Page 16 of Pack Coffey

His reply is handing me my coffee. Okay, fine. There's always room for that.

I'm relaxed in my chair, full enough to sleep again, as I listen to their easy conversation. For three of them to have such strenuous jobs, the atmosphere around them is chill and calm. They're discussing Henry's latest article, while I studiously avoid eye contact with Saint, when I first hear the small scratching. At first, I think it's coming from the window behind me, but when I turn to look, there's nothing there.

Keaton chuckles across the table. "Want to meet one more part of our pack?"

More? I thought it was just the five of them...

"Sure," I tell him, trusting him fully with whatever he's about to show me.

KEATON

As I sit across from Darci at breakfast, I can't help but look at her every chance that I get. Our pack has been together for the past few years, and never once has the conversation come up about finding an omega. Between mine, Saint, and Bank's jobs, we just had some kind of unspoken understanding that it might be too stressful for an omega if there were to be any kind of accidents. We've all dated our own people, but Darci is the first one that we've ever brought home, collectively enjoying her presence as part of our pack. I can see it in the way that they all look at her. It's more than that, too. It's how she looks at them as well, and I don't think she even realizes that she's doing it. Last night at the bar, every time she got caught in one of our alpha's stares made my dick so hard that standing would've been impossible. I'm not sure which is worse, either. There's chemistry for sure between her and Saint, but I'm not sure either knows how to deal with it yet. Following his explanation after we got home, I think I understand. Them working together kind of puts a line in the sand. Banks, on the other hand, has no reason to withhold, and he didn't. He bamboozled the hell out of her from the get go. My friend has been known to be a ladies’ man, but lately he's almost cut all contact with the female population. It's had me worried for his sanity a bit if I'm not lying. But, now, I'm curious as to if somehow his alpha knew instinctively that the perfect omega to match us was close.

As if watching her with those two weren't enough, the way Lawrence is tripping all over himself for her makes it all the more real. He's never even had a serious girlfriend. Just flings here and there. Almost like he was saving his true self for someone like her. I don't think she's faring much better, either. The way that she peered up at him this morning through her lashes with those pretty little lips pulled up in a soft smile meant just for him. I practically felt like an intruder in their moment.

Last night when Saint got home and had her with him, I think somewhere deep down that I hoped for it, or maybe just to be able to find a reason to see her again. Banks wouldn't shut up on the drive after we left the bar. Kept saying how damn perfect she was and did we see this and did we see that. Me and Lawrence agreed with him through nods and just let him keep talking. Henry was curiously quiet, just like he's been all morning.

After we'd laid her down in my bed, Banks had laughed and clapped me on the back saying, "Sofa city for you tonight, bro."

"Worth it," I retorted, shutting him up real quick. He probably kicked himself in the ass all night for not offering his room to her. Though, mine and Lawrence's were the best option because our beta scents aren't as potent as our alphas’.

Saint and Henry were waiting on us as we made it back downstairs. The latter nursing a short glass of scotch, which he typically only does when he's covering a difficult story.

"We having a pack meeting?" Banks asked, collapsing on the couch and stretching his legs out in front of him.

I took the seat next to him, leaving the other spot for Lawrence, but he remained standing, folding his arms across his chest. I know I'm not the only one who took note of the defensive position.

Saint sat back in the rocker and put his hands on his stomach. "I searched Darci out because she's got a murder podcast and covers stories better than most reporters. No offense, Henry."

The journalist in question simply tilted his glass toward Saint, giving him permission to keep talking. "Listen, I'm not going to lie and say that not just her, but her omega called to me from the moment I first scented her. I went on a hunch and invited her tonight to see how you'd all react to her. From whatI can tell, I was right. We've never really talked about it, but there's a possibility that she's the final piece to our puzzle."

Lawrence relaxed finally and sat down next to me as Saint kept speaking, "She's going to help me on this case that I'm working on. I've got her clearance as a civilian consultant. If I get involved with her, it won't look good."

Banks leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. "So, we need to keep our distance until the case is solved?"

Saint hesitated. "No, only me. You're allowed to pursue her as far as she allows you to."

Later, I laid on the couch unable to go to sleep, replaying the conversation and knowing that a beautiful woman was laying in my bed. I stayed up late into the night and had barely managed a few hours of sleep before I heard Saint and Banks heading out for a morning run. Normally I'd join them, but sleep is a thing. I must've dozed back off because next thing I'd known the front door was shutting as they came back in.

I'd groaned and rolled off the couch, dragging my ass up the stairs to my room. It isn't until I've gotten to my door that I remember why I slept downstairs to begin with. Her popcorn scent hits my dick like a ton of bricks, even with the door closed. Not hearing anything inside, I knock softly so that I don't wake her if she's still sleeping. I'm greeted with silence, so I ease the door open and find the most glorious sight I think I've ever seen. Immediately feeling guilty as I pull the door closed just as fast, apologizing the whole time.

I'm trying to think of how I can fix the situation when there's a loud thump behind the door. I swear to everything I am when this girl told me that it was her clothes hitting the floor with her in them, it solidified everything I'd been feeling up to this point.

All through breakfast, I'd watched her interactions with the others, and there's definitely no denying it. I mean, the waythat she'd sat perfectly prim and proper while Lawrence fed her the rest of her breakfast did something to my chest. She was spooked by something, but let him take care of her like we're meant to do. She gave that over to him freely without hesitation.

Now, as she plays with our rottweiler, Bear, who's taken right to her like the rest of us, it's easy enough to see how well she'd fit in with us. When she stands from where she's been sitting on the ground getting all of Bear's kisses, her brownish-red hair catches the light as she throws it over her shoulder and turns to me. The smile she bestows upon me almost matches the one she gave Lawrence this morning for coffee. She's so appreciative of the small things.

"As much as I'd love to stay here and play with this guy all day," she says, reaching down to smoosh Bear's face and rub his ears. "I've got some stuff to do today since I've got class tomorrow. Can I take you up on that ride?"

"Absolutely," I tell her, holding out an elbow with a flourish.

She laughs, the sound like a gut punch, as she takes it. I wait for her to say her goodbyes and thanks to the others before leading her out to my truck.

Once inside, I can't stop myself from asking, "So, how many coffees are too many first thing in the morning?"

Acting like she's thinking on it with a few taps to her lips, she grins, "There's no limit."

"First stop then," I tell her. Maybe I can be her hero, too, and earn myself one of those looks she gave Lawrence.

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