Page 5 of Accidentally Forever

“There’s nothing to deny,” I mutter, adjusting the cuffs of my black button-up. “She is cute. And I don’t mind looking.” I want so much more than that, her pliant body beneath mine, those sweet little sounds as she arches into my touch, and the way her eyes glaze over as she comes. Sure, maybe they only called me so I could ease the ache of an Omega’s need but Sofie’s got me wrapped around her finger and she doesn’t even know it.

“Or touching,” he adds, his grin widening when I flip him off.

The conversation dies after that, but even in silence, there’s an unspoken understanding curling between us, something that neither of us needs to say aloud. Even as we step onto the sidewalk, my body pulls toward the gallery before my mind fully catches up, an instinctual alignment toward them, toward the thing I haven’t been able to shake since the last time I walked away. I tell myself it’s just curiosity, that it’s nothing more than lingering interest, but that’s a lie.

Violet’s fire has always drawn me in, a magnet pulling tight no matter how much space I try to put between us. Every sharp comment, every challenge thrown my way, every time she meets my stare without an ounce of hesitation—I crave it. And Sofie? Sofie is a different kind of want, the kind that settles deep, the kind that makes me want to ruin her in the best possible way while keeping the rest of the world from touching her.

And I know Hawk feels it too. He hasn’t mentioned Sofie or Violet but the few times I’ve brought them up in conversation or come back from a night with them, Hawk lingers. Because we never do things separately—not in the long run, anyway.

It’s been that way since we were kids, raised side by side, shaped into a seamless unit, two halves of the same whole. We learned early on that moving together was easier, that trusting each other above anyone else made things smoother. We share everything—money, business, our place, even our lovers. Whether it’s Gray, the youngest Alpha in our pack, or some pretty thing we pick up at a club, there’s never been a need for distance. No jealousy, no second-guessing. Just an unspoken understanding that what’s his is mine and what’s mine is his.

Which is why I’m not the least bit surprised when Hawk glances at me, brow lifted, curiosity flickering behind those eyes as we walk toward Ash & Ivory. “Those women must be pretty damn special,” he muses but I know him too well to miss the edge of amusement beneath it.

I know what he’s getting at. It’s rare—real rare—that I do something without him, that we both don’t sink our teeth into the same thing, the same person. But that night with Violet and Sofie? It just happened. A few times, but who’s counting?

“Nothing special,” I mutter, shrugging like it doesn’t mean anything. Like I haven’t thought about it more times than I can count. “It wasn’t planned or anything, it just… I don’t know. It felt natural.” I exhale, dragging a hand down my face, restless energy coiling tight beneath my skin. “You know what was nice about it? Not having to worry about someone wanting to be part of the Ashford pack.” The words come easy, even though I’m not sure they’re entirely true. “Those two? They just wanted to have a good time. No expectations, no strings, no bullshit. I’m not even sure they knew who I was.”

Hawk chuckles, rubbing his jaw, the corner of his mouth twitching up in something close to a smirk. “Bet you liked that.”

“Damn right I did.” A grin pulls at my lips. “And then Violet all but kicks me out in the morning.”

That gets him. “Damn, I already like her.”

“She is something,” I admit, rolling my shoulders, shaking off the phantom memory of her smirk, the way she looked at me like she already knew what I’d do before I did it. “Sofie too. Quiet, but sweet. I get why Violet keeps her close.”

Hawk nudges me with his elbow, eyes glinting with mischief. “Maybe you’ll share the love one day.”

A short laugh leaves me, but I don’t respond, because maybe is a dangerous word. Maybe means thinking too much about those nights. Maybe means wanting another one and another after that. And I don’t do maybes.

The second we step inside Ash & Ivory, it feels like we’ve entered an entirely different world. The scent of varnish and aged canvas clings to the walls, mixing with two sweet scents that I’ve been craving for weeks. It lingers in the air, gently coating the space around us, almost as if this place is wholly theirs instead of Xavier’s.

My gaze falls on Sofie, the sweet little Omega peeking over the top of the front counter, wide hazel eyes locking onto us the second we step in. There’s a brief flicker of surprise, then her expression softens, her lips curving into the kind of smile that makes my chest go tight. She throws me an enthusiastic wave, her cheeks coloring.

Fuck, that does something to me.

I lift a hand in return, but the moment her scent shifts—blooms—it’s like a wire pulling taut beneath my skin. It’s stronger today, richer, something unmistakable curling at the edges of it and my gut clenches, my muscles locking up. I force my jaw to stay loose, my body to stay relaxed so that I don’t scare her. Even so, my cock thickens in my pants, the urge to reach down and adjust it while she’s watching growing with every second.

Hawk exhales beside me, a quiet grunt as he steps away without hesitation, disappearing into the deeper part of the gallery. He’s just as affected as I am, the bastard giving me a few minutes to make a fool of myself.

“Hey, Sofie,” I manage, stepping up to the counter. The color in her cheeks deepens as she unconsciously leans forward, searching for my touch. I can’t help but give in, gently caressing the side of her face. “You doing okay? You’re feeling a little hot, sweetheart.”

The name just slips out, Sofie offering me a small smile. “I’m okay. Promise.” She lets out a heavy sigh before pulling back, those hazel eyes still focused on my face. “It’s nice to see you. Violet is over there if you’re looking for something new. We just put up a few things.”

I can tell she’s lying, the sweetened edge to her scent signaling her nearing heat. I have no idea how they’re going to maneuver that and it’s none of my business but my instincts are yelling at me to swoop in and be there for Sofie. We’ve never entertained an Omega in heat, something that would start a serious discussion once we got back home. Once again, I’m thinking of a connection that just isn’t feasible.

I pat the counter once before letting my eyes wander over the displays of artwork. Some of it is the usual overpriced bullshit that inexperienced collectors eat up—predictable compositions, clean lines, empty statements dressed up as something profound. But some of it is real, vibrant strokes against muted backgrounds, figures distorted in a way that makes them feel more human than anything else. Pieces that look like they don’t quite belong, like they were meant for a different kind of place.

But my attention doesn’t stay on the artwork for long when I catch Violet adjusting one of the heavier frames on the wall. That fierce expression on her face reminds me of how amazing she is with Sofie, her protector, lover, and her entire world. Watching them together was always mesmerizing. Her short brown hair is pulled back in a mini ponytail on top of her head, her sleeves rolled up as she lets out a little grunt of frustration.

She pulls back, curls her hands into fists and shakes them at the painting before trying to adjust it again. Hawk’s laughter comes up at my side, both of us watching the woman step back and clap her hands, satisfied with her work. Then she glances over at us, a smirk playing on her lips. "Fancy meeting you here, Lance," she muses, arching a brow. It always feels so fucking good that they can tell us apart. Never once has she mistaken us for each other.

I return the smirk, shifting my weight lazily onto one foot. "Guess you’re just lucky."

She huffs a quiet laugh before turning fully to face me, arms crossing beneath her chest, her gaze steady and unbothered. "What can I do for you, Lance, Hawk? You were just in here last week for new material."

I tilt my head, dragging my gaze down and back up again, not ashamed in the slightest at cataloguing the way her clothes fit every last curve of hers. "I dunno," I say casually, "I kinda just like seeing you work."

Violet snorts, unimpressed. "Bullshit."

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