Page 24 of Accidentally Forever

Chapter eighteen

VIOLET

The next morning, I wake up to coffee and Sofie clinging to my side. She’s absolutely adorable, all whines and grunts as I lead her to the kitchen, Puma telling us to take a seat in the living room. We’re still clad in the Alphas’ shirts, our other clothes soaking wet so I do as I’m told, Sofie curling up in my arms and promptly passing out.

“That’s normal,” Puma offers. “Omegas will be in and out of sleep during their heat. I’m guessing the height of it will hit some time today. Cream or sugar, love?” He’s been calling me that since last night and it does something to me, a need to be back into his arms even as I hold Sofie. The feelings are conflicting and yet I want more than I’ve allowed myself to have. “Violet?”

He catches me staring at the expanse of bare skin glaring back at me. I hadn’t been in the right state of mind last night to catch it but the artwork covering his right arm and spreading across his chest is mesmerizing. I clear my throat and smile, an awkward thing to ease my embarrassment. “Cream please.”

He nods, shaking his head to hide his chuckle before handing me the mug. Hawk and Lance are sprawled out on either side of me, Lance basically passed out, a soft snore hitting the air. His brother’s attention is on us as he sips his own mug. I get the feeling he’s the one with the intense emotions but the words don’t come as easily.

Sofie curls up tighter against me and I start to realize just how odd this scene is. She’s basically in heat and instead of leaning toward the Alphas that can help her, she’s in my arms. We really are bonded—there isn’t any other explanation. It’s more than just love, it’s a biological impulse so much stronger than what her body needs. She lets out a little puff of air, her lips parted.

I take a rather healthy gulp of my coffee, nearly moaning at the rich taste on my tongue. I’m not sure that sound would help anyone though so I swallow it down, watching as Hawk reaches forward to place a gentle hand against Sofie’s back. It’s amazing to watch as she relaxes further as if the combination of our touch is what she needs.

“She was so scared last night,” Hawk cuts into the silence. His hand becomes a little more insistent, drawing small circles across her back. Sofie lets out a small soft sound, twisting around to look up at him with sleepy eyes. Her nose twists up as her gaze flits between the both of us in the most adorable way. It takes me a moment to figure out she’s trying to decide where to sit.

When her scent becomes panicked, I push her toward Hawk. “It’s okay, baby. Sit with him for a little bit, okay?” There’s a happy little noise that falls from her lips before she climbs into his lap and I watch as his entire demeanor changes. Lance and Hawk are on the larger side for Alphas but the way Hawk holds her is so precious. And she curls up so tightly in his arms like his embrace is safe, like it’s perfect just for her.

“I don’t think I’ve seen anyone that terrified. I thought something was wrong until she found you.” Hawk sighs as he caresses the side of her face. “You really are her heart.” There’s no jealousy in his words, no hate, just acceptance.

It feels powerful knowing that I won’t lose Sofie, even as she needs more than I can give. Yesterday, I was falling apart because I couldn’t do this on my own. And while I know that the Ashford pack might not be where we end up, I’m not so opposed to having help now. Watching Sofie quickly fall asleep in his arms is enough to prove that.

Silence stretches between the three of us until Puma joins us, scooting to sit beside me. Lance jostles awake, a sly grin playing on his lips like he knows. It wouldn’t be hard to tell. I’m drenched in Puma’s scent and the only reason I’m not worried about it is because Sofie told me she liked it, the same way I like the twins’ scents on her. I drag my mug back to my lips, my cheeks heating as Puma slides a hand around the back of my neck. His fingers lightly dig into my skin, offering a comfort I didn’t know I needed. “We can all agree that this situation is complicated, that it’s going to take some maneuvering but I need both of you,” he glares at Hawk first and then at Lance, “to understand that Sofie is Violet’s first.”

Lance snorts as he throws his arms up in the arm to stretch. “No one’s contesting that, Puma.”

“I mean ineverything. We let our instincts take over and then suddenly our possessive side is front and center. I know it’s going to be difficult as fuck, butSofie is Violet’s first,” Puma repeats, a growl at the edge of his words. He’s telling them that I come first, that what happened yesterday as Hawk nearly snapped at me can’t happen again.

Puma is putting me first.

And god, the feeling that comes from that is fucking addictive.

He leans over to press his lips to my temple, lingering there, offering comfort and a steadiness that grounds the chaos in my head. Hawk and Lance watch with a mixture of amusement and awe as I melt against Puma’s side, enjoying his touch. It’s so different from Sofie. With her, she’s always in my arms but with Puma, I’m the one getting held.

Lance breaks the silence this time. “Violet, I want Sofie to spend her heat here if you’re okay with that. I know it’s probably more than you bargained for—”

“As long as she’s okay with it,” I push out. “I want her happy over everything else. It doesn’t matter what—what I need.” I stumble over my words as Puma’s fingers dig a little deeper into my neck. His warning glare tells me he’s not going to let me sacrifice myself for Sofie the way I used to. The words he doesn’t say are so fucking loud in my ears.

You deserve happiness too.

You are worth so much more than you think.

Let me care for you.

My nose scrunches up as I fight the feelings trying to build in my chest. “I just… do you mind if I stay here? I don’t… it’s not that I don’t trust you.” A bit of fear wells up in my chest at the thought of being apart from Sofie. My eyes widen as my breathing becomes uneven, Puma’s fingers pulsating between light and heavy touches to calm me.

“Love, no one is going to separate the two of you. You have a space here for as long as you need.”

I notice he doesn’t say ‘as long as Sofie is here’ as if the two things are not connected. The panic subsides and I’m left staring at Hawk still holding my Omega. Well, she’soursnow, isn’t she?

Lance catches my attention. “Violet, I’m not going to say this lightly but give us a chance, alright? I don’t know where this is going or where we’ll end up but I want more. It’s been barely a night and I can’t imagine either of you anywhere else but here.” I open my mouth to speak but he shakes his head. “Don’t worry. We talked about it before you even called last night. The dynamic might be something to get used to but if you’re willing, we’re right here.”

I glance between him and Hawk, seeing the same expression on their faces. I was afraid that this might just be a heat thing, that this influential pack would kick us to the curb the moment Sofie was lucid enough. Instead, they’re inviting us in, giving us a place to be. I turn to Puma for his reaction, a tight smile on his face. “What isn’t being said? Why do you look like that?”

Puma lets out a slow but heavy breath, his hand slipping down to sit on my waist. “Violet, we’re not a traditional pack. The webs aren’t all tangled between the four of us and while we’ve all agreed should an Omega come into this pack that she would receive the pack bond, she would not be all of ours.”

“What are you saying?”

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