18. Chapter 18

Chapter eighteen

Genesis

“ I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were pregnant again, you sneaky bitch,” Genesis griped, glaring at Avery over her glass of sparkling water.

The two women sat knee-to-knee at the cottage’s kitchen island, talking in circles, Genesis returning again and again to Avery’s pregnancy. She was excited for a new nibling, and equally excited by the thought that babies might be in her own future. Deep down, Genesis was surer than ever that she’d be making Avery an aunt someday. Maybe even someday soon.

Avery laughed. “I found out during your heat, and then we talked and planned this visit, so I knew I’d get to tell you face-to-face. You’re basically the first person outside of our household to know, with your dramatic ass.”

Genesis laughed and then they were both laughing and it was so lovely to be sharing space with her best friend. They rarely got to spend uninterrupted time together these days, with the kids and jobs and all the other adulting that got in the way, but when they were together it was always like no time had passed. It’d been that way since they were children. Genesis could always count on their connection, could always rely on Avery to be her person.

It suddenly struck Genesis then how happy she was. She was working on something important, something that would change her career and, hopefully, the world. She was surrounded by people who cared about her, including three kindhearted, accomplished, intelligent, and ridiculously sexy alphas. Even her fathers were finding their way back into her life, and she was cautiously optimistic about their budding relationship. They had a long way to go, but things were okay—something she hadn’t been able to say since her early childhood.

Genesis had interviewed Serenity, amazed by the young omega’s harrowing story of surviving a trafficking ring, before clawing her way out of captivity in an abandoned warehouse in the dead of winter. Genesis also held several interviews with Pack Rossi, surprised that even Luke was willing to answer a few questions while he tossed around bales of hay.

Even more surprisingly, Genesis’s fathers had sent a box of her mother’s keepsakes, some items accompanied by handwritten notes explaining their significance. It was the notes that made her cry as she read about her mother in each of her fathers’ own words. Their recollections were full of a love she’d doubted for twenty-four years. They’d loved Josephine and, just maybe, they loved Genesis too.

With those firsthand accounts and her own research, the first draft of her story was nearly complete. She wanted to talk to a few medical and law enforcement professionals, but that was mostly to strengthen a few key points that were already pretty solid. She knew the story was good, and that it could have a major impact, she just had to get it in front of the right readers.

Because Genesis was the right person to tell this story. She was going to make damn sure omega voices were finally heard. She was going to honor her mother’s and Evelyn’s memories. She was going to make sure Serenity’s suffering hadn’t been in vain. She was going to make a difference in the world.

But right now, she was going to enjoy the last day of her best friend’s visit to the farm. Avery and the boys had been great company for both Genesis and Pack Rossi. Genesis had given them the cottage for the weekend, spending her nights in Orlando and Gabriel’s beds, and pretending that she wasn’t hoping from an invitation from Luke too. Though that invitation didn’t come, all three alphas had been wonderful to their guests. Pack Rossi had been spoiling the boys rotten, feeding them far too much and entertaining them for most of each day so that Genesis and Avery could catch up without worrying about having to feed the swear jar.

Genesis was surprised by how sexy it was to see the three alphas interacting with the kids. Orlando answered their incessant questions with his typical patience, seeming to genuinely enjoy their exuberant conversations. Gabriel let them make art, teaching them different techniques and not caring how big of a mess they made.

Luke was their new hero. He was all dad jokes and playful roughhousing, lifting and tossing the boys around easily, to their absolute delight. He tirelessly played catch and touch football and anything else that caught Noah or Xavier’s fancy. It was pretty much the sweetest thing Genesis had ever seen.

“I’ve never seen you this happy, Gen,” Avery said, eyeing Genesis shrewdly. “I knew the sex had to be incredible, but you’ve been holding out on the rest. They treat you like a queen and look at you like the sun shines out of your ass. You’re lucky we’re besties, otherwise I’d be jealous that you have the nerve to not only be gorgeous and smart with a killer body, but somehow managed to luck into the best pack ever. Actually, scratch that. I’m still jealous.”

Genesis rolled her eyes, feigning a nonchalance she didn’t feel. “We’re fake courting. It’s just pretend, Ave.”

She didn’t really believe that, and Avery didn’t buy it either. She said as much, and they were arguing good-naturedly when a knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Genesis hopped off her barstool and went to answer it.

A handsome young alpha stood on the porch, his arms full of shopping bags. He almost dropped them when he saw Genesis. His nostrils flared and his eyes flicked to her neck before he caught himself.

“Mr. Rossi asked that I bring these things to the cottage for Miss Woodhouse and her boys,” he said quickly. “I’m Isaiah. You must be Miss Valentine.”

Genesis stepped aside to let him in, smothering a smile as Avery gave her a suggestive look behind his back. Orlando’s assistant was much better looking than Genesis had expected. She’d talked to Isaiah on the phone a time or two, but they’d yet to meet in person.

“Call me Genesis, please. And this is my friend Avery Woodhouse, whose behavior I apologize for in advance.” Genesis gestured for him to put the bags down in the living area. “What is all of this stuff?”

Isaiah shrugged, looking everywhere but at Genesis. “Just some toys and things for the boys. Also, some snacks Miss Woodhouse requested and gifts for her new baby. Congratulations, by the way.”

Avery’s mouth dropped open. “I didn’t request anything! The baby is still basically a zygote and the boys don’t need anything! You stay right here, young man, because I have questions.”

She jumped off her stool and peeked into the bags, pointing a warning finger at Isaiah as if she expected he might try to run off. Genesis smothered another laugh. Avery was relentless when she wanted information. Poor Isaiah was in for a nice long interrogation.

“Can I get you something to drink?” she asked, moving back to the kitchenette. “We were just chatting and drinking sparkling water to toast Avery’s pregnancy.”

Isaiah backed toward the door. “No, I couldn’t possibly intrude–”

“Sit down,” Avery commanded, gesturing at the bar stool she’d vacated. She was using her mom voice, so Genesis knew there was no point arguing. “You have insider knowledge on the men courting my best friend, and I intend to grill you for every dirty detail.”

Isaiah looked so alarmed that Genesis did laugh this time. “It’s best to do what she asks and get it over with. She’s mostly harmless.”

“Bullshit,” Avery retorted. “I am very scary and a little stabby, so you’d better tell me what I want to know. But first, oh my god Orlando is the sweetest! I mentioned how much I love white chocolate truffles, and he’s bought me a whole box. And all these toys and books and clothes for the boys! He really didn’t have to do this.”

“It’s just the kind of person he is and has been for as long as I’ve known him,” Isaiah said with a shrug. He settled gingerly on the bar stool, accepting a glass of lemonade. “I’ve never worked for anyone so generous.”

Genesis reclaimed her seat on the stool beside the young alpha, who stiffened, his nostrils flaring again. Avery took a stool on his other side, studying him with undisguised interest. Isaiah blushed furiously.

“Are you just saying that because he pays you well?” Avery demanded, narrowing her eyes. “Does he make you buy gifts for women and their kids often? You must manage his calendar— is he hiding a secret family? What about dates or mistresses? Violent outbursts?”

Genesis snorted a laugh. “You don’t have to answer any of those questions. She’s being ridiculous.”

Isaiah smiled shyly. “It’s alright. I have older sisters, so this isn’t my first rodeo with assertive women. And Mr. Rossi doesn’t do any of those things anyway. I’ve never known for him to have any women, aside from his first mate and their two temporary omegas. He’s definitely not violent. I’ve never even heard him raise his voice. Between us, everyone at the office has been hoping he’d start dating again. He’s such a nice guy and we want him to be happy. And for Mr. Wilder and Mr. Acosta to be happy too. They’re good men. I look up to them.”

Avery nodded with satisfaction. “That’s what I thought but I had to ask. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, tell me their net worth. It’s the final thing I need to know before deciding if I’m going to let them mate my little girl.”

“Do not answer that,” Genesis ordered. “She’s kidding.”

Avery laughed raucously, clapping Isaiah on the shoulder so hard he winced. “I am kidding, actually. I have eyes. They’re obviously loaded. I just wanted to see what this little cutie was going to say.”

Isaiah blushed again. “Thank you, I think. Now, since we’re being blunt, can I ask you something, Genesis?”

Genesis lifted a surprised eyebrow but nodded. “Ask away.”

Though he looked even more embarrassed, Isaiah finally met her gaze. “Are you going to break their hearts? I mean, you’re young and beautiful and could have your pick of packs. I can tell Mr. Rossi is attached to you and I would hate to see him get hurt. He’s been through enough.”

An invisible hand squeezed Genesis’s heart. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt Orlando, or any of them for that matter. She knew they were good men with a lot of love left to give. They deserved to find happiness. If they couldn’t find it with her, then she needed to walk away when the contract was up in less than a month. It wouldn’t be fair to string them along if she knew she couldn’t commit.

The thought of leaving Pack Rossi made her heart drop into her stomach. Only one more month of Orlando’s heart melting romantic gestures? Just one more month of Gabriel’s tenderness and creativity? A mere month of Luke’s sexy surliness and sarcastic humor?

That wasn’t enough. Not even close.

Genesis looked past Isaiah to lock eyes with Avery. She’d literally just been trying to convince Avery that it was all fake. Her best friend grinned, eyes twinkling. She could read Genesis like a book.

“I stayed unmated for a long time, and I thought I always would be,” she said finally. “I know exactly what I don’t want. I’ve always been clear on that. So, rather than being controlled by a pack of alphaholes, I intended to be alone. And I was happy—or at least at peace with that decision. But Orlando, Gabriel, and Luke have shown me another option, one I didn’t believe existed. And now that I’ve experienced what it’s like to be courted by them, I’m not willing to go back to my old life. So, no, Isaiah. I’m not going to break their hearts. And I’m going to trust them not to break mine.”

“I knew it, you lying hoe!” Avery exclaimed, bursting into tears. She hopped off her stool and crushed Genesis in a tight hug. “You have never been this nice to anyone in your entire life! You fucking love them!”

Genesis laughed, squeezing Avery back. “Okay, pregnancy hormones, don’t get carried away. Remember how we talked about taking things slow?”

Avery pulled back, giving Genesis a teary glare. “It took you an eternity to get this far. Surely you can turn the pace up a little from molasses in January. Your silver foxes aren’t getting any younger.”

Isaiah cleared his throat and they both turned to look at him. “I’m glad to hear that your intentions with my boss are pure. I’m happy for you. Now, I suppose I should get back to work.”

“Wait!” Avery exclaimed, before he could get up. “My beta nose can’t tell a difference, but yours probably can. This whole temporary pack thing was supposed to change Gen’s scent so alphas wouldn’t go all feral around her or whatever. Does she smell less tempting to you?”

Isaiah’s blush returned and he stammered a bit before managing to form a coherent sentence. “She smells like Pack Rossi, but her scent is still appealing—maybe because I’m so familiar with the pack’s scent that hers stands out. But any alpha would know she’s spoken for, even without any permanent claim marks.”

Genesis felt a surge of pride. She liked smelling like Pack Rossi. She put a hand on Isaiah’s arm, giving him a genuine smile.

“Thanks for putting up with my silly friend,” she told him. “And thank you for taking such good care of Orlando.”

Before anyone could say more, the door banged open, and Avery’s sons burst into the cottage. Luke followed them in, wearing an unusually wide grin. His expression soured when he saw Genesis and Isaiah.

“Auntie Gen, Mr. Luke let us help with the cows, and ride horses, and we met the chickens!” Noah exclaimed, his eyes bright with excitement. “Did you know Duchess can escape the coop? We put her in there, but then when we turned around to walk away, she was right behind us! I think maybe she can teleport.”

“Mr. Luke gave us each twenty bucks for the swear jar!” Xavier added. “He called Duchess a–”

“Don’t finish that sentence,” Genesis warned. “Mr. Luke has a very colorful vocabulary.”

The boys noticed the shopping bags and, after getting Avery’s permission, they happily began to dig through the contents. They made a lot of noise, completely distracting their mother, which was good. It kept her from noticing the silent confrontation happening behind her.

Luke narrowed his eyes, homing in on where Genesis’s hand lay on Isaiah’s arm, before turning his midnight glare on the young alpha. Isaiah started to shrink away, but Genesis didn’t let him. She’d grown tired of Luke’s hot and cold behavior toward her, and though she knew the source of it, it still stung. Genesis decided it was time to poke the bear.

“Thank you again, Isaiah. It was great to finally meet you in person. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of each other.” She gave him her brightest smile.

“Great meeting you too,” he said, rising quickly and putting as much distance between them as he could manage without running out the door. “Oh, and Mr. Rossi asked me to tell you that lunch is about to be served.”

“Good, I’m starving!” Xavier shouted. “Farming is hard work.”

With Luke still in the doorway, Isaiah seemed unsure what to do. Luckily, Avery wasn’t as distracted as Genesis thought. She wrangled her boys quickly, tossing Genesis a little smirk over her shoulder as she moved toward the door.

“This place is huge and I’m hopeless with directions. We’ll come with you, Isaiah, so we don’t get lost. Genesis, I know you had that thing you wanted to show Luke, so we’ll just see you at the house when you’re done.”

Avery steered her sons out of the cottage. Luke stepped out of her way, touching the brim of his hat as she passed. Isaiah kept his head down and didn’t look at Luke as he quickly followed Avery, but he could probably feel Luke’s gaze boring into his back.

Luke turned slowly back toward Genesis, his expression stormy. A little thrill shot through her belly, but she tried to keep her face neutral as he prowled toward her.

“Do you want that boy fired or fucked up?” he growled, caging her against the island with a hand braced on either side of her on the counter.

Genesis lifted an eyebrow. “It would be stupid to fire a great employee for doing his job. I’m sure Orlando wouldn’t agree to it.”

“So, you want me to fuck him up then?” Luke said, eyes narrowing. “Because that little shit was too goddamn close to you and I could smell the arousal on him.”

Genesis lifted her chin defiantly, returning his glare. “And what of it, Luke? I’m unmated and free to do as I please. We’re only pretend courting, remember? Of course you do, considering you’re barely even trying to pretend!”

“You don’t know anything!” Luke exploded, stepping back and crossing his arms. “You think I’m not trying? You think this is easy for me?”

“You think it’s easy for me?” Genesis snapped back, planting her hands on her hips. “You think it’s easy for me to trust you, to let down the walls I’ve been building my entire life?”

“You don’t understand,” Luke said miserably, his broad shoulders drooping. He suddenly looked incredibly tired.

Genesis closed the distance between them, laying a hand on his arm. He flinched and she swallowed down the hurt she felt at his reaction. She looked earnestly up into his face, trying to see past his defenses.

“Then make me understand,” she replied gently. “Explain it to me.”

Luke shook his head. “You can’t understand what it’s like to lose the person you love most in the world.”

Genesis exhaled a frustrated breath. “Just because this is my first time being in love, it doesn’t mean I don’t understand loss.”

Luke’s eyes widened a moment before she realized what she’d said. Genesis clapped both hands over her mouth in a gesture that would’ve probably been comical if she hadn’t been so mortified. Luke took another step back, his face pale.

Genesis extended a hand toward him, not sure what to say. The words had come out so naturally. She could blame Avery’s earlier declaration for putting the idea in her head, but that wasn’t true. If she was being honest with herself, things had stopped being pretend for her a long time ago, if it’d ever even been pretend at all. She didn’t know when real feelings had begun to blossom, but she was in the middle of it now and it was too late to stop it.

“Luke,” she said, stepping toward him. He took another step back and Genesis thought her heart would break.

Without another word, Luke fled, leaving Genesis alone in the cottage. She thought she was used to being alone, but this felt different. This was so much worse.

It took her a long time to compose herself enough to join the others for lunch.

Luke didn’t come.