Page 78 of Forget-Me-Nots and Apricots

Heat flooded my cheeks as I turned back to my workbench, trying to focus on the flowers rather than the Alpha still watching me from the doorway. "Go," I said, not looking up. "I have work to do." "

I'll see you at dinner," he said, his voice slightly rougher than before. he ran a hand through his hair, a gesture that seemed almost self-soothing. He gave me one last look before leaving me alone. As the greenhouse door closed behind him, I exhaled slowly, pressing my fingers to my lips. They still tingled from his kiss, just as my skin still burned from Dakota's touch earlier.

What was I getting myself into?

I turned back to my flowers, hoping the familiar work would ground me and distract me from wondering how the talk later will go.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Iwipedmyhandsonthe hem of my apron and surveyed the greenhouse one last time. Every ribbon was back in its box, the trimmings swept into the compost bin, and the last of the evening light spilled like honey across the clean worktable. I stretched, spine popping, and groaned under my breath. My arms ached pleasantly from the work.

The centerpieces had turned out better than I'd hoped—lush arrangements of burgundy roses, blush peonies, and delicate sprigs of lavender, all nestled in vintage brass containers that would complement the Sullivan wedding perfectly.

I glanced at my watch and winced. Dinner would be in less than thirty minutes, and I still needed to shower and change. More importantly, I needed to prepare myself mentally for the conversation that would follow. A conversation with four Alphas about... whatever this was that was happening between us.

The walk back to the house felt longer than usual, my mind racing with possibilities and questions. What exactly did Gabriel mean when he said I "fit" with their pack? And how was this even supposed to work? Four Alphas and one Omega—it wasn't exactly conventional.

Then again, nothing about my life had been conventional since meeting any of these Alphas.

I slipped into the house through the back door, hoping to make it to my room without running into any of them. I needed a few minutes to collect myself, to wash away the sweat and soil of the day's work before facing what was to come. But as I rounded the corner into the hallway, I nearly collided with Theo, who was carrying a stack of folders.

"Oh!" I exclaimed, stepping back quickly. "Sorry."

Theo adjusted his glasses, his eyes scanning me briefly. "No need to apologize. Your autonomic nervous system is exhibiting signs of anxiety. Elevated respiratory rate, dilated pupils." He paused, his expression softening slightly. "Are you alright?"

I almost laughed at his clinical assessment of my emotional state, but there was genuine concern beneath his analytical exterior.

"I'm fine," I said, though the slight tremor in my voice betrayed me. "Just... processing a lot."

Theo studied me for a moment longer, his head tilting slightly in that analytical way of his. "Gabriel mentioned there would be a discussion after dinner. About the developing dynamics between you and the pack."

Heat crawled up my neck at his direct approach. Leave it to Theo to address the elephant in the room without hesitation.

"Yes," I admitted, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "It seems we have a lot to talk about."

Theo nodded, his expression unreadable behind his glasses. "Social and romantic entanglements often appear chaotic on the surface, but they typically follow predictable patterns when analyzed properly."

I couldn't help the small laugh that escaped me. "Is that your way of saying relationships are complicated but make sense if you look at them logically?"

Theo's lips quirked in what might have been the ghost of a smile. "Essentially, yes." He shifted the folders in his arms, his posture relaxing slightly. "Physical attraction is governed by pheromone compatibility, while emotional connection develops through shared experiences and complementary personality traits."

"You make it sound so simple," I said, leaning against the wall.

"It isn't simple," Theo admitted, his voice softening. "But it is natural. What's happening between you and us—it follows biological and psychological patterns that have existed for centuries." He paused, adjusting his glasses again. "That doesn't make it any less significant."

I studied Theo's face, struck by the sincerity behind his analytical facade. "Thank you for that," I said softly. "I think I needed to hear it framed that way."

"I find clarity helps when emotions become overwhelming," Theo replied, his gaze steady on mine. "Dinner will be ready in approximately twenty-three minutes. That should give you adequate time to shower and change if you wish."

I smiled, appreciating his practical thoughtfulness. "Always keeping track of the details, aren't you?"

"Someone has to," he said, and for a moment I could have sworn I saw a glimmer of humor in his eyes.

"For what it's worth," he said, his eyes meeting mine with unexpected directness, "I believe you complement our pack dynamics in ways none of us anticipated but all of us need."

He gave me a small smile not letting me say anything to his words, "I'll see you at dinner, Vivian."

As he walked away, I found myself watching him go, noticing the straight line of his shoulders, the careful precision in his movements. Each of these Alphas was so different, yet somehow they formed a pack together. And now I was being pulled into that orbit too.

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