Chapter 18: : Chapter 17

I’m not sure what they’ve done, but my packmates are hiding something. The bastards. They’re not good at subterfuge, either. Okay, that’s highly inaccurate. Professionally speaking, they’re adept. In our personal lives as friends and packmates, Lincoln is generally more skilled than Kason, but he’s doing no better at the moment.

Neither will meet my line of sight, and neither fights me for the seat next to Chelsea. Kase does slide into the chair on her other side, but I’m genuinely surprised it’s not an all-out shoving match to secure the position.

The restaurant I picked up dinner from offers a variety of cuisine, from steaks, to pasta, to seafood dishes. I stayed away from the latter when ordering, simply because I know how smells can affect pregnant women.

Chelsea is on my right, which makes it easy to place my hand on her thigh as I use my left to offer her a bite of the steak that she eyed but assured me she didn’t have room for.

Her cheeks turn pink, but she doesn’t protest. I’m as equally enamored by the way her thick lips wrap around the tines on the fork as I am by the way she looks in Lincoln’s clothing. Placing the fork down, I collect a napkin and brush it over the edge of her mouth. Her scent is indescribable with that electric buzz that makes me ache to caress her skin with mine. It also holds unmistakable tinges of Kase and Lincoln.

My fingers brush over the material of Linc’s sweats as I give her thigh a squeeze.

“How about a bite of garlic mashed potatoes? Or would you prefer the fettuccine Alfredo?” I ask, collecting my fork once more.

Chelsea twists to study my face with a shy smile tugging at her lips. “I can feed myself. I’m sure you’re hungry after a long day at work.”

Moving my chair closer to hers, I relocate my right arm to wrap around the back of her chair. My hand falls to rest on her shoulder, and I get very close to her ear. “I know you can, but it brings me immense satisfaction to feed you by my hand.”

Lincoln snorts. “Immense satisfaction. That was actually smooth.” He kicks Kase’s foot under the table. “Take notes.”

Kase raises a hand, flipping off our packmate.

Chelsea ignores their antics, instead staring at me. Her blonde lashes flutter as she shrugs. “Far be it from me to take that joy away from you.” Her left hand comes to rest on my thigh, and she gives a tender squeeze. “Fettuccine would be perfect. I’m not sure I’m prepared to have garlic breath.”

Nodding, I collect her next bite while fantasizing frivolous thoughts, such as she doesn’t want questionable breath, because she plans to offer me a goodnight kiss. Extending the pasta toward her, I revel in the warmth that fills my chest as she carefully snags the noodles off the fork.

I’ve never felt such an all-encompassing need to care for another human being. There’s no telling how she’ll view us once she learns what we do for a living, and I begin to wonder if it’s necessary that she ever finds out.

Lincoln, Kase, and I gravitated together some seven or eight years ago. Easton had just started Shadow Security—a front for the true contracts the company manages—and he needed a cleanup crew he could trust.

Not all mercenaries are created equal, and Shadow Security employs some of the most ruthless contract workers in the country. The individuals that the other companies pass over, because they take to the work a little too well. When that type of person stops following the rules, they’re a next-level threat that must be neutralized.

That’s where we come in.

On occasion, an employee will cross the line—the one they can’t come back from. That, or they have a full disconnect with reality and have to be put down.

Initially, Linc, Kase, and I were working as a team, similar to all the others, but Easton tapped us in when a particularly dangerous team went rogue. Rather than honoring the contract they were assigned, they took a payday to flip on the client, murdering not only him but also his wife, eleven-year-old son, and nine-year-old daughter.

It took three weeks of searching and a trip to Argentina, but we located the team of four and put them down, exactly as they deserved. Easton’s one request was that we make it brutal enough to put the fear of God into anyone else who might consider flipping for a payday.

Since then, we’ve been called in at least once a year to tidy up loose ends on a team that no longer plays by the rules. We also take the occasional kill contract, like the other teams, but we could live out the rest of our days keeping up a more than generous lifestyle without ever taking another job.

Hell, we could focus on installing the security systems that Shadow Security uses as a front.

I’m not sure how the three of us would adapt to a fully subdued lifestyle, but even in the last year or two, we’ve cut back to only quarterly contracts. The more I think about it, the more my resolve strengthens.

Chelsea and the baby need a safe environment to thrive. She won’t handle it well if we have to be away for two or three weeks every few months, with only flimsy excuses on why she can’t come with us.

I glance between Lincoln and Kase. The three of us need to have an important conversation about the future. The prospect of building a family with Chelsea trumps the euphoria I get from hunting a target.

Here’s hoping the two of them are on board.

Kase begins to clean up the dishes, and Lincoln frowns at Sky as she whines at his feet. That’s all his mess. He spoiled her rotten when she was a pup. Now she expects three leisurely walks a day, in addition to having access to the spacious backyard.

Lincoln straps Sky into her harness and gives Chelsea a kiss on the cheek. His gaze meets mine, and the look on his face screams something. I’m not sure exactly what, but I assume it’s similar to my need to keep her here.

“I should probably get home, anyway,” Chelsea says to Lincoln. “I don’t know where my jacket is, but it’s getting late.”

“I have something for you,” I say, clearing my throat. “I’m more than happy to accompany you home afterward.”

“Your coat is in the closet by the door.” Lincoln tilts his head toward it. “But I’ve got to get Sky out there before she has a fit.”

“You’ll stay and open my gift?” I ask, leading Chelsea to the sectional. If she gets comfortable, maybe she won’t push to leave.

Would it be inappropriate to inform her she lives here now? Why does it even need to be a question?

She’s alone and vulnerable. We’re more than capable of looking after her. We should be able to politely indicate that she won’t be returning to Mrs. Wilson’s dilapidated rental house.

Fine, it’s not technically unlivable, but it’s not up to the standard needed for me to feel comfortable with Chelsea and the baby being over there alone.

I help Chelsea settle onto the long end of the couch and stride off to grab the gifts. It took me an extra hour to get home this evening, but I had no desire to arrive empty-handed.

I briefly considered grabbing a card to include, but I ultimately decided that quietly courting Chelsea is the way to go. She lost her daughter’s father while pregnant. That would take a toll on anyone.

For now, I believe it’s best to show her our interest without any added pressure. Once she can trust that we’ll be available when she needs us, then we can verbalize our intentions.

Coming back into the living room, I take a seat at her side and hand her the first box. “One for you.” I drop the other in my lap. “And one for Luna.”

Chelsea’s head tilts, and she smiles softly, blinking up at me under her lashes. “I appreciate it, but I’m so confused. I feel like I should be buying the three of you gifts for all the hospitality.”

I chuckle, tucking her dirty blonde hair behind her ear. “Consider it a housewarming present. Please, open it.”

Her teeth dig into her lower lip, and she nods before focusing on the package. Wrapping her fingers in the black ribbon, she tugs. It falls away, and she lifts the top of the box, shaking it free from the bottom and setting it aside.

My heart thunders, watching her simple movements. She’s stunning, and that’s plain to see. I genuinely fucking hope she likes it, and that I’m not wildly overstepping.

She refocuses on the package, grabbing the tissue paper and flipping it out of the way.

It’s a wool peacoat that I selected after ensuring Linc took care of purchasing a maternity coat. She’s very close to her due date, but even after she gives birth, she’ll need something extra warm. The temperature gets much colder here than it does on the coast. The mountains are to thank for that, and I needed to be sure she has something to last at least the rest of this season.

Chelsea slides her hands over the material and lifts it free of the box.

I collect the package, stretch over to grab the lid, and toss it in a pile on the floor. “You’ll be giving birth to Luna just before the coldest months of the season. January and February are frigid, but this year has been unseasonably chilly. Linc handled grabbing a maternity coat, but this is for after you deliver. It should be roomy enough to fit the other gift.”

I grimace.

Way to ruin the surprise.

Chelsea drops the jacket onto her lap, and I offer the other gift. “The jacket is lovely. It reminds me a little of the one Lincoln helped me pick out. How did you know I was sad that I wouldn’t be able to wear it for very long?”

I smile, shrugging. “I didn’t, but it’s much colder here than it is on the East Coast. It seemed like a reasonable compromise, so that way, I won’t give myself an ulcer worrying about if you’re warm enough.”

“Thank you. It’s great.” She stretches a hand over, patting my thigh.

My instincts pull me to stretch my arm over her shoulders as I scoot closer. “Now, open the little one’s gift.”

Chelsea struggles with the box but gets the lid off. She tugs the baby carrier out and checks it out while I dispose of the box. It’s a fancy brand that Joyce highly recommended. She also helped me choose the proper size of the postpartum jacket, based on the size of her maternity coat. It’s a fit-and-flare style that will make it possible for her to baby wear if she chooses.

I ramble out all the details like a used car salesman desperate to meet my monthly commission goals.

Chelsea drops the baby wrap contraption and twists to hug me. I don’t think either of us is expecting me to slide my hand down her back until I can lift her, but she tosses the jacket and baby carrier into the box on the floor. Once she’s twisted to face me, I help her knees settle on either side of mine.

I bring my hands up to caress her cheeks as the baby pushes into my stomach.

She nuzzles her cheek to my wrist and smiles softly. “You three are going to spoil me so badly that I won’t even know what to do with myself.”

“Having basic support is far from lavish or extravagant pampering.” Digging my fingers into the back of her head, I pull her closer.

She rests her forehead against my shoulder and coos. It’s an omega-specific sound that makes me ache to stomp up the stairs to show her to the nest. If I did that, I’m afraid I would lock her inside it to prevent her from being able to escape. And if she didn’t have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow, I might consider it.

“You’re set to see the doctor tomorrow, right?” I ask, sliding my fingers through her hair. “Do you have a local emergency contact? You’ll need one.” I clear my throat. “I’d actually just like it if you would allow me to accompany you to your visit.”

“I don’t have an emergency contact close by. It’s very considerate of you to offer,” she murmurs, making her warm breath puff over my shirt.

I wait for several seconds, but she doesn’t go on.

Purring seemed to help settle her this morning at the diner.

I focus every ounce of my willpower into trying to purr again. “There’s no reason you shouldn’t accept it. We’re close by in case of an emergency, and it never hurts to have a backup plan.”

She nods. “I agree, but I’m also concerned about how much I’ve been disrupting your lives.”

“Don’t be.” My arms tighten around her. “Is that a yes to allowing me to drive you to your appointment? It’s supposed to rain tomorrow. The forecast even mentioned sleet.”

Chelsea lets out an oomph. “Wow. I wasn’t ready for all that. I guess, if you don’t mind and if it won’t throw off your workday.”

“Perfect.” My chest finally begins to rattle with an underused purr. “While we’re negotiating, why don’t you stay here tonight? The heat still isn’t working in your home, and I think we’ll all sleep better knowing you’re nice and toasty.”

“You’re very persuasive.” She stretches up, burying her nose in my throat. The baby belly squishes between us, and I suck in to allow her the additional space. “I’m not trying to be stubborn…” She sighs. “Goodness, Arden. Your scent is like nothing I’ve ever smelled. It’s so enticing that I don’t know how to force myself to say it’s time I go home.”

Kase comes into the living room, and he sits in the spot Chelsea vacated when she moved into my lap. He reaches over, running a hand down her back. “You probably shouldn’t force it, then. Soak up the alpha pheromones and relax for a change.”

I nod my agreement. “It puts all three of us at ease to have you here.”

“Okay,” she agrees. “But you have to promise to tell me if I’ve outstayed my welcome.”

I barely hold back the scoff that tries to escape.

I’m utterly flabbergasted.

How does she not understand that she’s the commodity in this relationship?

Omegas are coveted.

There are packs who go their entire lives without finding an omega. And as a result, some alphas end up feral, others mate betas or other alphas to combat the loneliness. If they’re lucky enough to not give into the hyper-aggression alphas often fall prey to when we don’t have contact with an omega, that is.

But omegas are always the ones in high demand. It’s about time someone shows Chelsea exactly what she’s worth.