Page 18 of Their Knotty Pack
I continue as if she didn't just cut me off, "Because my big brother is a beta, as you know, and he's practically the backbone of that pack—"
"Bethany, chill!" Lanie laughs, taking my hands. "I'm not talking down about myself. No offense, but if I had to go into a state of insane arousal and pain every three months that could only be soothed by alphas fucking me, I might lose my mind. I'm perfectly content being a beta. I just meant, we don't really do scent matches."
I frown again. Archie, even though he's a beta, still has a reaction to his pack's true scent matched omega, Cady. "But my brother—"
"I know, babe. But Archie seems to be the exception, not the rule. I'll be perfectly content to settle down in a few years with another beta." She shakes her head, giving me a look. "How did this turn into a conversation about me? We were discussing your hunky new omega."
I snort. "Who even says 'hunky' anymore?"
"I figured the term would be so ridiculous it wouldn't stir up any protective instincts." She grins at me, and I bark a laugh.
Yeah, she's right. The word is so awkward I don't feel like ripping her head off for noticing my omega.
My omega.
Dreamy sigh.
"We didn't get much talking done last night," I admit, my cheeks flushing slightly, "but I'm thinking we'll have a few important conversations tonight."
"You want to be with him though." It's not a question, but an observation. Of course I want to be with him. He's…well, he's Miles.
"I do."
Before I know what's happening, she's wrapping her arms around me, squishing me in a hug. "I'm so happy for you, Bethany. You deserve this. To be happy."
I can feel the tears starting to sting my eyes. "Thanks Lanie, I—"
My words are cut off by my phone ringing, and Lanie releases me so I can see who it is. When I see the screen, I give Lanie an apologetic smile. "It's my parents." I had texted them this morning, asking them to give me a call after work.
She doesn't look disappointed though. In fact, her face lights up. "Mama and Papa Thomas! Put it on speaker." Lanie doesn't have a great relationship with her parents, so mine have kind of adopted her, even though we're both almost thirty.
"Hey Mom, hey Dad," I answer the phone, immediately putting it on speaker. "You're on speaker with Lanie and me."
"Well, hello to our two favorite Starbrook City girls," Mom gushes over the line at the same time Dad says, "How are you ladies doing?"
"We're good, Mom, I have some pretty big news—"
Mom gasps. "I knew it! You owe me dishes for a week, Glenn."
My brow furrows in confusion, and Lanie gives me an equally perplexed look.
"Mom what are you—"
"Well, hold on a minute, Penn, let's hear what the girls have to say first." Dad says quickly.
"It's obvious," Mom cuts in. "You remember when my cousin Tommy was 'sleeping on his friends couch' for almost six months and then they came out as a couple? You've seen Bethy and Lanie together, we're clearly about to get another daughter-in-law—"
My jaw nearly drops and Lanie covers her mouth.
"Mom, that's not—"
"Sweetie, you don't have to pretend anymore. We love Lanie, and she's already practically part of the family. I'm just glad you're trusting us enough to—"
Mom's voice cuts off at the sound of Lanie's unrestrained laughter. Loud, boisterous laughter that makes me helpless but to laugh along with her.
"Mama Thomas, Bethany and I arenotin a relationship." Lanie's laughter comes down as she wipes the tears from her eyes. "Though if it makes you feel better, if Iwasinto girls, she'd be my first pick."
"Well I should hope so." Mom sounds dejected, but probably only because she owes my dad dishes now.
