Page 49 of A Nest of Maple & Mist

A long silence followed. Mia stared off into nothingness for what felt like forever. Our food went cold. Eventually her gaze fell to my ring finger and then back to my face.

“I’m to assume you’re not married to said heiress?”

“No. I’m not. I delayed things as long as I could. And once I heard you graduated, I broke the contract. My parents disinherited me that same day. I haven’t seen them since.”

My lips drifted over her skin, peppering kisses along her wrist and palm.

“I came to work at Hawthorne Farms, needing to start over. I met Jason and we found Ty. We built something here. A family. A pack. We were happy. And then Jason found you, brought you home, and we just knew. We were meant for you. And you for us.”

I tried to ignore how raw, exposed, and utterly vulnerable I felt in that moment. Her tiny fingers squeezed my hand before releasing it.

Mia assessed me in silence. I squirmed, stripped to nothing under her stare. I hoped she saw the dirt under my nails and the calluses on my hands. It spoke of who I was. Who I became.

I wasn’t the boy who abandoned her. Not anymore.

And I’d never be that person again.

“Please, love. Give me a chance to show you the man I’ve become. The alpha I would be for you. Let me prove how good I’ll be for you. For our pack.”

My lungs ached with each stinging breath. I waited for my omega’s judgment. I’d bare my neck for her if she decided I wasn’t worthy of her.

Her gaze fell to the crystal dove in her hand, her fingers trembling as she traced the wings. My leg bounced under the table as I waited for the axe to fall, carrying out my fate.

“Shane. I need time.”

A slow, shaky sound fell from me as I nodded. It wasn’t forgiveness. It wasn’t a yes, but it wasn’t a no either. My palm cradled her cheek, and she sighed the softest sound, her maple and vanilla sweetening at my touch.

My forehead fell to hers. Her lashes fluttered against my face as I murmured a quiet vow.

“I’ll wait forever, Mia. I’m not going anywhere. I’m yours.”

EIGHTEEN

JASON

Iclicked the tongs in my hand as I flipped the maple-cured bacon, careful not to ding the cast-iron skillet. A dewy mist covered the grass outside the window, the sun steadily rising above the horizon.

Early morning was my favorite part of the day—the quiet, the stillness. I avoided making too much noise while I cooked breakfast. My handsome beta was still passed out in my bed—exhausted and thoroughly ravished.

A floorboard creaked behind me, and I turned to see Shane. Today had been a rare day where we all agreed not to work the farm. Granted, I wasn’t surprised to see him up, his wool jacket in his arms.

“Leaving?” I asked quietly, not wanting to disturb our slumbering beta and omega.

Bloodshot eyes met mine. It looked like he hadn’t slept well.

“I need to get moving.”

I plated the eggs next to a stack of buttered toast, placing them on the island.

“Eat something.”

“You may be Ty’s daddy, but you’re not mine,” Shane spat.

A snarl ripped from my chest. I glared at Shane, his muscles twitching under my dominance. I wasn’t his alpha or daddy, but I was this pack’s Apex, and it was my job to look after them.

“Sorry,” he groaned, scrubbing a hand over his face before snagging a piece of toast. “I know you’re just trying to help. I’m tired and stressed.”

“Care to talk about it? Does it have anything to do with Mia hiding in her bedroom again?”