Deep down, I knew I should let Carmen go completely. But I couldn’t—not while she was still packless and vulnerable.
I wanted to make sure she wouldn’t get hoodwinked by some alpha and end up hurt.
Carmen
I woke with a start,feeling something hard poking against my ear.
Blinking groggily, I looked up to find a snoring Griffin beside me. His dark hair fell across his handsome face as he slept, his strong arms crossed over his chest. And I realized with horror that he’d had an erection the whole ride.
Sitting up, my body felt sore as I looked around since the van had come to a stop in front of a home covered in light snow. Oh wow, it looked magical.
As I glanced out the window, I saw Logan and Talon unloading suitcases from the trunk. Griffin stirred beside me, rubbing his eyes before shooting me a sleepy smile.
“Good morning,” he murmured, his voice rough from sleep.
“Morning,” I replied, feeling my cheeks heat up at the memory of waking up with his morning wood in my face. “It looks like we’re here.”
“Oh fuck, that was fast,” said Griffin, just as surprised as me when he saw the snow.
We both got out of the van to join Logan and Talon, who were pulling the suitcases across the driveway.Griffin grabbed a couple of suitcases, and I was confused as to why there were so many.
Did they really mean to live with me?
“Hey, Logan,” I said, unsure how to bring this up without sounding mean. My breathing quickened when he looked my way, and his face brightened with a smile.
“Carmen, did you sleep well?”
“I did,” I replied, shivering from the cold. Logan seemed unfazed by the snow and wind whipping around us. “Thanks for driving all this way. I bet you’re tired.”
“It wasn’t too bad since Talon also drove,” Logan said, his eyes locked on mine. “Listen, Carmen, we’re going to stay here with you for a few days. We want to make sure you’re acclimated before we leave.”
My heart raced as I stared at him, the wind tousling my hair around and chilling my lips.
“For a few days?” I asked, my voice barely audible over the howling wind.
“Yes, or more if it comes to that,” Logan replied, watching me closely. “Let’s go inside. You’re getting cold.”
We stepped into the house,and I was amazed that Logan had secured this place at the last minute. The high ceilings and open floor plan made it feel even more spacious. Logan had really outdone himself, and I smiled despite my life turning upside down.
“Wow, Logan,” I said. “I love this place. But seriously, let me pay for my half. I’m not your omega or anything, so it’s only fair.”
“Absolutely not,” he replied, grinning when he saw me checking out the tall windows in the living room and the immaculate kitchen.
“We’re not at the Alpha Compound anymore, though,” I said playfully as I opened all the cabinets in the kitchen.
“It’s still an alpha’s responsibility to take care of his… the omega.”
I blushed, knowing what he was about to say.
“Well, I won’t fight you on it,” I said, heading up the stairs to pick out my room. I didn’t really care which room I was in, to be honest, as long as it had a bed because I was exhausted.
“I put your suitcases in there,” Talon said, nodding toward the biggest bedroom in the house.
“Okay, thank you,” I said, and as he left, I couldn’t help but think how nice it would be to have an alpha pack of my own. Too bad I didn’t have one.
After unpacking my things, I took a shower, letting the warm water wash away my lingering anxiety. I stood in the shower, soaking in this new atmosphere. I had never stayed overnight in a house full of alphas who were suitable to be my mates.
I was about to collapse into the very comfortable-looking bed when I caught the delicious scent of food wafting from downstairs.