25. Mila

Chapter 25

Mila

T he sweet scent of pancakes stirs me awake the next morning, and I try to roll over, startled by the sleeping Alpha beside me.

Barret is fast asleep, his arm draped lazily across my stomach, and my heart pounds as the memories return.

He and Lachlan had snuck into my room last night to watch me sleep of all things. Well, Barret was actually trying to stop Lachlan from watching me sleep, but that's beside the point…

They are creeps, perverts even, and I shouldn't have invited them to join me in bed…

Yet for some reason, I welcomed them under my sheets with open arms (or legs) because I'm a stupid, crazy, and pretty reckless girl.

But truth be told, I'm just so touch-starved lately, and it felt nice to be coveted for once…

Wanted to the point where I'm watched while I sleep.

Lachlan sleeps like a baby at my feet, a perfect, blissful expression on his angelic face as he clutches my ankle possessively, and I almost don't want to wake him.

How someone so twisted, so depraved, can look so sweet and peaceful in slumber is beyond me.

They both look so comfortable, the hard lines of their faces having all but vanished as they sleep, breathing me in, touching me, feeling me.

Lachlan dribbles on my feet, his fingers resting on my calf, and I bask in the attention for just a moment, feeling that cold, black void inside me filling with warmth at last.

That void appeared the day my father died and the day when I had to bury him and say goodbye forever.

They weren't there for me, no. But they are here now, making up for lost time.

But those pancakes are tempting, and sooner or later, I'm going to have to wake them.

I need to eat.

Footsteps sound outside the door, soft against the carpet, and I lift my head from my pillow.

The smell of those pancakes has grown stronger. Only this time, they are laced with honey…

Wiggling myself free from Barret and Lachlan's grips, I climb down from the bed, tiptoeing across the room toward the door, opening it ever so slightly.

There, I catch Oliver in the act.

He places a plate of fluffy pancakes outside my bedroom door, holding a can of squirty whipped cream. He's just finishing the curved mouth of a smiley face on the top pancake, a face that has blueberries for eyes.

Oliver blinks. "Oh… I thought you were asleep…"

I can't stop the smile that forms on my own face, and it seems my second day here is already looking much brighter.

Waking up beside two beautiful Alphas, and now pancakes outside my door…

Oliver chuckles nervously, rising to his feet, and this is the first time we have been alone together since I returned.

His mouth is too inviting, and I just want to cross the small distance between us and kiss those plump, heavenly lips, yet I hold back.

I don't want to get ahead of myself. I have to think things through first.

I won't take advantage until I find a loophole in Lily's plan.

There has to be a way I can double-cross her somehow. But every time I think of a plan, it backfires.

"So, I guess I will leave you to your pancakes…"

He steps away, but then he turns back, looking at me in question. "Hey, you haven't seen Barret and Lachlan, have you? They're not in their rooms, and…"

The Omega trails off when the door behind me opens, and Barret appears, a yawn stretching his mouth.

His dark eyes find Oliver, and he grins, leaning against the door frame.

"Damn, you two are looking delicious this morning… Are those pancakes for me?"

Oliver growls at his own Alpha. "No, they're for Mila, actually. Glad you had a good night's sleep, ass. Let me know next time you go sneaking off to Mila's room without me."

Barret chuckles, moving past me so he can kiss his Omega good morning, but the Omega only has eyes for me.

"Sorry. I will let you know next time," Barret rumbles in his ear, and the sound of his deep, husky tone goes straight to my pussy.

Oliver rolls his eyes. "I guess Lachlan is in there too?"

Barret holds up his palms, backing away to the kitchen where the smell of pancakes is strongest. "Hey, the only reason why I was sneaking around her room last night was to stop Lachlan. The creep was watching her sleep…"

He really was. I felt the moment he stepped into my room, the awareness of those piercing blue eyes…

Barret vanishes at last, and now Oliver gazes up at me sheepishly. "I'm so sorry, Mila. We need to put a leash on them both."

Now that I would like to see.

I shake my head. "It's fine. I… needed the company."

Guilt colors his face, and I hate making him look like that.

"It's fine…" I say.

"No, it's not, Mila… I should have been there for you…"

There's no missing the double meaning, and I know he's not just referring to last night.

With a sigh, I pick up my pancakes and take his hand. "Come. Let's go and eat some pancakes. They smell amazing."

His cheeks turn bright red, and he's so cute when he's bashful.

"Thanks. Pancakes are one of the only things I know how to make."

I return his grin, and now I let him lead me to the kitchen so we can enjoy his sweet pancakes together.

So far, so good.

I just hope my good mood lasts.

I don't want anything to ruin this perfect morning.