I stared at our joined hands—his larger, tanned and strong, mine smaller, still bearing traces of garden dirt beneath the nails. Two people from different worlds, somehow finding each other in this quiet place by the creek.
"Okay," I said softly. "Okay."
"Okay you believe me, or okay you're willing to try?" He asked, eyes warm as he looked at me which made the flutter in my chest return.
"Both." I looked up, meeting his blue eyes. "I'm willing to try. And I'm starting to believe you. A little. More than I did before."
His smile was like sunrise—warm and gradual and full of promise. "That's all I ask."
We packed up the picnic slowly, neither of us in a hurry to end the afternoon. The shadows had grown longer while we talked, the sun beginning its descent toward the tree line. Olivercarried the basket back to his truck while I walked beside him, close enough that our arms occasionally brushed.
At his truck, he paused, turning to face me. "Thank you for today," he said. "For listening, for sharing, for giving us a chance."
"Thank you for the picnic. And the conversation." I hesitated, then added, "This was nice. Really nice."
"It was." His eyes searched my face, and I saw the question there before he asked it. "Would it be okay if I... that is, may I..." He was asking permission. This powerful, confident alpha was asking permission to do something, and the realization made my heart stutter.
"Yes," I said, not entirely sure what I was agreeing to but trusting him anyway. Oliver stepped closer, slowly, giving me time to change my mind. His hand came up to cup my cheek, his touch gentle, almost reverent. And then he leaned down and pressed a kiss to my cheek—soft and sweet and utterly chaste.
"Soon," he murmured against my skin. "When you're ready. For now, this is enough." He pulled back, and I saw the warmth in his eyes, the patience and the promise. This man, who could have demanded anything, was willing to wait. Willing to let me set the pace, determine the boundaries.
"I'll call you tomorrow," he said, climbing into his truck. "And Daphne? The others will probably want to reach out too. About those dates we discussed. Feel free to say no if you need space, but..."
"I won't say no." The words surprised me, but they were true. "I want to get to know all of you. I'm ready for that."
His smile was brilliant, transforming his serious features into something almost boyish. "Then we'll make it happen. Goodnight, Daphne."
"Goodnight, Oliver." I watched him drive away, my hand drifting up to touch my cheek where his lips had been. The skinthere still tingled, warm and alive with possibility. The sun was setting properly now, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink and gold. I walked back to my cabin slowly, savoring the beauty of it, the peace that had settled into my bones. Inside, I made a simple dinner and ate it on the back porch, watching the colors change and fade, thinking about everything that had happened.
Courting. Dates. A pack of four men who wanted to know me, really know me, and weren't scared off by what they found. A couple weeks ago, I would have said it was impossible. That I wasn't capable of letting anyone in, that the walls I'd built were permanent, that alone was the only safe option. The walls were cracking. The light was seeping through. And for the first time in five years, I wasn't trying to patch the cracks.
I was letting them grow.
My phone buzzed with a text from Oliver as I was getting ready for bed.Thank you again for today. Sweet dreams, Daphne.
Followed quickly by another, from Levi:Oliver said the picnic went well! So happy. Can't wait for our date. Sleep well!
Then Garrett:Heard you're up for hiking. I know the perfect trail. This week sometime?
And finally Micah:The observatory has a special showing next Friday. Would you be interested in attending with me?
Four messages. Four men. Four invitations to connection, to possibility, to something I'd never let myself imagine. I typed back responses to each of them—simple, brief, but genuine. Yes to the hiking, yes to the observatory, yes to whatever Levi had planned, and thank you to Oliver for the beautiful afternoon.
Then I set down my phone, turned off the light, and lay in the darkness with a smile on my face. Tomorrow would bringnew challenges, new fears, new opportunities to retreat behind my walls. But tonight—tonight I would let myself feel this. The hope, the anticipation, the terrifying and wonderful possibility of belonging.
One day at a time. One date at a time. One small step toward something I was only beginning to understand….For now, that was enough.
Chapter Thirty
Daphne
Three days after Oliver's picnic, I found myself standing on my front porch at seven in the morning, watching Garrett's truck wind its way down my road. The sun was barely up, the sky still painted in soft shades of pink and lavender, and the air held that particular crispness that promised a beautiful day ahead.
I'd been nervous since I woke up—earlier than necessary, my body apparently deciding that sleep was optional when a date with an attractive alpha was on the agenda. I'd changed clothes twice, eventually settling on sturdy hiking boots, comfortable jeans, and a lightweight long-sleeved shirt in a deep burgundy that I'd forgotten I owned. My hair was pulled back in a practical ponytail, and I'd packed a small daypack with water, sunscreen, and snacks, feeling slightly ridiculous about how much thought I'd put into the whole thing.
It's just a hike, I'd told myself repeatedly. Just walking in the woods with a man who happens to be part of the pack courting you. No big deal…But my racing heart disagreed.
Garrett pulled up near my gate and climbed out, and I felt that familiar flutter in my chest at the sight of him. Hewas dressed practically—worn hiking boots, cargo pants with multiple pockets, a forest green t-shirt that stretched across his broad shoulders. His dark hair was slightly tousled, like he'd run his fingers through it instead of bothering with a comb, and his blue eyes crinkled at the corners when he spotted me waiting.
