38. Lily

Chapter 38

Lily

T he drive back to Keeley feels longer than usual, my mind racing with thoughts of Max and what just happened between us. I can still feel the ghost of his touch on my skin, the lingering ache between my thighs a reminder of our passionate encounter. My fingers grip the steering wheel tightly as I try to focus on the road, but it's a losing battle.

I glance at my reflection in the rearview mirror, noticing the flush on my cheeks and the sparkle in my eyes. I look different. Happier, more alive. Is this what being truly desired does to a person? Or maybe it's the fact that I feel safe. Even out here in the middle of a country road in the back end of beyond without my scent-masker, I feel safe. I know I have three alphas who would move Heaven and Earth to find me if I went missing. But more than that. Jack's bite on my wrist, brings a certain security. I wish he had mated with me. I wish they all had, but I understand their reluctance when I wasn't in a position to agree with my heart. Not that it would change anything. I would do it now. I know it's what I want. They are who I want. I have three alphas, a soon-to-be-pack, and a future I never dared to dream of.

I pull up outside Forget Me Knot, relieved to see that everything looks normal. There is no sign of Nigel or any other threats. Still, I can't shake the feeling of unease. I should have worn my scent masker to the bank. What was I thinking? Why didn't I replace the spare in my car when it ran out a few weeks ago?

But these questions are easily answered. Before Jack, Sam, and Max, I would never have forgotten. Never. Not once. Now, they fill my mind and make me feel safe and protected, and it's making me careless.

Inside the shop, I'm greeted by the comforting scent of the flowers. I take a deep breath, trying to relax. There's work to be done, orders to fill. I can't spend all day daydreaming about Max and our steamy encounter.

But as I move around the shop, arranging bouquets and tidying displays, my mind keeps drifting back to him. To all of them. Jack, with his quiet strength and unwavering support. Sam, with his easy charm and infectious laughter. Max, with his intense gaze and passionate touch.

How did I get so lucky?

"You're back," Jack says from behind me, making me jump.

"Yes, sorry, I should've come to say."

He shrugs. "It's okay. I've been holding down the fort. Mrs Higgins came around looking for some herbs. I let her help herself from the garden. I hope that's okay?"

I smile and take his hand, giving it a squeeze. "More than okay. Thank you for keeping an eye on things."

He nods and then looks away. "Did you sort your errand?"

"I did. It was those fucking Wednesday flowers for Max."

He narrows his eyes. "Wednesday flowers?"

"From the secret admirer."

"Oh." He pauses as he weighs his next question. "Do you know who they're from?"

I shake my head. "Seriously, no idea. It was all anonymous. Just an omega who smells like cherries."

"Cherries…" He trails off.

"Do you know who it is?" I jump on his hesitation.

"Hmm?"

"You look like you know something!"

"I don't know a thing," he mutters, but he is avoiding my gaze, which is annoying as fuck.

I'm not pressing him, though. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't really matter.

Jack pulls me into a hug, and I can feel the steady beat of his heart against my chest. It's comforting. He places a gentle kiss on my forehead before releasing me. "You've been with Max this morning?"

"Yes. I just told you, I went to deliver those flowers."

He chuckles. "No, I mean, been with him."

My cheeks heat up. "Oh, yes. We may have had some steamy sex in an interview room at the bank."

Jack lets out a snort of amusement. "Hope none of the old stuffed shirts know about that. The scandal would break them."

Giggling, I shake my head. "I don't think so."

Jack pulls me closer to him, running his hands up my skirt to rest them on my bum. "Not fair, though, that he gets you and I don't."

"Oh, my," I mutter and fan myself as the door opens, and Max storms in like the devil himself is on his arse. "Saved by the mad alpha. Max? What's wrong?"

"You're moving in with us," he states without any pleasantries.

"Excuse me?" I ask with a raised eyebrow.

"You heard me. You are moving into the farmhouse with us. Today."

"Am I now?"

"Yes. You are our omega, and we need to keep you safe and protected. We cannot do that if you are a million miles away and not even mated to us yet."

"Wow. Ouch," Jack mutters.

"I'm hardly a million miles away!" I burst out, getting a bit annoyed with his caveman attitude.

"No? Fucking feels like it when you're stuck behind a tractor going two miles an hour. How are we meant to get to you in an emergency?"

I sigh, rubbing my temples, not even sure how to react to this. Yes, I want them and want to mate with and live with them in that gorgeous farmhouse, but the way he's gone about this is a bit of a downer. "What about my shop?"

Max's eyes soften slightly, but he's not backing down. "I know I've been an arsehole about it, and we'll work something out for the shop, but you're too important to us, Lily. I'm worried sick something will happen to you when we aren't there, and we can't all stay here indefinitely. It's not practical."

Well, I can't argue with that. My flat was not built for three massive alphas to share with an average-sized omega squashed in for good measure.

"Max," Jack begins slowly, "you can't bulldoze her into this. We need a plan that works for everyone."

Max folds his arms and stares at the floor for a moment before looking back up at me. "Lily, please do this for me. I need to know you're safe."

"I get that, and I appreciate it, but I need to run my shop as well. What do you propose happens when none of you can be here, and I have to work?"

"You move your shop to the farmhouse," Max says quickly. "There is a barn with electricity and lighting. It could be perfect."

"But everyone knows I'm here."

"And soon, everyone will know you're there."

"You're being unreasonable!"

His blue eyes cloud over, and his face goes dark. "Am I?" he asks, striding forward. "Am I being unreasonable, Lily, to want you safe and with us? I want to know where you are every second of every day so that I know you are safe."

"Max, you can't know that, and you can't say that to me. How do you think that makes me feel?"

Jack shifts uncomfortably next to him but says nothing. I can see just by looking at his face that he actually agrees with Max.

I take a deep breath, feeling the tension in the air. It's hard to argue against their protectiveness. "Look, I get it. You're worried. But you're going about this all wrong. You can't just dictate my life. We need to find a compromise."

"There is no compromise when it comes to your safety. If you are here, you are in danger from Nigel and the Trial scouts finding you. If Emily was going to be sold, that means they are here, in the area, actively looking for unmated omegas. If they happen to find you by chance or whatever, then what? I know how I sound, Lily. I do. I sound like a crazed maniac who wants to lock you up in a tower, but that's not what I mean."

"I know," I say softly because I know his words are true, and he has a point. I've lived the last five years scared that I will be found and dragged back. I don't even really know why I'm arguing with him, but at the same time, I do. He has barged in here and started throwing orders around like my feelings don't matter.

Max crosses over to me and takes my hands. "Lily, I'm sorry. I've acted like a real wanker, and I didn't mean to. I was nervous about asking you and that makes me brusque."

"No shit," I mumble, but throw him a half-smile. "How about you back up a bit and actually ask me what you came here to ask me?"

He grins. "Okay, I can do that. Lily, would you do us the very great honour of moving in with Jack, Sam and me at our farmhouse and maybe consider moving your shop there as well? I am quitting the bank, I've already handed in my notice on the way over here. I'm going to write books and follow my passion like all of you are doing. I'll be at home all the time, and you will be safe."

Startled, I stare at him wide-eyed. "You want to write books?"

He nods shyly. "I've always wanted to. Why not just do it?"

"Why not indeed," I say and grin at him. "That's amazing, Max. I'm glad you're doing this, and I accept your offer to move in with you now that you have left it to me to decide and have not just demanded it of me. I can be a bit stubborn and telling me to do something often leads to me doing what's wrong for me."

"I'm starting to understand that," he says. "I will try to work on not being so nervous around you so that I blurt words out like a dickhead."

"That would be great. I will work on being less stubborn when I know you're worried about me."

He kisses me lightly, but he still isn't satisfied. "The shop?"

I bite my lip, considering the whole picture. This is a massive change, and if I'm honest, it's overwhelming. Max seems so earnest though, it's hard not to get caught up in his enthusiasm. "I'll consider a move for the shop too. But it won't be a sudden thing. This barn you speak of will undoubtedly need work. I have my garden that we will have to move over. I'll have to inform my customers…"

"I know. It will be a lot of work, but it will be worth it. Think of the expansion, Lily. You will have so much more space for your garden, and maybe you could plant some fruit trees and have a greenhouse." His excitement is hard to ignore. He makes it sound idyllic.

It's infectious. I can see the future he's painting: a tranquil life in the countryside with the men I love and my business flourishing. But it's still a lot to take in.

"I'm not saying no," I reply cautiously, "but I need some time to think about it. There's a lot to do and consider."

Max's face lights up like it's Christmas morning. "That's all I ask, thank you, Lily." He pulls me into a warm hug, and I can feel the tension easing from his body.

Jack steps closer. "Well, if we're all good here, how about some baked goods? Fred is all up and running out of the Village Hall kitchen and invited us to go over. He's even opened up a seating area! I think the Council will have a hard time moving his butt out of there when his shop is fixed."

Laughing, I clap my hands. "Sounds perfect! Let's go."

Max and Jack take a hand each and we close up the shop and walk across the green. Suddenly, I miss Sam so much, my stomach clenches, but I know soon we will all be together, and that's the most important thing.

The four of us will all be together, and it can't come soon enough.