The Patio

Carys

“ S wanley looks upset,” I say to Isaac, looking through the back window. From where I’m sitting, I have a straight line of sight to the front door. Swanley and Kofi are standing in the living room, having what looks like an intense discussion.

Swanley has been gone all day. Apparently, he had to go into work. I didn’t even know he had a job. Ms. Tacken had told me he was a stay-at-home alpha, but I guess she was mistaken. I just feel bad that Swanley missed dinner. He must be hungry.

“Should we check on them?” I ask.

“Um…” Isaac pulls his attention away from his knitting. He squints through the back window, looking very conflicted. I’m sure he doesn’t want to interrupt the alpha’s conversation, especially if they’re arguing. But he’s saved from having to decide when they both move this way.

“It’s absolute bullshit,” Swanley growls as he falls into his seat at the small circular table. His chair skips over the wooden patio, making an awful sound.

I look at Kofi as he sits down next to me, not sure what to say. Am I allowed to ask why he’s mad?

Thankfully, Isaac speaks up, asking my burning question for me. “You look pissed. What’s going on?”

“Finn is bringing in someone new to work with Swan.” Kofi’s tone is overly calm, almost as if he’s hoping it will soothe Swanley, but the red-haired alpha still looks livid.

“Finn is bringing in Hartley’s old bunk-buddy so he can push me out on my ass without missing a beat,” Swanley snaps as if correcting Kofi. It instantly has me on edge. I hate it when people argue.

While I truly don’t believe that any of my packmates would hurt me, you never really know until angers flare.

“There’s no way Finn would get rid of you.” Isaac places his hand on Swanley’s. “You have sacrificed so much for him. You go above and beyond every chance you get.”

Kofi immediately agrees, talking about a job Swanley did that resulted in a pretty bad cut on his back, and how he’s saved Finn’s ass on more than one occasion. Confusion twists between my brows as I realize I don’t really know what Swanley does for a living. Just that he’s in security . Whatever that means.

“Alpha?” I whisper, hoping I don’t interrupt.

Both Kofi and Swanley turn their heads to me, waiting patiently for me to speak.

“I..uh,” I glance at Kofi, before looking directly at Swanley. “What do you do for Finn?”

If Swanley wasn’t already a very pale man, I’d swear the color just drained from his face. “I do odd jobs. Guarding the artwork for his gallery.” His voice is stiff. He’s acting very weird, but when I look to Kofi for a better answer, the alpha is staring at the trees in the distance. Even Isaac avoids making eye contact with me.

“Is it a secret?” I ask, hoping that I’m not overstepping.

Kofi places his hand on mine. “There’s no secret. Swanley protects some very expensive, and sometimes confidential, items. People tend to be very on edge around that kind of money, but there’s no reason for you to worry.” A pulse of something soothing moves through the back of my mind. Kofi’s been able to do that a few times today. While our bond is still growing, I feel like it’s already very strong.

“I’m fine, omega.” Swanley smiles, but it’s not the sexy one I’m used to. It’s almost sad.

Needing to do something to make him feel better, I push myself up, then move around the table to him. Swanley looks up at me, his expression almost confused. Then I wrap my arms around him, making him rest his head against my chest. Without hesitating, the big alpha wraps me up in his strong arms, squeezing me gently.

“I’m sorry you had a stressful day,” I say, resting my cheek on the top of his head. I caress his soft hair, letting out a soft hum. “But I’m happy you’re home.” I press my nose to the top of his head—the way he’s done to me so many times—inhaling his rich, musky aroma.

Slowly, all the tension lifts from Swanley’s shoulders, and when he looks up at me, I can see that all the anger in his cheeks has faded.

“Do you feel better?” I ask, brushing a few strands of hair off of his forehead.

“Not quite yet,” he says as a mischievous smirk takes hold— the smile I love . Then he hugs me tight, forcing his face between my breasts. I can’t help but laugh when he nuzzles deeper into my cleavage. “Now I feel much better.” He looks up at me with the best smile on his handsome face.

“You’re awful,” I giggle, kissing his forehead.

Swanley hugs me once again. “You are one dangerous omega.” He sighs long and deep. “You make me want to quit my job and stay here with my face pressed between your glorious tits all damn day.”

Thrilled that I’ve helped his sour mood, I kiss his hair once again, but then a twig snaps and I jerk.

Swanley doesn’t seem to notice as he begins to talk to Kofi about his upcoming work schedule. But I’m too busy scanning the yard to hear them.

I know there’s no one out there, but I can’t help but think about the man I saw in the shadows. I couldn’t see his face, but I could sense his eyes on me. At the time, I honestly thought I was still dreaming, but the next morning, I woke up to find the kitchen knife on the dresser. Thankfully, no one seemed to notice, and I had it back in its place before breakfast.

“Is someone at the front door?” Isaac asks, looking from the house to Kofi. I concentrate hard, having not heard anything. Then a soft knock drifts through the air, and my nerves stretch tight.

“I’ll go check.” Kofi marches through the back door, shutting it firmly behind him.

I stare into the house, watching as the pack alpha opens the front door. But I can’t see the person on the other side.

“How was your day, Carys?” Swanley asks, caressing my bottom, up to my back, and then back down again. It feels good. “Are you sore?”

I tear my eyes off of Kofi. “I’m good,” I say, and it’s not a lie. I do feel really good. My privates still ache when I sit down, but I don’t mind it. In fact, I kind of like the reminder of the wild things Kofi did to me last night. I can’t wait for Swanley to do the same things. “Do you think we can go swimming again tonight?” I ask, hoping he’ll say yes. I know it’s a little silly, but I want to recreate the magic of last night. “Would that be okay?”

Swanley smiles up at me, hugging me tight. “Whatever makes you happy, pretty girl.”

“Who is that?” Isaac moves to the edge of his seat, squinting into the house. I follow his gaze, but Kofi is blocking my view. I crane my neck, but before I see anything, Swanley is up and he’s clearly very angry.

“What the fuck is he doing here?” the red-haired alpha snarls, and my shoulders instinctively curl in on themselves.

“It’s okay.” Isaac is suddenly at my side, pulling me into a warm hug. “He’s not mad at you.”

Thankfully, Swanley doesn’t seem to have noticed my reaction. He’s too busy jerking open the patio door and marching inside. But right before the door can slam shut behind him, the softest scent of cloves and vanilla hits me out of nowhere. It’s so familiar. Like Christmas. So safe and comforting.

“Are you okay?” Isaac asks, and I realize my hands are trembling.

But I don't answer him. I can’t. Not until I see who is in our home. Slowly, I follow Swanley into our house.

My alpha’s voice is sharp as he speaks to the visitor. “Who the fuck told you where I live?” His tone has me on edge, but that Christmas perfume is still drawing me closer.

“Carys.” Isaac is right behind me. “Let’s go back outside.”

Both Kofi and Swanley go quiet as they turn to me, and my mouth falls open with shock as the stranger’s face comes into view. Dark eyes, black hair, and the sweetest lips that turn up into a smile.

Judson.

My guard. My sanity. My only friend. And he’s standing right here in my living room. The moment our eyes meet, I break wide open, happiness and shock grounding me in place. “Are you really here?” I whisper, struggling to believe he’s real. Please, let him be real.

“Carys,” Judson whispers my name as if I’m the greatest thing he’s ever seen, and my heart instantly quickens. “You look so good,” he says as if it’s hard to believe.

“You know him?” Swanley asks me, his face twisted with what looks like anger.

I immediately take a step back and drop my gaze. “Yes, sir,” I whisper as fear begins to edge in once again. I can’t help it. It’s like my body can't handle even a raised voice.

“Shit.” Swanley rushes to me, wrapping his arms around my trembling shoulders. “I’m not mad, omega.” He places his finger under my chin, forcing me to look up at him. “I’m not mad.” He smiles sweetly, but there’s still so much tension around his eyes. “I promise. And don’t call me sir.” He grimaces. “I’m your alpha. Not your warden.”

“Carys. I—” Judson takes a single step but Kofi grabs his arm, jerking him back.

“Don’t get any fucking closer,” Kofi snarls.

The muscles in Judson’s jaw clench, but he stays in place. “I just wanted to check on her.” He turns to look at me, and I see those same dark brown eyes that I used to spend all day thinking about. “How are you, omega?”

“Holy shit,” Swanley says as if he’s just realized something. “Is my omega the girl?” he asks Judson a little forcefully, and to my surprise, my old guard nods.

“Looks like it,” Judson says with a half-hearted shrug.

“What the hell is going on?” Kofi cuts in, his voice growing louder. I can feel his anger in our bond. The emotion is so hot and tight, pulling hard right behind my eyes.

“I came here, looking for Carys.” Judson looks at me with so much pain in his dark eyes. “I’ve been searching for her for a while now.”

“Stop looking at her like that,” Swanley grits out, his hold on me becoming a little too tight. I let out a soft whimper, and he relaxes his arms, slowly pushing me behind him as if he were a shield. I want to laugh and tell him that Judson would never hurt me, but I stay quiet. “Did you track me down at work to get to my omega?” Swanley asks. “Did you come here hoping to take her? Because you’re dumber than you look if you think for one fucking second that I’m going to let you?—”

“I’m not trying to take her,” Judson says quickly, holding up his hands the same way Swanley does when submitting to Kofi.

“Then what do you want?” My pack alpha edges away from him, moving toward me. Both alphas stand like a wall between me and my old friend.

“I came looking for Carys,” Judson says, his tone very soft and respectful. “Finding work with Swanley really was just a coincidence.” He grins as if it’s truly ridiculous, and maybe it is. I mean, I never thought I’d see him again, but here he is. And he somehow knows one of my new packmates. That has to be fate. Right?

“How do you know our omega?” Kofi asks, and my fear shifts into agitation. I could easily explain everything if they’d just talk to me .

“How do I know her?” Judson’s dark eyes flicker past Swan to me. “I was…” He swallows hard, and I know he has to be struggling to admit he was my guard. Especially considering what happened to me.

“He was a friend in my old life,” I say, and once again everyone is looking at me.

“Oh!” Isaac says as if realizing something. “Is he the banana bread?”

Kofi and Swanley both make identical faces, clearly confused. But I instantly smile.

“Yes,” I giggle. “That was Judson.”

“Swan,” Kofi’s voice deep with authority, “how do you know this alpha?”

“It’s Judson,” my old friend says simply, as if introducing himself again. It makes me want to smile. I’ve missed the easy way he talks.

“This is the fucker that’s trying to take my job,” Swanley’s voice is loud, almost booming. I don’t like it. I prefer the tender way he speaks to me and Isaac.

“I’m not taking shit,” Judson says, as if this is the hundredth time he’s said it. “Finn brought me in to help you.” His voice grows and something like rage burns in my bond with Kofi. The pack alpha isn’t happy, but I can’t tell what’s angered him. Not sure what to do, I drop my gaze to the floor. It’s just all so overwhelming.

“Carys.” Isaac wraps his arms around me. “Let’s go back outside.”

Panic grips me and my eyes fly to Judson. “But I want…” I trail off, too scared to finish my sentence.

I want to talk to my old friend, but Kofi and Swanley are so obviously enraged that he’s here. Defeated, I let Isaac hold me close as he leads me to the back door. I can already feel the threat of tears squeeze my throat when Kofi calls out to me.

“Carys. Wait.”

Isaac stops, and we both turn back to the living room. My pack alpha looks so conflicted, his gaze bouncing between me and Judson. And then it hits me. He can feel my deep sadness. Kofi knows that I’m devastated right now.

“Why don’t you…” Kofi sucks in a deep breath before starting over. “Why don’t you two take a few minutes to talk outside?”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Swanley’s eyes are as big as saucers, his mouth hanging open with shock. “Kofi, you can’t be serious right now. You can’t?—”

“Stop,” Kofi barks out his order, and I press a little closer to Isaac.

“Is that okay?” Judson asks me, completely ignoring Swan’s outburst. “Would you like to talk to me for a few minutes?”

I nod, releasing Isaac’s hand. I can feel the apprehension in my beta’s tight body. He doesn't want me to talk to Jud anymore than Swanley does, but I want some closure. I want to know if the only person who cared for me during the darkest time of my life is okay.

“You both can sit on the back porch.” Kofi turns to Judson, his energy instantly hard and protective. “But we will be watching you. You will sit on the opposite sides of the table. You will not touch her, ask for anything, or give her anything. Is that understood?”

“Thank you,” Judson says to Kofi, but then his eyes meet Isaac’s, and the alpha bows to him. “Thank you all for being so understanding.”

For a moment, Isaac appears to be frozen in place, staring back at Judson. But then he clears his throat and whispers, “No problem.” I swear his cheeks begin to flush.

I know it’s not common for alphas to show that kind of respect to a beta, but I’m glad Judson did.

I thank Kofi once more before we both move quietly to the back porch. We sit the way Kofi instructed, and I wait for his rage to bubble over in our bond. But it doesn’t happen. He remains calm and collected, watching us from the other side of the living room window. Swanley, on the other hand, paces, while Isaac sits on one of the couches, watching us as if something terrible might happen at any second.

“I’m sorry about Swanley.” I place my hands in my lap, hoping to make it clear to my alphas that I plan on following all the rules.

“That’s okay.” Judson gives me the same sweet smile I used to spend all day thinking about. How I have missed that smile. “I was ready for a much worse reaction.” He glances into the house. “I knew there was a possibility that your pack wouldn't let me see you. This is far better than anything I imagined.”

“How are you?” I ask, eager to hear about his life now that he doesn't guard penthouse doors.

“I’m better now,” His eyes sparkle as he looks at me. “You look happy,” he says, resting his forearms on the table between us.

“I’m very happy,” I hum, and as if right on cue, a few birds let out vibrant chirps. The wind blows through the trees, and the sweet scent of wildflowers dance around us.

“Carys,” Judson’s smile falls, and I realize his hands are clasped together very tightly. He almost looks nervous. “I wanted you to know that I tried to testify on your behalf at your trial.”

I’m so touched. My whole body freezes up momentarily as I struggle to think of what to say. “You did? I didn’t know.” I shake my head. “No one told me.”

“Your lawyer said it was a horrible idea.” Judson’s hands curl into fists. “She said that the defense would probably try to convince the jury I was your lover. She said she didn’t want to fight the idea of you being unfaithful on top of everything else.” He bows his head as if he’s ashamed. “I should have done more to convince her.” He looks up at me, with so much emotion in his dark eyes. “You had no one on your side, and I’m so sorry for that.”

Warmth blooms in my chest as I think about my darkest days after I was attacked. I felt so alone, beaten and broken, but I wasn't. Judson was out there trying to fight for me. To protect me.

“Thank you for trying, but there was nothing for you to do,” I say simply. “Preston was never going to get what he deserved.” This is something I have worked on accepting every day for the last two years, but today is the first time I’m really okay with it. “Preston can have his awful life in his prison-like penthouse. And I will live with my loving pack in a pretty cottage surrounded by lovely flowers.” I smile, but Judson doesn't. Instead, he cuts a hard look to the edge of the house. We’re probably being listened to, but that's okay. I don’t have anything to hide from my family.

“Did you get my flowers?” Judson changes the subject.

“What?” I lean in, not sure I heard him correctly.

“The flowers,” he repeats, swallowing hard. He looks nervous once again. “I sent you a bundle of jasmine yesterday, but the shop couldn’t confirm if you got them or not.”

Sweet relief hits me. “That was you?”

“Yeah,” Judson gives me a sheepish grin. “Jasmine are your favorite flowers. Right?” He looks so hopeful, but I can’t lie. Not about this.

“No,” I shake my head.

“No?” His eyes go wide as his gaze darts all over my face. “But they were always being delivered to your apartment. I thought…” He trails off, tilting his head to one side, silently asking me to explain.

I clear my throat, then whisper, “Preston gave me those flowers every time he beat me.” The air goes still as Judson’s posture tightens. It feels so dangerous to admit this out loud, but it also feels good, so I keep talking. “Preston would say the flowers were a token of his love, but I knew better. They were a threat. A visual promise that he’d hurt me again if I dared to defy him.”

The blood drains from Judson’s face, then heat rushes in, and his eyes flash. “I’m so sorry, Carys.” His voice is soft, but I can see the rage in his hands. His fists are so tight, I wouldn’t be surprised if his nails drew blood. “I only wanted to send you something that you liked.” He places one hand flat on the table, stretching toward me as if hoping to touch me. A deep rumbling growl pushes through the window, and Judson carefully pulls it back. “I never meant to remind you of….” He squeezes his eyes shut, shaking his head.

“I’m okay.” I give him a half-hearted smile, because it’s mostly true. While I still have a lot of demons, I’ve never been happier in my life. “You know.” I bite my bottom lip. “There’s a lot about that night that I don’t remember. Doctors and lawyers and police have been trying to get me to say what happened for years now, and I’ve always hated talking about it. But this is nice.” I smile, hoping that I don’t sound ridiculous. “I like talking to someone that was there.”

Judson perks at that, sitting a little taller. “I was there?”

I quickly shake my head, realizing what I said. “No.” I can’t help the nervous laugh that bubbles from my chest. “Not that you were there when…” my voice drops to a whisper, “...when I was attacked. Just that you were a part of my life at that time.”

Judson smiles sweetly, his upper body relaxing again.

“It’s nice to have someone that I can talk to about this stuff.” I glance at the window, seeing Kofi right on the other side of the glass. I love how protective he is of me. “My pack is the most amazing and loving people I’ve ever met, but it feels wrong to talk about the bad things I went through. Especially since I want to move on. It feels…wrong.” I shrug, not sure how else to word it.

Judson lets out a long sigh as he searches my eyes. His eyes linger on the scar on the side of my face. “Please.” He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small black card. “If you ever need to talk to someone.” He sets the card down. “Call me anytime. Day or night. I will?—”

“Time to go.” Swanley appears from around the side of the house. He marches straight to Judson like a charging bull. “You’ve talked,” he snatches the card off of the table, “now get the fuck out.”

I try not to show too much emotion as Judson is practically forced back around the house—Swanley wouldn’t even let him walk through the house. I’m a little saddened that our meeting was so brief, but I understand my alpha’s reaction.

Swanley just wants to protect me. And Kofi and Isaac too.

My happiness and safety are the only things that matter to them, and while I’m upset that means I won’t be able to see my friend again, I’m also thankful to have them in my life.

I love them. All three of them. And I cannot wait to have Swanley’s mark on my neck right next to Kofi’s.