Chapter Thirty Eight.

“Something doesn’t feel right,” Clara states as we pack up the café, putting chairs on tables. I just finished telling her about what the Alpha had said, and the weight of it lingers in the air.

“Yeah, but he had my full name! And he looked official. What does some random guy have to gain from scaring Omegas?” I ask, confusion knitting my brows together.

“I don’t know,” she replies, her tone thoughtful. “But I’d definitely look into it. Did he even give you a way to contact him?”

I shake my head, a frown settling on my face. “No. Just a warning.”

“See?” she states, crossing her arms. “That’s weird.”

As we step outside, the evening air greets us, but it does little to ease my unease. “Are the guys picking you up tonight?” Clara asks, locking the door behind us.

I shake my head and nod toward the bus stop down the street. “I figured I’d just take the bus.”

“Oh hell no!” she exclaims, her eyes wide. “I’ll give you a ride.”

“But…” I start to protest, but she cuts me off.

“No ‘buts.’ This way!” She starts walking toward her car, and I shake my head, running to catch up with her.

“Clara, I really don’t want to impose,” I say, trying to keep pace with her.

“It’s not an imposition, Ivy! You’re my friend, and I’ll be damned if I let you ride the bus alone after what happened,” she replies, her voice firm yet caring.

I can’t help but smile at her determination. “Okay, okay! You win!”

As we reach her car, I feel a wave of gratitude wash over me. I appreciate her concern, especially given everything that’s been weighing on my mind.

Once we’re inside the car, Clara turns to me, her expression softening. “Seriously, though. If that Alpha reaches out again, promise me you’ll talk to the guys about it.”

“I am telling them tonight” I say, I couldn't imagine keeping something like this from them. feeling the warmth of her friendship. “I’ll keep you in the loop.”

As we drive, the familiar streets of the neighborhood pass by, but my mind is still swirling with thoughts of the pack, the bond, and the uncertainty that lies ahead.

~~~~

The pack house is quiet as we pull up, a stark contrast to the bustling energy I’ve come to expect. I turn to Clara, offering a grateful smile. “Thank you for the ride,” I say, giving her a one-armed hug.

“Anytime!” she replies, returning the gesture with a bright grin. She waves as I step out of the car, waiting until I’m inside before pulling away.

I sigh with relief, feeling the calming effects of home wash over me. But as I look around, a sense of unease begins to creep in. Where is everyone? The house feels eerily silent, with no sounds or scents wafting through the air.

“Huh,” I murmur to myself, puzzled. It’s weird not to hear Micah’s laughter or Callum’s casual banter. I head upstairs, checking each room, but find no one—not even in Micah’s room.

I shrug it off. It’s probably not abnormal, just different. They might be out running errands or enjoying a day out together.

Entering my room, I take a moment to breathe in the familiar scents—whiskey and cedar, mixed with a hint of the lavender I love. I drop my bag on the bed and start to unwind, shedding the tension from my earlier thoughts.

As I settle down, I pull out one of the new books I bought and curl up in my favorite corner of the room, hoping to lose myself in the pages. The quiet envelops me, and I feel the weight of the world start to lift, even if just for a moment.

But as I read, I can’t shake the feeling that something is off. The absence of my pack weighs on me, and I find myself glancing toward the door, half-expecting them to come bursting in at any moment. I remind myself that it’s okay to have moments of solitude, but the silence feels heavy today.

I try to focus on my book, but the words blur together as my thoughts drift back to the bond I share with the pack. I realize how much I’ve come to rely on their presence, their energy. I miss the connection, and the thought makes me ache.

Finally, I decide to put the book down and head back downstairs, hoping to find someone. I need that sense of belonging, the warmth of being surrounded by my pack. With renewed determination, I make my way through the hall, ready to seek them out.

Just as I do, I hear the front door swing open, and Callum and Micah step inside, takeout food in hand. A squeal escapes my lips as I jump up, rushing toward them and covering each of them in kisses.

“Well, hello to you too, sweet girl!” Callum laughs, slightly taken aback but clearly amused.

“Ives! Let me breathe!” Micah adds, chuckling as he tries to wriggle free from my enthusiastic embrace.

I feel a wave of happiness wash over me, the second their presence surrounds me. “I missed you!” I giggle, following them into the kitchen, the familiar warmth of their energy lifting my spirits.

“OOOOH, what’s for dinner?” I ask, my hands flying to my face in excitement. As I catch sight of the dumplings, my eyes widen. “Ooooh yay!”

Callum rolls his eyes playfully. “You’re such a goose,” he shakes his head affectionately, but I can see the fondness in his expression.

“Only for you guys!” I retort, grabbing a plate and eagerly waiting as they unpack the food. The delightful aroma fills the kitchen, and I can’t help but feel grateful for these moments of togetherness.

As we sit around the table, I can’t help but feel that this is where I belong. The laughter, the teasing, and the shared meal create a sense of family that warms my heart. I glance at Micah, whose eyes sparkle with mischief, and at Callum, who seems to take pleasure in my excitement.

“Dig in!” Callum encourages, and as we start to eat, I feel a sense of contentment settle over me. The worries of the day fade away, replaced by the joy of being surrounded by my pack.

“Next time, I’ll make sure to order extra dumplings just for you,” Micah teases, and I can’t help but laugh, feeling the weight of earlier anxieties lift with each bite and each chuckle shared. "Hmm see that you do."

~~~~

By the time the Alphas return, Callum has us all wrapped up warmly in Micah’s nest. I’m dead to the world, completely lost in the comforting cocoon of blankets and bodies, when I suddenly feel the warmth of Elias’s chest wrapping around me. I moan softly, instinctively nuzzling into his neck, and he holds me tight, the scent of him grounding me.

The next morning, I wake up to find it’s just me and Theo in the bed. A gleeful smile spreads across my face as I roll on top of him, giggling. This playful side of me feels very unlike myself, especially since he’s usually so intense and aloof, particularly after Elias marked me.

“Hey!” he growls, his voice low and teasing as he opens one chocolate-brown eye and raises an eyebrow at me. I can tell he’s enjoying my bold behavior, and it gives me a rush of confidence.

I giggle and lean down to kiss his forehead, then trail my lips down to his cheek. He growls again as I start kissing his neck and chest, a sound that sends shivers of delight through me.

“Alright, alright,” he grumbles, but there’s a playful edge to his voice as he suddenly pulls me up, pinning me beneath him. He kisses me hard, the intensity of the moment stealing my breath away.

I run my hands up into his golden-blonde hair, feeling the silkiness between my fingers. When we finally pull back, I’m breathless, my heart racing. His breathing is heavy, and I can see the desire reflected in his blown pupils.

“Spend the day with me?” I ask, my voice soft but filled with hope.

He pauses, considering my request, and the tension in the air thickens. Finally, he nods, leaning in to kiss me again, his lips brushing against mine with a sweetness that sends butterflies dancing in my stomach. “Alright, I’m in,” he murmurs, a grin breaking across his face.

“Great! Let’s do something fun!” I exclaim, the excitement bubbling within me.

As he pulls away, I can see the spark of mischief in his eyes. “What do you have in mind, little Omega?”

“Let’s go for a walk, maybe hit up the farmer’s market? I want to pick up some fresh fruit and flowers,” I suggest, my enthusiasm evident.

“Sounds perfect,” Theo replies, his smile growing wider. “Just give me a minute to wake up, and we’ll head out.”

I nod, feeling a wave of happiness wash over me. Today feels like it’s going to be special, and I can’t wait to embrace every moment with him.

~~~~

I am soooorrry 🫠

As I said previously though this story kinda writes it's self 🤷‍♀️

Next chapter though it's all going dowwwwn with our golden haired Alpha 😈