Page 20

Maya

It’s been less than twelve hours since I was in this diner, eating sloppy joes and cracking jokes with the hockey team but the excitement of last night has faded, an awkward silence replacing it. My blueberry pancakes sit untouched in front of me, my men spread out around the booth in varying states of confusion and tiredness. I wasn’t sure Brogan was serious about this pack meeting thing and now we’re here, barely 10 am, and I’m not sure if I want to bolt or hide.

They’re all here, all watching me in their own way, and my stomach’s too knotted to eat, because last night I did something stupid. Back at the dorms, I’d marched to Roman’s room and blurted out that we all needed to talk. Silence had stretched for ages, until Roman asked if I was drunk. Dakota had grumbled, “As long as Maya’s sleeping with me tonight,” and it broke the tension, but now, sitting here, I wish I’d kept my mouth shut.

Dakota keeps looking at me, like he thinks he can will away whatever’s plaguing me, his hand brushing mine under the table. I want to lean into him, let his purrs smooth my edges, but I’m frozen, caught in my own head.

Holt rests back against the old cushions of the booth, offering me a gentle smile which gives me enough courage to start. “A lot of shit’s happened in a week. I just… I need to sort it in my head. I know what you guys keep telling me, but I’m also a little terrified of jumping in headfirst.”

Holt nods. “I think the first question is, do you want this, Maya? Or do you feel like we’re pushing you into something?”

I throw up my hands, frustration spilling over. “That’s not what this is. I mean, yes, yes, I want this. I just… I wanted to clarify some things, because it’s already messy, and my ex…” I falter, Nox’s name a bitter taste on the edge of my tongue that I refuse to say, and swallow hard. “Fuck, I’m sorry about him.”

Brogan’s eyes flash, his jaw tightening across from me. “I’m not. He should’ve never been here and the next time he tries some bullshit…” He trails off, but the promise hangs in the air. I glare at him, because that’s not what I need right now.

“That’s not what…” I start, then sigh, rubbing my temples. “No, I just… I don’t know how all this works. I didn’t think there’d be more after Nox. And now…” My voice cracks, raw, because I’m admitting it—to them, to myself—that I want this, them, but I’m scared, drowning in the what-ifs.

Dakota’s hand squeezes mine, leaning closer so that I’m pressed against his side. “Well, that’s easy. We all want you, Aya.”

“Okay,” I say, a small laugh escaping me, “yeah, that helps.”

Holt’s smile widens, but there’s a flicker of caution in his expression as he glances at Roman. “It’s gonna be a little rough with…” he starts, then pauses, like he’s choosing the right words.

Roman cuts in. “Brogan knows.”

“Oh?” Holt and Dakota ask at the same time, echoing each other in unison. I chew on my bottom lip, because yeah, this is where it gets messier.

Brogan leans forward, explaining what happened last night. “I found out when he explained why he punched Ethan, which, by the way, is gonna be a problem, because Ethan doesn’t think he did anything wrong.”

Holt’s eyes narrow, his grin gone. “And what did Ethan do? Because we didn’t get around to that yesterday.”

There’s a lovely flush creeping up Brogan’s neck so I step in, knowing that this is going to get a little more awkward before it gets better. “Ethan had some choice words about me and then about Brogan, and Roman was defending our honor.” Roman grimaces, his head dipping, and Brogan ducks his, like they’ve both been caught. Dakota and Holt exchange a look, then turn to me, waiting for the rest. Now or never, right? “Roman kissed Brogan. See? This is why it’s all complicated!”

Holt lets out a low whistle, leaning back, his grin returning. “Damn, I didn’t see that one coming.” There’s a bout of silence between us as I nervously look between the four of them, trying to gauge reactions and understand what’s going to happen after this. I’m not expecting for Holt to be okay with this and yet… he is. “We’re all adults and I don’t own any of you. You can make your own decisions. Communication’s gonna be our best friend while we navigate all this bullshit, all the new stuff. I will say this, next week’s Thanksgiving, and Dakota will absolutely go into heat by then. I’m asking you, Brogan, Maya, that I’d love for you to be there. Hell knows Dakota would, but it’s not a requirement. Just think on it.”

“How would that even work?” I ask.

Dakota leans back, his arm brushing mine, a lazy grin spreading. “We tend to rent a little cabin somewhere since none of us really have family to visit. Well, Roman does, but they’re hardly in town, and they’ve got kids now, so we couldn’t go this year with me being in heat.”

“Yeah, that makes sense. I’ll think on it.” It’s not a yes, not yet, but it’s not a no. I just need to get used to the idea that all four of these men want me in their orbit and that there aren’t any strings attached.

Brogan, however, doesn’t take the offer as easily. “Why would you invite me? Love Dakota as a brother, but I’m not gonna be fucking him.” His honesty pulls a laugh from me, because leave it to Brogan to just say it.

Holt grins, leaning forward, hands under his chin like he’s savoring this. “Tell me,” he teases, “that you’d be a-okay with Maya gone for, let’s say, four days, not knowing how she is, what she’s doing, knowing we’re doing god knows what to her?”

I glance at Brogan, catching the way he bristles, his rain scent sharpening just enough for me to catch a whiff of it. “That sounds like you’re kidnappers,” I snort, “not helping Dakota through heat.” But my voice wavers, because the idea of being with them, all of them, for days, is… a lot, and my body’s already reacting, vanilla spiking sweet despite my nerves.

Brogan exhales, rubbing his neck. “Yeah, you’ve got a point. I’ll be there.”

The conversation falls into easy nips at each other, the excitement for the game, but I’m still stuck on the fact of how easy that was. It’s all complicated and tangled and confusing but they all just took in stride like growing pains. Holt catches on before the others do. “Maya, worrying about it doesn’t make it easier. Yeah, it’s going to be complicated and messy, maybe even more so because Roman and Dakota’s official designation results come in today. I’m obligated to let the team and administration know. Not sure we’ve ever had an Omega on the team and gotta make sure Roman stays in check.”

Roman bristles. “I’m not that fucking bad,” he mutters, but his voice lacks conviction, and I shoot him a look, because I’m not letting him off that easy.

“You sidechecked your own teammate.”

“And he was saying shit about you!” he snaps.

I lean forward, not backing down. “People always say shit. Not a good reason. Eat your pancakes.” Nervous chuckles ripple around the table but it eases into a comfortable silence, forks scraping against plates, Dakota obnoxiously slurping up his coffee.