Now that I was alone, I queued up my playlist. My singing was probably horrendous, but I couldn’t find it in me to care. I belted out the songs as I whipped up a big batch of trail mix and cookies, wrapping them in portions.
I had just popped the last batch of cookies into the oven and started gathering the things I needed for their energy shots and smoothies when someone walked in.
I turned, eyes widening at the sight of my brother standing there.
We’d never had tension between us like this. I fucking hated it.
“This is bullshit,” he said, walking over and pulling me into a tight hug. He held me until the tension drained and I sagged into his embrace. “We don’t fight like this, and I’m not about to start now. We can agree on that, right?”
I held my brother close, breathing in the usual comforting scent. I always thought he smelled like white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, which were one of my favorites.
The same ones I was making, ironically. Maybe I was more affected than I cared to admit.
He released me and snagged one of the fresh ones.
“So, have you talked to your best friends yet?” I questioned, giving him a side-eye.
“No.” He let out a sigh. With it being just us in here, I hoped he would be more willing to let me in and talk this out.
“Con, I need you to know they’re not the same. The others never treated me like this pack. And no matter what, I’m not going to steal them away or leave you behind for them.”
“It’s not even about that,” he admitted. The pain on his face made my chest ache but I waited patiently for him to get the rest of his words out. “I failed you, Lana. I literally handed you over to assholes who should’ve never been given the chance.”
“We’ve been over this,” I said, pointing a carrot his way. “You’re not in charge of who I date. Sutton, Milo, and Dean were…are… so self-absorbed. and I should’ve seen it from the start. It was my fault for falling into their trap. They just wanted me for my name. They expected me to be their pretty little omega that they flaunted around when it was convenient, nothing more.”
“They should’ve known better than to try to make you a damn trophy wife,” he snorted. “You’ve been snarky since the day you were born.”
I paused the conversation long enough to run the juicer. The heaviness of his gaze burned into my back, but he waited until I finished and started pouring the individual bottles to speak again.
“How are you not more angry?” he questioned. “I’ve been trying to wrap my head around it and I just… I can’t.”
He wasn’t wrong. Once I’d written them off, it was like I’d given myself permission to not care anymore. It hurt less knowing I’d never put myself in that situation again.
I survived and I knew my worth. End of story.
“I’ve had time to get used to the idea and you haven’t,” I said with a shrug. “Part of me already knew that they weren’t going to show up for me like they should. I’d already given up on them; it was the one final chance and they blew it.”
“Understatement. It was catastrophic. You almost fucking died,” he growled. “It never should have gotten to that point.”
“No, but it did,” I said. “And I think that I’ve come to terms with the fact that it did. They can’t take it back and we all know that.”
“Do you think they’ll realize it before or after the media does? You haven’t exactly been staying inside and hiding away. Someone’s going to recognize you and announce that the hockey princess made her way home. Does it bother you if that’s how they find out?”
I considered his question for a moment. “Not really. I’m kind of ready to be out from under this. I wanted to find out for me. I needed to see just how little they thought of me. It’s been nearly two months… they’ve already answered that burning question. Any pack that gives a shit about their omega would have never gone this long without seeing her.”
“Damn straight,” he muttered. “I haven’t even found my scent match, and I would never treat my omega like that. It’s disgusting.”
“It is,” I agreed. “I’ll never be with them again. They don’t even deserve my kindness. Maybe one day I’ll forgive them for my own piece of mind, but I won't ever forget. My omega doesn’t trust them. In fact, I’m afraid for any omega who has them in the future.”
“We can agree on that,” he said, grabbing a few of the pans and starting to wash them while I tossed out the trash and moved onto the next thing.
“Now, back to the reason I’m here.” Something in his tone had me turning to listen.
He was nervous. His hand was rubbing the back of his neck in the way that Conrad did when he was unsure. “I’m sorry for being a dick and trying to make decisions for you. I know you’recapable. Seeing you like that nearly broke me, and I let fear get the best of me.”
“Take a second to consider the men that are your friends. Do you think they would truly ever do that to me?”
“No,” his answer was instant. “For one, Cade would beat the shit out of them. For two, after defending Cade like you did, I think he’s got your loyalty for life.”
