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“Hell yes, to breakfast in the treehouse. I’ve been dying to see it since Hunter told me you guys built one. I bet it’s cute as buttons,” Maia said.
I just looked at all the guys skeptically. I knew Leif and his friends were all badass alpha warriors, but I’d never seen them do more than reheat food. With the other women given the morning off, too, I wasn’t sure what would come out to be served for the rest of the farm workers and our new guests. Although most of the prep was already done.
“You know that means cleaning up afterward, too?” I didn’t want the other women to walk back into a destroyed kitchen.
“We can keep everyone fed and alive for one morning without your help, Little Mouse.” Leif said with an affectionate smile, using the nickname he’d had for me when I was little. “And yes, we’ll do the dishes, too. Go, we’ve got this.”
“Just don’t go too far and stay in contact if anything happens. And I mean anything. If you feel uncomfortable for any reason, we’ll be right there,” Damon growled lightly as he passed a radio to Maia.
“Okay, if you’re sure,” I answered for Maia, as she seemed a little busy grabbing Damon’s face and sucking his tonsils out. The thought of leaving Leif and Dio together right now made me a little hesitant, but they both had back-up. I wanted them to get along, but they needed to figure out how that would work for themselves.
“Cary, you’re welcome to come. You’re an omega. You qualify for omega chat time.” I said as I glanced at him. He was an anomaly, like Maia and I. I was interested in any insights he’d have. He glanced around the room and we both noticed the sudden tension coming from Dio, as well as most of the other alphas in the room.
“I’m happy to chat, but maybe right now isn’t best. Emotions are running pretty high. Another time, when everyone’s calmed down a little more,” he said and smiled gently at me.
I nodded at him. I was disappointed, but I understood now wasn’t the time. Cary being a rare male omega living on a farm full of alphas, was tough enough. I didn’t want to make life harder for him.
I’d be having a word with Dio later, though. I wasn’t going to keep my distance from someone who was in need, and could help me in turn, just because of stupid pheromones.
I grabbed some muffins someone had baked earlier, along with some bacon, toast and the hash browns I had just cooked, stuffing it all on a big plate.
We could do without eggs for one morning. I didn’t want to hang around for them to be cooked and risk the guys changing their minds when they realized what they had just taken on. I noticed Ava grab a small jug of milk as Dio moved towards me and kissed me lightly, before stealing a piece of bacon from my plate.
I shook my head at him and snuck a look at Dave and Sam. They were both watching me. Dave just nodded his head and smiled. I had a feeling he would be discreetly following us to the treehouse before long, to keep watch. Sam was looking between Maia and me with a torn expression. He clearly wanted to spend some time with his sister, but she kept getting pulled away by drama and the other people who now filled her life.
We would need to make sure they got some time together soon, but not now. I felt kind of mean, but he’d been waiting a decade, he could wait a few more hours. I needed my friend right now. So, I forced myself to turn away from him and headed out the door, assuming Maia and Ava would follow.
“See ya later, boys,” I called over my shoulder.
The last thing I heard was Hunter asking, “So who knows how NOT to burn toast?”
Maia and Ava burst out laughing right behind me. I shot them one look, and we all took off running until we were out of sight, Bear loping along beside us. I led Maia and Ava up the curving path towards the rocky outcrop that was surrounded by tall trees and high shrubs. The early morning light filtering through the trees made the air seem soft and golden, like something out of a fairytale. The scent of oak trees and earth, interspersed with wild flowers filled my senses and made me smile.
When we strolled into the small clearing in front of the treehouse, Maia gasped and pulled up short. She whacked me on the arm as I turned to her in confusion, almost making me spill our breakfast.
“What the hell is that?” She asked, as she pointed at the treehouse.
“Uh, a treehouse. What were you expecting?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe a few planks of wood and some crooked railings cobbled together. Some old kids’ toys stuck in branches and maybe a ripped curtain. You know, a treehouse.”
She waved her hands around wildly in the treehouse’s direction. “That is a gorgeous, house in a tree. That’s a completely different thing.”
She stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at me accusingly.
“You’re seriously underestimating your mates if you thought it was going to be a shoddy little kiddy thing,” I said. “They do nothing by halves.”
“I can’t wait to see inside. Meet you at the top,” Maia yelled as she bolted up the stairs.
“I’m going to carry this tray up the stairs like a regular person, but have at it.” I yelled back at her. I watched Maia disappear with a smile.
“It’s nice seeing her so happy and carefree,” Ava said, echoing exactly what I was thinking. She had been so shut down, yet determined to survive her fate with her head held high when I met her. Seeing this relaxed, fun side of her made my heart happy. Finding her pack had clearly been good for her.
When we reached the top, Maia had only made it as far as the deck. She was standing at the railing, taking in the expansive view.
“This is gorgeous. I bet it’s stunning at night, too.” She let out a soft sigh as she turned back to us. “I love the old barn door as well.”
I passed her the plate to hold and slid it open for her. She wandered inside, exclaiming over the timber interior and all the natural light. She ran her hand over the kitchen cabinets, loving the duck-egg blue color. Ava followed behind her, taking it all in with a quieter appreciation.
