“I’m sure I will.” Shyla pets Kelsey’s hair.
“And I need Dom,” Kelsey says timidly.
“I want you to have everything you need to be happy, Kelsey.” I watch as Kelsey smiles, but I know my Alpha and her wheels are turning in her head.
Shyla sniffs a few times and winces. “Is that the other Alpha’s scent?” she asks. I had smelled something earlier, but I knew it wasn’t Dom and my sense of smell isn’t as strong as an Alpha or Omega.
“No, that’s just my Harry Styles candle,” she says matter-of-factly.
Shyla and I both laugh as we nuzzle against the small Omega. Shyla kisses my forehead and touches us both as we all drift off to sleep.
With a soft whisper, I hear Shyla say, “Mine.” As she clutches both of us close to her purring chest.
Chapter 16
Ifeelgiddyandnervous, like there’s a bunch of deranged bats flapping around in my stomach, as I get ready for tonight. Emmett and Shyla are picking me up to take us to the restaurant. That already makes tonight feel doomed. Dom seemed deflated on the phone when I told him Shyla was driving me there. Like I was picking them over him, which isn’t the case at all. Shyla and Emmett are just easier for me to relax around. Ever since the truck incident, I feel a little calmer around him, but I still worry they could back out of the arrangement at any time. I don’t know if I could live through Dom not wanting to do this anymore. I think that’s why I thought it was a good idea to hold back last night. If we don’t have sex, if I don’t fully let him into my heart, he can’t break it. But there’s the other side of me that yearns for him so deeply that is telling me to take that risk. I know I need to, but putting your heart on the line is fucking terrifying.
Meanwhile Emmett and Shyla seem ready to put a bite mark and ring on me today if I’d let them. But then again, I’m still grappling with my feelings about Shyla being Meera’s sister and what that means. I felt like I was in shock when Emmett first told me. It didn’t make sense, comparing the two of them, they’re nothing alike. It’s the main thing that keeps me grounded, and feeling confident in what I have with Shyla. I wish Emmett would expand on why we shouldn’t tell her everything, but I trust him. He knows Shyla, and I can’t imagine how I would feel if someone told me that Smith did something horrible to someone. I worry that it will change her feelings for me, but deep down I know that’s not the case. I think back to how Shyla knew that I had been hit before and wonder if it’s part of why Emmett thinks she wouldn’t handle it well.
Even with everything coming to light I still feel more confident in what I have with Shyla and Emmett. I know I shouldn’t compare the two couples, but it’s hard not to.
I stare at my reflection in the mirror, wondering if I’m doing too much, and quickly decide that I’m definitely not. I look fucking amazing, and if we’re all going to make this work, then my future pack mates might need a little reminder of what they are vying for here. The deep green dress showcases my boobs and figure while also contrasting with my skin tone. I wore my hair down in loose curls. I went heavier than I usually do with the makeup, but I kinda feel like Poison Ivy dressed like this. My confidence and scent should radiate off of me all night.
I’ve almost been off suppressants for almost a week, and my mind feels so clear. It feels like I’ve taken back control of my body, mostly. My hormones are running the show now and it will take every ounce of me to not fuck anyone on this date, but I’ll do my damndest. My appointment with Robin is tomorrow, and I know she’s going to give me shit about not taking them, but I don’t care. Maybe we can avoid that conversation and just talk about my epic breakdown from earlier in the week. I wince when I think about it and realize both conversations are going to suck.
My palm turns the knob of the front door before Emmett can even knock. It’s one of my favorite things to do. I’m always keeping an eye out for when they arrive on my security app. Emmett and Shyla both take in my appearance with hungry stares. They both look amazing, always so put together and expensive looking. Sometimes I wonder how I look to them. They seem so polished, meanwhile I’m blunt, crass, and only semi have my shit together. It’s not like they’ve ever given me a reason to think this way. I think my mind automatically just thinks negatively and I have to turn my mindset around. I smile at them, shaking off this less than feeling.
“I like your shirt,” I tell Emmett, appreciating that while he still looks fancy, the dress shirt has a repeating pattern in the design. He’s predictable in that regard. “You look beautiful,” I tell Shyla. She’s wearing a black jumpsuit that cinches around the waist, showing off her figure and height.
“As do you. We better get going before I take that dress off of you right now,” she says. I nod and take each of their hands in mine. My nerves are calming down as I inhale Shyla’s scent and take in Emmett’s warmth. I hope that this will be the night that starts off our pack’s future.
I have a huge grin on my face as I hold Emmett’s hand and meet Dom and Cameron in front of the restaurant. Have you ever just felt like the air is ripped out of a room suddenly? Well that’s what this feels like.
I clear my throat looking between the two couples. “Shyla, this is Cameron and Dom.” Shyla gives Cameron a polite smile and they shake hands. The touch is long and I notice Shyla scenting him. Cameron definitely doesn’t seem put off by it.
The way Dom straightens his shoulders and looks at Shyla though. Woof. “Dom and Cameron, this is Shyla.”
Shyla holds out her hand for Dom, and he takes it. The shake is stiff but polite enough.
“Nice to meet you,” Shyla says, looking at Cameron and not Dom.
“You too, glad we could finally get together,” Cameron says. I watch as Dom looks down at Cameron. Dom looks confused, his brows furrowing as he takes in Cameron’s excitement for the evening.
Dom and Shyla don’t really acknowledge each other, and it makes my heart sink. I wonder what’s going on in their heads, but for some reason it feels like a slight rejection to me. Like my choices aren’t approved by either of them. Cameron gives me a smile, and I return it. It was just a small gesture; it will be fine. They will get to know each other over dinner and see that they have more in common than they realize.
“Let’s go grab our table, shall we?” Shyla says, taking the lead and walking us to the restaurant. I hear Dom mumble something under his breath, but I’m not sure what. I’m momentarily distracted by how great Shyla’s ass looks in her jumpsuit.
“Talk about a dick measuring contest,” Emmett whispers into my ear.
“Shyla doesn’t have a dick.” I reply back, not knowing what to say. I didn’t think the tension would be this thick so soon.
“Oh, she’s got some big ones in the drawer, you just haven’t seen them yet.” He laughs and takes my hand as we walk to our table. I’m briefly distracted by the thought of dildos and clear my throat. Maybe I shouldn’t have gone cold turkey off my suppressants. I was already horny as it is, but tonight I feel like every single thing connects to something sexually.
Shyla and Dom both grab the back of my chair to pull it back for me. It’s like a very passive aggressive game of musical chairs. I clear my throat, part of me pleased that both Alphas want to take care of me. Another perturbed by this show of dominance.
“Thank you,” I chirp out to no one in particular.
Dom grabs Cameron’s chair and Emmett gets Shyla’s before sitting down.