Page 50 of Knot The Only Onee
“You’ll get some apples when we get to where we’re going, little lady,” I spoke softly as I brushed my hand up and down her neck.
Bridget giggled, and I smiled at her. She watched me intently, studying my movements as I went through the motions of getting Sage ready to ride. It was as if she was trying to memorize my actions.
If she wanted to learn how to saddle and care for the horses, I would gladly teach her. She was gentle and kind. Not to mention, the horses already loved her.
It was amazing how easily she fit into our lives without even trying. There was some special force at work, giving us our perfect mate.
It took another minute to tie the basket before we were ready to go. I mounted Sage and reached out my hand to help Bridget up. She hesitated momentarily, shyly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, before taking my hand and swinging herself up onto the horse.
“Ready?” I whispered into her ear as my arms tightened around her.
“Let’s go!” She surprised me as she leaned back and kissed my cheek.
I was completely and utterly doomed. This little omega already had me wrapped around her little finger.
As we rode through the fields, I couldn't help but steal glances at Bridget. She was beautiful, with bright eyes and a shy smile. I wanted to spend some alone time with her for weeks, but it was difficult because I wasn’t the easiest to get along with. I was afraid that I would just push her away.
When we reached a small clearing, I got off Sage, untied the basket from her saddle, and spread out the blanket that Lucas had packed in it. After that, I turned to look at Bridget. I had to suck in a breath. The sun was high in the sky just behind her, casting a brilliant light around her as if she was glowing.
Bridget's eyes brightened as she saw the scene, and I felt a surge of pride, even though it was mostly thanks to Lucas. I helped her down from the horse, stealing the opportunity to bury my nose in her hair and draw more of her luscious aroma into my lungs. I helped her settle on the blanket, and she reached for the picnic basket to arrange our lunch.
“Lucas went all out, I see.” She giggled as she eyed the small bottle of sparkling wine and two flutes.
Damn, the beta did pack a good spread. Small sandwiches in various varieties, sides, fruit, and cheese. It was almost a whole tea service but without the tea. I owed him big time for this one.
We munched on the food, and I poured us each a glass of wine. Bridget slowly sipped hers as she looked over the hill to the view of the property. "It's beautiful here," she remarked absently, her bright eyes trailing over the distant mountains and rolling fields.
I nodded, but I knew that to move forward with my omega, I needed to be honest with her. No relationship could start without complete and total honesty. This is what I’d come here to tell her. She had to know about Ashlei and my parents.
I had been so excited about this date when Lucas demanded I do it, but now that it was happening, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.
Fuck, I knew I should have invited the guys to come with me.
Lucas had a way of calming me and making me smile. Well, when he wasn’t being a shithead.
“Hey.” Bridget got my attention with her soft voice and a hand on my cheek. “If you want to enjoy the picnic and admire the view, we can do that. No pressure.”
This omega was too fucking good for me. How was I ever going to be worthy of her? I ducked my head, or tried to. Bridget didn’t let me drop my gaze.
“I know all the tricks for avoidance. Trust me. I’ve used a lot of them over the years.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at her joke.
With a sigh, I wrapped my hand around one side of her neck, and my nose ran up the other side. I savored her scent, strawberries and cream, surrounding me and making my dick as hard as a rock without a second thought.
“I know I can’t avoid telling you.” I took another moment, breathing in her perfume and letting it calm me. “I just don’t want you to look at me differently.”
“James, I wouldn’t look at you differently. Despite what it is.” Her arms tightened around me. “I already know that you’re a good and kind person. Lucas and Noah wouldn’t have you as part of their pack unless you were a good man.”
“I’m going to start at the beginning. It’s not a pretty story, little one.”
“Take your time.” Her small hand ran up and down my back. “I will just hold you and lend you my strength.”
How did she keep saying exactly the right thing at the right time? It was as if she was in my mind.
“Like Noah, my dad was an alpha, and my mom an omega. Dad was a piece of shit from Society.” I spat the word, hating Society for how my family had been treated, as well as Bridget and Alena, too. We needed to find a way to bring them all down. “He hated my mom for giving him two useless children.”
I took a few deep breaths to center myself before I continued. “When I was born a beta, he almost killed Mom. It took her months to recover from her injuries. During that time, I was cared for by a beta nursemaid. When my sister was born a couple of years later, it wasn’t clear if she was a beta or omega. There were some complications, and mom had to have emergency surgery, which left her unable to have children anymore. Dad was furious. He even got kicked out of the hospital after the surgery.”
