“We’re getting off topic,” Orin snaps.
“I still don’t get what any of this has to do with your pack.” Drax’s brows furrow. “You said that I listened to you because you were my boss, causing my rational brain to kick in or something?”
“You had enough to deal with without me adding on another layer of complication,” Orin replies, hands clasped in front of him. “My priority was calming you down, but I did use my alpha bark on you that night. While some alpha barks are more powerful—like Rook’s, for example—for an alpha bark to work like mine did with you signaled one thing. That you were part of my pack. I felt it then and do now.”
“But I thought packs were chosen?” Drax’s tone is much calmer now, confusion crimping his forehead. “That’s why some people go to those pack matching camps, so they can choose.”
“That’s how it works most of the time, but not always,” Luca explains. “Packs being governed on a biological level is rarely discussed openly in the alpha community. Alphas are usually so fixated on having control over their own lives that they don’t like to think outside of that. However, with some packs, biology does play a role. Some alphas are drawn together to be a pack on apheromone-level, similar to how scent matches work for alphas and omegas.”
“Whoa,” I gasp. “How haven’t I heard of that?”
“It’s extremely rare, even rarer than a late-presenting alpha, but it happens.” Orin’s tone is blunt. “And I think you’re meant to be one of us, Drax. Ultimately, the decision lies with you. Unlike a scent match connection, you can choose to ignore it, and there won’t be any negative effects, but I can’t turn you away as a pack leader until you’ve made that decision for yourself.”
“I…” Drax runs a hand over his head. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t me and Luca get a say in this?” Adler holds out his palms. “A new pack member isn’t something you just decide!”
“I’m your leader, Adler.” Orin’s authoritative rumble has all three guys hanging their heads. “I always have the final say. But,” his voice softens a little, as if he caught himself, “considering what’s happening here, it appears that Sabs and Drax have a connection. If you don’t want to lose your bonded mate, then it would be in your best interests to accept Drax into our pack. If he wants to join us.”
Adler’s chest heaves, like he’s been through a round in the boxing ring. “Is that what you want, Sabs?” His blue eyes meet mine. “Do you want Drax to be in our pack?”
“I…” This is all so much to take in. While my omega instincts are screaming hell yes, I don’t know how this will affect the dynamics of the group. First, Adler and I accidentally bonded, turning everyone’s lives upside down. Now this?
Eventually admitting the truth to myself, I draw in a long breath. “What I want doesn’t matter. It’s up to Drax to choose.” I look at Drax. “You were right yesterday when you said I have picked you up and put you down over the years. I haven’t been fair to you, so I’m not going to ask you to stay again, no matterhow much I’d like you to. It wouldn’t be fair. You have to do what’s right for you.”
Everyone stares at him, waiting with bated breath. I sense Adler’s lingering hope, clutching onto the chance that Drax will opt to walk out of our lives for good.
“Sabs, I…” Drax’s sentence fades into nothingness, eyes darting toward the door.
My heart sinks. He’s obviously thinking of a way to let me down gently. Which is no surprise. After how I’ve treated him, I don’t deserve him. I’m sure he’d make another omega very happy one day, even though the thought of him with someone else makes me feel sick.
“It’s okay.” I try to maintain a brave face. “You don’t have to say it.” I paint on a fake smile. “I understand. No hard feelings. We’ll always be friends.”
“Sabs.” Drax grabs my chin, tipping it up so I’m forced to face him. “You’ve always been it for me. It’s always been you. If you want me, I’m yours.”
“You’d seriously do this?” I gulp. “For me?”
“I’d do anything for you. You know that.”
I wrap my arms around him, squeezing him in a tight hold. While I don’t know what the future is going to have in store, it’s already feeling a little brighter, knowing that Drax is going to be sticking around.
“Well, I guess that’s settled then.” Luca claps his hands together.
“Are you all okay with this?” I pull away, looking around at everyone else.
“None of this is what we’d expected.” Orin shrugs. “But we can’t ignore biology.”
“I’m happy you’re joining us, man.” Luca’s cheerful tone cuts through the tension. “I’ve got a good feeling about you.”
Drax dares to smile. Until college, Drax didn’t have a huge group of friends, only hanging out with my brothers outside of school. Having a pack will be good for him. And good for me too, I hope.
“And you?” A stony expression falls over Drax’s face as he looks at Adler, the hostility between them still palpable.
“I can’t pretend that I like this, or that I’ll ever learn to like you, but I clearly don’t have much of a choice.” Adler toes the ground, his expression the definition of despondent. “If this is what Sabs wants and having you around will make her happy, then I promised I’ll do whatever is best for her.”
Drax nods curtly. “That’s one thing we can agree on.”
Despite the simmering competitive nature bubbling between them, the atmosphere seems to have lightened a smidge. I’m glad they aren’t still trying to kill each other, but having all of Adler’s feelings slamming into me like a truck is making me woozy.
