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“Ezra bringing you food, texting Atlas, going on adventures with Dean, you’re forming quite the pack,” he said before growing serious and glancing behind us. “What about Collin?”
“That’s more complicated than the rest. He hasn’t even attempted to really talk to me after you guys decided to crash my date,” I told him. Micah’s eyebrows rose as if he was confused to hear that.
“Really? That’s so unlike him. I’ve never known Collin to be much of a jerk, let alone not apologize or try to make up for something he did. The fact that you’re a mate…” he trailed off and shook his head. “I just...I don’t get it.”
“I don’t know, something’s holding him back and, honestly, I’m not going to beg anyone to be with me. I’ve been turned down enough, thanks,” I said with a hollow laugh.
It had been a week since the finale and things had settled into a new normal. I was still working at the Raven’s Nest and loving every second of it. No one was brave enough to say anything to me there thanks to Walter’s crazy stares. Between that and the renovation starting, I was easily able to lose myself in work.
The two alphas were fairly distant but the betas were the opposite. Both texted me often and I’d even gone out for ice cream with Dean after work the other night.
What was truly strange was that I had heard nothing from my parents. The finale was over and they’d been radio silent. Even going as far as avoiding Tori. They had to have known I was hiding out at this point and it wasn’t like my mother to let that slide.
“The renovations are coming along,” Micah said. It was an attempt at changing the subject and I gave him an eye roll.
“They just started,” I pointed out. “We’ve barely cracked the surface.”
Collin had some inspectors come out last week and they reassured us that the structure was sound. At this point, we just had to make sure everything was up to code and then put our touches on it. We’d sketched out a plan of what we wanted to happen and I ran the numbers. Budgeting for a huge project like this was different, but fun. I’d searched out the best pricing and deals, allocated funds, and got everything approved by the guys.
It was a far cry different from the cubicle I worked in before, running spreadsheet after spreadsheet of numbers until my eyes were crossing.
“Oh, you know the tea and the salve I gave Atlas and Dean’s dad? Apparently, it’s been helping. They said he’s actually getting sleep and getting a bit stronger. Obviously, he’s not cured but the coughing and weakness are improving.”
Micah reached over and squeezed my hand. “That’s amazing. Tell me about it.” That was the thing about my brother. If you were excited and put your heart into something, he wanted to know all about it. He was the best support anyone could find.
I gave Micah the details and explained about the shop I’d found as he hung onto every word.
“He’s still coughing some, but they said it’s a world of difference.”
“I’m glad you moved in,” he said. “You obviously have a purpose here.”
We shared a small smile.
“Me, too,” I admitted. “I promise to, eventually, get out of your hair and give your place back. I’m just not sure where to start.”
“It wouldn’t make sense for you to move out now, you’re just starting to figure out a pack. By the time you sign a lease you’ll have a pack and have to figure out how to get out of it. You don’t exactly live by yourself with a pack.”
“Nobody seems to be in a rush anyway,” I said. “Sometimes, I wonder if they’re holding back because of me.”
“I don’t think so. You just managed to pick a complicated pack that’s just as jaded at the world as you are right now.” He said it as gently as possible in true Micah fashion.
The words still stung a bit. I hadn’t realized just how jaded and untrusting that show and my former life left me. Was I giving off the wrong impression?
Atlas and Dean had their own issues but hadn’t really held back completely. It was slow but I was fine with that.
Collin was more of a mystery. He hadn’t told me much about himself or given me a chance to get to know him. Everything since the date had been strictly professional.
Which was exactly what I said would happen until he apologized sincerely for the date crashing. I took his behavior as a sign he wasn’t ready yet.
Then there was Ezra. We flirted at the diner a bit and he went out of his way for me on the finale night. But he had yet to do anything past that or acknowledge we were mates.
My phone dinged and I picked it up to see that Atlas was sending me a selfie back. He was sitting at a desk, smiling, straight white teeth on display. He really was handsome.
“He’s sending selfies now?” Collin’s voice was sharp and I sighed, setting my phone back down.
“Yes, he is, because I sent him one first.” My voice was even but annoyed.
“What the fuck, dude?” Micah called his friend out. “Just because you guys are mates does not mean she bows at your feet. She doesn’t have to avoid other mates or beg you for attention. That’s not how an omega deserves to be treated.” The disgust in Micah’s voice had Collin freezing.
