As far as this meeting goes so far, she’s saying all the right things, all theexpectedthings. But it’s her actions that are piquing my interest. She’s different in the best possible way.
And damn it, I don’t want to like Violet Steele, but I do. Very much. Her innocence is refreshing like the first snow following up a hot summer. She’s uncharted territory, and I am nothing if not an adventurer.
That gives me an idea…
“Do you like snow?” I ask, unable to tear my gaze away. It’s a safe question, an easy one. Important too, since she’s guaranteed a lot of it if she comes home with me to Anchorage.
Home. Yes. I want to bring her home. Already she feels like mine. Like ours.
She glances up at me for a moment before welcoming a small smile on those lush lips of hers. “I’ve never seen it before. I think I would like it though.”
Never seen snow. I can barely imagine a life without the white stuff either coming, going, or swirling around the darkening sky.
Of course the guys and I also soak up every moment of summer, filling the long days with one adventure after the next. We work hard during the tourist season and play hard the rest of the year.
How nice it would be to have Violet Steele as a playmate, to warm those long winter nights…
I realize I’m staring with open admiration now and shake my head to regain my senses.
“Sorry. I guess I’m a little nervous myself,” I confess, hoping she’ll glimpse my sincerity shining through and feel more at ease around me. “I’d love to show you just how fun snow can be with the right toys.”
Her cheeks redden, and I realize my mistake.Real smooth, asshole.
“Snow machines,” I blurt out, hoping I haven’t lost her already. “Skis and snowboards, that kind of thing. Not…”
Now I’m certain my cheeks are flush with embarrassment as well. I’m hardly a virgin, but something about this girl makes me lose myself, turns me into a sputtering mess.
Did Archer sense it too? When he chose her for us? Of course he only sent me to scope things out, to see if his instincts panned out. And damn if they weren’t right on the money.
I wonder if we like the same things about her or if I’m seeing a side of her that my packmates know nothing of. While I’m happy to share as expected, I like having this lone encounter with her. We’ll have memories all to ourselves, special ones… If I can get this right. If I can make her just as curious about me as I am about her.
“What do you like to do? What makes you happy?” I ask when Violet offers nothing but a chuckle in response to my latest awkward attempt at conversation.
Happiness. I keep coming back to that one thing, because I want nothing more than to make this omega happy. Especially since her drawn expression suggests she is anything but.
When she hesitates, I ask another question. “Are you okay moving so far away from your family?”
“Yes,” she says immediately with so much vigor it surprises us both. This is the first time she hasn’t hesitated in her response. It’s the first one that feels truly authentic rather than rehearsed. And that must mean something.
I want to ask if someone is hurting her, if her safety is at risk, but before I can form either of these questions, her mother returns with a steaming hot cup of tea.
“Thank you,” I say with a terse smile. The pack sent me because I’m the designated charmer. I can win over anyone with my smooth words and kind smile, but suddenly I can’t bring myself to play nice with the elder omega. She’s done something to upset her daughter, to scare her into submission—and I hate her for it.
I glance down at my tea with a grimace. “I’m sorry. I should have been more specific. Do you have green tea? I can’t stomach the black stuff.” There, that’s the nicest I can be and still get what I want.
Sage looks taken aback for a moment, but then falls all over herself to oblige my request, buying me more alone time with her daughter.
I reach for Violet’s hand and take it in mine. I’ve pictured this moment at least a dozen times before, finding my omega, making our pack’s offer. The start of our eventual love story.
Never did I imagine it would go like this.
Violet Steele is the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen, but that’s not what draws me to her. There’s something about this omega that sets her apart from all the others, a puzzle I’ve only just stumbled upon and can’t wait to solve.
“Something’s wrong,” I whisper just in case Mrs. Steele is still lingering close by. “How can I help?”
She shrugs and attempts to rip her hand from my grasp, but I hold on tight.
“Violet, let me help you.”