30. Jack

Chapter 30

Jack

A s Lily's tears slow, I feel a wave of relief wash over me. The secret we've carried for so long is finally out in the open, and the response from Sam and Max is better than I could have hoped for. I've known these men for five years, trusted them with my life, bonded with them and formed a pack, but this was different. This was Lily's life, her safety, her heart, and I will choose her over anyone and anything every time.

A surge of pride and affection for my pack brothers wells up in me. This is why Max is our prime alpha. His protective instincts are unmatched, and once he sets his mind to something, there's no stopping him, and Sam is loving and kind and a big fat hero. Then there's me. Calm and quiet and so completely in love with the omega next to me I would die for her.

I watch Lily's face, seeing the hope and trust bloom there. It's a sight that makes my heart swell. For five years, I've watched her struggle with the weight of her past, always looking over her shoulder. To see her finally letting her guard down, allowing herself to be protected and loved is more than I ever dared to hope for. The weight of her trust settles on my shoulders, both a burden and a gift. I've carried it alone for so long, and now, seeing Sam and Max step up to share it is overwhelming in the best possible way.

"We should look into the legal side of things," Max says, his brow furrowed in thought. "See if there's any way we can officially nullify whatever claim the Trials think they have on Lily. Ben-Dad will know."

"Ben-Dad?" Lily asks with a scrunched-up nose so cute I want to kiss the tip of it.

Max snickers. "One of my non-bio dads. He's a lawyer."

"You make him sound like a washing powder," Sam jokes, and we laugh, breaking the tension that had built around the flat.

I nod enthusiastically. "I think I know the exact way to nullify any claim they think they have on her."

"How?" Lily whispers.

"By making you our mate," I murmur. "There will be no denying who you belong to."

She listens intently, her eyes darting between Max and Sam. There's still fear, but underneath it, I can see something else blooming. Hope. Belonging.

It reminds me of that night five years ago, when I first saw her naked in that cold, sterile facility. She was so small, so scared, but there was a fire in her that refused to be extinguished. I knew I had to risk everything to get her out.

"Jack?" Lily's voice pulls me from my thoughts.

I realise I've been staring, and I give her a soft smile. "You don't agree?"

She sighs and looks around. "It's too fast."

"Not for me. The day couldn't come soon enough."

She nervously bites her lip. "What if I'm not ready? What if some of you need more time?" Her eyes are on Max.

Max smiles at her. "I already told you, you've got me, peaches. It's not about rushing you, Lily. It's about making sure you're safe. We'll take it at your pace."

"Peaches?"

"That fake scent. I get it now why you use it. I could smell your true scent underneath, and it was driving me wild."

"Really?" she murmurs.

"Really."

"So you are my mate then," she states with confidence. "That masker is potent. I don't fuck about with it. You shouldn't have been able to smell my real scent."

"Guess I am," he whispers.

I watch her process his words, her eyes flicking between us. She's been so strong for so long, carrying the weight of her past alone. Now, she doesn't have to.

"I want this," she says quietly, almost to herself. Then louder, with more strength, "I want us. It's so fast. What about all of you?"

"I've wanted you forever, Lily. I will wait as long as you need me to, but I want you more than anything in this life," I say.

"Well, I don't have a proclamation like that to make," Sam says with a cheeky smile that makes her giggle, "but I have known for some time that I wanted you, even when I didn't really know you, I knew. I could smell your scent lingering on Jack, and it would drive me wild."

"Same," Max murmurs. "It was potent, distracting. But Jack wanted to keep you a secret, so I didn't force his hand… until you delivered those flowers to me."

"It wasn't that I wanted to keep her a secret," I grit out. "It was just…"

Lily presses her fingers to my lips. "It doesn't matter. We are here now."

"Yes, we are, and whenever you say the word, we will make you ours forever."

She leans forward and kisses me. Her scent wraps around me, her lips hot from her heat.

"Is it time?" I murmur.

"Yes," she rasps, her voice hoarse from the emotion and her rapidly approaching heat. "It's time. I need to build my nest."

"I'll help."

"No!" She stands up abruptly and pushes past us. "I've got this." She disappears into her bedroom, and I look at Max and Sam.

"This is fast," I mutter.

"It is," Max states, sitting on the coffee table. "Really fast. But when you know, you know. And I know."

"Me too," Sam says.

"I've known all my life that she would be mine," I murmur, looking over to the bedroom where I can hear her rustling about. "I can't fucking wait."