Page 144 of Never Bet Against A Hockey Player

“This is it,” Conrad announced as we drove up a gravel-lined path. It looped past several buildings before we found the cabin that was our new home for the next week.

“It’s so cute,” I said as I took in the rustic cabin. It wasn’t exactly tiny, but small enough to be perfect for what we needed.

My nesting supplies were packed up in the back of the truck. Nearly all of them. I wouldn’t let them take down the fabric on the walls or lights.

They had every intention of helping me re-create the nest in our temporary home. It was still hard to let anyone do nice things for me. Independence and knowing you were likely going to be let down were some of the things that kept my sanity all these years.

Without my mother’s presence looming over me, I was starting to shift those expectations to knowing that they were the opposite. They’d never let me down and would always put me and Gavin first. I knew that, but the pessimism lingered.

I wanted the bond because I wanted to be close to my pack. To feel them and let my omega know she’s protective. But I also wanted the reassurance that would bring. To know their true feelings to chase away that nasty, little voice in my head.

“You coming, gorgeous?” Lachlan’s amused voice startled me. I hadn’t realized I was sitting here after they’d all climbed out.

“Yes,” I said, cheeks heating at my weird behavior. They didn’t comment on it at least. They knew how nerve-wracking this could be.

As my feet hit the gravel, my phone dinged in my pocket. My first thought was Gavin but I snorted when I saw Roxie’s text on the screen.

Roxie

Have fun getting fucked within an inch of your life, girl. You’ve earned this

Lana

It’s going to be amazing. I promise. Having a good pack makes ALL the difference

Roxie

And when you’re back, we’re definitely having a girls’ night so you can tell us all about it.

“From that smirk, I’m assuming Roxie and Lana are teasing you?” August asked as he pulled me closer. I snuggled in as I answered.

“They’re great,” I admitted. “They make a heat sound like a dream.”

“You’re going to enjoy yourself. I promise you that, omega,” Lahclan rasped, his eyes dragging down my body and a wolfish grin tipping up his lips.

My omega was on board. If only I could shake this anxiety.

“Come on, baby. Let’s go look around inside before your strong pack carries in all your things,” Conrad offered. He saw right through my mood and held out a hand. I put mine in his with no hesitation. Everything seemed a bit easier to handle with my alpha.

The inside was even nicer than the outside. It was rustic but clean and, clearly, had an omega’s touch. It was a bit too impersonal for my taste but this wasn’t my house.

“It could use a bit of work,” Conrad offered as if he knew where my thoughts went. “After your heat we can talk renovation ideas.”

Wait. ‘Renovation?’ My jaw dropped and I turned to face him. He chuckled at the look on my face and shrugged.

“No. You did not buy a whole heat cabin,” I argued.

“You’re right. We bought several,” he countered, looking smug as hell. What the fuck was with this pack?!

My mouth opened and closed to argue but I couldn’t find it in me. Had this not been the exact outcome I’d hoped for when talking to the girls?

“At girl’s night we talked about cabins, actually,” I said instead. Clearly, the universe was finally looking out for me.

“What about them?” August asked as he hopped on the kitchen island and pulled me between his legs, arms wrapped around me. I settled into the touch.

“I wanted to find something I could do that let me be out of the house and still travel. We thought it might be fun to set up a cabin rental situation. I could find rental software to run through a website and do renovations I could oversee. The funds was the issue,” I explained.

Conrad’s brow furrowed as he looked at me, innocently confused. “We do have the funds, though.”