Chapter 44

“Excuse me, WHAT?” Trinity screamed through our video call, making both Ocean I wince before laughing.

“Yeah. So, I owe you dinner and coffee and flowers for the rest of my fucking life,” I said.

When I finally bothered to look at my phone, my friends were nearly feral. Ellie had told them I was in heat, but they wanted the details. Me calling and blurting out that they were my scent match hadn’t been on their bingo card.

“So what does this mean?” Ocean asked. “Are you staying here? With them?”

I nodded, hiding my face in the collar of my hoodie. As much as I liked wearing the guys’ clothes, it was nice to have my own again. “Yeah, I am. I honestly have no idea what’s going to happen after the wedding. I’m kind of playing it by ear. Don’t know where I’m going to work, don’t know how long it’ll take to get the rest of my stuff from the apartment, but I don’t really care. We’ll figure it out.”

Trinity blew out a breath. “I think this is the best possible outcome of me breaking an NDA. Like I was already happy with you and them, and I was fully prepared to get sued. But this? What are the odds of that?”

“Not high. But then again, it can happen any time. Who knows. Maybe the two of you will be blindsided next.”

Rowan stuck his head through the door of the room I sat in—the empty one they told me would be my private bedroom. He smiled, and I smiled back. I still couldn’t quite believe this was real.

“Who just walked in?” Rin asked.

“What do you mean?”

Ocean grinned. “Your entire face changed is what she means. I don’t think I’ve seen you that happy…” She thought about it. “Nope. Not even the volleyball championship had you looking like that.”

Rowan came over and sat next to me, leaning into the frame. “We’re going to try to keep her that happy.”

“Better be more than try,” Rin muttered.

He had a little box with him. “What did you bring me?”

“Chocolate. Not the fun kind yet. Those can happen after your sister and Warren leave.”

They were coming over to talk to me about Beau. I couldn’t pretend I wasn’t nervous. Beau wasn’t what I wanted to talk about, but it needed to happen. If it did, maybe I wouldn’t have to walk down the aisle with him.

“Did you make these?”

“I did. Don’t get too excited, they’re just plain chocolate. There wasn’t time to make fancier ones.”

He opened the box and slipped one into my mouth. It wasn’t quite cool. “Wait, did you just make these?”

“While you were still at the house.”

“Fucking hell,” Trinity said. “Thank you, Rowan, for creating a standard that can never be reached.”

He smirked. “You’re welcome to have my chocolate any time, Trinity. We owe you one. Even if⁠—”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know.” She waved a hand. “I must have a superpower or something, because I knew you guys would be good for her. Guess I’m just incredible that way.”

I rolled my eyes, the chocolate still warm and sweet on my tongue. “This is really good.”

“Thank you.”

“Ocean.” A voice snapped through the phone. “Our guests are here. Now.”

She winced and looked at us. “Gotta go,” she whispered. “Talk to you later.”

Her video disappeared, leaving Trinity and I looking at each other in bewilderment. “What was that?”

She shook her head. “I’ve asked her, but she hasn’t wanted to talk about that. I know she’s had her hands full with flowers for the wedding, but there’s something else going on.”

Ocean lived with her aunt and uncle, who held power over her she couldn’t legally break. Yet. We’d tried. She had some independence with her floral business, though she was still forced to rely on staff most of the time. But even though her family wasn’t kind, I’d never heard them sound like that. “After the wedding, we need to figure it out.”

“Yeah. Anyway, I should get back to this. I also have family dinner tonight, which… you know.” Trinity sighed. “Dad says he has something he wants to tell me. So maybe he’s going on his next adventure.”

Trinity’s biological father was a bit eccentric, always taking off to do things people would consider strange or impossible. His pack indulged him because he was a good guy, and more often than not, he came back with a new woman in tow who stuck around with them for a few months before things fell apart and the cycle repeated.

I shrugged. “Maybe he’ll go to a volcano this time.”

“Yeah, because what Dad needs is to play around with lava. Anyway, I’ll let you know. But I hope you’re about to have fun, and I hate you.”

“Love you too.”

She stuck her tongue out at me before ending the call.

Looking down at the box, I notice all the little chocolates are shaped like magnolias. “Oh my god. You really did make these for me.”

Rowan laughed and leaned in to kiss my cheek. “Of course I did. Like I said, this wasn’t hard, mostly melting the chocolate and putting it into the molds. When I have more time I’m going to make your favorite. And that’s a little harder.”

“What’s my favorite?”

“Chocolate with caramel.”

I rolled my eyes, remembering. “You guys have a whole guidebook to me with that questionnaire, and I still feel like I know nothing about you.”

“Just because I cheated a little doesn’t mean I don’t want to get to know you the real way.” He popped another little chocolate on my tongue. “And you’ll get to know all of us. We have the time, little flower.”

“True.” I yawned, cuddling against him. I loved that nickname.

“Tired?”

Absolutely. I could sleep for a week. “Do I have time to take a nap before Warren and Ellie come over?”

“Yeah. But I think Hawk might be sad if you take one without him.”

I flushed. “That’s fine. I don’t want to sleep alone.” Even lower. “I don’t think I’ll want to sleep alone for a while.”

Rowan closed the box of chocolate and handed it to me before helping me up off the floor where I’d been sitting. “It’s going to take a while to let go of your old reactions, but I need to tell you this. We’re not going to get angry at you for closeness or for wanting it. If we need space, we can find it, and we can ask for it without making you feel like a burden or like your request isn’t important. Okay?”

A whine floated out of my chest. He’d seen the core of my reaction before I even realized it. My next instinct was to say sorry, but I already knew he wouldn’t want that. I bit my lip. “Okay.”

He kissed my forehead. “Hawk’s in the living room.”

I kept my box of chocolates with me, finding Hawk stretched out on the couch, scrolling on his phone. I put my phone and the chocolates on the coffee table before laying down and wiggling under his arm so I could snuggle near his chest.

His smile was in his voice. “Hi there.”

“Hi.”

“You sleepy, baby girl?”

I nodded, closed my eyes and listened to his heart beat under my ear. Relaxed into the sweet scent of sugar. Hawk shut his phone, turned toward me to cuddle me closer, and purred.

My eyes opened, and I knew it was later. The light in the living room had changed, and my body had that delicious heaviness that came after a really good nap. Like you could probably close your eyes and just float back down.

Hawk still purred, one hand slowly rubbing my back. I stretched, feeling like a cat in the sun. He was so warm and smelled so good, I could just stay here forever.

In a way I was, because I was staying with them forever. “How long was I asleep?”

“A few hours.”

“Are you numb from me sleeping on you?”

He laughed quietly and kissed my hair. “No. But I think your sister might be here soon. I saw her name pop up a couple times on your phone.”

“Right. That’ll be a fun conversation.”

“He’s not mad at me at least. So I’m hoping he’s open enough. I think he will be.”

I reached for my phone. Now that my back was against Hawk’s front, it was incredibly obvious how hard he was while pressed into my ass. “Are you hard because you took a nap and woke up?” I asked with a giggle.

“No, I’m hard because my Omega fell asleep on me and I haven’t had nearly enough of her, if I ever will.”

“Oh.”

He kissed my neck. “Never underestimate how tempting you are, baby girl.”

“I probably will. A lot.”

“Then I’ll be happy to remind you.”

Unlocking my phone, I scrolled through Ellie’s texts.

ELLIE

I just got back from my fitting and mom says you have shit to tell me.

Okay Warren says we’re coming over there tonight to talk, but I want to knoooooow.

Iz?

Woman PICK UP THE PHONE.

I’m going to tell your pack embarrassing stories about you if you don’t text me back.

For the love of god you’re fucking again aren’t you.

Fine. Not like I can be mad at you about that.

I laughed, and so did Hawk, reading over my shoulder.

ISOLDE

For your information, I was taking a nap, not fucking. Taking a nap BECAUSE of all the fucking.

Yeah, I do have stuff to tell you, but I’m waiting till you come over cause I need to see your face.

ELLIE

We’re coming right now.

Rolling off the couch, I stumbled to my feet. “Do we need to get anything ready before they get here?”

“Nope.”

I didn’t care about what I was wearing, but I wanted to use the bathroom and splash some water on my face before this conversation. And I was glad Hawk couldn’t see me stumble into the coat closet before I found the door to the bathroom.

Voices sounded while I was still inside, and when I came out, I was nearly tackled. “You lucky. Bitch.”

I turned and hugged Ellie. “I know. This house is incredible.”

“No kidding. I think living up here is the only way I’d live so close to Mom and Dad.”

“I’m sure they’ll find a way to come up here,” I said. But my parents, while they loved spending time with us, weren’t overbearing. They had their own lives. It would be good to be close and still have distance.

Warren and the guys were already talking deeper inside, towards the living room, so Ellie pulled me toward the front door. “I’m literally foaming at the mouth. Tell me.”

I pointed. “You are not.”

She smacked my hand away. “Iz, I’ve been dying. Mom was practically dancing around her office, so what is it?”

“We’re scent matched,” I whispered.

Her eyes went wide. “Shut the fuck up.”

Everyone turned and looked at us, and I started laughing. “I will not.”

“You’re serious?”

“Trust me. It’s not something I’d joke about.”

Ellie blew out a breath. “No fucking wonder he punched Beau in the face.”

“Yeah.” I swallowed, nerves popping up. “Hey, Warren.”

He smiled warmly as he sat on the couch. “Hey. Thanks for talking with us.”

Ellie swatted his arm. “Stop acting like a lawyer.”

One eyebrow rose. “I am a lawyer.”

“Well, this isn’t a deposition, so chill.”

The living room was packed full of all of us. I ended up between Joel and Rowan, Hawk choosing to stand just outside the space, like he was worried he would influence the way I spoke or what Warren thought of me.

“Okay,” Warren said, leaning forward and pushing a hand through his hair. “I want to hear everything. But I’ll tell you a little more than I told Cade and Hawk this afternoon. Beau’s family and mine are friends. His parents are kind of like a second set to me. They’ll be at the wedding too. So when we were kids it was that classic ‘forced together cause our parents are close’ friendship, and we were close all the way through high school. But I went to college on the east coast, and I worked out of the country until I moved back two years ago and met you and Ellie.”

He looked over at my sister and smiled. It was that smile which had told me they were perfect for each other. He looked at her like she was the only thing in the world, and he’d done it from the moment he met her.

“But we honestly weren’t close during those years. He’s my oldest friend, but he’s not my best friend.” He laughed, wincing and taking Ellie’s hand. “I don’t make friends easily. Ellie’s my best friend. The guys in the party are old friends too, but the closest friends I have still live overseas, and it’s impractical for them to come for the wedding.

“I wanted to tell you that to explain a little. I chose Beau to be my best man because I’ve known him the longest, and he did a lot for me when we were younger. But I don’t really know the man he is now.”

I pressed my hands together between my knees. “I don’t really know either,” I admitted. “It’s… there are a lot of things I didn’t realize weren’t normal that I’m now learning. But I’ll do my best.”

It took a while to walk through everything I’d learned about Beau, from the bracelet, to his telling me what he actually wanted from our breakup, to him leaving me alone during my last heat. The guys helped with subtle touches, and jumped in with examples I’d told them. Like leaving parties earlier or what he’d said about Angela after we broke up.

Warren listened with a straight face, but he didn’t seem angry or outraged. Didn’t break in to defend his friend, he just listened. When I was finally done, and completely tired of hearing my own voice, he sighed.

“Beau and I haven’t talked a lot about you,” he said. “But the little we have didn’t sound like this. I dismissed what he said as hurt feelings and jealousy. But it seems like more than that. I’m sorry I didn’t see it while you were with him.”

I shrugged. “How would you have known if I didn’t?”

“I’m going to talk to him. Because of our family connection, I’m not sure I can pull him out of the wedding.”

The statement was met with growls, and I looked around at them. Warren held out a hand. “I need to talk to him. Because he has a lot to answer for, and I want to see if he’ll tell me the truth. I want to see if the Beau I know is anywhere still in there. I owe him that much.”

“But nothing more,” Ellie said. “Right?”

Warren shook his head. “No matter what happens on Saturday, I can’t imagine us being close after this. But I’ll still have to see him. Our families practically spend every holiday with each other.” He looked at me. “And that’s the only reason I’m trying to preserve any kind of peace. For my parents’ sake.”

“I get that.” Family could be sticky at the best of times, and weddings were hard. I knew more than enough stories about weddings bringing out the worst in people.

“I’m sorry all the same.”

Laughing, I relaxed into my Alphas. “You don’t have to apologize, Warren. You’ve been nothing but great to Ellie. But remember what I told you.”

He smiled then. “If I hurt your sister, you’ll make sure my body disappears off the coast and is never found.”

“Damn right.”

My pack watched me with a mixture of horror and amusement. Hawk choked on a laugh. “I didn’t know you were so vicious, baby girl.”

“About the right things.” I smiled.

Ellie stood and grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the back of the house like she’d been here before. “We won’t stay in your hair,” she called over her shoulder. “Just need a sister moment.”

She found the door to the back of the house and yanked me through it. The sunset blazed across the sky, gorgeous. I lived here now. Holy fucking shit.

“You just wanted to come see the view, didn’t you?” I asked.

“Maybe.”

I shook my head. “Mom said it would be fine, but you’re okay with me staying here and not down at the house, right?”

“Of course. Not like I couldn’t find you if I needed you.”

“Thank you.”

“Isolde,” she turned to me. “Whatever happens this weekend, I’m fine with it, okay?”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

Ellie glanced toward the house before looking at me. “It means I know you, and I know you won’t want to make waves or steal my thunder. So I’m telling you that whatever happens, even if it’s making your scent match permanent, I won’t mind. I’ll be thrilled.”

My eyebrows flew up into my hairline. “What?”

“Don’t pretend you haven’t thought about it.”

I shook my head. “I honestly haven’t. Not yet, anyway. Because it’s so fast and I like… barely just got out of heat.”

“And fast is a problem?”

Our conversation from this morning came back to me. I already agreed to be theirs. We were going to figure it out together. But my mind hadn’t gone to bonding. Was that really that much of a step beyond committing to be together?

No, it really wasn’t. With anything other than a scent match, this would sound absolutely crazy. Toxic. Red flags everywhere. But with a scent match? I already knew. There wasn’t anything to wait for. They were mine.

“I guess not,” I finally answered.

Ellie smirked. “If you want to wait and have a ceremony, I fully support you. If you want to have a ceremony later, I support that too. If all you want to do is bite each other and fuck it out?”

“Let me guess. You support me?”

She laughed and pulled me into a hug. “I’m just happy for you. After everything with Beau, you deserve it.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t forget we exist while you’re up here, okay?” She sprinted back to the house and blew me a kiss before disappearing so fast I couldn’t follow her.

I looked out at the ocean down below. This morning I told them it was like being out here and knowing there was a net at the bottom. But now? I thought I might be ready to jump.

“Excuse me, WHAT?” Trinity screamed through our video call, making both Ocean I wince before laughing.

“Yeah. So, I owe you dinner and coffee and flowers for the rest of my fucking life,” I said.

When I finally bothered to look at my phone, my friends were nearly feral. Ellie had told them I was in heat, but they wanted the details. Me calling and blurting out that they were my scent match hadn’t been on their bingo card.

“So what does this mean?” Ocean asked. “Are you staying here? With them?”

I nodded, hiding my face in the collar of my hoodie. As much as I liked wearing the guys’ clothes, it was nice to have my own again. “Yeah, I am. I honestly have no idea what’s going to happen after the wedding. I’m kind of playing it by ear. Don’t know where I’m going to work, don’t know how long it’ll take to get the rest of my stuff from the apartment, but I don’t really care. We’ll figure it out.”

Trinity blew out a breath. “I think this is the best possible outcome of me breaking an NDA. Like I was already happy with you and them, and I was fully prepared to get sued. But this? What are the odds of that?”

“Not high. But then again, it can happen any time. Who knows. Maybe the two of you will be blindsided next.”

Rowan stuck his head through the door of the room I sat in—the empty one they told me would be my private bedroom. He smiled, and I smiled back. I still couldn’t quite believe this was real.

“Who just walked in?” Rin asked.

“What do you mean?”

Ocean grinned. “Your entire face changed is what she means. I don’t think I’ve seen you that happy…” She thought about it. “Nope. Not even the volleyball championship had you looking like that.”

Rowan came over and sat next to me, leaning into the frame. “We’re going to try to keep her that happy.”

“Better be more than try,” Rin muttered.

He had a little box with him. “What did you bring me?”

“Chocolate. Not the fun kind yet. Those can happen after your sister and Warren leave.”

They were coming over to talk to me about Beau. I couldn’t pretend I wasn’t nervous. Beau wasn’t what I wanted to talk about, but it needed to happen. If it did, maybe I wouldn’t have to walk down the aisle with him.

“Did you make these?”

“I did. Don’t get too excited, they’re just plain chocolate. There wasn’t time to make fancier ones.”

He opened the box and slipped one into my mouth. It wasn’t quite cool. “Wait, did you just make these?”

“While you were still at the house.”

“Fucking hell,” Trinity said. “Thank you, Rowan, for creating a standard that can never be reached.”

He smirked. “You’re welcome to have my chocolate any time, Trinity. We owe you one. Even if⁠—”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know.” She waved a hand. “I must have a superpower or something, because I knew you guys would be good for her. Guess I’m just incredible that way.”

I rolled my eyes, the chocolate still warm and sweet on my tongue. “This is really good.”

“Thank you.”

“Ocean.” A voice snapped through the phone. “Our guests are here. Now.”

She winced and looked at us. “Gotta go,” she whispered. “Talk to you later.”

Her video disappeared, leaving Trinity and I looking at each other in bewilderment. “What was that?”

She shook her head. “I’ve asked her, but she hasn’t wanted to talk about that. I know she’s had her hands full with flowers for the wedding, but there’s something else going on.”

Ocean lived with her aunt and uncle, who held power over her she couldn’t legally break. Yet. We’d tried. She had some independence with her floral business, though she was still forced to rely on staff most of the time. But even though her family wasn’t kind, I’d never heard them sound like that. “After the wedding, we need to figure it out.”

“Yeah. Anyway, I should get back to this. I also have family dinner tonight, which… you know.” Trinity sighed. “Dad says he has something he wants to tell me. So maybe he’s going on his next adventure.”

Trinity’s biological father was a bit eccentric, always taking off to do things people would consider strange or impossible. His pack indulged him because he was a good guy, and more often than not, he came back with a new woman in tow who stuck around with them for a few months before things fell apart and the cycle repeated.

I shrugged. “Maybe he’ll go to a volcano this time.”

“Yeah, because what Dad needs is to play around with lava. Anyway, I’ll let you know. But I hope you’re about to have fun, and I hate you.”

“Love you too.”

She stuck her tongue out at me before ending the call.

Looking down at the box, I notice all the little chocolates are shaped like magnolias. “Oh my god. You really did make these for me.”

Rowan laughed and leaned in to kiss my cheek. “Of course I did. Like I said, this wasn’t hard, mostly melting the chocolate and putting it into the molds. When I have more time I’m going to make your favorite. And that’s a little harder.”

“What’s my favorite?”

“Chocolate with caramel.”

I rolled my eyes, remembering. “You guys have a whole guidebook to me with that questionnaire, and I still feel like I know nothing about you.”

“Just because I cheated a little doesn’t mean I don’t want to get to know you the real way.” He popped another little chocolate on my tongue. “And you’ll get to know all of us. We have the time, little flower.”

“True.” I yawned, cuddling against him. I loved that nickname.

“Tired?”

Absolutely. I could sleep for a week. “Do I have time to take a nap before Warren and Ellie come over?”

“Yeah. But I think Hawk might be sad if you take one without him.”

I flushed. “That’s fine. I don’t want to sleep alone.” Even lower. “I don’t think I’ll want to sleep alone for a while.”

Rowan closed the box of chocolate and handed it to me before helping me up off the floor where I’d been sitting. “It’s going to take a while to let go of your old reactions, but I need to tell you this. We’re not going to get angry at you for closeness or for wanting it. If we need space, we can find it, and we can ask for it without making you feel like a burden or like your request isn’t important. Okay?”

A whine floated out of my chest. He’d seen the core of my reaction before I even realized it. My next instinct was to say sorry, but I already knew he wouldn’t want that. I bit my lip. “Okay.”

He kissed my forehead. “Hawk’s in the living room.”

I kept my box of chocolates with me, finding Hawk stretched out on the couch, scrolling on his phone. I put my phone and the chocolates on the coffee table before laying down and wiggling under his arm so I could snuggle near his chest.

His smile was in his voice. “Hi there.”

“Hi.”

“You sleepy, baby girl?”

I nodded, closed my eyes and listened to his heart beat under my ear. Relaxed into the sweet scent of sugar. Hawk shut his phone, turned toward me to cuddle me closer, and purred.

My eyes opened, and I knew it was later. The light in the living room had changed, and my body had that delicious heaviness that came after a really good nap. Like you could probably close your eyes and just float back down.

Hawk still purred, one hand slowly rubbing my back. I stretched, feeling like a cat in the sun. He was so warm and smelled so good, I could just stay here forever.

In a way I was, because I was staying with them forever. “How long was I asleep?”

“A few hours.”

“Are you numb from me sleeping on you?”

He laughed quietly and kissed my hair. “No. But I think your sister might be here soon. I saw her name pop up a couple times on your phone.”

“Right. That’ll be a fun conversation.”

“He’s not mad at me at least. So I’m hoping he’s open enough. I think he will be.”

I reached for my phone. Now that my back was against Hawk’s front, it was incredibly obvious how hard he was while pressed into my ass. “Are you hard because you took a nap and woke up?” I asked with a giggle.

“No, I’m hard because my Omega fell asleep on me and I haven’t had nearly enough of her, if I ever will.”

“Oh.”

He kissed my neck. “Never underestimate how tempting you are, baby girl.”

“I probably will. A lot.”

“Then I’ll be happy to remind you.”

Unlocking my phone, I scrolled through Ellie’s texts.

ELLIE

I just got back from my fitting and mom says you have shit to tell me.

Okay Warren says we’re coming over there tonight to talk, but I want to knoooooow.

Iz?

Woman PICK UP THE PHONE.

I’m going to tell your pack embarrassing stories about you if you don’t text me back.

For the love of god you’re fucking again aren’t you.

Fine. Not like I can be mad at you about that.

I laughed, and so did Hawk, reading over my shoulder.

ISOLDE

For your information, I was taking a nap, not fucking. Taking a nap BECAUSE of all the fucking.

Yeah, I do have stuff to tell you, but I’m waiting till you come over cause I need to see your face.

ELLIE

We’re coming right now.

Rolling off the couch, I stumbled to my feet. “Do we need to get anything ready before they get here?”

“Nope.”

I didn’t care about what I was wearing, but I wanted to use the bathroom and splash some water on my face before this conversation. And I was glad Hawk couldn’t see me stumble into the coat closet before I found the door to the bathroom.

Voices sounded while I was still inside, and when I came out, I was nearly tackled. “You lucky. Bitch.”

I turned and hugged Ellie. “I know. This house is incredible.”

“No kidding. I think living up here is the only way I’d live so close to Mom and Dad.”

“I’m sure they’ll find a way to come up here,” I said. But my parents, while they loved spending time with us, weren’t overbearing. They had their own lives. It would be good to be close and still have distance.

Warren and the guys were already talking deeper inside, towards the living room, so Ellie pulled me toward the front door. “I’m literally foaming at the mouth. Tell me.”

I pointed. “You are not.”

She smacked my hand away. “Iz, I’ve been dying. Mom was practically dancing around her office, so what is it?”

“We’re scent matched,” I whispered.

Her eyes went wide. “Shut the fuck up.”

Everyone turned and looked at us, and I started laughing. “I will not.”

“You’re serious?”

“Trust me. It’s not something I’d joke about.”

Ellie blew out a breath. “No fucking wonder he punched Beau in the face.”

“Yeah.” I swallowed, nerves popping up. “Hey, Warren.”

He smiled warmly as he sat on the couch. “Hey. Thanks for talking with us.”

Ellie swatted his arm. “Stop acting like a lawyer.”

One eyebrow rose. “I am a lawyer.”

“Well, this isn’t a deposition, so chill.”

The living room was packed full of all of us. I ended up between Joel and Rowan, Hawk choosing to stand just outside the space, like he was worried he would influence the way I spoke or what Warren thought of me.

“Okay,” Warren said, leaning forward and pushing a hand through his hair. “I want to hear everything. But I’ll tell you a little more than I told Cade and Hawk this afternoon. Beau’s family and mine are friends. His parents are kind of like a second set to me. They’ll be at the wedding too. So when we were kids it was that classic ‘forced together cause our parents are close’ friendship, and we were close all the way through high school. But I went to college on the east coast, and I worked out of the country until I moved back two years ago and met you and Ellie.”

He looked over at my sister and smiled. It was that smile which had told me they were perfect for each other. He looked at her like she was the only thing in the world, and he’d done it from the moment he met her.

“But we honestly weren’t close during those years. He’s my oldest friend, but he’s not my best friend.” He laughed, wincing and taking Ellie’s hand. “I don’t make friends easily. Ellie’s my best friend. The guys in the party are old friends too, but the closest friends I have still live overseas, and it’s impractical for them to come for the wedding.

“I wanted to tell you that to explain a little. I chose Beau to be my best man because I’ve known him the longest, and he did a lot for me when we were younger. But I don’t really know the man he is now.”

I pressed my hands together between my knees. “I don’t really know either,” I admitted. “It’s… there are a lot of things I didn’t realize weren’t normal that I’m now learning. But I’ll do my best.”

It took a while to walk through everything I’d learned about Beau, from the bracelet, to his telling me what he actually wanted from our breakup, to him leaving me alone during my last heat. The guys helped with subtle touches, and jumped in with examples I’d told them. Like leaving parties earlier or what he’d said about Angela after we broke up.

Warren listened with a straight face, but he didn’t seem angry or outraged. Didn’t break in to defend his friend, he just listened. When I was finally done, and completely tired of hearing my own voice, he sighed.

“Beau and I haven’t talked a lot about you,” he said. “But the little we have didn’t sound like this. I dismissed what he said as hurt feelings and jealousy. But it seems like more than that. I’m sorry I didn’t see it while you were with him.”

I shrugged. “How would you have known if I didn’t?”

“I’m going to talk to him. Because of our family connection, I’m not sure I can pull him out of the wedding.”

The statement was met with growls, and I looked around at them. Warren held out a hand. “I need to talk to him. Because he has a lot to answer for, and I want to see if he’ll tell me the truth. I want to see if the Beau I know is anywhere still in there. I owe him that much.”

“But nothing more,” Ellie said. “Right?”

Warren shook his head. “No matter what happens on Saturday, I can’t imagine us being close after this. But I’ll still have to see him. Our families practically spend every holiday with each other.” He looked at me. “And that’s the only reason I’m trying to preserve any kind of peace. For my parents’ sake.”

“I get that.” Family could be sticky at the best of times, and weddings were hard. I knew more than enough stories about weddings bringing out the worst in people.

“I’m sorry all the same.”

Laughing, I relaxed into my Alphas. “You don’t have to apologize, Warren. You’ve been nothing but great to Ellie. But remember what I told you.”

He smiled then. “If I hurt your sister, you’ll make sure my body disappears off the coast and is never found.”

“Damn right.”

My pack watched me with a mixture of horror and amusement. Hawk choked on a laugh. “I didn’t know you were so vicious, baby girl.”

“About the right things.” I smiled.

Ellie stood and grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the back of the house like she’d been here before. “We won’t stay in your hair,” she called over her shoulder. “Just need a sister moment.”

She found the door to the back of the house and yanked me through it. The sunset blazed across the sky, gorgeous. I lived here now. Holy fucking shit.

“You just wanted to come see the view, didn’t you?” I asked.

“Maybe.”

I shook my head. “Mom said it would be fine, but you’re okay with me staying here and not down at the house, right?”

“Of course. Not like I couldn’t find you if I needed you.”

“Thank you.”

“Isolde,” she turned to me. “Whatever happens this weekend, I’m fine with it, okay?”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

Ellie glanced toward the house before looking at me. “It means I know you, and I know you won’t want to make waves or steal my thunder. So I’m telling you that whatever happens, even if it’s making your scent match permanent, I won’t mind. I’ll be thrilled.”

My eyebrows flew up into my hairline. “What?”

“Don’t pretend you haven’t thought about it.”

I shook my head. “I honestly haven’t. Not yet, anyway. Because it’s so fast and I like… barely just got out of heat.”

“And fast is a problem?”

Our conversation from this morning came back to me. I already agreed to be theirs. We were going to figure it out together. But my mind hadn’t gone to bonding. Was that really that much of a step beyond committing to be together?

No, it really wasn’t. With anything other than a scent match, this would sound absolutely crazy. Toxic. Red flags everywhere. But with a scent match? I already knew. There wasn’t anything to wait for. They were mine.

“I guess not,” I finally answered.

Ellie smirked. “If you want to wait and have a ceremony, I fully support you. If you want to have a ceremony later, I support that too. If all you want to do is bite each other and fuck it out?”

“Let me guess. You support me?”

She laughed and pulled me into a hug. “I’m just happy for you. After everything with Beau, you deserve it.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t forget we exist while you’re up here, okay?” She sprinted back to the house and blew me a kiss before disappearing so fast I couldn’t follow her.

I looked out at the ocean down below. This morning I told them it was like being out here and knowing there was a net at the bottom. But now? I thought I might be ready to jump.