“Sounds like her,” Dolly laughed. “She’s a tough nut to crack. But worth it.”
Apparently, that was enough reassurance for both Taryn and Dolly.
“Oh, I’m so never letting her live this down,” Taryn giggled. “I’ll be there in five to help.”
“You can find us in the drink aisle,” Dolly said before hanging up.
“Thank you,” I said, honestly grateful that she was stepping in to help.
“I always take care of my girls,” she replied firmly.
True to her word, five minutes later a blonde omega rushed in with an alpha beside her. He was tall and covered in tattoos, with dark hair, a leather jacket, and a grin wide enough to make him look harmless.
“Alright, fireman. What’s your name?” Taryn demanded.
“Apollo.”
“Great. Apollo, this is Ash, my alpha. Let’s get started. You need to get back to my bestie.”
And just like that, she hijacked my cart, barking orders like a drill sergeant. Ash was sent to frozen foods while I was told to grab ready-made meals.
Dolly and Taryn unloaded everything I’d picked out and replaced it with what Bea would actually want.
I was stunned. Overwhelmed. Ridiculously relieved. And most of all, grateful. This was the sense of community that I loved about Willow Lake.
There was so much riding on this heat. She depended on us to keep her safe and comfortable, and thanks to her friends, we could actually do that.
It might earn us a point in our favor. Something to convince her to give us a chance when it was over.
When we regrouped, the cart was overflowing. I didn’t care. I’d buy everything twice over if it meant taking care of her properly.
“That should be everything she needs,” Taryn said. She dug in her bag, scribbled on a piece of paper, and handed it over. “This is my number, and the store where we work. Call if she needs anything.”
“I definitely will. Thank you. This means the world. We just want to do right by her.”
Taryn’s expression softened. “She could use a good pack in her life. Just go easy on her, okay? She’s not going to give in quietly.”
“We will,” I promised.
I started to walk away, but she stopped me.
“Oh, and Apollo?” She waited until I turned to face her again to continue. “If you hurt her, I will castrate you with a dull, rusty knife.”
“What is with everyone in her life threatening us with bodily harm?” I muttered. “We’re good guys. I promise.”
Ash snorted. “Most guys who say they’re ‘good guys’ aren’t. Let’s hope you really are.”
I had no idea how to respond to that, so I just nodded and hurried off to the register.
Thankfully, the cashier was fast. I was out in ten minutes. My mind was strangely calm now as I loaded up the car and headed back to the pack house.
Outside, everything seemed peaceful. The moment I parked in the garage and opened the door, I was slammed with a wall of caramel and toasted almonds. Her scent was so strong even out here that I knew the second I stepped inside, I’d drown in it.
“Keep your head, Apollo. You’ve got this,” I muttered, giving myself a pep talk before opening the trunk.
It only took a few minutes to get everything inside and put away. The sounds of my pack making our girl feel good echoed through the house. It was pure fucking torture.
Ezra stumbled out a few minutes later, hair sticking up, skin pale, but wearing the dopiest smile imaginable.
