Page 39 of A Pack of Cozy

"His omega? What did he just say? Cali, tell these men to go away. This is between family." Her voice is demanding and nasal-filled, unlike my sweet Raindrop's soft voice.

"Theyaremy family, Mom. This is my pack," Cali says. It's the first time she's referred to us as her pack aloud, and my chest fills with pride. I see the other two puff up at the words.

Cali's mom is livid. Blotches of red darken her cheeks, and her eyes narrow at her daughter. "Your pack?" she spits, her voice sharp and cutting. "We don't do packs in this family! We never have, and you're not starting now!" As she starts yelling, she shakes Cali's arm violently, her frustration boiling over. I can feel the anger rising inside me and I see red.

"Let go of her arm!" I bark. I'm surprised to find that I'm not the only one. Seth and Connor also bark a variation of the same command.

Cali's mother instantly lets go and staggers back, falling onto the ground with a hard thud. One alpha's bark over a beta can be overwhelming, but three at once is almost like a punch in the gut. Cali glances at her mother, who's floundering on the ground, but her eyes have a newfound determination. Instead of rushing to help up the woman who let her down, Cali turns away and enters my embrace. I wrap my arms around her, shielding her from the chaos, ready to protect her from everything.

I immediately begin to purr. Seth and Connor flank her on either side, but we never entirely turn our backs on her parents. Our hackles are raised, and our alphas are on high alert.

"Seriously?" A short man with thin brown hair and light skin stares at us. Cali stiffens, and I growl at the man, who steps back.

"Who the fuck are you?" Seth asks. His expression is furious.

"I'm her fiancé," the man replies. This is Nick, then. We all growl at once, and he takes several more steps back.

A man I assume to be Cali's father finishes helping his wife up. I gently scent-mark the top of Cali's head. "Are you okay, Raindrop?" She nods and turns around in my arms but doesn't let go of my hold. I keep my arms firmly around her, and she clings to my forearms as if they're a safety harness.

The three people in front of her, her parents and ex-fiancé, look at her with a mix of disbelief and anger. Her mother's eyes burn with resentment. Her father's expression is a blend of sadness and hurt. Her ex-fiancé's face twists in betrayal, fury radiating from him.

"I never want to see you again," she spits at him, her voice heavy with emotion. Looking to her parents, the hurt she feels spills over. "This is my life. This town, my job, and, most importantly,this pack. I am loved, safe, and happy here." Each word drips with hurt and frustration. "I hope you'll understand one day, but today is not that day. Until you can own up to everything you've done, all the ways you've tried to tear down the happiness I've finally built, I need you to stay away from me."

Her mother looks at her like she's a stranger, defiantly refusing to back down. At the same time, her father's eyes glisten with unshed tears. He flicks his gaze helplessly between them. I can smell the smoldered grass in Cali's scent. The silence between her parents and her deepens the ache in her heart.

"You will not—"

My omega turns away from the beginning of another rant by her mother. Seth, Connor, and I close her into a triangle of our bodies so she can no longer see her parents. She looks up at us, eyes brimming with tears, allowing us to see the hurt but no one else.

"I want to go home," she says, trembling. I nod. We gather around her, creating a solid wall of support and protection. Every step toward the car feels like a silent promise. Nothing will harm our girl while we're here.

We all pile into the Jeep. Cali nestles into the back seat, her head resting gently in my lap, her hair cascading like silk against my skin. Seth carefully removes her shoes and rubs her feet. I can't help but run my fingers through her hair, the connection between us deepening with each stroke. Connor slides into the driver's seat, and we speed away from town, leaving those assholes behind us. The last thing we need is for those people to follow her and upset her further. When I ask if they know where she lives, Cali shakes her head.

"How did you know I needed you?" she asks softly.

"Clara came bursting into the Café, saying that your ex was here with your parents. I'm glad she did. Does your mom often put her hands on you?" I ask, trying not to let my scent turn bitter. Not that I'd ever be upset with Cali, but if the answer to the question is yes, I might have to kill my future mother-in-law.

"No." Cali's voice trembles, laced with a mix of defiance and pain. "She's never done that before. Words were always her weapon, and I was her willing target. She twisted my thoughts until I wanted to bend to her will, but this time… this time I couldn't." Her smile is small and breaks my heart. "She was desperate," she whispers, the weight of her confession hanging in the air. "She knew this was the one fight I wouldn't lose, and it scared her. Is it okay if we return to my nest tonight?"

That makes sense. Omega's nests are their safe spaces. Although she's been sleeping in the omega suite at our place for the last few nights, she hasn't made it her own yet. It isn't decorated or personalized. It doesn't have her comfort objects. Given how much emotional stress she's experienced tonight, familiar comfort seems like the best choice.

I gently stroke her hair. "Of course, Raindrop. As long as you're comfortable, we would be honored to spend the night in your nest." It's a big step in alpha-omega courting. Usually, it's the last one before bonding. We know that Connor's already been there, the lucky bastard. But inviting one over the others is all about the omega's comfort level, and I don't take it for granted.

Our Jeep pulls up in front of Cali's cottage, and we climb out. I help Cali out of the jeep and lift her into my arms, carrying her to the door. Once we're inside, the wood furnace alarm starts beeping. Seth's on it.

"Are you hungry, Raindrop?" I ask.

She shakes her head. "I got some festival food before the shitshow," she replies, a crooked smile on her face. There's nothing happy in the expression. I nod and begin carrying her up the stairs. The sound of heavy footsteps from the guys follows behind us.

Her nest is cozy. The bed is covered in chunky blankets and soft pillows. It may not be elaborate, but it's perfect because it belongs to our omega. It's small for three alphas like us. We're all hunched over due to the low-sloped ceiling. The bed might fit us all if we squeeze together. We're about to get really comfortable, really fast. There won't be any extra activities tonight—not that we're planning on them anyway. My Raindrop looks wholly drained.

I carefully pick my way across the room, avoiding the scattered books that threaten to upend my balance. Her room is cozy chaos, but I know I'll tumble to the floor if I don't tread carefully. Gently, I place her on the soft bed and climb in beside her. The warmth of the blankets wrap around us. On her other side, Seth lay pressed against her back.

Connor wisely builds up the fire in the hearth, sending soft, flickering light dancing around the room. He settles in next to Seth, wrapping his arm protectively around both of them, his touch warm and reassuring. Seth glances at Connor, but a quiet understanding passes between them, a silent agreement that this is part of pack life and everyone is at peace.

Cali's breathing becomes even as the fire crackles softly, and I can feel her chest gently rise and fall. Seth's snores soon join in. Deep and rumbling, like a freight train. I marvel at how Cali can sleep through such a ruckus. Further proof that she's made for us.

Connor twitches a few times before settling into light, easy breathing, and I can't help but smile at the sight of my pack. In this moment, surrounded by warmth and the gentle sounds of sleep, I finally find my own rest.

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