In The Car

Carys

D eep, restful sleep. I don’t even dream. I can’t remember sleeping this well.

A few hours later, I wake to find myself pressed against Kofi’s side in the backseat of their SUV. For a moment I’m confused, not understanding how I got here. Disoriented, I inhale deeply, filling my lungs with my alpha’s comforting scent, but this time there’s a hint of musk. It must be Swanley’s aroma. I blink repeatedly, and my memories rush back to me. Kofi and Swanley signed my paperwork, taking possession of me. Isaac got a full list of my medications and doctor recommendations. After a few goodbyes, Kofi shook Ms. Kenna’s hand, picked up my suitcase, and we were gone.

“Did you sleep well?” Kofi asks, holding me a little closer. His hand splays flat against my back. His touch is so gentle, but still somehow possessive.

Am I sure this isn’t a dream?

I rest my cheek on his chest as I look up at my mighty alpha. “Where are we?”

“We’re home.” Isaac turns around in the front seat, excitement clear on his handsome face. “We’ll get you settled, then I’ll make you something to eat.”

I smile and nod, even though food doesn’t really interest me. My stomach doesn’t hurt anymore, so hopefully I’ll be able to force something down. I know it’s just the last effects of my distress, and I pray that it’ll go away soon.

Swanley pulls the car to a stop and I crane my neck forward, looking out the front window. The setting sun glows behind an enchanting white cottage. It’s a single story with a dark blue front door and pale-yellow shutters that frame each window. A small porch is nestled in front of the house with two comfy-looking rocking chairs. Various flowers grow all around the yard, and there’s a small birdhouse secured to a massive oak tree. I can only imagine how sweet the air must smell in the heat of summer.

And I love every inch of it.

“Welcome home, omega.” Swanley opens my car door.

I pull myself away from Kofi, my body stiff from the long drive. I roll my shoulders back as I scan the whole yard, taking in the lush forest around us. Even the snow-capped mountains in the distance look happy to see me.

“This is beautiful,” I whisper in awe.

“The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Swanley says in a sexy murmur. There’s a glimmer in his dark eyes as he looks intensely at my face. It’s not a lust-filled or frightening look, but more like he’s admiring me. It makes me feel so precious, and I duck my head.

“Thank you,” I mumble as my cheeks grow hot. It feels a little weird being looked at that way.

Swanley chuckles as Isaac takes my hand. “Let me show you our home.” The beta smiles widely.

Kofi unlocks the front door, then he stands to one side, letting Isaac lead me inside. I’m immediately greeted by the most charming living room. Most of the room is dominated by two squishy cream-colored couches covered in fat pastel pillows and fuzzy blankets. There’s a vintage bar cart holding a few glass bottles of various liquor, and a small fireplace sits on the other side of the room. It’s framed by pale white brick with a distressed wooden mantle. Two large bay windows give a wonderful view of the cozy backyard, as well as the mountains in the distance.

Everything is warm and colorful, bathed in the soft glow of two antique lamps. But it’s the backyard that catches most of my attention. There’s a glass door at the back of the room that leads to a spacious patio, with a grand view of the mountains.

“This is stunning,” I say as I take in all the amazing art on the walls. There are both drawings and paintings of various flowers, mountain ranges, and a few sketches of a beachy landscape. The wall closest to the door is dedicated to black and white photos of Kofi, Swanley, and Isaac. The images span years, showing the pair of teenage alphas laughing and posing in caps and gowns, all the way to more recent pictures, which include Isaac.

“Did you paint these?” I point to the colorful array of canvases over the fireplace.

“I wish,” Isaac snorts.

“Izzy loves to collect art.” Swanley wraps his arms around the beta’s middle. He kisses his cheek and my heart lifts. I can’t wait to be snuggled like that.

“Let me show you around.” Kofi takes my hand. “The kitchen is that way.” He points to an archway to the right. I squint, seeing the edge of a few white cabinets. “And this way is the bedroom.” He leads me to the left, taking me down a narrow hallway. The walls are lined with more pictures, framed postcards, and expensive looking pieces of art.

Kofi takes me to each room, showing me the office he and Swanley share, a craft room that has a few bookshelves and boxes filled with Isaac’s knitting supplies, and then we take a peek at the guest bathroom. It’s small, with white tile and countertops, and a snug clawfoot tub. While it’s wonderfully charming, I resist the urge to frown. I’ve always wanted to take a bath with a lover, but this tub doesn't even look big enough to hold a single alpha.

“And this is our bedroom.” Kofi pushes open the furthest door. The room before me is massive , and half of it is consumed by the biggest bed I’ve ever seen. It could easily hold four or five alphas with room to spare!

“You all share this room?” I ask, looking at the pile of fluffy blankets sitting neatly on the stripped-down mattress. It’s only covered in a sheet, with a stack of clean pillows sitting in a navy blue armchair with a very tall back. They must have just cleaned the linens.

“We like being together,” Kofi says as Isaac makes a beeline for a dark wood dresser.

“We keep all the extra blankets in here.” The beta pulls open a middle drawer. “Everything is either omega-made or branded as omega-approved.” He lifts a pastel patchwork quilt.

I immediately smile, knowing full well that no omega would make or approve of something with so much stitching, but I can’t help but be touched by their kindness. “I love it.” I turn to Kofi, then Swanley. “I love this whole house. It’s perfect.”

“You haven’t seen the best part yet.” Swanley walks to a small built-in bookshelf next to what I assume is the bathroom. “Come here, omega.”

I move to him, excited to see what else my new home offers.

“This one took me and Kofi a while.” His voice is deep and rumbly, making my thighs tense and my spine tingles.

“What is it?” I pull in a deep breath, getting my first unobstructed fill of Swanley’s amazing scent. It’s how I imagine rich men in romance novels smell. Rich toasted chestnuts and white musk. Sweet and earthy at the same time. It instantly makes my mouth water.

“Your cove, my lady.” Swanley pulls on a book, and something clicks. Then the whole bookshelf pops forward, swinging like a door. Three steps are revealed to me, leading up to what appears to be a small, dim room.

“Go on,” Kofi encourages me. “It’s all yours.”

But I can’t move at first. All of this is like something out of a dream. I fear I’ll wake up at any moment, and my heart will shatter into a million pieces.

“There are little shelves tacked to the wall, so you can keep a few treasures in your nest with you,” Isaac says, pulling me a little closer to the secret room. “You said that you like to journal, so Swanley bought you some art supplies too.” He points inside the room.

The entryway is narrow, requiring anyone that enters to practically crawl, but for some reason I don’t go inside. I stand there, staring at the most amazing gift I ever received, but it’s also intensely overwhelming, because I don’t deserve this. I haven’t done anything to earn it.

In my old life, I was forced to suffer my heats in the laundry room, writing and screaming on the cold tile floor. Preston would ignore my pain, refusing to rut me out of fear of me getting pregnant. He said it was my punishment for being such an awful mate.

Honestly, I think it just turned him on to know I was in so much pain. In the end, it was probably for the best. I hate to think what would have happened if I had gotten pregnant with his child. We’d probably both be dead. Preston would have still found a way to blame me. He’d say it was because I’m a bad omega, and a horrible mate….

And just like that, a thousand awful thoughts hit me like a crashing wave.

What if my new pack thinks I’m awful too?

What if my heat never comes and I can’t bear them any children?

What if they regret spending so much money on me?

What if they reject me?

Cold fear grips me, and I take a step back.

“What’s wrong?” Kofi is suddenly at my side. He takes in my worried expression, and his spicy scent grows, wrapping around me. Comforting me. It mixes with Swanley’s heavenly aroma, lavender and sandalwood, chestnut and musk. They blend together so beautifully.

“Carys,” Isaac leans down to see my face as he slips his hand in mine. His fingers are so warm. “If you don’t like the cove, we can redo the whole thing.”

“No!” I say as quickly as I can. “I adore it.” I look into the hidden room, admiring the dim lighting and pile of blankets set out just for me, but I can’t see much else. I can’t. Not yet. “I love it more than you’ll ever know.”

Isaac’s hazel eyes turn down in the corners as he takes in my pained expression. Then he slowly wraps one arm around my shoulders, pulling me toward him. The sideways hug is a bit awkward, but I’m so tired I can’t help leaning against him. Inhaling deeply, I finally get a chance to scent him properly. He smells like a fresh summer day. Warm, clean, and inviting.

“Do you want to go inside? Maybe make a nest?” Isaac leans back, brushing a few tears off of my cheek. I feel so silly for crying. “It’ll probably make you feel better.”

“Can I go in later?” I ask, feeling a little overwhelmed. “Maybe after a shower?”

“Of course,” Kofi kisses the top of my head, then Isaac’s. “We’ll give you some privacy.”

Slowly, Isaac releases me, and Kofi ushers everyone from the room. The door clicks shut and silence settles over me. My face pulses with all the emotions I’ve kept bottled up. Excitement and fear, happiness and sorrow swirl within me. I don’t even understand half of my wild emotions. And while I knew today was going to be a lot, I didn’t expect to cry.

“Pull yourself together,” I whisper to myself, then I walk to the only other door in the room.

The bathroom is more modern compared to the rest of the house, with brass features and a stone-lined shower that runs along one whole wall, but it’s the enormous bathtub that pulls all my attention. Or maybe it’s not a bathtub but more of a hot tub. There are little holes along the sides. Those must be jets. Either way, I’m convinced all four of us could sit in it, and I’ve never been so excited.

I peek into the enormous closet, eyeing the rows of suits and casual wear. There’s an obvious shift from Kofi’s things to Swanley, then Isaac’s. They all have very different styles. I wonder where I’ll put my stuff.

It takes me a few minutes to figure out the shower. The multiple nobs catch me off guard. I play with them, turning on the main showerhead first, then a few jets nestled in the wall, and finally a big waterfall style shower head that seems to pour water out of the ceiling.

Once the temperature is perfect, I strip down, then stand under the hot water. Thankfully, there are bottles of scent-free shampoo and conditioner. I lather up, then wash off, taking care to clean my privates thoroughly. I’m not sure if I’ll be laying with only Kofi tonight, or if I’ll be with the whole pack, but either way I want to be ready.

Once I’m squeaky clean, I towel off, then step into the bedroom. I’m brushing out my hair with my fingers when I realize I must have left my suitcase in the car. Or maybe Kofi left it there on purpose.

Am I allowed to wear clothes?

Is nudity a normal rule that alphas have for their mates?

Alphas do like to have easy access to their mates in case the urge to rut hits. I learned that at Clarendon, but they never said if it was normal for alphas to keep their omegas nude. I wish I had asked Dr. Ambrose during our sessions if that was considered abusive behavior. I’ve learned so much in the last year and a half about how alphas should care for omegas, and what crosses the line, but apparently there are still lots of things I forgot to ask.

Not sure what to do, I finally decide that my alphas probably didn’t give me any clothes for a reason. They want me naked. I’m sure of it.

I check myself out in the full-length mirror next to the armchair. I take in every inch. My legs, stomach, chest and arms. I skip over the thin silver scars that litter my flesh, zeroing in on my most hated parts. My hips are very round with stretch marks along the sides, and my breasts look especially saggy without a bra. I spin, then scowl. I hate the dimples along the back of my thighs and rear end, but my old roommate Corie said they’re normal—they’re a sign of a healthy body. But I still hate them. I’ve gained so much weight since I got here, and while I feel healthier and stronger, I can’t help but fear that other people will think I’m fat.

“ No one wants to fuck a fat omega, ” Preston’s hateful words cut into the front of my mind, and my gaze falls to my ugly mating bite. The skin is puffy and discolored. Not the pale, pretty marks most omegas get.

Something like sadness settles over me, pulling me down like a fog. My hands tremble as I cover the soft curve of my belly. Preston would definitely mock me for the way I looked now. He’d beat me and starve me, probably call me a pig.

“Shut up,” I whisper to that hateful voice. “You won’t ruin this. They love me just the way I am.” I suck in a deep breath, holding my head high. “I want this,” I say firmly to my reflection, practically snarling. “I. Want. This.”