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“B,” Eli said, letting his thumb stroke my cheek. “I will always be your big brother, a man you can count on to be in your corner no matter what. If you need an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on, I’m a phone call away. However, some things will have to change. From now on, the first call you make when you need help is to one of your Alphas. In no way does that mean I won’t drop everything to be there, but I can’t be number one. My role has been to protect, guide, and raise you until it was time to take a step back for those who were meant to walk life alongside you.”

My chest got tight at the emotions that rioted inside me. “I never agreed to that.”

“It’s the brutal truth, B,” Eli countered.

“You make it sound like I’ll never see or spend time with you. My family is everything to me. I’m not going to disappear,” I said, trying to figure out why this felt so final. “Like you said, we’re family, and that will never change. Let’s be honest… since Dad died, you’ve been there for me through everything. Sure, I might have them, but saying I won’t ever need you is stupid.”

“B, the person I’m talking to when I say those things is me. You and the business have been my whole life, and now that you won’t need the same things from me, I’m not sure what to do with my life. Of course, I knew this day would come, but fuck, this just came out of nowhere. Ignore my melancholy, I’m just processing the fact I won’t be needed the same way,” Eli admitted. “When Dad knew he wasn’t going to last much longer in the hospital, he made me promise you would never be alone. He wanted to make sure you always knew he loved you and had a father in your life. So I suppose I took on that role, and now I’m coming to terms with something all fathers face one day. The day when I’m not the most important person in your life anymore.”

Throwing myself at Eli, I hugged him tightly, trying to show him just how much I loved him. “You will always be an important person to me. No matter what happens in my life, there will never be a time I don’t need you in it. Things are changing so fast, and I don’t know what to do with this either, but knowing no matter what, you’re here, gives me all the courage I need to take the leap. Don’t think of this as losing me because that’s just not possible. Instead, view this as a chance to invest in yourself, find a pack, build a family, love someone who needs your unending selflessness.”

I sniffled as I continued to hug the shit out of my brother to the point I’m sure I was cutting off oxygen, but he simply held me as tightly. “Elee, out there is an Omega just like me, wondering if there is ever going to be someone to love them. They are out there, I know it. You are too gifted at loving someone not to have a match waiting.”

“The same is true for you, B,” Eli whispered. “Don’t let the lies the world has told you steal the joy you’re sure to have with these men. I see the way they look at you, and they’re already under the spell you unknowingly cast by being you. So don’t waste a second more with me. It’s time you get started on this new chapter of your life. Know that I’ll always be cheering you on as I always have.”

Releasing my hold Eli, he stood then gave me a smile that reached his eyes before heading out of my room. I took a moment to sit there as I processed the moment that had happened between us. Part of me was upset that I didn’t think about how this would affect the rest of my family. Crew always hid his deeper emotions in playfulness while Eli bottled them up until he had a moment alone to face them. If I hadn’t caught him, I’m not sure I’d ever know how hard this was for him to see me start a new life.

Still a little off balance by the realization Eli dropped in my lap, I entered the living room. All conversation stopped, and their attention was honed in on me. My first instinct was to freeze then consider bolting, but I met Vili’s gaze and relaxed at the sweet smile he gave me. Rising from his seat, he walked over, took my hand, and pressed a kiss to it like I was the princess in some book.

“You look lovely,” Vili complimented. “Like a summer flower blooming and gracing us with its beauty.”

My cheeks heated as I dropped my gaze and tapped the tip of my white Mary Jane on the tile floor. “Thank you, Vili.”

Since it was summer, I decided to keep the pink and blue plaid shorts on but add a white tank top that had a cute pink Peter Pan-style collar on it. To finish off the look, I decided to wear pink ruffled socks to connect the whole style together. With the addition of a simple pastel blue purse, I was ready for my day out with the guys. As Gareth instructed, I felt adorable and utterly confident dressed in this outfit. I might look like something that came out of a little girl’s storybook, but I felt like a million bucks.

“Are you hungry?” Vili asked as he laced our fingers together. “We thought breakfast out would be fun.”

Hearing the promise of food, my stomach growled loudly, answering the Alpha’s question for me. “Breakfast sounds perfect,” I said, gently squeezing his hand.

The others rose to their feet, and Ulysses led the way to the front door. I wasn’t sure if they realized it, but almost innately, they formed a circle around me. Warrick walked on my left while Gareth and Ulysses took the lead, and Yun-Sun fell in behind me. Taking them all in, I noticed they wore fresh clothes.

“How close do you guys live from here?” I questioned.

“Oh, about fifteen minutes with no traffic, twenty-five to thirty during rush hour,” Warrick informed me. “I went back home last night when we decided to stay and grabbed clothes for us.”

“About that,” I cut in. “What made you guys choose to stay? Not that I’m not glad you did, but some might think that’s awful fast. Plus, I wasn’t even awake. I passed out, and as you’ve now all experienced, it takes a lot to wake me up.”

Ulysses stopped next to a blacked-out Hummer. Gareth pulled out his keys, and the vehicle’s headlights blinked as it unlocked. I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised that Gareth would have a car no one expected him to own. It seemed to be the theme of his life.

“Well, sweetheart, you fell asleep on Warrick’s lap. So we felt it was best to call it a night and let you rest. I fully planned to place you on the bed, tuck you in, and leave a note letting you know we’d be back in the morning,” Yun-Sun explained. “The challenge to that was you refused to let us leave you. If one of us weren’t touching you, then seconds later, you’d be whining so incessantly there was no way we’d be able to walk away.”

My jaw dropped. “I whined? You mean like an Omega whine?” I asked, resting my hands on my burning cheeks. “I don’t ever whine.”

“Oh trust me, Rosie, you let out a whine so insistent it took three seconds for all of us to be glued to your side, which was exactly what you wanted,” Ulysses added with a smirk so cocky that I wanted to wipe it off his face.

I opened my mouth to say something sassy, but I stopped and remembered that this wasn’t my childhood friend anymore. Ulysses was a respected man in the oil industry and one of my Alphas. Instead, I just crossed my arms and scowled.

“Your brother is correct. You are like an angry kitten,” Vili murmured. “So ferocious, yet adorable even with your claws out.”

Now I was slack-jawed at Vili’s comment, unsure what the hell to even say to that. Vili, however, had no problem leaning in, brushing our noses against each other in an Eskimo kiss. The action had me giggling like a schoolgirl, and all my irritation vanished. My stomach voiced its irritation at being kept from the promised meal, spurring us to climb into vehicles.

I figured we’d all climb into one, but it looked like most of them drove here separately, so it only made sense for them to drive them back. Gareth opened the front passenger door for me and gave me a hand when the step to get into the damn thing was higher than I expected. Once I clambered into the seat and got buckled in, I waved a stern finger at the vehicle owner. “Don’t even think about making some kind of short joke,” I warned. “Yes, I’m tiny, but it’s never stopped me from getting even with someone who teased me about it.”

Gareth held up his hands as if he was warding off an attack. “I would never dare to comment about your height. However, I was considering whether it might be wise to add an extra handle or step to make the task easier. Would it offend you if I made some accommodations?”

Honestly, I had to think about that for a moment. If I had an extra handle or even a step to use, I could have gotten in and out of the Hummer just fine. It’s not like I could ask him to trade in the car to get something closer to the ground. That would be crazy talk.

“Is this your everyday car?” I asked.