Page 48 of Perfectly Naïve
Relief washes through me. Wilder takes Liam’s place, a determined furrow to his brow as he listens to Liam’s instructions.
“Remember, she’ll feel as confident as you do, so worst-case scenario, just move around.”
“Just move around.” Wilder scoffs and shakes his head. “I think not, my friend. I’m going to kick some foxtrot ass.”
I bite back a laugh, loosen my muscles, but stay ready to take over in case he falters. Much to my surprise, though, Wilder does pretty good. He’s definitely not as smooth as Liam, but with time and practice, he might figure it out.
“Okay, okay. My turn,” Sawyer says once the song finishes.
He’s not as fast at catching the steps. I take over, counting out loud, smiling up at him when he lets me take control. Some alphas would be mad. Not mine. Bythe time we finish that song, Hayes is standing, eyeing me with his lips pressed together.
I tip my head and hold out my hand. “Care for a dance?”
“I’m not trotting.”
“Of course not, big guy,” I tell him, lips pulling back as he gently takes my hand. “You’re more of a waltz kind of guy, anyway.”
He doesn’t reply, simply looks to Liam for guidance. The music serenades me almost as sweetly as the pack does tonight.
Pack Johnson could never.
Chapter Seventeen
OLIVIA
“You’re here!”
The minute my older brother, Henry, opens the door to his home, he scoops me up in a hug and spins me around and around. It makes me feel like a little girl again, and the giggle that tumbles out of my mouth is childlike and free. Nothing I did was ever good enough for my mom, and while my dads could be affectionate, they were also distracted by work.
Henry was my safe space. Well, Henry and Sawyer.
“I’ve missed you,” I tell Henry, my voice catching a bit when I realize how much that’s true.
Henry’s brow pinches as he sets me down, his familiar hazel eyes crinkling in the corners. Brushing a strand of chestnut hair away from his face, he says, “I should have visited you in London. I’m sorry.”
When I first told Henry I’d gotten the job in London, he was so excited and proud. But he and his pack had also just mated their omega, Verity, and I knew all Henry’s promises that he’d come and stay for a week or two were ones heshouldn’t be making. The biological pull to be near your mate is far too strong during that first year.
“Don’t be sorry,” I say with an understanding smile. “You were silly to think you could leave Verity so soon after mating her.”
“Silly.” Henry shakes his head and grins. “Yeah, I suppose I was. I don’t like that you’re always alone.”
Before I can open my mouth to reassure my brother that I’m not always alone, not anymore at least, he tugs me through the foyer and deeper into his house. It’s a massive estate—all of Henry’s packmates come from families who are as well-off as our parents or even more so, and their packhouse reflects the wealth they’re accustomed to.
Every room is larger than it needs to be, every fixture and feature obviously expensive, but somehow they’ve still managed to make it feel homey. That’s likely Verity’s influence. She’s one of the warmest people I’ve ever met, and I’m thankful for Henry’s sake that he found someone who appeases our mother but doesn’t act anything like her.
“Look who I found,” Henry calls as he drags me into the massive, immaculate kitchen in the center of their home.
Five sets of eyes swing my way and, even though I know all of Henry’s packmates and Verity well enough and they are nothing but kind to me, I can’t help comparing the twinge of discomfort I feel from being the center of attention here compared to the thrill of having all my guys’ attention. I never thought I’d enjoy being the center of attention. Never thought it would even be an option. But with Sawyer’s pack, I find I crave it.
Verity lets out a happy little squeal, her deep umber eyes lighting up as they meet mine. She pushes out of Aiden’s hold and practically runs across the kitchen, elbows my brother out of the way, and wraps me up in a tight hug. I brace myself, because I’m still getting used to all of the scents, and not onlyhave I never smelled Verity’s, but she’s never smelled mine. She knows I’m no threat to her pack, but omegas can be...funny about other omegas.
Except, her scent doesn’t bother me at all. It’s light and floral—Jasmine and spring rain—and I relax.
“Oh,” she says. “You’ve stopped blocking your scent.” As she pulls back to study me, Verity’s full lips curve into a warm smile. She tucks an errant strand of raven-black hair behind her ear, drawing my attention to the claiming marks that decorate her warm sienna skin. Her next words are quiet and spoken like a confidante. “Is there a reason for that?”
I’m certain the warm flush of my skin gives me away, but luckily, my sister-in-law catches the way my eyes flit to Henry.
“You know what? We’ll get coffee soon, and you can tell me all about it then.” She gives my arms a little squeeze before turning me around and giving me a light push into Trace’s arms.
