“Oh, it’s not that big,” I argued. He just gave me a bored look that said he knew I was lying.
I tried to look at the estate from his perspective, but this place was so familiar to me that it was impossible. It was moreof a home than my apartment had ever been. I should have embraced it from the start.
“Just show me around, delta,” he said as he poked me in the side. I pulled him closer, breathing in my omega and sighing happily.
“Well, you obviously know where the bedrooms are,” I said, gesturing toward the hallway we were passing. We went the other direction into the opposite wing. “There are two side-by-side offices over here. My grandparents each had one. Past that is a library and a lounge.”
“Lounge? Like billiard table, bar, and swanky leather chairs?”
I nodded and smiled. “My grandpa loved late-night cigars and whiskey. I felt like such a big deal when he finally shared a drink with me in there.”
It was one of my last memories of him and I wished there had been so much more time. They would have loved Rylan and Roxie and the others. This was the kind of pack they always wanted for me.
“Tell me about him?”
The question took me by surprise, but I suppose it shouldn’t have. Roxie asked the same kinds of questions. Omegas were full of compassion, and they saw right past our insecurities. Not dismissing them, but giving them space.
That wasn’t something I was used to in my family. Everyone kept to themselves. We didn’t talk about the things that were real.
“My grandparents met young. I think they were both in college when they scent-matched. My grandma’s family was the one that came from money, and Grandpa was from the kind of family that worked with their hands. They didn’t really understand why he’d want to be with someone who had a trust fund worth more money than they’d ever seen in their lives.”
“Money isn’t everything,” he scoffed, angry on her behalf. “If they were happy then that was all that should matter.”
I knew that was a sore subject with him. When they found out he was mated to a man they disowned him. Imagine if they saw our pack now. I was never shy when out with my omegas. I loved our connection and always had a hand in theirs or on their backs as we walked out in public. This pack was authentic, we weren’t going to dim our light for anyone.
“He agreed. Anytime they brought it up, he always told them he didn’t care one damn bit about the money she had. He just loved his omega.”
Rylan’s smile turned soft and sappy.
“That’s exactly how it should be.” His expression dimmed slightly. “When I first met Greer, that’s how it was for us. That’s why I didn’t tell them for so long. I didn’t want them to ruin something so perfect. Though, I guess it wasn’t perfect, was it?”
“It is now,” I countered. “The past is where it belongs and we’re going forward. This pack we’ve built, and are still working to make perfect, is everything we both needed.”
“You’re what I needed,” he promised. “I know Greer and I have history, but that doesn’t mean you or Roxie mean any less to me. I love that you’re so open and genuine. You make me laugh and bring out the lighter side of life. She makes me stronger and more confident. Helps me see my worth.”
“I feel the same way about you both. Everyone in my life has always dismissed me. You both look right past everything the rest of the world tries to shut down and embrace it. I genuinely believe that we all found our way to each other exactly how we were supposed to.”
He leaned up and I met him halfway, pressing my lips to his. The kiss was sweet and slow. Every time I had one of my omegas in these vulnerable moments it felt like the rest of the world faded away.
We pulled away and started walking again, my story picking back up as I told him about the legacy that was built within these walls.
“My grandparents worked hard, and they raised my mother to know what hard work was. Unfortunately, she married for money, not for love. My parents were so cold and distant. They wanted me to be this perfect delta who was building a reputation, and they kept trying to set me up with omegas who were ‘proper.’”
“Oh, arranged dates? That sounds brutal,” he said, wrinkling his nose.
A shudder ran through me. “They wereawful.”
“How bad?” he asked with a grin. “Were they trying to set you up with a high-maintenance omega and you just couldn’t handle it?”
“I took one date to a fancy Italian restaurant. The kind of dress code that should consist of suits, blazers, business attire. She showed up wearing a literal ball gown. Then she proceeded to order vegetable pasta—as in, they made the pasta out of vegetables—and demanded it be made with no seasoning, no butter, no oil, no fats. Then she made a big production out of the salad, picking everything out until it was basically lettuce and sadness.”
Rylan laughed loudly. “That sounds like something my old boss would do. I swear the woman was half-bird.”
“Speaking of bosses, how is working for the Narwhals going? Until the heat, of course,” I asked.
He considered it. “So far, pretty good. I’ve mostly worked with Greer. Not having consistent physical therapy didn’t do him any favors. I got to help a few of the other guys out before the last game and they were all great. The best part is no one hovering over me every step of the way like a psycho.”
“Good,” I said simply, taking him up the stairs to the third level, pointing out the extra rooms up there along with the attic stairs.
