30. Sadie

Elliot returns to me from the bar with my glass of key lime cider. He's handsome as hell tonight, wearing a pair of low-slung jeans and a Henley that shows off the thick cut of his body every time he moves. But the most alluring part is his relaxed smile. It's been popping up on his face in the last few days, and I can't stop staring.

Today the guys played in a charity softball tournament for the sheriff's office. Lizzy and I worked the concession stand between playing with her son at the park and watching games. We met back up with the players from the tournament at Stiffy's Brewhouse afterward and have spent most of the night between the pool table and the dance floor. Lizzy and her pack were here for a while too, but she faded fast. She was already asleep, nestled into her alpha Jacob's side, when they left.

After the thick of the softball crowd dispersed, Elliot surprised the hell out of me by letting our pack hover around us so he could show me his new moves. He held me, dancing through a full set before we took a breather for drinks.

Watching Elliot let go of those things he's been carrying for so long has been gut-wrenching but also inspiring. He's allowed himself to find peace, and with it, he's opening his heart to Doc and Graham. He hasn't said that they're his mates, but I can see it in the way he looks at them and the way his bond with me is changing. I knew when I first met him that he was hiding and seeing him take his place among us has been so satisfying.

I'm slightly buzzed after my first glass of cider, and my belly pools with want at the sight of my Bear's happiness. We picked a booth off to the side a little way from the band, and I hop off Lo's lap and sit on Elliot's. I relax into his hold, sipping my second drink and running my fingers along his hairline as we listen to our pack chat.

Eventually, I have to pee. Bear walks me through the bar, a possessive hold on my hip, and I slip in the crowded restroom. The line is several deep, and the large saloon-style bathroom is filled with groups of friends touching up makeup and drunk-laughing in small groups. Finally, it's my turn, and I pee quickly and hurry to the sink, ready to get away from all the strange scents.

"Aren't you the Lancaster omega?" a short, curvy brunette asks, stepping away from where she's resting on the wall with a drink in hand. She's a beta, but I don't think it would matter because the fumes coming off her are all tequila.

I don't get called out publicly in Knotty Pines very often. I'm sure people have feelings about my parents, but between my aunt's pack and the Jackson family, people don't say it to my face.

"No. I'm a Jackson." I don't hesitate. What my mates and Lizzy said, it's true. I don't owe anyone for my father's crimes. I didn't deserve the way my biological family treated me, but I've done what I can to make amends. Now, the rest isn't on me.

The woman tilts her head in confusion. The cocktail she's holding wobbles. If she wasn't drinking, she might remember that Sadie Lancaster is the same person as Sadie Jackson, but instead she shakes her head, rolling her eyes. "Gods, y'all Jacksons breed like fucking rabbits. There were, like, two dozen in my grade."

Behind the stall door, her friend snorts. "And you would still gladly let two of them breed you."

"Shit, so freaking accurate! That's because Garret and Grey Jackson are hot as fuck," the woman replies. She fans her face dramatically, her drink sloshing everywhere.

"You always did have a thing for alphas," her friend cackles.

"Just those brothers," the woman giggles.

I've met Hunter's cousins, the men in question. They look a lot like younger versions of my alpha, and he is very fine. I cover my smile as the beta steps closer to me. I feel her eyes on me while I wash my hands. I glance up and catch my reflection in the mirror.

My skin, while always pale, isn't ashy or grey anymore, and my eyes are bright. I'm wearing color again, and I've gained some weight back, my curves filling out the pale blue summer dress I'm wearing tonight. I look happy, pretty even, and very claimed. The marks on my neck and shoulder glint silver, showing off that I belong with my pack.

Inside, I'm settled. There isn't any room for those feelings of guilt and hatred over my family that I felt when I returned home. Not when I want to love fully and am loved so deeply in return. My life with my mates is worth more than carrying that toxic shit around. In the last few weeks, I've come to realize what I want with this pack, and none of it involves feeling guilty or unworthy of their love.

Her eyebrows narrow. "You don't even look like her up close. Too many freckles." She shakes her head as if to clear it. "Gods, can you imagine being that woman?"

"Oh my gods, Kate. Who the fuck cares?" Her friend whines from behind the stall. "Get me toilet paper."

The woman scurries to help her friend, the two of them giggling, as I sneak out of the crowded restroom.

Outside the door, Elliot's leaning against the wall. His eyebrows lift in question. "You good? What happened in there? It took twenty minutes."

"Women's bathrooms." I shrug. "A beta was swooning over Hunter's cousins," I explain, cracking a smile.

"The baseball ones?" he asks, his hand finding the small of my back and leading me toward our table.

"No. The construction brothers."

He nods and smirks.

Graham meets us with Logan in an excited gallop, half tumbling to us. "We're up next. We put in for karaoke."

I groan. "Absolutely never. I hate the spotlight."

Elliot growls. No matter how many changes he's made, my Bear is never going to be that sociable outside our pack. I don't even think they were inviting him, but it makes me laugh that he shut that idea down anyway.

"Fine, promise to cheer for my fabulous singing." Logan leans in for a kiss. He pulls me from Elliot's arms, squeezing my ass and whispering in my ear, "I have to do something to distract myself before I find a corner to devour you in. You look hot as fuck in this dress."

My belly swoops, a simmer of arousal igniting for a moment before he pulls away. I pout. "Tease."

"Hell yeah," he tosses over his shoulder.

Graham kisses Elliot then me, our beta dragging him toward the stage.

Elliot shudders, tucking me against his side. "How they think that's fun is beyond me."

"Ditto."

Hunter and Doc join us, weaving closer to the stage but still far enough from the crowd for El.

"Come here, baby girl. You've been all over tonight, and I miss you." Hunter pouts, holding out his hand.

I roll my eyes at his over-the-top expression. "Because I've been so far away." He tugs me closer in the bond, and I laugh at the urgency in it. "Alpha."

Elliot pats my ass in sendoff, and I glance over my shoulder and smile for him. I love how affectionate my shy alpha is acting in public.

"I did miss our snuggles today," Hunter murmurs into my ear, and the truth of it rings in the bond. He pulls me back against his chest, slinging his arms around my shoulders and bending down to kiss along my neck.

Next to us, Elliot holds Doc in a similar pose and the sight of him doing that in this crowded bar makes my heart go squishy for the man, full of too many emotions to name. He's relaxed in public with me and the guys tonight. And even though no one in Knotty Pines will bat an eye at their pairing, I know that claiming that identity in public for the first time is a huge moment of vulnerability. Hell, it can be every time.

But my Bear is my partner in healing, and I'm fucking proud of us right now. It's not easy to be vulnerable when you grow up in places where that vulnerability is exploited and traded for love. Together, we're learning.

The four of us wait for our guys to go on the stage. We cheer when two older ladies completely rock the hell out of a raunchy rendition of a Britney song, then our guys go up, drunk on life and eating up the attention. We whistle as they dance and sing, never once hitting the right note and having an absolute blast. When they've done two songs, the band comes back on stage and gives our mates a bow, asking for a round of applause. We hoot along with the bar until even Graham looks embarrassed.

When it's over, Elliot surprises me when he says, "Come on. Let's go dance."

"Again? I thought you tapped out?"

"Not yet."

Our pack meets on the side of the dance floor, creating a huddle around Elliot and me. The faster music from earlier is exchanged for a slower set, and the lights dim.

I grind against Elliot, letting him guide our movements, getting more and more turned on as his hands roam. My other mates join in. They are teasing touches, none of them lingering too long, but by the third or fourth song, I'm dizzy with want. The world is starting to fade as the ache between my legs rises. My perfume feels like a cloud around me, my legs slick.

Elliot's big hand skirts across my breasts and down my torso, skimming over my thighs. I push back into the thick wall of muscle, my purr motoring and my nipples tight. I feel the music in my vision, beating with my fast pulse, my stomach cramping in need. I turn in Eliot's arms, climbing him until he picks me up and fuses his mouth with mine.

Around us, I hear Hunter barking at someone to get the fuck back and others in my pack growling. Doc's smooth voice speaks too fast for me to understand, but I want to touch him too. I lick along my Bear's neck, trying to taste that chocolate on his skin. I want to bathe in their scents. I have the overwhelming desire to let them mark me in cum and fill me with their knots and their cocks until I'm claimed all over again. I rub along my big alpha, greedy for him.

We're jostled from the side and Elliot lets out a warning growl that sets off my whine. I blink and turn my head, the bar coming back into focus. My eyes widen at the protective stances of my pack around us. Beyond them, a hungry crowd of alphas watch, their bodies drawn up tightly.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Heat spike.

I whine again, not liking the eyes of anyone but my pack on me. Elliot tenses beneath me, the sound of his alpha grumbling his displeasure from deep within his chest.

"We've got you, baby girl," Hunter coos, his purr motoring. He takes another step, pushing back the crowd, and our pack moves with him as one.

Next to him, Graham calls, "Everybody is going to cool their shit."

"And keep backing the fuck up," Logan adds.

Doc, his alpha in control, barks, "She's having a heat spike, so stop scaring my omega before I can no longer keep my pack from reminding you of your fucking manners."

His voice is more dominant and rougher than I've ever heard, and it makes my omega purr. I want to roll around in the sound of Doc's voice, eager to present for such strong, protective mates.

The crashing sound of bodies hitting each other makes me flinch. Our security team has arrived and they're smashing their way through the crowd. Elliot passes me into Doc's arms. Shouts ring out, followed by grunts. I wrap around Doc like a vine, my omega whine loud and shrill.

A deep twang rings out from behind the bar. "Fellas, kindly back the fuck up and let ‘em through before I shoot first and ask questions later."

The world becomes a blur of motion again. Loud voices and too many smells make me tuck my face into the crook of Doc's neck. I breathe him in, and my whine stops at the tantalizing scent. It's deep warm notes of espresso, the delicacy of cream, and a dash of cinnamon and sugar. I lick at the spot, wanting to taste it. I nuzzle behind his ear and down his neck, sucking until I get under the first top buttons of his shirt.

"Shit, precious. Hold on a little longer. You're such a good omega, so perfect, hang on for me."

I suck on his skin, an unhappy sound escaping each time I come up against the limits of his shirt. My hands work the buttons, desperate for skin.

Doc groans, holding me tighter. "We're almost there. Hang on, love."

My hands keep reaching, digging between us for his belt, but he crushes me against his chest, making it impossible to keep moving. The night air hits my back, and the gravel of the parking lot sounds beneath me. I grope mindlessly, thwarted again as my mates pass me around, trying to get me to settle into the backseat of the Jeep.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I realize how ridiculous I'm being, but I can't help it.

"Shirts," I demand, yanking and pulling at clothes.

Logan holds me as I squirm, and the Jeep begins to move. My mates pass me what I need, and I lie down across Logan, Graham, and Hunter's laps, sucking in their scents. I burrow under the pile of shirts until I end up with my nose buried against Hunter's thigh.

His scent is thick here, his currants and juniper laced with his masculine musk. Hunter's hands tangle into my hair, and he takes hold of my neck in a possessive grip. I rub my cheek back and forth over the hard bulge, my omega singing at the perfectness of his scent.

In the front, I hear Doc's smooth voice handing out instructions, but I only focus on the deep soothing sound, drowning out the words. Logan and Graham's hands work up and down my legs, massaging my skin and sneaking under my dress. Their low praising voices add to the mix, saying nonsense until it's a humming chorus surrounding me with home.

My hands work the button on Hunter's jeans.

"That's it, sweet girl. Take whatever you need," he purrs for me.

His deep whiskey voice fogs over my brain, blanketing me in a warm heat. He helps me open his jeans enough that his hard cock springs free. I pounce on him, nuzzling until I take him into my mouth.

He doesn't thrust, just lets me hold him like I want, letting the weight of him ground me in the spinning, heady mix of scents swirling around me. I suck the crown, loving how his cock jumps in my mouth, his taste on my tongue. I lick up each drop of pre-cum, closing my eyes and suckling his cock.

"Such a good girl. What a perfect omega."

His hands card through my hair, my mates keeping up their gentle touches. Hunter's scent is everything and I close my eyes and drift away.