Page 15 of A Pack of Pumpkins
Heat climbs up my neck, but Bram perks up.
“What do you write?” he asks.
“Romance.” I can’t stop the blush this time.
I love what I do. Romance matters. It gives people safe ways to explore relationships, identity, and pleasure. But you wouldn’t believe the number of pitying smiles and awkward silences I’ve gotten after saying that.
The guys aren't reacting like that, though. Bram is interested, his gaze locked on mine. Jack gives me a soft smile. And Dagan? Dagan looks at me with a deep hunger that has slick warming my thighs.
“We’ll have to look that up,” Bram says with a sly grin. “What kind of Romance is it?”
I don’t think he means tropes, but I give them anyway. “Cozy, fun stuff. Packs finding their mates. That kind of thing.”
Dagan signs and Bram translates. “Closed or open door?"
“Open,” I say, ducking my head and taking another bite of breakfast. I’m grown. I can handle talking about my books. But something about their eyes on me makes me squirm in my seat.
“I just ordered them all,” Bram says, pocketing the phone in his hand.
“Oh, you didn’t have to do that,” I say quickly. “You could just read my copies.”
“Nope. I need my own. And I’m making you sign them.”
My stomach flutters. I lower my lashes. Being asked to sign my own book always hits me in this strange little cocktail of thrill and embarrassment. Especially when I know my signature’s a sloppy mess.
“We have to go into town today,” Bram says, finishing his last bite. “Pick up equipment. Get a P.O. Box. Stop in Suttons Bay. We’ll be back late. Victor texted that he’s going into town. Since his clothes are off the lawn I assume he changed. So, he shouldn’t come back until late either. Will you be okay?”
I nod. “Just work. I’ve got an early morning shift tomorrow, so I might be asleep by the time you get back.”
He nods. The others start gathering their things. But my omega claws at the idea of being separated from our alphas so soon. An omega whine scrapes its way up my throat and I can't keep a small part of it from slipping out.
All three alphas freeze. I can feel the tension shift. They definitely heard it.
Low alpha purrs start rumbling in chests. That sound is like the hum of engines mixed with thunder. It's meant to soothe omegas. Bram crosses the room and folds himself around me, one arm pulling me into his body, the other curving up to palm the back of my head. My cheek rests right where that low, vibrating purr hums through his chest. My whole body melts.
Jack steps in too. So does Dagan. He doesn’t purr, but he rubs gentle lines up and down my spine, each one grounding me a little more.
“What’s the matter, Ghost?” Bram murmurs. He’s taken the lead here, I realize. Most dominant alphas do.
“I don’t know. I guess…” I pull in a breath. “Now that she’s scented you, my omega doesn’t really want you to go.” I pull back quickly. Try to smile like this isn’t a big deal. “But I’ll be fine.”
Bram gives me a look like he doesn’t believe that for a second. Dagan signs something, but no one translates.
“Are you sure?” Jack asks gently. “We could—”
“I’m fine,” I say again. “I’ve got a lot to do today too. Omegas! Crazy, right?” I force a laugh and turn back to my orange juice. We just met. I cannot be this clingy. Even if she is part of me, the omega feels like a separate, wild-hearted creature.
They hesitate. But after a few more reassurances, they finally head out.
My omega scrambles against the separation, stretching toward them like she might climb out of my skin. But I ignore her. She’ll get her chance.
We all will.
Clara
"Whatdoyoumeanyour roommates are alphas?" Sunny looks furious on my behalf.
I’m holding a carafe of coffee even though every cup in front of my friends is already full, steam curling up in little ribbons against the chill seeping through the café’s old windows. They often come in during my shifts, taking over their favorite corner table.
