"You’re our mate and your family is our family," Ezra said with pure confidence.
We broke apart and Bea wiped the tears that had spilled down her cheeks.
"I know that Phoenix is on edge waiting to meet you. Would you like to come in and have dinner?" she asked with a shy smile. We were seeing a new, more vulnerable side of Bea, and I loved it just as much as her feisty side.
"It would be our honor," Apollo answered for the three of us.
Bea shook her head at that but a little smile tipped her lips. We followed her in silence as she pushed the door open and went inside.
The cabin was spacious and homey all at the same time. The scent of whatever she was cooking smelled amazing. But the thing that caught my eye was the dark-haired teen that had an uncanny likeness to Bea. I knew that she was her sister's daughter but she could easily pass for Bea's.
No one said anything as we all took seats around the table. The girl watched us carefully, sizing us up. It felt like an inspection.
“Phoenix, this is my pack. Corvin, Ezra, and Apollo,” she said, pointing each of us out. “Guys, this is Phoenix.”
With that she hurried into the kitchen, coming back after a few moments of tense silence with a cheese-covered dish.
"Phoenix and I have been on an Italian kick, so I made lasagna," Bea told us before glancing at Apollo. "Sorry, but we love our carbs around here."
He snorted out a laugh but was all smiles now. I’m sure we all felt a whole lot lighter. We came in ready for battle, only to find out our entire world was shifting in the best way.
"I prefer protein but I will eat anything that you make," he reassured her.
She chuckled. "Well, I'm not Betty Crocker, but Phoenix and I had fun making this together."
"Yeah, but next time I vote the company does the dishes," Phoenix piped in with a raised brow.
"Deal," Ezra said without a second thought. "We all agree that the chores should be divided and not shouldered just by one person."
"Are you three just trying to win me over?" Phoenix questioned, eyeing the three of us with suspicion.
"Maybe a little," I laughed, "but we’re a team and work together, not just at our job but at home as well. I may be a bit bossy at times, but that's just because I'm used to it from the station."
"He’s just bossy, don't let him fool you," Ezra told the ladies.
"I can give him a run for his money," Bea said, gasping dramatically when Phoenix nodded in agreement, then both of them burst out laughing. They were adorable together. I could tell it was still new, but they were falling into a groove. It suited them both.
"As you should, Goddess," Apollo told her with a smirk.
Phoenix gagged a little. "l think we need to make a new rule. No pet names in front of the teen."
Bea started to cut the lasagna but I stood and took over for her. "Rest. You already did the hard part."
She gave me a little nod as she settled between Phoenix and Ezra.
"Don’t start pampering me if you aren't going to continue once you're sick of me," she commented as I placed a big piece of the gooey pasta on her plate first.
"If we slack off, you or Phoenix can remind us of that," Apollo reassured her. "But I can promise you that we willnevertire of you."
He winked at her and Phoenix threw a bit of breadstick at him.
"Hey," he squeaked out, laughing harder.
"No flirting. It’s gross," she laughed. I honestly didn’t expect her to be so open like this but I loved that she was already calling us out.
I finished handing out the food and took my seat. "Well maybe wear some headphones, we plan to dote on our omega, especially when she’s pregnant. It's just in our nature."
"Ugh, fine. Just give me a little warning?" she asked before taking a bite of dinner and groaning in appreciation.
