Page 14 of Small Town Shy Omega (Applewood Falls #1)

“The soup needs to be ready for when Layla arrives,” Blake said impatiently, eyes flitting to the wall clock.

“I mean, she’s gonna be hungry after chatting with Bronwyn all afternoon.

Besides, she bought those new toys for Whiskers and shopping for cat toys requires lots of work.

I’m sure she’s been busy picking out cat beds, blankets, and toy mice.

She wouldn’t just pick out any cat toys for Whiskers.

Only things Whiskers would really enjoy, things that fit her needs.

That takes effort, man. Layla’s not the type to just grab catnip off the shelf. ”

My heart ballooned. I leaned closer to hear better.

“Very original.” Josh sprinkled more salt onto the dough.

“You think Layla’s really buying her cat toy mice?

Get real, man. She’s the type of Omega to think of something totally different and unique to give to her furry friend.

A toy no one’s ever thought of before. Not something basic as toy mice. ”

“I was only tossing out suggestions.” Blake diced chunks of chicken breast. “I don’t have a creative mind.”

“But you’re the poet.” Josh frowned at Blake. “You’d better be creative, because when we stargaze with Layla later, she’ll require poetry. An original idea.”

“I planned to recite poetry,” Blake growled, “not write it. I did write her that poem at the café… But that was regurgitated from something I wrote in college. You know, when I was pursuing my English degree before we met and began our construction business together.”

“I’m telling Laylaaaaa,” Josh growled, and even Dreydon chuckled.

Dreydon wiped his hands on his apron. “You rehashed the poem for Layla from something you wrote in your college days? Unreal, Blake. She deserves more than that. So much damn more.”

“I’d like to see you write a poem.” Blake was clearly annoyed at being called out. Who really liked being called out? I didn't.

Dreydon’s brows slanted. “Not my specialty.”

“Oh, we know.” Blake didn't mince words. And Josh let out a laugh.

“I’m much better at enforcing contracts,” Dreydon growled. “And if I’m not the one who collects our pack’s money, for our business, I have no role in the pack.”

“I’d never want to take your role.” Blake dusted the chicken with parsley sprigs.

“You stick with poetry,” Dreydon said, “and I’ll serve where I’m best. Collecting money. Running the backend of our business.”

Josh nodded, though he took issue with Dreydon’s tone. “We all have our set positions. Blake—it’s great that you put yourself out there the other day, demanding that $300 from the subcontractor, but Dreydon is better at that role.”

“I know, man,” Blake huffed, continuing the chicken chopping. “I thrive in other ways. Reciting poems for our Omega. Telling her she’s the most perfect girl to ever live.”

Josh nodded. “Layla is perfect, bro. It’s hard to imagine the life we lived without her.”

“Before we met Layla, we mainly just worked, maintained our home, and tried to stay outta trouble,” Dreydon gritted out. “Now, we have a new reason to live. An Omega: when a pack finds their Omega, Alphas need to grow up. They can’t keep being little boys, always focusing on their own pleasure.”

Josh nodded. “We know what a pack needs to focus on. Not pursuing pleasure like in the past, but pleasuring their Omega.”

“Protecting her,” Blake growled, an enamored look drifting over his eyes.

“Keeping her safe. Ensuring she has a safe nest nook where she can gather blankets, sweaters, and pillows, to build the coziest nest she can. That’s an Omega’s job, man.

If she doesn’t feel safe, how can she do important work? ”

Josh smiled, warmth clearly in his chest.

“We just handle the grunt work,” Josh growled, nodding. “She handles… the real stuff. Crocheting mittens. Baking sherbet cookies. Planting herbs. We don’t have a green thumb, and we’d probably crush sherbet cookies if we tried to bake them.”

“The more I talk about this with you bros, the better I feel.” Blake sighed masculinely. “I mean, I was skeptical that Layla would even let us court her, and we’ve been blessed. Very, very blessed.”

“Focus on her pleasure,” Dreydon growled, seriousness and determination in his voice. “That’s what our Layla deserves. Nothing but pleasure, and safety, and coziness and comfort in her nest.”

“Do you think she’ll invite us into her nest?” Blake shot a look at Josh. “I mean, after Dreydon finishes painting the doorframe outside her nest nook in the pastel color she chose?”

“I believe she will,” Josh said, then he waggled his brows.

The pack let out a laugh, and all the Alphas finished up the dinner.

Dreydon cut carrots and root veggies.

Josh finished kneading the dumplings.

And Blake?

He chopped chicken just like Gordon Ramsey.

Josh formed each dumpling, staring admiringly at the way they looked. So soft and country-fresh, he whispered, offering up a quick prayer to Fate to thank her for such fresh ingredients.

I was in awe. My heart raced, and I pressed my fingers to my neck.

They… were cooking for me? And discussing positive things behind my back?

Food was better in Applewood Falls, fresher and far more delicious. Everything was more wholesome when it was homegrown.

A wan sunbeam drifted through the open window, spilling over the flour. Little grains hovered in the air, suspended like diamonds.

Fresh herbs were cut over the dough, blending flour with parsley and chives. It smelled delicious.

The Alphas prepared the soup. Blake poured broth in a big pot, and Dreydon dumped in the carrots and root vegetables that needed to cook first. The celery would go in last, because otherwise it’d turn mushy.

Josh plopped the dumplings in the broth, each one falling with a gentle splash.

The soup smelled delicious, it would be good.

“Do you think she’ll like it?” Blake put his fingers on his throat, likely to stave off his anxiety.

Josh chuckled, the pack setting out plates, spoons, and drinks.

“Oh, Blake I’m sure she’ll love it, she likes snug and cozy things. This chicken-and-dumpling soup is the snuggest and coziest of all, least of all because we prepared it.”

Blake grinned, filling the wine glasses. “If she doesn’t like it, I call dibs on walking her into Applewood Falls to buy her a cinnamon roll.”

“You really think she’d prefer a cinnamon roll to our soup?” Dreydon growled.

Blake clenched his fists. “All I’m saying is that if she doesn’t enjoy chicken and dumplings, I get to walk her into town.”

“No,” Dreydon growled, ready to tackle Blake. “ I’m taking her into town. We deserve a date night.”

“I haven’t had enough one-on-one with Layla,” Josh protested, and I felt my heart race.

I made my presence known.

“Hey, boys.”

“Oh Layla,” Josh growled, approaching me… He heaved me into his big, strong arms, my back against the wall.

“How long have you been listening, little Omega?” Blake purred, getting up close to me.

I fought a blush, suspended in my Alpha’s strong arms. “Just heard you while I was walking.”

“Did you think we were talking behind your back, Omega?” Dreydon purred, his eyes lighting up when he saw me.

My eyes traveled between my three Alphas.

Each donned an apron, and the smell of chicken and dumplings mixed with fresh herbs and chicken broth wafted up.

They cooked this for me, damnit: they heard when I said I wanted chicken and dumplings as a wholesome Tuesday girl dinner.

Nothing extravagant, nothing like… coq au vin or a curry. Nothing that would make me indebted to them, make me need to show my gratitude.

Just… chicken and dumplings.

Farm fresh, homegrown country fare.

I smiled, my breath puffing out before me. “The chicken and dumplings smell lovely.”

“You are our dumpling,” Blake growled, and the laugh that escaped me was great. Just… great. It felt good to laugh, freeing and liberating even though the joke was cheesy.

“Plain dumpling, or am I your chicken dumpling?” I was being silly. My last pack would’ve swatted me and told me to shut my Omega mouth. Get back in the kitchen, quit trying to be funny.

Blake laughed, a deep, low laugh tumbling out of him.

“You’re our chicken dumpling, baby.” Blake tucked a stray strand of hair over my ear.

Blake… laughed at my Josh. I turned to Josh, and he laughed too.

Dreydon was next. Looking at him, I waited… as if I was missing something. Testing the Alpha, seeing if he’d laugh like his two pack mates.

Dreydon’s eyes met mine… And the laugh rolling from his lips was thunderous. Not too loud—not like a bomb, not like anything spooky.

Just… Alpha.

A polite, Alpha laugh.

“She is funny,” Dreydon chuckled, turning to Josh. “I’ve never met an Omega with her humor.”

I blushed, knowing I was funny.

I’d always had a sense of humor.

And now I had pack who appreciated it.

They liked when I made little jokes.

Not trying to be a comedian or anything… Just being, me.

“Merp,” I said, a smile on my face.

Blake cupped my jaw. “Beautiful,” he growled before poking my nose. “You are so silly, Layla.”

I thought he would kiss me: the last Alpha of the pack to do so.

He did not.

I had never tasted such good soup.

“Good soup,” I murmured, and a little dribbling on my chin. Josh was there to wipe it away with a napkin.

“Does it have enough salt?” Josh frowned. “Enough parsley? Blake was in charge of seasoning the chicken, but if you need more, we can grab it from the fridge.”

“Perfect amount of parsley,” I burped, then I let out a laugh.

Oopsie.

I hadn’t intended to burp. Hadn’t intended to embarrass myself… in front of my pack.

They didn’t mind.

They saw me for me… Saw what other Alphas did not see.

Around them, I could just be… Layla. The shy, twenty-seven-year-old Omega who had a dorky side. A quirky side.

I’m your little quirkmuffin, I wanted to say. I did not.

The Alphas were simply glorious, they cooked for me and made me the coziest, snuggest, and tastiest chicken and dumplings I’d ever consumed.