Chapter 19

Nineteen

LACY

L ater that day, after being knotted by Ethan, he and Ryder were reviewing the cameras while I cooked lunch with Adrian.

"Have you ever made spaghetti before?" I asked Adrian.

He had dumped the uncooked pasta into the water before the water boiled, and I watched with amusement as he looked at the pasta, confused.

I had decided to make lunch for the pack before telling Ryder that I wanted to go to the haunted house event. If I could get the pack obsessed with me, I was sure it would help. And it would mean a lot to Manny if I showed up. I wanted to be the supportive, cool aunt and couldn't bear disappointing him, especially since he had a rough childhood and was made fun of in school for having fathers who were sigmas. And I think it would be fun to scream and squeal in a haunted house with everyone.

"Nope, what's wrong with it?" he asked, looking at me as he leaned against the counter.

"You're supposed to wait until the water boils," I said.

"Whoops, sorry about that," he said, rubbing his hand over my ass as I scowled at the lukewarm pot. I slapped his hand away, and he grinned. "You won't slap me away once you're in heat, baby."

"What makes you think I'll ever go into heat?" I asked, throwing the diced tomatoes into the saucepan with the onions. The truth was, ever since I got knotted twice - I envisioned how it would feel to be knotted constantly. Because I never imagined how good it would feel to be knotted, not even being in heat. I would never stop my heat suppressants just like that. And it just wasn't going to happen.

"You never know," he said. "One of us could easily switch out your pill bottle. It's your duty to have our babies when we want them."

"Psh, that's in the old days," I sighed, rolling my eyes as I mixed the pot.

Then Lucas joined us in the kitchen, backing up Adrian on his stance.

"I believe omegas should be impregnated," he said. "Modern days make it too easy for an omega."

"What?" I said, shocked, almost dropping the mixing spoon. "You can't really believe that."

"Our kind would die out if that doesn't happen," said Lucas. "Why wouldn't you want a baby?"

Shit . I must have hit a sore spot by saying it out loud. I had to let them know I wasn't really their omega, but first, I needed to ask Ryder about the haunted house situation.

"I mean…I might consider it one day," I said.

He seemed happy with that answer, and once we all settled down at the table for lunch, I kept the conversation light as we all ate, and Ryder seemed to be in a good mood. Ethan looked like he was on a high after knotting me, and he was all smiles every time our hands brushed when I passed him utensils or the salt. The pack was cheerful, and I was glad my chances of getting what I wanted would be higher.

After lunch, Ethan and Lucas volunteered to take care of the dishes and told me to relax. So I decided to start getting ready for the event, but before I reached my room, I heard the piano playing from my nest room.

Confused, I walked into the room to see Cooper sitting at the piano playing a beautiful melody to the song ‘Moon Bright' amidst the mess from all the feathers. My heart beat faster in my chest as I walked towards him. I couldn't believe this delta played music and he never told me. His face was enraptured in the beauty of the song that his slim hands created on the keys. I sat beside him on the bench and let the music flow through me.

I wanted to join him in the language that was music.

My voice rang in the room in a light lilt, letting the song fly from my soul while he played the piano. I could feel the rest of the pack crowd into the room, watching as he played the piano. Time stood still when he pressed the last key, the sound echoing through the room.

We sat for a moment, looking at each other while the men clapped behind us.

"Man, what the fuck Cooper?" said Adrian, clapping his packmate on the back.

"I didn't know you could play," said Ryder, shaking his head. Cooper was smiling, his face red from all the praises.

"Thanks guys," he said.

I was equally as shocked, and when the men left the room, I looked at him with my eyebrows raised.

"What was that about? Why didn't you tell me you played music, too?"

"I don't like talking about it," said Cooper. "My family doesn't like it and said I'd embarrass the entire community of deltas if they knew about it."

I couldn't imagine hiding my talent away.

"You're really good," I said. When I said that, the joy in his eyes told me that he hadn't heard that often about himself. "Hasn't anyone ever told you that?"

"You're the first," he said, looking at me with a newfound expression. I wasn't prepared when his hand slid across the piano to grab my waiting one on the bench. His massive hand encircled mine as he gazed at me, and I couldn't break the eye contact either.

It was all too consuming. Too intense.

I couldn't believe I was feeling this way about all the guards here. His ice-blue eyes made my heart beat out of my chest. And when he pulled me closer, he gently kissed me on the lips. It all happened in a split second.

"Sorry," he said hastily, getting up from the bench. I didn't get a chance to say anything before he quickly exited the room.

I sat there with my heart beating so fast it was ridiculous.

I placed a finger over my lips, tracing the outline that his cool lips had left. I craved more of him, but leading them on would be dangerous. These men were growing real feelings for me.

After I asked about the haunted house, I'd have to let them all know that all the feelings were over, and my heart sank at the thought. It would be the hardest thing I ever did, but it must be done. I couldn't lead the pack on anymore, even though I enjoyed this attention more than I wanted to.

After getting ready to go to the event, I looked at myself in the mirror.

The black catsuit was perfect. Everyone would be dressed up in different costumes tonight. My costume was sexy, clung to my skin, and my bodyguards wouldn't be able to resist my request tonight. Tonight, I wanted to have fun this time instead of working. I touched the fake tail, loving the feel of the sleek fake fur. My headband with the little ears was so cute with my high ponytail.

I smeared on dark, sultry lipstick and purple eyeshadow to go with my look. I knew Olivia was wearing something similar but as an orange cat instead. I had no idea how the bodyguards would react to me. I was slightly apprehensive and scared, but I forced my feet out of my room.

As I walked down the stairs, I saw the men talking amongst each other as they watched the cameras intensely, looking like they had discovered something. They didn't even notice when I appeared in the living room.

"Hey guys," I said, leaning against the stairwell in my heels seductively. When their gaze landed on me, my face burned. All of them had the same hungry look in their eyes. The look of desire and longing that I so enjoyed more than I wanted to. My heart was beating so freaking hard as they stared.

"Hello there, sexy," said Ethan.

"Damn," whistled Adrian.

Ryder didn't say anything. He simply watched me with lifted eyebrows. He looked wary and on guard of what I was going to say. Damn it, that was a bad sign. I needed him to be happy and on board. I've tried everything today to have him in good spirits. Two of the males had gotten to knot me and were well-fed now.

But at least I'd have the support from all the men if I asked.

I had planned this perfectly.

"What are you guys doing?" I asked, sauntering to them with my cat's tail swishing behind my ass. The suit was made out of spandex and was hot against my skin, but it also made me feel incredibly sexy. Every move I made turned me on more than it turned on the bodyguards.

"We're just reviewing the cameras," breathed Cooper.

I noticed Lucas checking out my ass the entire time, and my pussy twitched at the intense look he was giving me. He looked completely enraptured and it made me blush even harder.

"What's the occasion?" coughed Ryder, who looked away and focused on his laptop instead. My heart was beating so fast I thought I might pass out. He looked like he didn't even want to hear it. But I had to be brave.

"Maybe the kitty's in heat," said Lucas, his voice gruff with arousal. His pants were tented and ready to rut me if the need arose.

My pussy responded equally in need when I saw his erection. My inner omega wolf wanted him, succeeding in turning on these men.

Well, now I had all these men at my fingertips. If I acted sad enough at Ryder's rejection of my request, they'd all feel so sorry for me.

"Ryder, do you remember when I was invited to the haunted house event at the palace?" I said. "I'm still planning on going if you don't mind guarding me today."

"Ooh," said Adrian, his eyes lighting up.

Ryder looked up at me with a serious expression.

"I'm sorry, Lacy, but after everything that's happened," said Ryder. "It can't happen today. He was just here."

"Do you want me to stay cooped up forever in my home?" I asked, batting my eyelashes.

"Ryder, have some compassion," said Ethan gruffly. The other men's faces had softened, watching me pout. I was upset, but it wasn't worse than when I had to skip my singing gig.

"It's not that," sighed Ryder, shutting his laptop. "I don't want you to get hurt. After tonight, I promise this won't happen."

"But aren't you supposed to guard and not trap me?"

"That's true, but…"

"Ryder, just let her," said Adrian. "Look how prettily she dressed up to go."

"I feel bad, man," said Lucas.

"Final answer is no," said Ryder sharply, and I bit my lip. It was all too much now. I couldn't play by his rules anymore.

"That's okay then," I said in a chipper voice so they didn't think I was sad. "I'll go take a nap then."

I headed upstairs to my room, my heart pounding hard. I was ready with a backup plan anyway and definitely not about to nap.