“You were dragging your feet,” Autry teases, following him far enough to peek inside. Her hand lingers on his arm, thumb brushing lightly against the inside of his wrist before she pulls away. “You’re going to look amazing. I canfeelit.”
Charlie’s cheeks flush deeper, and he looks down quickly. “I’m not really a clothes guy,” he mutters, but he’s already toying with the first hanger, stealing another glance at her as she bites her lip and smiles.
“Come on, Charlie,” Oli jumps into the conversation. Charlie's eyes go wide, clearly shocked at having the young alpha talk to him. “You can’t tell a face like that ‘no’.” Oli glances at Autry, and she preens at his compliment.
“Just try one thing,” she says softly to Charlie. She swishes her hips, and her voice drops, making it feel like a secret meant only for him. “For me?”
Thatdefinitelydoes him in.
“Fine,” Charlie says under his breath, trying to play it cool—but the way his hand tightens around the hanger tells a different story.
I smile to myself as I watch them step into separate dressing rooms. I love how much they adore each other. I thought it would be hard seeing Autry adore someone besides me or Rhett, but it honestly feels good. Like we’ve been given the chance to love someone she’d never have otherwise, which is the whole point of a pack. We add newlovers, keeping them tucked in our hearts for as long as possible.
“She’s very sweet,” Oli says, still staring at her dressing room door. “I didn’t expect omegas to actually be so…” He sighs, then cards his fingers through his wavy hair. A single strand falls back across his forehead, refusing to be tamed. “So. Charlie’s new to your pack, right?” He changes the subject, trying to sound casual, but there’s something more careful in his voice—curiosity, maybe even a little hesitation. Like he doesn’t want to say something that might upset me.
“Yup,” I say, draining the last of my champagne. The warmth curls in my chest, loosening the edges of my thoughts.
“You didn’t know Rhett was bringing him home?” Oli’s tone is more cautious now.
“I didn’t,” I say simply. “I found out a few hours before they got home.”
“That didn’t piss you off?” Oli tilts his head, studying me with those sharp hazel eyes. They're so much like Autry’s, only darker, more guarded, with flecks of gold near the center.
“Honestly?” I meet his gaze, and he nods, waiting. “I was angry at first. But after the shock wore off…I was relieved.”
Oli’s expression tightens in disbelief. “Really? I thought betas got jealous.”
“We don’t get jealous,” I say, but the pointed look he gives me makes me laugh. “Okay, fine.Somebetas get jealous. Butpackbetas don’t. We’re wired different.”
Oli snorts. “I’ve dated a few of your kind.” He leans back, arms crossed. “Let’s not pretend betas aren’t territorial.”
I roll my eyes, setting my empty glass down on thecoffee table. “Fair. But in my case, I’m not. I—” The champagne loosens my tongue, making me feel a little too honest “—don’t know if I have what it takes to care for an omega,” I say bluntly. “I mean, what if I screw this up? What if she doesn’t find comfort in me? What if I say the wrong thing or fuck this up like I always…” I trail off, heat crawling up my neck.
Three glasses of champagne was definitely too much.
“Ignore me,” I mutter, embarrassed. “I don’t know why I told you that.”
Oli doesn’t mock me or laugh. He leans back into the couch, resting his arm across the back like we’re old friends. “I’ve got one of those faces,” he says easily. “People like to confess things.” His voice is light, but his eyes aren’t. They’re watching me—really watching.
I smile at that, thankful that he’s not lingering on my sloppy confession. “I want her to be happy,” I finally say. “And if that means bringing another beta into our pack, then that’s what I’ll do.”
Oli nods slowly, his expression soft. “That’s really selfless.”
I snort, looking down at my hands. “It feels selfish.”
“How?”
“Because if I mess up—if I freeze or fail—I can step back and hand her off to someone who knows what the hell they’re doing.” I try to keep my tone casual, but something cracks in my chest. A pang of sadness grips me, and a rush of violent memories fills my head.
Yup. Way too much champagne.
“Hey,” Oli leans a little closer, slipping his arm around my back. It feels good. Warm and friendly. “Brock has told me so many stories about you. How funny and loving and kind you are. He doesn’t always have the nicest things to sayabout his brother, but he talks about you like you were the greatest thing that ever happened to his family.”
Shock grips me, followed by deep fondness. “Really?” I smile, feeling a little emotional.
“Yeah,” he says, his gaze softening. “He told me more than once that he hopes to find a beta like you one day.” There’s a brief silence—charged and fragile—before his eyes flicker to my mouth.
Then, just as suddenly, Oli shifts, leaning away, putting space between us again.
