Page 35 of An Alpha’s Guide to Finding the One

Wyatt chuckles. “Me, too.”

I lean back on my heels and both men are staring at me, likely waiting for me to agree, but I can’t. My teeth dig into my bottom lip to contain my grin and I shrug. Both of their eyes widen, making me laugh. “I plead the fifth.”

Lucky groans, resting his head on my shoulder. “That’s so hot but I also kind of want you to tell me their name so I can break their hands.”

I raise a brow incredulously. “Why on earth would you do that?”

Twin growls sound, their hands simultaneously gripping my waist. Lucky’s just above my ass, Wyatt’s below my ribs. “Because,” Lucky snarls. “They touched what’s mine.”

“Remind me again why you’re doin’ this?” Rhys asks skeptically.

I roll my eyes, stretching my arms high before lacing them behind my head in a casual position that hopefully hides my nerves. Is getting a tattoo for Lainey my smartest decision? Maybe not. But is it my best decision? Without a doubt. Well, my pack mates have some doubt.

Okay, a lot of doubt.

But I trust that Lainey is going to bond me and Wyatt too someday and until then, I need people to know in no uncertain terms that I am a taken man. If she thinks I’m crazy in the meantime well then that’s not really any different than usual now is it?

“Just admit you’re jealous you didn’t think of it first,” I taunt.

He shrugs, which has me barking a laugh. I love when my pack mates admit I’m right, even if it is inadvertently.

He sighs, donning gloves and going through the pre-appointment spiel he knows I know by heart, but I feel like he is giving me time to change my mind. It’s not going to happen, but I appreciate the thoughtfulness. “Alright, you know the drill. Try not to flinch and if it hurts keep it to yourself.”

I bite back the chuckle that wants to escape because he already has the needle on my skin, and settle in for the ride. It shouldn’t take all that long since it’s a simple design, but this area is extra spicy so each second feels three times as long.

Wyatt saunters in when Rhys is about halfway through and stops in his tracks when he finds me in the chair. I did not inform him I would be doing this today, so he is as surprised as Lainey is going to be. “What the hell is that?” His question is full of exasperation, which kind of irritates me. He was there when I brought up the idea of a tattoo to Lainey, why is he acting like he’s surprised?

“It’s a puppy.” I deadpan.

He narrows his eyes, taking a seat in the extra chair against the wall. “She’s going to freak when she sees it.”

I shrug again, not really seeing the problem. “Worst case scenario she yells at me. And in that scenario I still get what I want because a mad Lainey is a hot Lainey.”

He nods slowly, the skepticism in his expression lightening to something like amusement. “I hate to validate your insanity, but I’m almost jealous I didn’t think of it first.”

“I know.” I answer smugly.

Rhys has been quiet most of the appointment but finally lets loose a deep laugh that hits me right in the chest. He doesn’t laugh often, and it always strikes me dumb when he does. The sound is rich and full, even when he’s trying to be quiet about it. “I also hate to agree, but I really do. Maybe we should all get tattoos for her in some way or another. I would give anything to ink her perfect skin but since I can’t, inkin' someone in her honor feels like the next best thing.” He nods decisively, wiping away some excess ink on my abs.

One wipe with some diluted Green Soap and a few photos later, the skin just above my waistband is officially branded for my girl, and it turned out exactly how I pictured in my head. He covers it with a thin layer of ointment and a sterile bandage, careful to seal the edges with tape so nothing can get in for the next few hours. I grin brightly at him when he finishes. “Thanks man,” I stand and give him a hug, careful not to disturb my fresh ink as he pats my back.

“If she hates it, I had nothin’ to do with it,” he grumbles in my ear.

I give a sarcastic salute and rush out before he can hit me with anything. Wyatt follows close on my heels. My smirk is pure trouble when I look at him over my shoulder. “I have one more stop planned, wanna join me?”

“She is actually going to murder us. Why did I let you talk me into this?” Wyatt complains the next day as we walk on to campus. Normally we would come in with Lainey but since neither of us had a class until several hours after her first, we decided to let Rhys drive her and come in late so we can surprise her with my incredible idea.

“She’s going to act like she hates it but pay attention to her scent. Bet ya ten bucks she gets all sweet and syrupy like she does any time we do something nice for her.” I don’t think our omega has known a lot of kindness in her life, and we have been determined to change that. Something as simple as remembering her coffee order (an iced americano with peach and vanilla), or bringing her a snack when she’s sitting on the couch just because we worry she might be hungry will send her scent spiraling dangerously close to perfume territory. It’s heaven and hell and only serves to remind me that we have never been through a heat with her and won’t for at least another year because of the babies.

Lainey is just over halfway through her pregnancy now and every day the babies grow a little more. She says she hasn’t felt them move yet which seems really strange, but Doctor Mel assured us first time moms don’t always recognize the feeling at first because it can feel like bubbles or butterflies and be pretty subtle, especially if the twins are on the small side.

I am dying to feel them for myself, but I know it could be a few more weeks before that happens. After our tryst in the locker room, we have been slowly getting closer and I no longer have to worry about not sleeping since Wyatt spilled the beans and she all but forced me into her bed at night.

Not like I was fighting it too hard. Or at all.

Most nights she ends up squished between me and Rhys or Wyatt, but there have been occasions where I’ve woken up to both of them puppy piled on the bed with us and I even caught Law sleeping on the end of the bed once.

I don’t know what the hell his deal is, but if he doesn’t pull his head out of his ass and fix things with our omega soon, he and I are going to have a talk. I’m not used to being the grown up between the two of us, and I am man enough to admit I don’t love it. I want my bossy, overbearing brother back. Not whatever this ghost is that he’s turned into since he bonded Lainey.