Page 43 of Where There’s Smoke (Fire House Omegas #2)

But the words drifted away as I looked over Pack Wilder, curling into myself, my chest aching. All the guys shared a look. I couldn't quite distinguish what it was. But it couldn’t be good, right? I mean, it was me. No one had wanted me forever before. Why would my luck change now?

“You think we don't want to bond with you?” Fitz asked. He took a slow step forward, his brows knitted together on his handsome face.

“Well, I think this is all still pretty new, and you guys probably want to spend longer with me before you even consider that. Like how people date before marriage, you've got to date before bonding—I assume, anyway. And we haven’t even talked about this being long-term. I’d…

It makes sense that you don’t see me that way.

I mean, I’m just some dumb omega who washed up on your doorstep. You probably don’t…”

Now, Fitz was up in my face, putting the puppy down and striding over to me. Dotty followed him, nipping at his laces. He took my chin, forcing me to meet his bright eyes.

“Melody,” he crooned, a heavy exhale leaving him as he said my name, “don’t ever think that about yourself. And us? Are you serious? Uhh, we are so down to bond, firecracker. What made you think otherwise?”

“W-well.” I struggled to find the words. “I just thought…I’ve never had…umm…”

All the guys surrounded me, wrapping me in a huddle-style hug that made me feel grounded and safe. I could smell them all, those swirling scents delectable, and the furious pounding of my heart settled down.

“Look, the only reason we’re taking things slow is because of you,” Samson said.

“You’re new to this whole omega thing. The last thing we wanted to do was rush you.

You needed time to figure things out. We wanted to give you that time.

But not want you? That’s ridiculous. You might not have had someone in your corner before, but you do now. ”

Fitz snorted. “Also, Elliot needed time because he’s a big dummy and was overly concerned about arson.”

“Hey!” Elliot glowered at Fitz, but there was no real heat in it.

He turned to face me, and the expression I saw was so honest and open that I almost didn’t recognize him.

“The alpha part of me was sure about you pretty much immediately. I just needed to be sure. And if we’re laying it all out there, I really knew after the apology, seeing you in the house that day with the washing machine. You belong there. With us.”

I frowned at him, tears bubbling for too many reasons now. “And you’re really sure now? Because of a washing machine? Why?”

Elliot nodded and spoke without hesitating.

“I am sure. Maybe in an ideal world, we could take our time a bit more until you were truly comfortable in your status as an omega. But I know for sure that I would much rather have you here, bonded to us, than be dragged back to New York. I care about you deeply, Melody. We all do. This… this is where you belong, precious. I’ll stand by that forever. ”

His hands reached up to cup my face as he looked me dead in the eye.

“I'm going to speak very plainly here. I am in love with you. You are the perfect addition to our pack. You are sweet, kind, and giving, but at the same time, you don’t take any bullshit from any of us. You drive me absolutely crazy some days, but that just makes me love you more.”

I stared at the grumpy alpha in shock. A wave of emotion rocked me. No one had said they loved me before, not like this. Not meaning it with their entire being as they chose me over everyone else.

“You love me?” I asked in a small voice.

“I mean, I wasn’t being exactly subtle.” Elliot chuckled.

“Nah, Fitz is the one who’s not subtle,” Samson said. “He declares how obsessed he is with our Melody every other day.”

“You told me I can’t hire a skywriter, even though it would be a drop in the bucket for me, and the world deserves to know!” Fitz chuckled, lightly punching Samson in the arm. I couldn’t believe my ears, but I was still laughing at how ridiculous they all were.

“How do you feel?” Elliot asked, a moment of anxiety flittering across his face.

“I feel the same,” I admitted softly, biting my lip. “I fit—something I could never say before. I love being with you all. I’ve fallen in love with each one of you, skywriter or not.”

“You’re ours.” Fitz beamed as Samon nodded along, all of them holding on to me like I might disappear if they didn’t. My heart warmed, and I smiled, my pulse fluttering for a different reason now. “Please tell me you're aware that I love you deeply, Melody Smoke?”

I bit my lip. “I have an inkling.”

“Ours,” Samson said, kissing the top of my head softly.

“I really like the sound of that,” I admitted.

“Is it what you want?” Samson asked.

“I think so. I mean, I think about leaving, and my insides go all twisty, and I start to panic. When I’m with you guys, I just feel…

safe. Content. It’s easy. It’s right. I thought being with a pack would be difficult in some ways because there were so many personalities, but you guys all blend together so well.

You blend with me really well. I like this. I… love this. I love you guys.”

“You are the final bit of the puzzle that’s been missing. I assure you.” Elliot smiled.

“So you’re in?” Fitz grinned, his eyes hopeful and excited.

“I am.” I beamed right back at him, snuggling into them.

“Hey, Elliot, how long until we’re off shift?” Fitz asked, already nuzzling into my hair.

Smiling, the pack lead looked at his watch. “Technically, we were off shift twenty minutes ago.”

Before I could say another word, an excited whoop left Fitz, and the breath left my chest as he scooped me up, throwing me over his shoulder and striding back toward the firehouse.

“Let’s get bonding!” he called out, and all I could do was laugh, the chorus of Elliot and Samson doing the same ringing out behind me.