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“It’s not a bad idea. Even as a kid, half of these cabins were so rundown they should’ve been condemned. They belonged more to the animals than they did to the people who had the deeds.”
“Oh, they still are,” he promised. “Not much has changed with that. Then, after establishing myself here, my sister moved to town as well. She needed an escape, and what better way than to hide in a town too small to be found. Then again, when you’re rejected on live TV, you can’t exactly run away from it. She was the talk of the town for a while.”
“Wait, is your sister Eleanor Winters?” I gasped, shocked. They looked nothing alike. She was a redhead and petite, he was tall and had dirty-blond hair. Even their features were different. She had a smaller nose and softer features, he had a strong nose and sharp jaw.
“The one and only,” he said with a smirk. “She found her mates here in Lockwood. She’s never been happier, and she made me an uncle.”
“I’m glad she’s happy here. That entire show was bullshit,” I growled. I’d been so mad for Ellie as that shitshow unfolded.
“Not to sound like a dick, but I’m surprised you watched it. You don’t really seem like the reality TV type.”
“I’m not, actually. But all the girls in the dorm were hooked. It was one of those things I did to pretend to be normal. After a few episodes it wasn’t even pretending, I was hooked.”
“It was like a train wreck, right?” he laughed. “I watched it, too, but don’t tell Ellie. She’d kill me on the spot.”
“Your secret’s safe with me,” I promised.
We shared a quick smile that warmed me from the inside out. Micah was easy to talk to and sweet. His blond hair, green eyes, and dimples made him seem adorable and not intimidating. He seemed like the kind of guy who just wanted everyone to be happy and found joy in the little things. Honestly, I could use more of that in my life.
I turned to look away and it felt like the awkward silence started to rise between us again. Would that silence ever be comfortable? The last thing I wanted was them to constantly worry about me.
Micah must have felt it, too. He cleared his throat to get my attention and when I looked back he gave my hand a squeeze again. The alpha was always seeking out touch and I hated to deny him. I just wasn’t ready yet.
“Look, I know it’s not my place yet, but youarepack. Part of me is constantly fighting the need to take care of you. I just...you know, you’re allowed to be happy, right? You can smile. You don’t have to hide from it. You can laugh. It doesn’t mean you care about him any less. I heard that video, he wants you to live your life, Shaye.”
His words were like a dagger straight to the heart. He saw right through me already, but it should have been impossible. I hated that I was attracted to them, that I genuinely liked spending time with them.
“It just feels wrong,” I admitted. “I was so happy back then. I know it always seems crazy to talk about it like that, but there’s a very distinctive divide in my life. Who I was then and who I am now are very different people. I feel like years have passed in the last year and a half.”
I let out a shuddering sigh but he was reaching for me again, not letting me experience the moment alone. The gentle way he handled me never felt overbearing or pushy, just sweet.
“Trauma changes you. When something terrible like that happens, you don’t just get over it, Shaye. You probably never will. I don’t mean to sound terrible but it’s true. He’ll always be a part of this pack, too. But it won’t be like this forever. You’ll find a way to live again, and I, for one, can’t wait to see you do it.”
“How can you guys care? I just don’t understand why you want to stay here while I figure this out.”
“We’re already a pack, Shaye. We’re not going to just walk away from Lake either. He’s invested, so we’re invested. And that was before we even knew you were our mate.”
“What if I can’t be your omega?”
The words hung between us but he didn’t get angry. Micah just ran his fingers over my hand in a soothing pattern.
“I’m not worried about that, Shaye. It’s not something we need to talk about right now. We have this journey and game to experience. We are going to be here to support you and help you through it.”
We stopped in front of a house. It was… cute. Micah kept it well-maintained, from the cut grass to the small flower bed. There was a bright-blue door that stood out among the white siding. It was kind of adorable.
“Come inside with me. I have to grab my stuff and Lake’s so it’ll be a minute.”
“Where do Riven and Drew live?” I questioned as I followed him inside. Didn’t packs usually live together?
“They have a place in town. The lease is almost up and we’ve been talking about finding a pack house. Mine is too small. I’ll be a bit sad to leave though.”
He looked around with pride. Micah had built a life here and had seen his sister and now his pack-mate, through hard times here. I couldn’t blame him for not wanting to give it up just yet.
It was oddly cozy inside. It didn’t have that bachelor feel, where it was just basic furniture, white walls, maybe a movie poster, and some old beer cans.
There were family photos on the wall, some artwork, a fairly decent-sized TV and a comfortable couch. The kitchen was clean and organized even though he didn’t know he had company coming.
It was refreshing.
