing them finally reconnect.
“You did that,” Bardot whispers, following my gaze. “You brought them back together.”
“Mom did it. Not me.” I shake my head. “But what is happening now is all him. He was brave enough to tell her he chose love over blood.”
“Hello darling,” a melodic voice draws my attention. A stunning woman with golden blonde hair and striking green eyes approaches.
“Mom,” Oliver gently taps her arm. “This is Harlow. The girl I’ve always told you about.”
“Harlow, aren’t you beautiful?” Her eyes light up as she looks from me to Oliver. “I’ve heard so much about you.” She clasps my hands in hers. “Oliver refused every omega I suggested. He finally admitted it was because he knew you were his.”
I turn to Oliver, warmth blooming in my chest. “You really did?”
Before he can respond, one of his dads sweeps me into a crushing hug. “Welcome to the family,” they chorus behind him, their joy palpable. “We’ve never seen our boy so happy.”
Asher’s parents are next. His mother cups my face in her hands. “You know, Asher used to heal everyone but himself. Now we see him truly whole.”
I search for Asher in the crowd, smiling when I find him.
Carver and Parker come and stand beside me and my heart swells as I look around at all these people here for us. The garden is filled with laughter and love, everyone I want here sharing this moment.
A familiar squeal cuts through the chatter. “Harlow! ”
I spin around just as Holly crashes into me, wrapping me in a tight embrace. Her husband, Aiden Ramsay, the owner of the New York Bears, follows behind, smiling warmly.
“Carver,” he says, extending his hand. “You know, there’s always a spot for you with the New York team. Just say the word.”
I won’t tell Aiden that it’s because his wife urged me to come to LA and then Carver followed me, and that’s the reason he no longer has his star player.
Carver’s arm slides around my waist. “I appreciate that, but I go where Harlow goes.”
Aiden nods, his expression softening as he glances at Holly. “I understand. More than you realize.”
Holly catches his look and gives him that special smile I’ve seen a thousand times - the one that says everything without words.
I squeeze Parker’s hand and nod toward Freya. “I need to talk to her for a minute.”
He kisses my temple. “Take your time.”
I pull Freya aside to a secluded corner of the garden. “So... how did your heat go?”
“It was okay. The alphas weren’t—” She leans in close, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Anyway, the first test was negative, but...” Her hand drifts to her stomach. “I feel different. So I’m doing another test in a few days.”
“I’m crossing all my fingers for you.” I take her hand and lead her back to the table as Grace and Bardot join us, settling into chairs. Grace immediately launches into stories about her twins and husbands. “Lucas and Stanton are amazing fathers. Though trying to keep up with two toddlers, and my two husbands hockey schedules is exhausting. ”
I watch Freya’s face as Grace talks, catching the longing in her eyes. She wants this so badly it breaks my heart.
“How are you adjusting to being an omega, Bardot?” Freya asks.
My sister shrugs. “It’s... different. The implant’s gone, but my body’s still figuring things out. Sometimes I feel like I’m learning to be a whole new person. But it’s not happening to me like it did for Harlow.”
Jagger suddenly races over, climbing into my lap. “Mom, can I have some cake now?”
My mother’s eyes light up. “Mom? Does this mean I’m officially your grandmother?”
Jagger beams. “Yeah! And I have lots of daddies now too. And aunties and grandmas and—”
“And people who love you very much.” I wrap my arms around him.
Parker stands, tapping his glass for attention. “I’d like to say something.” His gray eyes find mine across the garden. “These past months have brought more joy than I thought possible. Our pack is complete, Jagger has the family he deserves, and—”
The garden gate creaks open.
Colton steps in with his dads.
The garden falls silent as everyone turns toward Colton.
Carver surges forward, muscles tensed, but before he can reach his brother, Colton throws his arms around him.
“I’m happy for you,” Colton says, his voice thick with emotion. “I’ve been watching from afar, and this pack…gives Harlow everything I never could.”
Carver stands frozen, arms rigid at his sides.
I watch the brothers, my heart aching at the tension between them. Colton’s shoulders slump as he takes a step back from Carver .
“Tell him what you told me,” one of his dads says.
“You were always meant to be his,” Colton says, his eyes meeting mine. “I knew how Carver felt about you. I just...” He runs a hand through his hair. “I thought I caught an omega scent on you. And I jumped in before he could, thinking maybe...” He blows out a breath. "And honestly Harlow, I loved you. I loved you so much I didn't care that you were an alpha. And I'm sorry I hurt you."
My fingers find Carver’s hand, squeezing gently. His jaw remains tight, muscles clenched.
“The past is done,” I breathe. “What matters now is the future we’re building. All of us.” I turn to Carver, placing my palm against his cheek. “Can you forgive him? For me?”
Carver’s blue eyes bore into mine before flickering to his brother. His chest rises with a deep breath.
“I’ll try,” he says finally. “For you. Not for him.”
The words come out rough, but I feel the slight loosening of tension in his shoulders under my touch. It’s a start.
I step forward, placing a gentle hand on Colton’s shoulder. “Would you like a drink, Colton?”
“Don’t you dare,” Bardot hisses, moving between us like she’s just realized he is here.
“It’s okay,” I tell Bardot.
Something shifts in Colton’s expression as he looks at my sister. His eyes widen slightly, nostrils flaring.
He shakes it off. “I...” He swallows. “Can I sit with you for a while, Bardot? I promise I’m only here to celebrate. I’m not bringing trouble.”
Bardot’s mouth opens, then closes. She turns to me, uncertainty written across her face.
“Let him,” I tell her .
“It’s your party,” she huffs as she leads Colton away.
I take the moment to look around at my pack.
Oliver smiles at me as he strides over with Jagger on his shoulders.
Parker catches my eye and gives me that small, secret smile that makes my heart flutter.
Asher presses his hand on my lower back, his steady presence wraps around me like a warm blanket.
And Carver... my first alpha, reaches for my hand and kisses it. “You were too easy on him. He was so obsessed with you, he kept you from me.”
“He doesn’t matter anymore, Carver. Only we do.”
“She’s right, Carver. This pack is all that matters,” Asher says. “As long as she is obsessed with us.”
I turn to Asher and laugh. “How could I not be obsessed? I now have the perfect pack.”