Page 41 of An Alpha’s Guide to Finding the One

Lainey giggles, swiping sweaty pieces of hair off of her face. “For the record, it was not my idea to call you. That was all Lawson.”

I huff, nuzzling my nose into her hair and taking deep breaths of her satisfied scent. “Would you like to tell them how we ended up here, angel? If not, I am more than happy to paint the whole picture.”

The interest on their faces is plain to see, but I wouldn’t ever intentionally embarrass her. If she tells me not to say anything about what I caught her doing, I won’t. But as usual, my omega surprises me. “Those pictures you sent got me all worked up, but apparently since I have four hot alphas at my beck and call, toys no longer cut it. Law busted in when he heard me throwing a fit about not being able to orgasm.”

The stunned silence on the other end of the line is hilariously loaded, but Rhys just snorts when Wyatt and Lucky break out into an argument over whose bare chest is the one that turned her on most. I stay quiet and let them argue because I am right where I want to be — covered in my girl.

“What do you want to do today, angel? We have the whole day to ourselves and I would like to take you out if you’re feeling up to it.” After we hung up with the guys and I gave my precious little omega two more orgasms, we crashed hard and slept all night. Waking up with Lainey in my arms was one of the best experiences of my life. During the day she’s a badass independent omega who doesn’t need or want a man around but at night she turns into an absolute fiend for cuddles and babying.

Currently she’s burrowed into our softest blanket on the family room couch with a halloween movie playing, even though it’s almost Christmas. I think it’s one I’ve seen before but not since I was a kid. “Will I have to change?” She asks hesitantly.

My head tilts to the side as I run through options of what we could do. An idea hits, making me grin. “Wear that, but add an extra layer or two and grab your favorite blanket.”

She hurries off to find her things and while she does that, I get to researching. There isn’t a lot of actual planning involved with my idea, but it does require a bit of research and some secrecy. I know this pregnancy hasn’t been the easiest on her so the last thing she will want is to be dragged out in public for a fancy dinner or even a movie where she’s going to have to get up to pee every ten minutes, which is why the winter wonderland drive in movie is perfect for us.

While she’s bundling up, I pack the back of my personal truck with blankets, pillows, and a large foam pad we have in the garage for camping. It should be enough to support her back and belly, but I have a stop planned in case it isn’t.

Lainey pops up next to my truck, grinning brightly. “Ready when you are, boss man.”

I just shake my head and help her into the truck, frowning when she struggles to get herself up into the seat. Maybe I should look into a different vehicle. Something to think about later.

“Where are we going?” She’s practically bouncing in her seat and the excitement down our bond is making me feel lighter than air. I also realized last night my end of the bond was still firmly shut down so as soon as I woke up with her in my arms I opened the floodgates, overloading her with the full scope of my suppressed emotions from the last couple of months. It’s strange, allowing another person unfettered access to my mind, but Lainey isn’t pushy and she doesn’t pry. She allows me to feel whatever I want and smiles at me anytime I push those feelings to her through the bond.

I smile indulgently at her. The side of me that feels the need to constantly be in control is still there, but since our heart to heart yesterday it’s a little easier to balance, especially with Lainey sending me her confidence and reassurance through the bond. “If I told you that it wouldn’t be a surprise. But I will tell you we have two stops before the actual date begins.”

Just as I say that, the GPS tells me to make a right turn and then we arrive at our first stop. Lainey turns to me, hearts in her eyes and scent sweet as ever. “A bakery?”

I’m pretty proud of myself for this find. Seoul Buns is a local bakery that specializes in these cinnamon rolls made with Tangzhong milk bread, and according to several online forums I found, they are life changing. They also have savory options so I figured we could grab dinner and a sweet treat here for the movie. “Come on, you have got to see their selection.” My hand reaches for hers and when she doesn’t hesitate to lace her fingers with mine, I feel something settle inside my chest.

Our bond may not have begun in the most traditional way, but I’m ready to prove to Lainey I am in this for all the right reasons, no matter how long it takes.

If Lawson is trying to get into my pants, it’s working. First he brought me to this incredible bakery that I would have moved into if the owners let me, and now we’re wandering the aisles of Nestful, in search of some magical pregnancy pillow Lawson insists I need. It’s probably a regular pillow marketed specifically to pregnant people so they can jack the price up, but he is going through so much trouble I don’t want to hurt his feelings by saying that out loud.

“Aha! Okay so they all look pretty much the same, but they do have different colors and fabrics. Do you want to come pick your favorite? I know your omega is a little extra sensitive about sensory stuff right now.”

I love that he remembered that, but I’m also not quiet sure how. Sure I told the guys I was having some issues with certain fabrics and textures at the moment, but I don’t think Law was there for any of those conversations. “How’d you know that?”

He freezes with his hand on a particularly furry pillow and clears his throat. “Oh, uh. Well I kind of overheard that meltdown you had over a tulle skirt touching your bare legs, and then Rhys told me you had been favoring certain fabrics and stuff for your room that were different from your usual picks.”

I’m stunned. I guess I still assumed that this whole time he had been ignoring me in his quest to keep his spiral to himself, but I guess that seems silly when I actually think about it. Law is the sheriff, of course he notices every little thing.

In an effort to distract myself from the sudden overwhelming urge to cry, I stand next to Lawson and start feeling fabrics. The one he was petting is way too furry and would tickle my itchy stomach. And the one next to it is woven but much too rough. The third one I try, though, is exquisite. Soft, short pile in a beautiful light blue color. Lawson sees me pause and inspects the pillow, grinning when he feels it for himself. “That one is really nice. Tag says it’s microfiber. Water resistant, easy to clean, and fully machine washable.”

Well that settles it. “Can we get this one?”

His lips meet my forehead as a rush of affection warms me from the bond. “Anything you want, angel.”

After purchasing the pregnancy pillow, which turned out to be large and u-shaped and not at all like a regular pillow, a random folding step-stool, plus an otherworldly soft sweat set in bright yellow Law insisted I needed, we’re back in his truck and pulling into a busy vacant lot. He parks backwards so the bed of his truck faces a brick wall and then forces me to stay put while he hops into the back and bumps around. I have no idea what he’s doing and the bed is covered so I can’t turn around and peek, either.

I’m startled by my door opening, but it’s just Lawson grinning like a kid in a candy store. “Come on, everything is ready for you.”

My curiosity is officially piqued and it’s enough of a distraction that I don’t even get embarrassed when he has to practically haul me out of the truck because I can’t get down on my own. But when we round the back of the truck, I gasp. The bed is piled high with blankets, pillows, a thick foam pad, my new pregnancy pillow, and all the food we got at Seoul Buns.

“Are we having a truck picnic?” It’s cold as all hell out here, but with the space heaters scattered around the lot, it isn’t so bad. And now I know why he told me to dress in layers.

“Not quite,” he smirks. “Sunday Harbor City Council puts on an outdoor movie twice each winter. Once just before Christmas, and once on New Years Eve. I thought we could do this for our date.” He points to a squat building behind us I hadn’t noticed when we pulled in. “Those are the restrooms, so you can go as often as you need without having to worry about disturbing anyone.”

He’s right. I would have hated being in a traditional movie theater and having to haul my ass up two flights of stairs every ten to fifteen minutes when one of the babies inevitably kicked my bladder and I had to pee.